Facility
Valley Crest Farm is located at By The Hounds, Millbrook NY.
One of Valley Crest Farm’s main goals is to nurture a
family oriented environment. Family and friends are a welcome
sight. Children can ride and take care of their mounts in a
pleasant and safe atmosphere. Parents are encouraged to be involved
in their child’s riding as well as learn and take Lessons
themselves.
Our Riding Arenas:
- A large sand outdoor arena with a full set of jumps.
- There is a large cross country field with jumps.
- A indoor arena with superior footing which has a heated
viewing lounge where family and friends can watch lessons
(complete with microwave, vending machines, TV and VCR).
- Outdoor lessons can be viewed from benches in the shade.
The Barn: 
- A main barn with 40 stalls, 2 indoor heated wash stalls,
feed room, office, tack cleaning/laundry area, and
2 tack rooms.
- Horses are turned out daily and/or overnight in the summer
if desired.
- All paddocks are post and board that vary in size to suit
the individual needs of each horse.
Boarding:
Boarders have full use of the facilities 7 days a week, 8am
to 9pm.
The farm hosts numerous clinics
and shows throughout the year that boarders are welcome
to participate in.
This
makes participation easier and less time consuming. Children
can ride and care for their mounts in a safe and friendly
environment where help and guidance are always available.
Your horse will never be wanting for good care or attention.
Our feeding program is individual tailored to each horse.
We also offer a supplement program to keep your horse at its
healthiest. Hay and water are checked and provided 4 times
daily.
Please visit our forms page for all
applicable forms.
Rates
Basic Board $1050.00/month
(includes daily feed turn out and stall cleaning)
Full Board $1200.00/month
(same as above and includes grooming, trimming, mane care,
and blanketing)
Training Board $1800.00/month
(same as above and includes 4 training sessions or lessons per week)
Leasing
Valley Crest Farm has a wonderful selection of horses available
for lease or shareboard. If you don’t own a horse but
would like to learn what it is like talk to us about a lease
or shareboard.
This is an opportunity to experience owning your own horse
without the commitment, obligation or expense of full ownership.
Leased horses are available for riders of all levels.
Often the leased horse is a wonderful stepping stone in the
riders education.
Please visit our forms page for all
applicable forms.
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Lisa-Iannelli Winkler
has a long established equestrian history with over 25 years of accomplished riding and training experience. She is a graduate “A” from the Millbrook Pony Club. She specializes in bring along young horse and transforming them into mounts that any seasoned horse person would be proud to ride. As well as owning and managing a successful business Lisa continues to give lessons and actively compete at many levels. She three day events, shows dressage to second level, and competes in the jumper arena up to 4’2”. She is the riding instructor and lecturer for The Running Fox Pony Club that operates out of Valley Crest Farm. She teaches all aspects of horse care and health as well as coaching students at the local, regional and national levels. Lisa currently belongs to the USDF, USEA, PHA and Rombout Hunt. She has served as a Stable Management judge for the regional and national USPC competitions. Lisa holds a Law Degree from the Western New England College School of Law in Massachusetts and a Business Degree from Marist College in Poughkeepsie New York. She is licensed to practice law in both New York and Massachusetts. Lisa currently serves as the head coach for the Marist Equestrian Team and is actively involved in their riding program. Ask any student, parent of a student, or virtually anyone that is connected to horses in the northeast about Lisa and they will not only know her but have nothing but praise for her contributions to the world of horsemanship.
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Kelly Parker Nugen
has experience showing in both equitation and in the hunter
ring. She has shown both locally and regionally. Her experience
includes the Maclays as well as USET competition.
Kelly has qualified students for Harrisburg as well as
having students win many PHA and year end final awards.
Kelly managed and ran her own stable and training center
for over 15 years.
Kelly has worked with Lendon Gray, Billy Barr, Tina Stevenson,
George Morris, Michael Page as well as many other top
rated professionals.
After taking a break to have a family, Kelly has re-entered
the equitation and hunter field and joined us at Valley
Crest Farm in 2005. |
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Melinda Pearson
began her riding career over 30 years ago at Foxfield Riding School in Southern California, where she showed Hunter Equitation and Dressage. In 1985 Melinda earned her certificates in Ranch Management, Training and Artificial Insemination from Moorpark College. For three years Melinda managed Moorpark’s 300 acre ranch and taught as an instructor, helping students start over 200 horses using Natural Horsemanship. Melinda earned her BA in Psychology at Loyola Marrymont, Marina DelRay, California. Her undergraduate work focused on neuro-psychology. Melinda has since earned a Masters in Social Work and is currently in private practice treating individuals with brain injuries. Her expertise in this field influences her approach to riding instruction, which is a systematic approach she calls Mindfulness Riding. Melinda has developed and facilitated workshops for The Running Fox Pony Club helping students with their riding techniques from a sports psychology perspective. Melinda’s long-term goal is to become certified as an instructor in Centered Riding.
