Legacy Farm was started in 1996 with not much more than a vision. The dilapidated farm in the valley was not much to look at, to say the least. Kris came to it with her two hands, a good work ethic and a strong desire to share her knowledge of horses with others. Originally working in veterinary medicine, Kris had a "real" job for the first few years while, with the help of a few great friends, she began building the farm. In the summer of 1998, Kris took the leap into the business full time. With a strong background in horsemanship, fostered by renowned horsemen such as Ray Francis and George Morris she started to pass the thread of knowledge on to another generation of hunter/jumper riders.
Possessing a great aptitude for working with young and problem horses, Kris found pleasure in helping students and their horses through training issues. However, she also wanted to remain competitive in the show ring. After the retirement of her show jumper High Fidelity it was time for her to start a new relationship. In seemingly choreographed timing she found her next mount, Tres. Kris was enchanted by him at first sight and still dotes on him to this day. Although his show jumping career has tapered off, he and the experiences that he and Kris had together have shaped Kris into the rider that she is today. It was riding Tres that allowed her the opportunity to work with Frank Chapot. During the period of training with Frank, Kris learned more about improving the form and appreciating the heart of a horse than words can say. This exposure is also what spawned the business relationship between Kris and Frank. Shortly after riding with him, Frank offered to send his homebred mare Harkness (known as Quizzy in the barn) to Kris for her to work with and then to sell. Not only was this flattering, but it opened the door for Kris to get into the big ring again.
Kris spent a season training at Hunterdon and showing Quizzy in the 6 year old Young Jumper Championships division, finally qualifying to ride with the greats at the Hampton Classic. Quizzy then became Kris' Mini Prix horse. Along with showing Quizzy, Kris continued to coach her students at shows as well as show her own horses and horses owned by her clients. She also traveled to the West Coast to ride with World Cup rider Jenny Martin to improve her own riding and started the process of becoming a licensed judge.
This was only the start, during this time Kris had the opportunity to become affiliated with Blue Waters Farm in Chesapeake City, Maryland. Breeders of fine sporthorses, Linda Santomenna and Bob Alphin at Blue Waters hold the same values and ethics dear that Kris finds so important in her life and business. This affiliation with Blue Waters has not only allowed Kris to devote time to her passion of starting and bringing along young horses it has also inspired her to become formally trained in dressage. Evidence of her ability to cater to the needs of the dressage industry was being chosen as a featured young horse trainer at Hilltop's Young Horse Trainers seminar in 2005.
More recently, as a result of Legacy Farm being approved by the German Hanoverian Society as a licensed training facility, Kris has been expanding her knowledge internationally. In the fall of 2008 she accepted a short term riding position in Stuttgart, Germany with the top International Grand Prix rider Andy Witzemann. Now back in the states, Kris is able to offer not only her knowledge but the benefits of her affiliation with horsemen over seas, including top riders such as Ludger Beerbaum and Jan Topps.
Evidence of Kris' strength as a teacher is a long list of accomplishments by her students. She has been on the rail to coach students to many wins in the hunter and jumper rings through the years. Students of hers have recently been very successful at shows such as Devon, Garden State, and Saugerties resulting in the publication of many articles on her and the team at Legacy - and many happy students.
Kris keeps herself busy with all of her horses and clients but she is never too occupied to lend a hand or give her two cents. From riding and teaching to judging and clinics, Kris finds time to do it all and still has time left over to be a mom to her now 11 year old son, Devon. She is also a firm believer in continuing education and keeps herself sharp by riding locally with some of the world's best such as Kevin Babington and Anne Kursinski.
Life at Legacy is constantly changing and evolving. The students have gone from competing in Short Stirrup to Adult Hunters and Amateur Jumpers. Over the years the property has gone from an adequate facility to one that caters to the needs of the horses and riders. All of this has been built through the hard work and dedication of the people who have believed it in and valued the amazing relationship between horses and their people. Although we continue to grow and change we hold those values dear and commit ourselves to the philosophy that the horses come first. They are after all why we fell in love with this sport to start! We are thankful for all of the many blessings in our lives and welcome all to become a part of it.
