Carlisle Academy

11/16/2025

Maggie, the one-in-a-million horse who graced Carlisle Academy for 15 years, returned to the family and farm where she was born in New Hampshire this past week. It was bittersweet reflecting on all the people she had touched over the years and knowing how much we would miss her, while also feeling blessed that she could enjoy a well-deserved retirement with the Barthelemy's.

These snapshots show her impact, her personality, and her broad range of activities. There was nothing this wonder horse wouldn't do! She brought pony clubbers through eventing ratings and local shows, learned vaulting and showcased at county fairs, enjoyed many years of therapeutic riding, taught all the Armentrout kids, and was the most fun trail mount. She never missed a para-dressage clinic, and in her later years, she enjoyed the slower pace of hippotherapy.

Carlisle is a better place for having Maggie over the years, and she will be revered as the very special mare she is, with her big, knowing eyes and an even bigger, gracious heart.

11/14/2025

When learning parts of the horse is a fun game, everyone wins. We love our Kennebunk Parks & Rec afterschool groups!

11/12/2025

Thank you for your service and sacrifice for the common good. 🇺🇸

11/09/2025

Yesterday was a great testing day with the Northeastern University bioengineering students. For the last 5 months, as part of a capstone research project sponsored by Carlisle Academy in response to the FEI para-dressage rule changes, this five-person team has been designing an electronic device to help athletes with visual impairments navigate the dressage arena safely and accurately.

Suzanne Ament and Matt Martinez traveled north for the testing day, graciously giving their time to provide critical product feedback and ultimately help others in the larger blind rider community.

We have been so impressed with the Northeastern students creativity, technical know-how, and diligence in this process. We are all excited to find a solution to a realtime challenge while helping to pave the way for greater equity and inclusion in equestrian sports.

11/05/2025

Three cheers for Joyce Brown an extraordinary person and long-time instructor at Carlisle! She’s featured here in our spotlight series.

Welcome to the second edition of our Carlisle Spotlight series, where we highlight the people and partnerships that make our community thrive. Throughout the year, we’ll feature stories that reflect the heart of our mission - connection, learning, and growth.

11/04/2025

We had a wonderful day for our Annual Harvest Horse Show, Sunday Nov 2nd. We offered a bit of everything from walk/trot for newcomers to Hunt Seat classes and Prix Caprilli for Pony Club members. Families and friends also enjoyed watching Para-Dressage and 2nd Level Dressage tests to round out the day.

Special thanks to Pony Club for providing refreshments and to our fantastic judge Laura Mitchell who offered great feedback and made the learning accessible and fun!

11/02/2025

Enter at A (by the peanut gallery). 🤪

11/01/2025

Ana is getting excited for our annual Harvest Horse Show tomorrow. Bound to be a fun day! 🥮🌾🎀

10/29/2025

It’s OT Intern Appreciation Week at Carlisle. 6 weeks in - the halfway mark in the academic fieldwork. Huge thanks to Ahriyanna and Emma for all of the energy and creativity they bring each day.

10/28/2025

Rush hour at Spring Creek Farm

10/26/2025

How wonderful to have para-dressage rider Julie Daley join us last week with para-dressage coach Mary Jordan aboard para schoolmaster Clarc! A trifecta of great learning. 🧲🧲🧲

10/26/2025

Horse time. 🐎 Pony Club Saturday!