About US
Welcome to Cranberry Acres Equestrian!
Cranberry Acres is a Leveled Riding Program. The levels are posted on the bulletin board at the front of the School Barn. There is no formal timeline of progression, each rider moves forward at their own pace, and we encourage each rider to routinely discuss their goals with the trainer. Cranberry Acres’ lesson curriculum is firmly founded in horsemanship and sportsmanship, and we are proud to provide not only riding instruction, but groundwork, horse husbandry and the full working farm experience! We also offer various one day clinics, vacation horsemanship programs, as well as birthday parties! Our birthday parties are open to all, not just existing riders!
Horsemanship Weeks
We offer Horsemanship weeks for February, April and Summer Vacation Weeks. Horsemanship weeks include light riding skills, farm chores, horse husbandry and grooming, arts and crafts, team building activities and the full farm life experience. The barn also offers boarding for horses, ensuring each horse has a comfortable, safe, and clean environment. Stalls are spacious, with plenty of natural light, and the horses enjoy daily turnout time.
For young equestrians looking for more competitive opportunities, the barn has an IEA (Interscholastic Equestrian Association) team. The IEA team offers riders the chance to compete in horse shows, while fostering a spirit of teamwork, dedication, and sportsmanship. Riders of all levels can participate, and the team emphasizes learning and personal growth. The barn's IEA program is designed to be inclusive, welcoming kids and teens of all backgrounds who share a love of horses and riding.
Let's talk Horse Shows
Cranberry Acres Equestrian holds a Home Show Series exclusively for our Lesson Program. This is a beginner level opportunity to be the introduction to the world of horse showing. The Home Show Series runs April through November every year. We also travel to Grazing Fields Farm located in Buzzards Bay to participate in the South Coast Horse Show Series. These shows are a step up from the home shows and require a more significant amount of time and financial commitment. This is a fantastic, positive show series with a wonderful year end banquet. These shows run May through October. Cranberry Acres also supports an incredibly successful IEA team for upper elementary, middle and high school riders for the walk trot through 2’6 competitors. The IEA team has successfully competed nationally and encourages teamwork and sportsmanship in all our riders. Group events, fundraising, and participation in the junior working student and working student programs are strongly encouraged. The IEA team is a year long commitment.
Junior Working Student and Working Student Programs
Junior Working Students
Designed for riders looking to spend more time at the farm and gain experience in horse care. Junior Working Students are able to participate in mucking stalls, cleaning barns, feeding and watering horses, and getting to meet other students with the same love of horses! Junior Working Students must be able to take instruction, be able to follow safety precautions in the barn, and understand that the program is designed for those looking to work and learn! Your trainer, or the Barn Manager, must approve your rider for this program prior to starting. Junior Working Students must wear a helmet at all times, and wear appropriate footwear. The scheduling of this program is casual, but the Junior Working Student must check in with the Barn Manager upon arrival and upon departure from the farm.
Working Students
Designed for the dedicated advanced rider looking to earn extra time in the saddle. Working Students commit to two shifts weekly ( Morning Shifts start at 7:30, Afternoon Shifts start at 3:00). These students must be able to confidently manage their time, be competent in handling, feeding, blanketing, supporting other working students, delegating appropriate tasks to junior working students, and be able to work directly under the Barn Manager to care for the horses. This is a big role and a serious commitment. Riders in the Working Student Program can earn a lease ride or lesson per 2 afternoon shifts, or 1 full (see Barn Manager for more details) morning shift. This is a great program to give riders more insight into the equine industry, encourage horsemanship and teamwork, and to enable a rider to earn their time in the saddle. Working Students must be trained and approved for the program under the Barn Manager.
Julie Kelly is owner and trainer of Cranberry Acres Equestrian. As a young rider, she was one of the youngest riders to ever win the Massachusetts Horsemanship Medal Finals. Throughout her junior years she went on to qualify in both the hunters and equitation for Madison Square Gardens, Pennsylvania National Horse Show, Washington Horse Show, Devon Horse Show, and The Meadowlands. As a coach, she has trained riders to compete in many regional and national events. Her positive teaching style and years of experience and success help her provide top quality training.
South Coast Horse Shows High Point Trainer
Trained IEA New England Zones first place teams in both middle school and high school
Sent multiple teams and riders to Interscholastic Education Association National Finals
Trained the top rider in MA Medal Finals in 2012
Kate Roncarati began her professional career working for Julie Kelly at Fieldstone Farm. After a brief hiatus in California to become a wife and mother, Kate is back doing what she loves- teaching and developing young beginners into advanced and polished riders
Learned to ride at age seven and competed on local and rated circuits throughout her teenage years
Captain of Mt. Ida College Equestrian Team
Taught young beginners, top equitation riders, amateur adults, and everything in between
Trained first place IEA Team in Zone 1 New England
Emily O’Brien began riding under Julie Kelly’s instruction in 2005 at Fieldstone Farm. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Emily has pursued interests in veterinary rehabilitation, equine rescue and small animal veterinary care. With a strong focus on horse care, husbandry and nutrition, Emily also manages the farm and oversees Cranberry Acres’ unique working student and Junior working student programs.
As a beginner riding instructor, she enjoys watching young equestrians enjoy the sport and develop their skills at their own pace. In her free time, Emily can be found exploring new places with her Flat Coat Retriever, Cricket.
Carleton Chandler is the owner of Marshfield Cranberry Company which houses Cranberry Acres Equestrian. He runs his active Cranberry business while helping build and manage Cranberry Acres Equestrian. You will see him around making rings, fixing fences, mowing lawns and helping to continuously build and develop Cranberry Acres.