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Susan Barry
has a background in equitation, hunters and jumpers. Most recently she has added dressage to her riding skills. As a junior, Susan rode with Smithtown Hunt club Jackie Moeller (nee Bittner) and equitation coach Hugh Cassidy. She qualified for the Maclay finals in the mid-70’s. During her college years she was among the top-ranked adult riders on Long Island. She also rode with the Smithtown and Radnor Hunts during that time. Susan took a break showing through the 80’s and early 90’s, instead focusing her attention on working with young horses. She returned to showing in the mid-90’s, during which time she was among the top adult equitation riders in Westchester while under the tutelage of Pam Freely. Susan then moved to the jumpers, for which one of her highlights was winning a jumper series Reserve Grand Champion at Old Salem Farm on a horse she had bought and trained as a baby. She currently trains with Lisa O’Neil and Steve Green at Foxlair Farm, Ernest Dillon, international show jumper and fellow of the BHS, David Collins, FEI dressage coach, and Susan Harris, of Centered Riding fame. Susan’s horse Flash of Brilliance is on of Ms. Harris’ “Visible Horses.” As a clinician, Susan has ridden with some of the luminaries of the sport including George Morris, Holly Hugo-Vidal (and earlier with Victor Hugo-Vidal) and Kevin Babbington, member of the winning Irish Nations Cup show jumping team.
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Gretchen Scott
is among the newest members to our staff. She is a USEA certified instructor and has extensive riding and competition experience in Combined Training as well as Dressage. Gretchen has competed through Intermediate Level in Combined Training and at 4th Level in Dressage. Much of Gretchen’s training has come from working with local equestrian celebrities such as Michael Page and Lendon Grey. Gretchen is also a graduate “B” pony clubber and has a Bachelors of Science in Equine Science. Her approach to riding is rooted in the premise that riding should always be fun. This approach has enabled Gretchen to make her career the success it is today. Her students are always able to understand what is being asked of them. Gretchen’s approach to teaching has also given her students a well rounded equine education. Whatever your equestrian goal, Gretchen is ready and able to help you or your child achieve it.
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Lee Ann Pojeta
has been riding since the age of six and been a fixture in the show ring for almost as long. In her junior years she competed in the Medal and Maclay, hunters, and jumpers under the instruction of James Benedetto, Debbie Leutz, and various clinicians including Nona Garson and George Morris. After aging out she turned her sights to the jumper division and to teaching, specializing in hunters, equitation and jumpers. Lee Ann welcomes riders of all skill levels and regularly takes students to both local and USEF rated horseshows.
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Lessons
Our experienced staff of riding instructors offers lessons
for riders of all levels. Whether your focus is Hunters, Jumpers,
Equitation, or Eventing, Valley Crest Farm can help you achieve
your goals.
Students participate in many competitive and learning events.
These events include USEA events, US Equestrian shows, IHSA
shows, clinics with guest instructors in dressage, equitation
and show jumping.
Valley Crest students also participate in hunter paces, fox
hunting with Rombout
Hunt Club and US Pony
Club activities.
Our instructors are available seven days a week and lessons
are scheduled throughout the day and into the evening hours.
Lessons can be purchased individually or in a discounted package
of 5 lessons.
Lessons are provided year round and can be scheduled around
your availability.
Lesson Rates
Private 30 min. $45.00
Private 60 min. $75.00
Semi-Private $50.00
Group 60 min. $45.00
5 week lesson session $185.00
Lesson Packages
Five private 30 min. $210.00
Five private 60 min. $325.00
Five group 60 min. $210.00
Instructors at Valley Crest Farm
Lisa Iannelli-Winkler, Esq.
Kelly Parker Nugen
Lee Ann Pojeta
Melinda Pearson
Susan Barry
Summer Camp
Valley Crest offers fun filled summer camp programs for the
novice and experienced equestrian alike. Children have been
enjoying our camps for 10 years.
Allow your children ages 6-16 to experience the joys or riding
and horsemanship. Children will participate in intensive weekly
workshops covering a variety of equine activities.
Grooming, tacking, horse care, first aid, tailoring and horse
showing are among the many topics that will be covered. Children
will participate in a riding lesson during the morning. The
afternoon will consist of horse care and an additional horseback
ride. A pizza party wraps up the week.
Campers are welcome to bring their own horses. Stalls are
available at a daily rate of $40 or a four day rate of $150.
All campers should bring a box lunch. Refrigerator and snack/drink
machines are available.
Campers should wear blue jeans and hard sole shoes with a
short heel. Children wearing sneakers will not be permitted
to ride.
Camp hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Early drop off and late
pick up should be arranged in advance. ($6 per half hour)
 Sessions
are Monday through Thursday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM rain or shine- Tuition is $350 per session.
- Campers ride twice daily
- Daily unmounted lessons in beginner through advanced
horse care occur daily
- Early drop off and late pick up available for a fee
- Students 6 years and up are welcome
- Pizza party every Thursday.
- T-shirts, prizes, games and more!
- No riding experience necessary
For additional information, please call the stable office
at (845) 677-6454 or simply fill out the Camp Form and send
it to us with payment.
Please visit our forms page for all
applicable forms.
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Policies, Rules and Regulations
All boarders agree to follow all VCF rules and regulations.
These rules include but
are not limited to the following:
- absolutely no smoking on the barn premises.
- all riders must wear as ASTM helmet while mounted on
the barnpremises.
- all riders and guests, who will ride boarder’s
horse, must sign aVCF release of liability.
- Each boarder may store one (1) trunk per each horse at
the barn. Each horse will be allotted one saddle and bridle
rack. All other equipment must be stored off VCF premises.
- VCF is not responsible for any loss or damage of equipment
stored on VCF premises.
- No boarder or student may jump without an instructor
present
- There is absolutely no free longing permitted in any
ring or paddock.
- No running in the arenas or around horses
- Dogs must be leashed
- Please pick up after yourself and you horse
- ADDITIONAL RULES AND FEES MAY BE POSTED AT THE BARN.
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