Awards

Cherryl Mitchell receives the 2010 New York State Horse Council “Linda Connors Lifetime Achievement Award” (2009 Winner Robert Pfohl on left, NYSHC President George King on right)

Read about the Linda Connors Award here...

Cherryl Mitchell , a born and raised Brooklyn girl, was first introduced to horses as a five year old. A neighbor, Mr. Mickey Hart invited her to see a real horse at a stable where his horse was boarded. Little did Mr. Hart know that this visit was to be instrumental in launching the career of one of Staten Island’s most renowned horsewoman. Young Cherryl shadowed Mickey at the barn where she developed various stable & riding skills. She was grasping every bit of knowledge regarding horses that was available to her eyes and ears.

In 1967, she moved to Staten Island, planted her feet firmly and has remained a strong force in the horse community. In 1972, she helped institute Saddle Brook Stables and managed them for seven years. At the same time worked for Pat Faitz of JPV Equestrian Center, Mount Pocono’s, Pa. Mrs. Mitchell’s position consisting of starting two year olds, conditioning, breeding, foaling & showing World Class winners of American Quarter Horses. Also teaching horse management & riding. She then worked at Darling Farms, assisting in the breeding of horses. At the end of breeding season in 1979, together with her husband, Richard Mitchell, Cherryl Arkin Mitchell opened her own barn on Staten Island. Richer Farm is currently the home for 40 horses. She has owned and operated this farm for over 30 years now and has become a top professional in the horse industry. Daily, she teaches equestrian skills to her students in hopes of creating better harmony with the animal. She teaches horse and rider to allow the horse to move using its natural talent and beauty with little interference from the rider.

Mrs. Mitchell also trouble shoots for Dawn Animal Agency New York City. Some of the credits are The Best Horse in all of Europe Commerical, Meto Commercial, Sex in the City, Sammy the Bull Story and many more.

Cherryl , affectionately nick named, “The Horse Lady of Staten Island” by community members, has always been an advocate for the horse. She believes that for each rider who is willing to learn proper riding and handling, another horse will be guaranteed a secured, safe home in the future. She is also a strong advocate for rider safety which includes everything from wearing safety equipment to fighting for streetlights, signs & bridle paths that provide safe passage to both rider and horse in our neighborhood.

Horses have been around for a long time and Cherryl intends to stay on her property and do everything in her power to keep horses on Staten Island. She has worked for many years on issues that involve the horse and the community. Her voice was heard when she protested the licensing of privately owned horses being licensed by the department of health in the early 1980’s. Cherryl was an advocate in creating horse friendly department of health codes. Recently, along with the New York State Horse Council, she was a strong force on passing the helmet law for horseback riding for 14 years and under.

Mrs. Mitchell's riders have accomplished awards at Local, Regional, State, National, AQHA Congress also Intercollegiate Championships plus many more merits.

She could opt to sell out, as so many have, and run for greener pastures, but she is not willing to give up on Staten Island or the horses. So, she continues her membership in many associations with the hope of making a difference!! Below is a list of some associations the horse lady of Staten Island is affiliated with:

• Cherryl RA Mitchell
• LIFE Member of the following Associations

-Empire State Quarter Horse Association
-American Quarter Horse Association
-Professional AQHA Member
-American Horse Shows Association
-United States Dressage Federation
-Eastern States Dressage & Combined Training Assoc.
-National Snaffle Bit Association
-The American Riding Instructors Association
-American Paint Horse Association
-Pinto Horse Association of America
-Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America
-New Jersey Professional Horseman's Association
-New Jersey Bred Hunter, Inc.
-New Jersey Quarter Horse Association
-New York State Horse Council, Inc.
-Southeast Vice President of NYSHC
-American Border Collie Association
-SIHA II "Have the Card Famed"

• Also member of
• North America Riding for the Handicapped Association

Excerpt from June 2001 NYSHC Newsletter of Cherryl Mitchell’s amazing abilities, graciousness, and dedication to the horse industry in New York State.

This month was very exciting, as I was privileged to represent the NYSHC at the first American Quarter Horse Association Trail Ride in Central Park. The ride was a benefit for the Central Park Mounted Rangers and they received $25,000 in new equipment from AQHA. After a quick trip to International Helmets, on Staten Island for a new hunter green ASTM helmet, with my hostess Cherryl Mitchell, owner of Richer Stables in Staten Island and NYSHC Director. We enjoyed meeting and riding with David O’ Connor, our US Olympic Gold Medalist and Cathy Morelli. In 1990 Cathy was the USET Gold Medalist and has consistently been a Grand Prix winner on numerous horses. AQHA Director, Linda Connors presented Cherryl Mitchell with a special recognition from AQHA for her outstanding support organizing this ride. As they stated, without Cherryl this ride would not have been possible. We think she should run for Mayor.

While in New York City, Cherryl my wonderful hostess, took me on a whirlwind tour of the areas stables which included Tony Danza’s Jamaica Bay Stables in Brooklyn, George Burke’s Sequine Equestrian Stables on Staten Island and Paul Novagrad’s Claremont Riding Academy in Manhattan. I now have a greater appreciation of how stables and horses deal with the ‘cement wilderness/pastures’. I rode a quarter horse from Claremont Academy and wondered how it got to The Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Not to worry, as Cherryl drove down West 89th Street, after the ride, there was a group of horses with the Central Park Rangers moving in the bumper-to-bumper traffic back to the stable. All in all the horses seemed well adjusted to their unique environment and I was a happy camper to be part of this major event.

Thank you Cherryl, you are amazing. Diane K. Jones, President-Emeritus

Shannon Budnik Horseperson of the Year

Shannon Budnik grew up in Ulster County, NY on the back of her sweet and very trustworthy Welsh pony "Candyfoot". Together along with friends and family they would trail ride through hundreds of acres of forests and apple orchards and swim with their horses in the ponds. When Shannon was 7 years old they entered their first 4-H Gymkhana and placed 1st in the pee-wee division. They continued to show, went on overnight camping trips and did pony rides at church functions. Growing up in this agricultural area in the 70's all the area kids had horses instead of motorized toys. Taking care of her critters was always Shannon's first priority and helped developed her great sense of responsibility.

Soon Shannon had her very own Quarter Horse filly "Babe's Southern Comfort" aka "Comfey", foaled from her Mom's mare for her to raise. They went to "show and tell" at school, rode and guided trail rides at a dude ranch, drove a fringe top surrey for tourist and historical events and traveled the east coast doing mounted security at concerts and fairs. This old mare, now retired, is living out her years in leisure and comfort at the tender age of 31.

While still in high school Shannon attended a Vo-Tech program at Goshen Historical Track, taking Horse Care and Handling I and II. There she further developed the equine skills that enabled her to land jobs with a number of local equine vets. After graduation she was able to expand her prior experience to a full time job. Employment at a dude ranch caring for over 100 very demanding horses daily and administrating medications when needed under a veterinarians supervision added to her knowledge and abilities. Later on working with draft horses she drove for a carriage company doing weddings and tours in the greater NY tri-state area.

In 1998, Shannon became involved with the Ulster County Horse Council, a forming chapter of the New York State Horse Council , where her exposure to the equine world was further broadened. Her relationship with this wonderful group of horse enthusiasts grew to her becoming UCHC chapter president for 3 years prior to being a Regional Co-Director for NYSHC in the Mid-Hudson Region. Finally, in 2010, a long standing desire to bring a chapter to the Sullivan County area of NY came to fruition for her.

Shannon's tireless energy and endless miles traveling around New York State to share the information and benefits of the NYSHC has been noticed by many. She has and will continue to go out of her way to assist equine enthusiasts near and far.