Training & Lessons
At Canter Brook Equestrian Center we believe in instilling our students with a solid foundation by teaching a multi-facetted approach. We teach all of our student’s safety both on the ground and horseback, basic equine psychology, as well as how to become the most effective rider possible.
Our school horses are well trained to meet our riders’ needs. Our beautiful facility boasts 2 indoor arenas that are connected to the barns facilitating year-round lessons.
We offer a professional, knowledgeable staff of licensed and insured riding instructors to help set and maintain individualized goals and programs.
Canter Brook Equestrian Center Instructors
Alex Tissera graduated from the Argentine Equestrian Military Academy in Buenos Aires, where he was trained by instructors from all over the world. He became an Argentine Cavalry Officer, and was a faculty member of the Equestrian Military Academy for three years. Alex also served as Director of the Buenos Aires Riding Academy for three years.
Alex rode with the Dressage, Eventing, and Show Jumping Argentine Military Team which competed and won nationally. He also competed on the Argentine Eventing Team which competed internationally.
Alex has been a riding instructor in Massachusetts and Argentina for the past 21 years. He works with riders of all ages, obtaining from his students their maximum potential while teaching them to enjoy this beautiful sport.
Alex with the Myopia Hunt
Amy Halleran has been riding since she was four years old, and started foxhunting with the Myopia Hunt when she was seven years old. She was lucky to train with one of the best foxhunters in the United States, Patty Murray. As an adult, Amy still rides with the Myopia Hunt, and is an avid three day event rider. She trains her own horses and her clients' horses with Alex Tissera. Amy specializes in teaching children how to ride by making lessons fun. She takes children out with the hunt when they are ready to ride and jump cross country.
David Kenny stated riding at age three at this father’s stable, Ascot Riding Center in Ipswich, MA. As a child, David competed in the show circuit in equitation and jumping. When he was seven years old, he was picked to carry the Flag of Ireland into the Olympic competition in Hamilton, MA.
Upon graduation from high school in 1981, David moved to Unionville, PA and worked for Vince Dugan for four years buying and selling horses for foxhunting and showing. In 1986, he rode for Betty Bird, schooling her steeplechase horses. The following year, David went to Healdsburg, CA and rode for Charles Schwatz.
David worked for Frank Madden, Bill Cooney and Marian Hulic at the AA shows in New York, Wellington and Lake Placid. He did numerous clinics with Paul Valiere, Mason Phelps, George Morris, Mark Youngher, and Judy Richter, all of whom have gone to the finals and had students who have won at Madison Square Garden.
In 1994, David returned to Ipswich and opened his own 13 stall hunter and equitation barn called Outback Show Stables. He taught children and adults and took many students to finals. In 2007 he closed Outback Show Stables and moved to Topsfield and ran a 24 stall barn and continued his teaching of both children and adults.
Ann Hogan started riding at the age of 9 years old with Evelyn Sjoberg at Pine Tree in Beverly, Massachusetts. Ann has continually worked at Ascot Riding Center with Jerry Kenney for 25+ years as a rider and an instructor. She enjoys working with children of all ages, and her students have been successful in show circuit, equitation and hunters.
In the past, she was a 3 day rider and working student under the instruction of Colonel Ross and Jim Stamets for 3 years at Flying Horse Farm. She also rode equitation with Mary Roche and hunted with Myopia for 2 years.
Ann has 2 children herself, Allison who was born to ride, and has successfully trained by her mother. She does equitation & hunters and would like to become a professional trainer. Her son Chris worked and rode at Ascot Riding Center as well.
Ann at Vermont GMHA
All of the Canter Brook Instructors can be reached directly at instructors@canterbrook.com.
School Horse Information
The Canter Brook Riding Academy offers horses that are well-trained in hunt seat equitation and event jumping, from "Tomahawk," our 10.2hh beginner Shetland pony, to "Smore," our 16.3hh American Warmblood, and everything inbetween for each level of rider.Under the guidance from our trainers, our horses are available to be entered into the Canter Brook Jumper Show Series and other Canter Brook events.