by Jennifer Carcaci-Trumble

Cooperstown Equestrian Park, also known as Zemi Farms, celebrated their fifth year open house on Sept. 8, 2018. Owner and operator Cody Moore, her sister Makenzie Warro and many volunteers made sure everyone had a good time. Jace Moore, Cody’s five old son, came and welcomed everybody to the farm with his little red wagon. There were multiple equestrian events going on there. There was an open show, vaulting, and drill team exhibitions going on. Every child had a smile on their face and was enjoying their time and went away with some kind of ribbon or a prize. There were silent auction donations given to the farm for this event. One of the most beautiful gifts that I saw there was a painted saddle. It was the first saddle that Cody’s mother had bought her as a young girl that one of her students painted for her to put up for silent auction.

Cooperstown Equestrian Park is owned and run by Cody Moore. Cody started riding at the age of 8 under the instructions of Kathy Howard of Kindle Hope Farm in Cooperstown, NY. Cody is United States Dressage Federation certified to first level and ARI certified in dressage. This summer Cody received her silver medal and is currently working towards her gold medal in dressage. Cody trains people to ride up to the second level dressage. Cody has done a lot of work in the community with kids and young adults of all ages. She has formed some very specialized clubs to help bring out the best equestrians and citizens in all of them. Cody does not instruct only the young but the young at heart also. At any age you want to learn to ride, Cody can make your dream come true as she did with me.

Zemi Patch Program

The Cooperstown High Dressage Club was formed by Cody Moore in 2013. It is recognized by Cooperstown Central School and United States Dressage Federation. The club is also known as the May Patch program. Grades 6 to 12 meet once a month and volunteer 10 hours a calendar year. Any school can participate in the Cooperstown High club. Every child must;

  • Be supportive of the farm
  • Be supportive of the animals
  • Be supportive of other riders

For the 2017-2018 school year there are 13 girls enrolled in the program.

United States Dressage Federation Pin Program is a more advanced program for the girls who have already met all their qualifications for the Zemi Patch Farm Program. The qualifications for this program are as follows:

  • Must be a participating member of the USDF for each year participating.
  • GPA cannot fall below 2.5 or 60 percent. If it falls below they become ineligible for the pin program.
  • Must perform 20 hours of community service a year.
  • Must have 16 hours of equine education.

They can obtain their equine education by:

  • Mounted meetings that they host at Cooperstown Equestrian Park
  • Mounted lessons
  • Mounted Clinics
  • Audited Clinics
  • They need to have two qualifying scores of 60 percent or higher. To obtain this best score is not an easy feat. Many long hours in the saddle practicing and lessons are needed. Once all of this has been achieved they receive very nice pins.

Mackenzie Warro is the drill team and vaulting trainer. During the open house she put on a great show with the drill team and vaulting equestrian athletes.

Vaulting is described as gymnastics and dance on horseback, while the horse is moving. Vaulting is open to everyone ages 5 years and up. This is a great way to gain balance, confidence, and strength. The teams practice every Sunday at Cooperstown Equestrian Park. Zemi Farm’s vaulters compete throughout the region and do local demos.

Vaulting horses are not saddled, instead they wear a surcingle and a thick pad. The surcingle goes around the back and girth area. It belts to itself and has special handles which aid in the vaulters performing certain moves as well as leather loops called “Cossack stirrups.” The horse wears a bridal and side reins and is attached to a lunge line. The lunger, who stands in the middle of a 15-meter circle, controls the horse. The lunge line is snapped to the bit on the bridle. Vaulters team up in pairs or groups. They learn their moves on a vaulting barrel where they learn and practice their balance and correct placements of their body so the girls don’t get hurt or accidentally hurt the horse. The girls will move up from walk to trot to canter. They will learn moves such as mounting and dismounting, kneeling, standing, as well as jumps, leaps and tumbling skills.

Kathy Haverly has been riding since she was 3 years old. Her first horse was the black Shetland pony named Sugarfoot. Kathy says her first real riding was on Ike, an ex-police mount that took very good care of her when she was 15. Kathy took time off for marriage and her children all the while still enjoying her art. She began drawing and painting as a child. Like many artists she doesn’t have just one passion. In her 30s Kathy began writing again under the instruction of Stan Horton. She eventually found her way to Kindle hope Farm in Cooperstown under the instruction of Kathy Howard. Riding at Kindle Hope Farm she learned what it felt like to ride upper-level movements like POF and passage as well as Canter pirouettes on her horse Marona. That is where she met Cody. She watched Cody grow into a skilled rider, trainer and instructor. Kathy rides for fun and occasionally will do low-level schooling shows as the time permits. Kathy enjoys her lessons at Cooperstown Equestrian Center with the other “ladies” as she calls them. Cody had approached Kathy to paint her first saddle that her mom had bought her as a child for the silent auction for the open house. Kathy was very happy to oblige Cody’s wishes.