Maria A. Hurley, Massachusetts Licensed riding Instructor.  38 years of hands on Horsemanship, Showing, Teaching & Owning Horses, particularly Arabians.  Specializing in Spiritual Growth, Natural Horsemanship and emphasizing the "relationship" of the horse & human in all her teachings. Maria rides under the instruction and training of Keith Angstadt of Bradford Equestrian Center. Maria started teaching riding lesson at 8 years old on her own pony to help with her own board and upkeep. Maria also trains under several noteable Licensed Instructors, she's proud to be leader and volunteers for the local "Little Trotters" 4-H program all making her the horsewoman she is today.  Maria travels the North Shore of Boston and southern New Hamshire schooling, training and teaching clients and horses 3 times per week, in addition to her riding instrcution and horsemanship programs. Maria is the   A member of the Arabian Horse Association, The Natural Horsemanship Boston Group. (NHB) and American Quarter Horse Association, West Newbury and Riding Club, Rowley Riding and driving Club as well as several other notible organizations supporting her breeds and training preferences.  Maria was previously employed at Ironstone Farm In Andover as a Therapist Coordinator. Maria worked in conjunction with Therapist's representing the Equine part of the Therapy session, helping Therapists to meet their strategies with our clients.  Maria's experience working with Special Needs, children & Adults has been extremely rewarding.  Maria has many years teaching experience all seats, Dressage being the basis of her riding instruction. Her passion is the "healing" that horses bring to our lives, physical, mental and spiritual.  Her goal is to funnel that healing to all that will have it. Besides being a Licensed Instructor & Owner of Divinity Farm. Maria also has a  passion for Iron horses (motorcycles) and knowledge of Sales and Finance, she worked as a Business Administrator supporting the Finance & Business departments.  Just more of making peoples dreams come true.  Her work history entails Business Management, Accounting, Executive Assistant, Property & Casualty Insurance, & Real Estatate, Legal Assistant for an Attorney . She  had the opportunity to study child care & become certified and licensed. She owned and ran my own home Child care Business from 1999 -2003, New  Other future goals are further certifications in Horsemanship, Legal/Law, Reiki & Web Design.  She also taught Bible school to the children at her church, Grace Ministries, Saugus, MA.  Re

5/15/2011  Maria continues to further her experience & education. After 40 years, in the industry.  The latest accomplishments has been to successfully expediate summer camps through Pentucket Community Education, run a successful Hippotherapy Program, Vaulting Program, Equine 101 and many variations of riding instruction as well as Horsemanship. She has also successfully branched out to other locations, Groveland, Haverhill and Boxford.   She commits to frequents clinics does studies and observes video's and training video's along with riding lessons. Much of her enjoyment for in home study comes from "dressagetrainingonlione.com", Stacy Westfall's library as well as Monty Roberts and follows top dressage riders throughout the world. Her Instructors over the last + years have consisted of Ron Levesque, Martha Endicott & Judy Lawless.  Maria's latest commitment of intense training and riding instruction is with Keith Angstadt of Bradford Equestrian Center. Riding with Keith 1-2 lessons per week under saddle, dressage & Long Line training.  Her goals are to become the best rider she can and to utylize her experience with Keith to help her advance in her Dressage skills , as well as long line training and driving.  This experience will be passed down to students of Divinity, as well 4H'ers. 

9/14/2011 Maria training success has continued and her training programs have increased in numbers drastically.  Maria continues her own personal lesson program in dressage with Keith Anstadt and advocating for the bitless bridle, as well as implementing the new recognized dicipline "Western Dressage". Maria is a member of the Western Dressage Association of  America. Maria showed on 9/11/2011, successfully herself taking double "Reserve Champion", 3- 1st's, &  2 - 2nds. Maria  coached 11 of  her students & Little Trotters successfully in 2 shows this summer of 2011.  Maria also continues to school & train many horses outside of Divinity Farm for her clients, as well as working closley with her clients that own horses of their own, building confident relationships from the ground up.

Maria is my third riding instructor in the past 6 years.  She is by far the most patient and knowledgeable of the three.  She also is very good at sharing her knowledge with me.  She was the only one to make me write down what I wantedto learn.  My lessons are only once a week due to my schedule, but every week I learn something new.  I am always glad to arrive at Divinity and always leavefeeling that it was time well spent.  There are also times when I see Maria interact with her young riders and I am always impressed with her natural ability to observe how students are riding and how to correct mistakes that she sees.   That is the big difference between Maria and my previousinstructors.  

