HKEC is proud to introduce manager and head trainer,
Jess Lawler. A life-long rider, Jess has a B.S. in Animal Science with an equine science
and business specialty from the University of New Hampshire. In addition to keeping the
barn running smoothly and clients and horses happy, she enjoys all aspects of teaching
from introducing the beginner to horses, to working with competitive riders. She has been
sharing her love and knowledge of horses with her students for over a decade and works to
help each one achieve his/her goals. Jess is a licensed instructor by the state of
Massachusetts.
Jess comes from a background working with
a wide variety of breeds which allows her to create an individualized yet, systematic
approach to riding and training. Her goal is to create knowledgeable riders who care
about all aspects of horsemanship, and horses that enjoy their work. She works in all
disciplines, with special attention to dressage, the basis of all other disciplines.
Jess is also the program manager for High
Knoll Therapeutic Program and an instructor for the Academy for Equine Sciences and Dover
High School, hosting their equine science labs at High Knoll Equestrian Center and
creating a unique curriculum for hands-on learning for the students.
After growing up on his family's mid-west farm, Dr.
Myhre has continued to build on his knowledge of horses. Graduating from the Minnesota
College of Veterinary Medicine and completing his Large Animal/Surgery internship at
Colorado College of Veterinary Medicine and a two-year residency at Cornell University, he
launched his career as a surgeon (and later, hospital director), leading the
Rochester/Myhre Equine Clinic to the forefront of veterinary medicine.
With the clinic expansion of Sports and
Nuclear Medicine, MEC offers the most experienced veterinary surgeons, diagnosticians and
highly educated staff in the newly renovated hospital including the only nuclear medicine
center and Computer Assisted Tomography (C.A.T.). Enjoying more than three decades
of quality service, Dr. Myhre has been instrumental in the continued success of MEC and
the equine complex as a whole.
Following his passion for teaching, Dr. Myhre became
an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Hampshire and the University of
Massachusetts. As an executive board member, he has helped to lead the American
Association of Equine Practitioners, heading various committees including Practice
Management, Constitution & Bylaws, Audit & Budget, Hospital Management and the
Ethics Committee. Dr. Myhre has been honored as a Director of the NH Horse Council, NH
Thoroughbred Breeder's Association, NH Farm Museum and continues on the board for the NH
Care & Development Fund and the NH Academy of Equine Sciences. He was selected as the
representing veterinarian for the American Horse Show Association from New York to New
England and for more than ten years he was the NH State Veterinarian.
As Myhre Complex owner, Dr. Myhre
continues as the senior surgeon and hospital director at MEC. He is a an avid equestrian
and enjoys fox hunting as a member of Wentworth Hunt, hunter pacing and trail riding. High
Knoll is lucky to have his expertise on site! (click here to read more about Dr. Myhre)
Equine Care Staff
High Knoll's devoted equine care staff is here mornings, evenings
and weekends, giving outstanding care to the horses. They know each horse and owner
well and ensure that all the horses get the individual attention and care they
deserve. Everyone at the stable appreciates all their hard work and all their days
working in the snow, rain, and sun!
Sherri
Russo-Velte, Volunteer, Volunteer and Program Coordinator for the High Knoll Therapeutic Program
Sherri Russo-Velte has been an avid horseperson for many years. She became a
riding instructor in 2003, a NARHA Registered Instructor in 2004 and was certified by the
Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) the following year. As a full-time therapeutic
instructor she developed lesson programs for people of all riding levels with a wide range
of challenges. Sherri has two years of experience working as a Volunteer
Coordinator/Trainer and has extensive experience in barn management and horse health care.
She is also a Massachusetts Licensed Instructor. Currently, Sherri volunteers for High
Knoll Therapeutic Program to recruit and coordinate volunteers, assist in creating the
therapeutic programming materials, and coordinating the therapeutic program. High Knoll
appreciates all the time Sherri donates to make the therapeutic program possible!
Cyndy West is joining the High Knoll Therapeutic Team as a NARHA Certified
Therapeutic Instructor. Cyndy is not only a talented Therapeutic Instructor, but a
talented dressage Rider as well, holding a USDF Bronze Medal.
Cyndy is an enthusiastic teacher and trainer with over 25 years of experience.
Cyndy’s training system for dressage follows the European Dressage training scale,
referred to as the classical training pyramid. Her background includes Pony Club,
eventing, and jumpers. Cyndy spent a year in England training for her British teaching
certification, and then moved on to study and train for a year in Switzerland where she
discovered her passion for dressage. Cyndy spent last winter in Florida training with USDF
Gold Medalist Jackie Smith.
Cyndy is an active competitor and is constantly seeking education and knowledge with
top trainers and clinicians to pass on to her students. Her forte is to help create
confidence and enthusiasm in rider and horse, and to support and develop a training plan
so the rider’s goals and desires are attainable. Cyndy has a wonderful sense of humor
and enjoys riders and horses of all ages and levels of experience!
