Falls Creek Farm Back

by Sally L. Feuerberg

Falls Creek Farm, located in Moosup, Connecticut, encompasses 350 acres. It’s also surrounded on three sides by the Pachaug State Forest, Connecticut’s largest state forest, giving the property access to countless trails, roads, and woodlands that offer an idyllic setting. The farm features open fields, streams, and three large ponds — a true paradise for both equestrians and nature enthusiasts.

The farm’s horse show history is legendary. In its heyday, the farm was also a

In the Saddle

vast greenery. “I knew this was a special piece of property the minute I saw it,” she says. “I have a newfound energy here!” Both Marisa and her three horses are happy to call this farm home.

CH: You have three horses that have traveled from California to Falls Creek to be part of your new adventure. How have they handled the transition?

Marisa: My Quarter Horse, Donut, my Hanoverian, Lotus, and Mira, my Arabian wedding venue and a destination for family vacations. It offered many options for formal and corporate affairs and an abundance of various sporting activities. The property has lain dormant for five years, waiting for its moment in time to awaken once again. Now, with the resurgence of spring, a new owner and a new instructor, Falls Creek Farm has rekindled its spirit. It’s experiencing a revitalization of its past splendor, and the possibilities are exciting!

Falls Creek Farm’s new owner is Marisa Rokstad, a Californian equestrian who was enamored with the farm’s stunning beauty, vibrant sunsets, and lush, cross, are handling the transition very well. It’s quite a contrast to what they were used to in California. Although we were able to ride in the nearby parks, the availability of open space was limited. The first time I let my mare, Donut, into her new expansive paddock on the farm, she wasn’t quite sure what to do. She seemed to be looking to me for guidance as to how to behave, but I guess that natural horse instinct took over. All my horses have now adjusted to their newfound freedom of being able to wander untethered. It was quite an emotional moment for me to watch.

CH: What are the ongoing improvements and upgrades taking shape at Falls Creek Farm?

Marisa: Some have already been instituted such as new footing and fencing, painting, and ongoing general upgrades. We’ve also been installing new lighting and bringing things up to code. A lot of energy has gone into the cleanup of the old show barn as well. We’re working on putting a fresh face on the entire property.

CH: What’s your vision for the farm’s future?

Marisa: Falls Creek Farm is the perfect location for a New England equestrian center! Florida and other locations have large equestrian venues and Falls Creek Farm, with all the property has to offer, can become a premier equestrian and vacation destination. Once up and fully operational, we’ll be able to accommodate major horse shows, clinics, equestrian demonstrations, events, and more. We’ll not only improve on what we have but will be adding so much more. Along with the updated wedding venue, a new farm-to-table restaurant with produce from greenhouses, fruit trees, and fields on the farm is possible. Also, renovated and new lodging, more family-friendly activities, and other offerings are definitely on the agenda. Falls Creek Farm’s potential is enormous!

KARA WALDRON-MURRAY instructs at Falls Creek Farm. Her association with the farm can be traced to her earlier days of horse showing and her past training. Is it kismet that Kara is here? Perhaps. Regardless, her strong connection to the farm is evident and her passion about the farm’s future is inspiring.

CH: How long have you been affiliated with Falls Creek Farm?

Kara: I’ve been renting space at Falls Creek since it reopened in November

2022. However, I’ve shown at the farm many, many times. I even held an internship at the farm after high school when it was home to a Quarter Horse trainer. Falls Creek Farm had a huge part in shaping my professional education. It’s where I was first introduced to both the American Quarter Horse Association show circuit and later, the National Reining Horse Association show circuit. The fact that I’m now teaching and training in the same ring is surreal to me.

CH: How and when did you get started with horses?

Kara: My mother was a talented crosscountry and jumper rider in her youth and had her own riding school as a young adult in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. You can say I was born into the horse life. My mother’s retired show horse lived in our backyard in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and my sister and I grew up riding. When I was about seven years old, my parents purchased Stepping Stone Ranch in West Greenwich. The ranch, along with its horses, was in tough shape when my parents acquired it. We had 25 horses, and the farm is 118 acres. I don’t know how she did it while raising two young children. Growing up with so many horses to ride, the tutelage my mother gave my sister and me is what helped shape me into the horse professional I am today.

CH: Could you tell us about the amenities that Falls Creek Farm includes with board?

Kara: Falls Creek Farm is truly a one-of-akind horse paradise. Our main barn is more than 15,000 square feet and houses 48 horses. There are tack rooms, a wash stall, a bathroom, and an attached, covered sixty-foot round pen. Connecticut winters can be brutal, so walking into a heated barn is amazing.

We are blessed with large fields, runin shed options for good weather, and smaller paddocks for those horses that need them. We’re committed to ensuring the horses get to be horses and spend time outside. Even our show horses have access to grass and turnout time. When most people think of Falls Creek Farm, images of its indoor stadium come to mind. The indoor arena is 26,000 square feet with seating for 1,200 spectators. It houses a lounge/restaurant facility, an announcer’s booth, a tack room, and a bathroom with showers inside the show barn. There’s an outdoor concession stand, a barbecue pit, and a picnic area plus 60 camper hookups. There are two outdoor rings for warm ups.

CH: It seems that Falls Creek Farm has something for everyone who rides. What type of lessons do you offer? Do you have lesson horses?

Kara: I try to cater to everyone’s interests. We have safe, quality school horses suit- able for all types of riders. We teach the English disciplines both on the flat and over fences and western riding for both shows and recreational purposes. We host clinics quite often for both our in-house riders and the public. There’s no onesize-fits-all instruction program because individual goals and needs are different. I create a plan with each client. I have several students who want to show, and I have just as many who don’t. We also attend local pleasure rides and foxhunts in the fall and winter. I’m passionate about creating well-rounded riders who can function independently and enjoy the sport for all it has to offer.

CH: What are the ages of your students?

Kara: I start teaching children when they are four years old and have a strong youth program. You’ll spot us at many local shows throughout the year. Even more exciting is our growing adult program. It’s not uncommon to see a group of adult riders coming back from the trails, attending a clinic here at the farm, or enjoying the brunch we hold once a month. We try to create in-house events that both our youth riders and adult riders will enjoy. of Falls Creek Farm?

CH: Do you have horses available to lease?

Kara: Yes, of course! We have everything from quarter-, half-, and full-leases available.

CH: What do you enjoy the most about your involvement and work with Falls Creek Farm?

Kara: For me, it’s like a homecoming. I walk into the barn every day and smile at the horses looking back at me. I feel so blessed to be able to share my lifelong passion with other like-minded people.

Kara: The whole horse community is excited. When Falls Creek Farm closed, it was a huge blow. Horse shows that ran for years had nowhere to go. To see these associations coming back is amazing. The new owner is passionate about the farm, and her love of horses is infectious! I see only good things ahead for the farm, the community, and all the horses that call it home.

Sally L. Feuerberg is the president of the Middlebury Bridle Land Association and a longtime resident of Newtown. Trail riding and continuing her lesson programs are her passions, along with the care of her family, horses, and farm.