From the time she was a little girl with big dreams, Claire Affleck has had a strong love for horses.
“I wanted a horse so badly and asked for one every chance I got, but my parents put it off by giving me stuffed animal horses for Christmas,” she recalled with a giggle.
Claire Affleck owns a Horse Farm and Equestrian Center in Auburn, where she boards and sells horses, gives riding lessons, trains and competes in horse shows and fox hunts.
She says, “I always knew I wanted to have my own farm, but was just out of college and had no money”.
Claire moved to Skaneateles three years ago and saw a farm up for sale that was perfect. She started leasing it when she was twenty-four years old and was able to buy it by the age of twenty-six. “I amaze myself sometimes”, she laughed!
However, that is not all, Claire is an extraordinary multifaceted woman. She is extremely active in the community she loves. Claire organizes and participates in many events and fundraisers throughout the year.
“It’s really fun to give back,” she says with a genuine inflection you can feel.
One of the events Claire organizes at her farm, twice a year is a Freedom Recreation Riders Camp for local differently abled children, ages five to fifteen. She says, “The kids are amazing and we always have a great time. Besides learning to ride the horses, we finger paint them, and dress them up. The horses love it”! Claire also teaches the children about taking care of the horses, for instance they had a lesson, just yesterday in how horseshoes are put on the animals.
Next month on August 7th, she will be hosting “Dr. Rob’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser on the Farm at Claire Affleck Training”, for the Finger Lakes SPCA.
“We have a ton of fun activities going on this year, horse rides, face painting, a magician/entertainer, music provided by Dusty Pas’cal, food and
The SPCA will be bringing animals for adoption,” she added.
A worthy cause, The Finger Lakes SPCA of Central New York (formerly the Cayuga County SPCA) has been in existence since 1896. The SPCA serves Cayuga County and surrounding communities by finding loving homes for rescued, abandoned and mistreated animals. In 1998 the shelter became a ‘No Kill’ SPCA and no longer euthanizes for space. The Finger Lakes SPCA Mission Statement is: Alleviate the suffering, promote the comforts, improve the conditions, and prevent cruelty to animals.
In addition to her horses, Claire has five cats and a dog. She says “They are all strays”.
I asked Claire if she compares herself to “The Horse Whisperer”, she laughed and said “I’m very good at starting young horses under saddle, and creating a real quiet, willing partnership with the horse. Which I guess in some ways can be compared to a horse whisperer”.
While reading Claire’s Facebook page, I read the following quote: “There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse.” by Robert Smith Surtees.
I believe Claire Affleck has that kind of special bond with her horses, animals in general and every person she encounters.
Fundraiser Details:
Date: Saturday, August, 7th
Time: 4:00-7:00pm
Itinerary: 4-5:30pm Food and entertainment, 5:30-7pm Horse rides, entertainment, raffles and more.
Tickets Paid at the Door: $15 person, $20 couple, $30 family
* RSVP to Chris Briel at events@robertkiltz.com Please include the number of people that will attend. Call 315.378.7317 if you have any questions.
Where: Claire Affleck Training at Skaneateles Equestrian Center
4011 Franklin Street Road, Auburn, NY, 13021
To contact Claire Affleck:
WEBSITE: http://claireafflecktraining.com/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=508800713&ref=ts
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Read other Up Close & Personal Stories from this Series.
Contributed by Claire Affleck / Claire Affleck Training
Our good friend, Rick, of Sweet Pickin’s Farm, has just sent out order forms for his annual Holiday Wreath Sale. This year we are excited to announce that proceeds will benefit Freedom Recreational Services! For More Information & Special Orders Call: 315-364-6739 or sweetpicrs@yahoo.com and 315-253-5464 or Frs@centralny.twcbc.com
Holiday Wreath Sale Info Click Here To Download Form
Contributed by Dr. Rob Kiltz / CNY Fertility Center, CNY Healing Arts Center, MindBodySmile.com
Dr. Rob will be doing another one of his Walk & Talk events in October. Autumn in NY is a beautiful time of year, mark your calendars and be sure to join us, it promises to be a great day!
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00-4:30PM
WHERE: Claire Affleck Training, 4011 Franklin Street Road, Auburn, NY 13021
WHAT: This month Dr. Rob will hold his Walk & Talk at Claire Affleck Training – a horse farm. We will gather at the farm, take a few moments to introduce one another and then head out for a short walk that will end at the pond. At the pond we will build a bonfire and spend some time sharing stories and philosophies with each other. We will enjoy a warm drink and snack around the fire. After the Walk & Talk there will be an opportunity to ride one of the horses for anyone who is interested. In the case of inclement weather, we will hold the event inside.
*RSVP to Chris Briel at 315.378.7317 or email events@robertkiltz.com – this event is FREE!
*You may wish to bring a blanket or camp chair for comfort while sitting around the fire. All are welcome!
Contributed by Claire Affleck Training
Mark your October calendars to join us for one or all of the events below. We are going to be very busy at Claire Affleck Training and would love to have you join in the fun. Please keep in mind that we will be starting the Freedom Rider’s Program in October and are always in need of volunteers!
On Saturday, Ocotber 17th from 3:00-5:00pm we will be participating in the Pink Cow Bingo for Breast Cancer Fundraiser to Benefit Positively Pink Packages by bringing Geronimo, Dr. Rob Kiltz’s horse, and Rannita to the event for pony rides.
