About Black Rock Farm
Passionate about horses.
Dedicated to excellence.
If you’re looking for a place that’s both professional and relaxed, serious and laid back, you’ll feel at home at Black Rock Farm.
Founded by Kassandra Cousseillant and Ariana Cyr, two lifelong equestrians who grew up riding and competing in the hunter, jumper and equitation disciplines at shows throughout New England, Black Rock Farm represents their shared belief in putting the horses first. Love, patience, high-quality care and attention to detail permeates every aspect of their horse-led development and training programs. And it shows.
Our Story
In 2021 we started Black Rock Farm to pursue our dream: importing young sport horses from Europe and giving them time to develop at their own pace, allowing them to learn, grow strong and gain the confidence needed to start their professional careers.
With our background in the hunter-jumper world and years of experience working at dozens of show barns, lesson barns – and everywhere in between – we wanted to focus on what matters most to us: horse-led development.
We knew we were onto something when we observed how our young horses flourished under our training and care. Instead of focusing on jump heights and lead changes, we focused on feed ingredients and hay quality; vitamin and supplement needs; digestive and dental health; hoof condition and shoeing correctness; work, rest and turnout needs. We learned to look for risks like joint stiffness, muscle tension, and poor saddle fit. We allowed them to be horses, so they can enjoy life, hang out, hit the trails, and of course, develop their potential at a pace that's right for them.
When you come for a visit, you’ll feel relaxed and at home. But don’t let that fool you. We closely study the top professionals in the hunter-jumper world, and apply our own knowledge and expertise to develop horses who will be capable of competing at top levels in the future. We always prioritize making sure our horses are ready for what’s next in their education and development.
We find joy in giving horses and riders the physical, mental and technical building blocks they need to succeed over the long term.
Meet the Team
Ariana Cyr
Head Trainer
As the head trainer for Black Rock Farm, Ariana is an experienced equine professional who is involved in every aspect of the business, overseeing horse care, feeding and nutrition to training and development. She also coordinates our vet, farrier and bodywork care team and plans our seasonal show calendar at shows across New England and the US.
Ariana attended Becker College’s Equine Business Management program in Newton, MA and has more than 20 years of riding and training experience across multiple disciplines. She joined the professional ranks in 2015 and has gained extensive experience competing as a professional, while providing coaching and instruction at numerous show barns specializing in hunters, jumpers and equitation.
Ariana has a unique gift for understanding where each horse is in its individual development so she can build customized training programs based the horse’s needs, future potential and overall performance goals. She believes in working with the horse’s natural abilities, using developmentally correct building blocks that are established slowly and consistently to build the horse’s confidence, maintain optimal health and longevity, and provide safety and enjoyment for both horse and rider over the long term.
Kassandra Cousseillant
Owner
Kassandra manages the daily operations of Black Rock Farm while being involved in all aspects of horse care and facility management at the farm. An experienced rider and competitor, Kassandra leased her first pony, Maisy, at age 8. She soon began competing and advanced through the youth ranks at IEA shows, eventually earning top ribbons at MHC Finals at age 15. Just before turning 16, she finally convinced her parents to buy her first horse, Aidan, a talented Swedish Warmblood hunter with a 10-out-of-10 jump. Together, they won the Zone 1 Horse of the Year championship at the USHJA Finals in Springfield, MA in 2016.
After attending Framingham State University to pursue film and media studies, Kassandra decided to follow her lifelong passion and started Black Rock Farm in 2021. A spirited competitor, Kassandra campaigned our 7-year old imported KWPN gelding, Norman, and qualified for the NHS Adult Equitation Medal finals in their first month of competition. They placed in the top 24 in the Adult 22-27 division at their first-ever national finals in Lexington, KY.
You’ll never find anyone who devotes more energy and hard work into pursuing her dream, which is channeled into the devotion and care she brings to the horses at Black Rock Farm.