Cyndy’s background working with children and
adolescents inspired her to obtain her NARHA certification. Cyndy is the former program
manager and instructor of the Wendall’s Wish Therapeutic Riding Program and everyone
at High Knoll Equestrian Center is proud to have her expertise and therapeutic teaching
skills as a new addition to our program! Cyndy is accepting new students into the
therapeutic program on Saturdays.
Jennifer
Dunton, NARHA Certified Therapeutic InstructorJennifer Dunton is joining High Knoll Equestrian Center as a NARHA
certified Therapeutic Instructor and as an instructor of the Dover High Animal Science
program hosted at High Knoll. Jennifer is a graduate of UNH Thompson School, 1989, with an
AAS in Equine Management; and a 1995 graduate of University of New Hampshire with a B.S.
from the College of Life Science and Agriculture. Her training background is in combined
training and she also likes to teach hunter/jumpers. She enjoys judging at the lower
levels and schooling shows.
Jennifer has taught riding classes at UNH and was
the program assistant to the Therapeutic Riding Program there. In Virginia, Jennifer
worked at Equi-Kids where she obtained her NARHA Registered Instructor Certification in
1998. She is also a member of EFMHA, Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association since
1999. Jennifer believes strongly in the power of the animal for experiential learning and
therapy.
Jennifer is dedicated to her students and is currently accepting new students into the
Therapeutic Program on Tuesday afternoons.
High Knoll Equestrian Center | Office Phone: (603) 335-4343
Web site designed by Imagination Farm. Copyright 2006-2007, All
Rights Reserved
HKEC is proud to introduce manager and head trainer,
Jess Lawler. A life-long rider, Jess has a B.S. in Animal Science with an equine science
and business specialty from the University of New Hampshire. In addition to keeping the
barn running smoothly and clients and horses happy, she enjoys all aspects of teaching
from introducing the beginner to horses, to working with competitive riders. She has been
sharing her love and knowledge of horses with her students for over a decade and works to
help each one achieve his/her goals. Jess is a licensed instructor by the state of
Massachusetts. 
After growing up on his family's mid-west farm, Dr.
Myhre has continued to build on his knowledge of horses. Graduating from the Minnesota
College of Veterinary Medicine and completing his Large Animal/Surgery internship at
Colorado College of Veterinary Medicine and a two-year residency at Cornell University, he
launched his career as a surgeon (and later, hospital director), leading the
Rochester/Myhre Equine Clinic to the forefront of veterinary medicine.
Following his passion for teaching, Dr. Myhre became
an Adjunct Professor at the University of New Hampshire and the University of
Massachusetts. As an executive board member, he has helped to lead the American
Association of Equine Practitioners, heading various committees including Practice
Management, Constitution & Bylaws, Audit & Budget, Hospital Management and the
Ethics Committee. Dr. Myhre has been honored as a Director of the NH Horse Council, NH
Thoroughbred Breeder's Association, NH Farm Museum and continues on the board for the NH
Care & Development Fund and the NH Academy of Equine Sciences. He was selected as the
representing veterinarian for the American Horse Show Association from New York to New
England and for more than ten years he was the NH State Veterinarian.
Equine Care Staff
Sherri Russo-Velte has been an avid horseperson for many years. She became a
riding instructor in 2003, a NARHA Registered Instructor in 2004 and was certified by the
Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) the following year. As a full-time therapeutic
instructor she developed lesson programs for people of all riding levels with a wide range
of challenges. Sherri has two years of experience working as a Volunteer
Coordinator/Trainer and has extensive experience in barn management and horse health care.
She is also a Massachusetts Licensed Instructor. Currently, Sherri volunteers for High
Knoll Therapeutic Program to recruit and coordinate volunteers, assist in creating the
therapeutic programming materials, and coordinating the therapeutic program. High Knoll
appreciates all the time Sherri donates to make the therapeutic program possible!
Cyndy West is joining the High Knoll Therapeutic Team as a NARHA Certified
Therapeutic Instructor. Cyndy is not only a talented Therapeutic Instructor, but a
talented dressage Rider as well, holding a USDF Bronze Medal. 
Jennifer Dunton is joining High Knoll Equestrian Center as a NARHA
certified Therapeutic Instructor and as an instructor of the Dover High Animal Science
program hosted at High Knoll. Jennifer is a graduate of UNH Thompson School, 1989, with an
AAS in Equine Management; and a 1995 graduate of University of New Hampshire with a B.S.
from the College of Life Science and Agriculture. Her training background is in combined
training and she also likes to teach hunter/jumpers. She enjoys judging at the lower
levels and schooling shows.
