About Us

Trish & Pia at Westbrook Hunt Club 2002 in Pre-Green Hunters (placed 5th out of 53)

 

About Trish

Trish & Secret Alliance 2000 Sarah Hadley Medal Victory Gallop

 

 

I started riding at the age of 5 in 1988 in Wallingford, VT. Little did my mom know what would come out of a birthday present of riding lessons! After moving to Colchester at age 8, I attended my first show. After a couple of years of doing 4-H and some VHSA (Vermont Horse Show Association) shows, I met Judy Shailor of Summerwood Farm through Dan Langan, who was training my horse. Judy found me a new horse, who we named Secret Alliance. Judy started having me show at many more VHSA shows, and started me on the A circuit when I was 14. I enjoyed riding in the hunters, but also showed in a lot of equitation and some jumpers for practice. At age 15, I qualified for and showed at the New England Equitation Championships. I also qualified and showed at the NEEC every year after that, including my first two adult years, until I went professional. I showed at many A and AA shows, including Manchester, Lake Placid, Shallow Brook, Westbrook Hunt Club, Saratoga St. Clements, Saratoga Skidmore Classic, Fieldstone Farm, and many others. I came home with many blue ribbons in the equitation as well as the hunters. I came in 7th in the Symmes Medal Final. Back at home in VHSA shows, in 2000, I won the Sarah Hadley Equitation Final, as well as the VHSA Junior Medal Final. In my first adult year, I also competed in the CHJA Adult Medal Final.

In 2002, I bought my next horse, Piaretta, from Linda Langmier in CT, and sold my junior horse. In 2003 and 2004, at the Northeast Benefit Horse Show, I won the Adult Equitation U/S out of over 30 riders both years with Pia. We were also reserve champion in Adult Equitation. In my last amateur year, 2004, I showed in the MHC (Massachussetts Horsemen's Council) Medal Final on a horse I leased for the final and placed 12th out of a very big and competitive class. Judy Shailor decided to retire, so with a good finishing year as an amateur, I decided to go professional. Summerfield Farm, LLC was established in March 2005.

At the end of October 2004, I undertook a new endeavor to improve my horsemanship skills, and to help my mare Piaretta become a more confident horse at the shows. I started taking Parelli lessons and clinics, and this has changed the way I look at horses completely. Learning how they think and learn in a more natural way has been very helpful as I have applied it to not only horse training but also rider training. I am always sure to think about the horse's dignity and happiness before any training or competitive goals. Natural Horsemanship has also taught me a lot of patience which is always helpful in any situation! I have completed Levels 1 & 2 of Parelli Natural Horsemanship and am working on Level 3.

 

Other Summerfield Farm VIP- the ones we couldn't do it without:

Pat Muskus

My dad, who I couldn't have done it without! He's been to pretty much every show and every lesson I've had since I was 14! We call him Fernando since we don't have a groom! He is the first one out with me in the morning and the last one in at night at the shows. He grooms for and helps not only me, but all of my students.

Cathy Muskus

Our official photographer, and the one that started it all! Always supportive and my students LOVE having the pictures to see.

Cathy on the left, Betsy Bishop on the right

Erik Hausler

My husband and official videographer. He's our second groom- Enrique! He comes to most shows to help me and my students and is always there when we need him. He is also our official "Set-Up Designer" for shows where we do set ups! Erik has his own landscaping company, ES Scapes and Lawn Care, where he does lawn care, landscaping, and plowing.