 One of the biggest reasons I like riding at Divinity is safety.   Maria is always making sure that I am as safe as possible on horseback.  She has also taught me some basic on natural horsemanship, sometimes giving ground lessons. Her horses are well trained and she makes sure they don’t acquire bad habits. And finally, Maria is a great person.  She has a busy life, and she always has a smile.  She totally enjoys what she is doing, and that shows at every lesson.
Chuck Huberdeau

My daughter Maddy has been riding with Divinity Farm since late spring of 2011. It was difficult for us to find a place for her to ride because she is only four years old. It must have been divine intervention that brought us to Divinity Farm. Everyone associated with Divinity is warm, welcoming and loving. Miss Maria has the perfect balance of patience and understanding yet she will not accept anything less than a student’s best effort during the lesson. She has very high standards and is able to get her students to meet those standards in an encouraging, patient way. As a four year old, Maddy sometimes arrives at lessons tired from a long day. Miss Maria is able to bring the best out of Maddy and help her focus on the task at hand. I can not believe how far she has progressed in only a few months. Miss Maria keeps telling her it’s time for her to become a real rider and that is exactly what she is doing! One thing that made me extremely comfortable at Divinity is the focus on safety. I have never had a moment of worry with Maddy around those big horses because at Divinity safety is first. Of course, Divinity Farm wouldn’t be the same without Miss Maria’s family. Every time we arrive someone is there to greet Maddy with a big smile. Miss Maria’s children help make Maddy feel comfortable and excited about her lesson. Maddy looks forward to seeing Miss Maria’s husband at the farm because he makes her feel like she is the best little rider in the world! We have found a new family at Divinity. Thank you!　

　

　I have been working with Maria at Divinity Farms for some time now. Due to her passion and her mastery of the technique of horseback riding, I feel I have accomplished so much as a rider. Maria shows much finesse and understanding in dealing both with me, her student, and the horses I have used for the lessons. Her positive attitude has encouraged me to make progress in my riding skills. Her confidence in my ability to accepty challenges increased the confidence that I have in myself. Her apparent love for the Horse and Horseback riding has translated to my enthousiasm for this activity.

Joseph Abdou　

　



My daughter had a wonderful experience Divinity Farm! She couldn't wait to get to her riding lessons, where not only would she ride, but also help groom the horse before her lesson. The horses are beautiful and well trained and the farm itself is wonderful. Miss Maria and her staff are professional, caring individuals who take the time to teach not only the riding lesson, but horse care as well. Thanks Divinity Farm!

Debbie Harlow


Maria at Divinity Farm has a wonderful way with children and her horses. She really can see the potential in a child and work with their skill level what ever that may be.She is very caring and teaches all that is needed for safety, care of yourself while riding and being around the animals,and how to take great care of the horses your riding.My daughter Rachel loves Maria and loves to ride at Divinity. It's her favorite thing to do. Just this morning she saw the rain and my older daughter said Oh, it's raining you won't be able to ride and she replied, " I have to ride Lacremae today!"
Julie Schubert
9/7/11


My daughter Rachel has been taking lessons with Maria at Divinity Farms for several years. Her riding lessons have improved her self confidence, and improved her muscle tone and balance. Maria Hurley does a wonderful job instructing Rachel to keep her focused and safe while riding a horse. Rachel is passionate to learn all about horses and I am very comforted to have Maria to guide her along the way.

Nadeen

" Our family has had wonderful opportunities with Maria Hurley and her farm, Divinity Farms. Maria has exposed both her talent and her farm in so many great community ways. Our first introduction to Maria and the farm was through the Pentucket Community Education program, where my kids joined her for a one week horse camp. Their interest was so peaked that they have continued their riding interest. More so, they've enrolled in the 4-h horse chapter led by Maria. ....This is another example of Maria dedicating herself and her farm to the children and their love for horses. On top of all this, Maria has introduced the kids to gymkhana events, where they can actually take their riding skills and put them to the test in a really fun, game-like manner. I witnessed this event first hand and was so pleased with the way Maria and her staff interfaced with the children. The word that stands out most for me is encouraging - Maria was so encouraging! She made sure every rider fulfilled their event demands, making each child feel so successful and accomplished in her pursuit. Keep it up Maria!" 

Tracy Kelly

Maria A. Hurley & Jaime Velez, both Massachusetts Riding Instructors.    Volunteering At The Spirit of Giving, Supporting Ironstone Farm, Andover, MA