Valkyrie Equestrian Center

08/24/2025

Maddie, it has been a pleasure and a thrill to have been a part of your equestrian journey. From the ponies, to the big horses and classes, you’ve shown up and put your heart into it all! Best of luck to you at Syracuse this year; all of us at VEC will miss you! And, I’ll be here waiting to start that pony business with you whenever you’re ready!

08/24/2025

Kathryn, what a pleasure it has been to watch you grow as a person and equestrian over the years. You’ve set clear goals with your riding, and have achieved every one, all while developing wonderful relationships with the horses you’ve ridden. All of us at VEC wish you the best of luck and success at Colgate this year, and can’t wait to see all of the new goals that you will accomplish!

08/20/2025

We had such a lovely time at the Fairfield horse show. Each rider had a highlight moment. The horses were happy on the grass. And, our team was tight. Many thanks to , , and Carlos for keeping things running smoothly. Many Congrats to

⭐️ Phoebe Raybould and Blue Heels 🥈 in a HUGE S.S. Class!

⭐️ Isaac Mainardi and Just Magic were CHAMPION medium children’s Hunter pony!

⭐️ Maddie Mushok and Candy Boy PZ were CHAMPION 3’6” performance Hunter!

⭐️ Gabriella Dambrov and Lola Van Het Duvelsbos were CHAMPION suitable Hunter!

⭐️ Gabriella Dambrov and Lola Van Het Duvelsbos RESERVE CHAMPION local Hunter!

⭐️ Grace Tice and Betyboy de Kreisker 3rd and 4th in the 3’3” performance hunters

⭐️ Emi Cisneros and Hybris Van Het Duvelsbos were RESERVE CHAMPION 3’3” performance hunters, winning a huge over fences class, and 3rd across the board in the junior hunters!

⭐️ Clara Dinez on Champ de Lux winning two 8th place ribbons in a huge children’s equitation division!

08/19/2025

The Fairfield horse show and CHJA finals, for me, signal the end of summer. We often have kids leaving soon after to go to college. This year, it’s Maddie and Kathryn. We close out a busy show season, and prepare for an even busier fall/school/winter season ahead.
For many of our students, CHJA finals are a goal; sometimes the only goal, and sometimes one of many goals. It is a challenging venue, out on the big grass field, particularly for those who do not show frequently. There’s a lot of atmosphere and excitement, all of which become contagious and at times, can be overwhelming.
We had some real highlights this week. Our working student, Gabriella Dambrov, in what was only her second major horse show, earned ribbons in both finals, alongside earning both champion and reserve on her lease horse, Lola, out on the hunt course. Kathryn Hegarty, on her young horse Ajax, took home a great ribbon in the Jr. medal final! And, our own Isaac, was on the podium for both of his classics! We also had some stumbles and struggles this week with riders and horses who are on their journey towards learning and growing in these environments. We walk away from these moments with more information so that we can work towards even better outcomes next year!
Regardless of the ribbons earned or not, as trainers, we are filled with pride for all of our students, and gratitude for their lovely mounts. A job well done by all!

⭐️ Gabriella Dambrov and Champ de Lux 7th in the Children’s Hunter Classic

⭐️ Isaac Mainardi and Just Magic 🥉Children’s Hunter Pony Classic

⭐️ Kathryn Hegarty and Telamonian Ajax 8th Jr. Medal final

⭐️ Gabriella Dambrov and Champ de Lux 12th Jr. Medal final

⭐️ Isaac Mainardi and Just Magic 🥉 Pony Medal

08/07/2025

Fantastic time was had at HITS Hudson Valley VI! We had sideways rain, some wind, some sweater weather, and some desert heat — all in the span of 4 days! But the show is beautifully maintained and run like a machine, so there were very few interruptions.

We couldn’t be prouder of a group of riders, horses, and ponies — several of whom are just beginning to reckon with these larger atmospheres, and the challenges therein. Everyone rose to the occasion, for some outstanding results.

🎖️Phoebe Raybould and Blue Heels were the Short Stirrup Hunter Division Champion, won the Hunter Classic and 2 other o/f classes, and were the Short Stirrup Equitation Division Reserve Champion! 🥰

🎖️Isaac Mainardi and Just Magic were Children’s Hunter Pony S/M Division Champion 😍

🎖️Gabriella Dambrov and Lola van het Duvelsbos were the Modified Children’s Hunter Division Champion 🥹

🎖️Clara Dinez and Champ de Lux were the pre Children’s Hunter Reserve Champion 👏🏼

🎖️Clara Dinez and her own Ruby had scores in the 80s in the pony hunter derby, for sure a high point of their relationship thus far 💪🏼

🎖️Ava Stantial and Clear Skies braved the rain on Wednesday in the 1.10 jr jumper, and it paid off with a win in that class 👌🏼

🎖️Grace Tice earned an 11th in the Amateur National Hunter Derby, and a 7th in a huge 1.0m jumper class 🙌🏼

🎖️Emi Cisneros and Hybris came together after a long hiatus from showing, and earned 11th in the Junior National Hunter Derby, and top ribbons in the hugely competitive Junior Hunter 3’3 15-17 🫶🏼

With all of that said, there were challenges, too. The rain as an element presented significant distraction to Lola and Gabriella on their first day showing, resulting in an, er, unplanned dismount. Phoebe and “Ivy” struggled with their first course, having an unfortunate stop at the out of the first line. Isaac and “Rosie” missed a couple lead changes in an otherwise perfect round on Saturday. And Ava and Sky — still new to this height and the nerves that come along with it — had a miscommunication in their 1.15m classic round on Sunday.

So, big highs.... and some lows.... We’ve come home proud, but with work to do. And we’ll do it!

07/20/2025

What a beautiful evening with the Granby (CT) Horse Council, celebrating the old guard with the new, and creating community. Many thank yous to Dr. Harry Werner and Dr. Caitlin Rothacker for their knowledge and insight. Thank you for the ever brilliant moderating and a big Thank You to for the amazing food!

07/20/2025

Taking a poll…

If we run a Jumper Nights schooling show…great courses, huge ring, all levels….who would come??

07/11/2025

07/04/2025

Valkyrie camp week 1 in the books!!
We have a couple spots left in August…reach out to fill them up!

06/28/2025

Maddie Mushok and Candy Boy PZ were part of the winning team in the Markel/USHJA amateur ZJTC final. So thrilling to watch these two as they improved each day of competition.

06/27/2025

This clear round helped Ava win an overall 8th place in the individual portion of the Markel/USHJA Junior ZJTC final. What an accomplishment, and what a pair ❤️!

05/19/2025

Valkyrie traveled to Old Salem Farm for their Spring II show last week. What an absolute pleasure to be amongst such great horsemen and women. It was a week full of watching, learning and absorbing. So proud to say that all of our horses and riders rose to the challenge of their surroundings, and even brought home some ribbons! on Clear Skies and on Candy Boy PZ were bold and brave on Saturday in the 1.15m The League Jumper Classic. These two rode in the HUGE international GP ring. What a thrill! and Kerusa were in the ribbons in the 1.25
and Pico Nevada landed a 3rd & 5th in Children’s Hunter .eq ended up 3rd, 3rd and 9th in the Classic with Hybris Van Het Duvelsbos. And last but not least, our own Isaac was 2nd in the Hunter Pony Classic!