On Saturday, October 24th from 2:00-4:30pm we will be holding another Walk & Talk with Dr. Rob Kiltz at Skaneateles Equestrian Center located at 4011 Franklin Street Road, Auburn, NY. For map and directions click here.
For more information or to RSVP to join us, email Chris at events@robertkiltz.com.
Freedom Rider’s Program Schedule is as follows:
Friday, October 16th, 5-6pm
Saturday, October 17th, 9:30-10:30am and 11am-12pm
Contributed by Dr. Robert Kiltz / CNY Fertility Center, CNY Healing Arts, MindBodySmile.com
Dr. Rob Kiltz is holding a fundraiser for Freedom Recreational Services on July 18th with Claire Affleck Training at Skaneateles Equestrian Center. Please join us in supporting a worthy charity and having some great fun while doing it!!
Fundraiser Details:
Date: Saturday, July 18th
Time: 1:00-5:00pm
Itinerary: 1-3pm Food and entertainment, 3-5pm Horse rides and more
Tickets Paid at the Door: $15 person, $20 couple, $30 family
* RSVP by to Chris Briel at events@robertkiltz.com – please include the number of people that will attend.
Where: Claire Affleck Training at Skaneateles Equestrian Center
4011 Franklin Street Road, Auburn, NY, 13021
Click here for more about Claire’s Farm and a map too.
About Freedom Recreational Services:
Contributed by Claire Affleck / Claire Affleck Training at Skaneateles Equestrian Center
Hi and Good Morning to All!
We had a busy week at the barn this past week making a DVD of the horses we are proudly offering for sale.
The DVD features I’m Bad, a lovely 3 year old chestnut Thoroughbred filly that has breathtaking movement. We also feature Umbella (pictured above); the gorgeous 8 year old grey Welsh/Thoroughbred large pony mare that can jump the moon! And last but not least, my quirky, fun, and willing colt, Oatka Trail Alydar that is a 4 year old bay Thoroughbred stallion.
Putting the DVD of these wonderful horses together was a fun project! I am really happy with the result and proud of how the horses are going. Please let me know if you are interested in having a copy of the tape and I’d be happy to get it to you. Have a wonderful week everyone!
-Claire 
“A lovely horse is always an experience… It is an emotional experience of the kind that is spoiled by words.”
~Beryl Markham
Contributed by: Claire Affleck / Claire Affleck Training
February 16, 2009
Hi and Good Morning to All!
We had a fun filled day at If Only Farm!
We all rode in the Puddle Jumper division at the If Only Farm Schooling Show on Saturday.
I had a successful school on Umbella. Patrick had three wonderful rides and won 6th place in all three classes on Suki. Nikki, in her first time doing the jumpers, did a fantastic job and got a 4th and a 5th on Lucky! Lynn had three amazing classes and won second place in all three on Ransom. Heather, also in her first time doing jumpers, won 5th place and 4th place on Rosey.
Continue reading...Contributed by: Claire Affleck / Claire Affleck Training
The Freedom Recreational Services program brings opportunities, such as horseback riding, to disabled children in Cayuga County. The fall riding program was recently started at The Skaneateles Equestrian Center and was taught by Claire Affleck. In the slideshow below, she and mothers of her students discuss the effect this opportunity had on the students.
Contributed by Christine Briel
It’s so rewarding when the work you do has the “hoped-for” outcome, especially when it’s for a worthy effort. I recently sent out a press release for Claire Affleck Training regarding her fall session of Freedom Riders at Skaneateles Equestrian Center. The Syracuse Post Standard picked it up and one of their staff writers, Scott Rapp, did a lovely article. They also captured some great pictures.
Here is the link to the article on Syracuse.com – click here to read it.
And to the right is a snapshot of the article in the newspaper.
Great job Claire, the Freedom Riders and all of the volunteers at skaneateles Equestrian Center.
*Claire also gives horse riding lessons year-round, inside and out. Call her for more information at 315.317.2608
Contributed by Claire Affleck / Claire Affleck Training
Claire Affleck Training is open for horse lessons all throughout the year, we have an indoor arena as well as an outdoor arena so lessons are performed in all types of weather. Meet the horses available for lessons below:
Hi, my name is Rannita. I am a Norwegian Fjord and we all have a mohawks like me. I am a mare, which means I’m a girl, and I’m eleven years old. I love to be groomed and fed carrots, apples, and pears!
Hi, my name is Ransom. I am an Appaloosa and we have spotted fur. I am gelding, which means I’m a boy, and I am also eleven years old. I love having kids ride me and I love to eat peppermints!
Hi, my name is Geronimo. I am a Friesian. I am a 5 year old gelding – remember that means
that I’m a boy. I love trail riding, fox hunting, and molasses cookies! Read more about Geronimo and watch videos of kids riding him at GeronimoForSuccess.com.
Lessons are $40/hour. Students will learn how to ride as well as care for the horse. Students should wear long pants and hard soled shoes, preferably with a heel. Riding helmets are provided.
Please contact Claire for more information!
Claire Affleck
4011 Franklin Street Road
Auburn, NY 13021
315.317.2608
affleck03@sbc.edu
www.claireafflecktraining.com
