ABOUT US

The Beginning:

My name is Christa Stosiek. When I was a little girl I liked high heels and silk dresses and told my mother I would never marry a farmer, or so she tells me!...but by the time I met my husband, Martin, I couldn't wait to join him in starting an organic farm together (Markristo Farm), which has grown from a tiny 1/4 acre plot to over 30 acres of certified organic vegetables and FLOWERS. Our first date was a 4 hr drive to pick up 500 blueberry plants!....but that’s another story, and I still like heels and a reason to dress up;)

The Flowers:

It's certainly true that I wouldn't be happy without our own farm grown vegetables, but while raising our three children, Sarah, Rachael and Matthias, my lifelong passion for form and color had me sneaking in rows of flowers, and filling the landscape with ornamental shrubs, with one thing in mind... new and interesting florals to arrange! Flowers filled ever vase I could get my hands on and very soon, with an abundance of flowers on the farm, we began selling bouquets alongside our vegetables at each Saturday market, while giving away all the extras to neighbors and friends, or unsuspecting strangers:). I'll always remember the speechless wonder from the international Dressage trainer I took Sarah to, in Brewster, NY… that bucket of semi double sunflowers melted his guard and made a lasting impression which moved him visibly from that day to this.

As word spread about our abundance of flowers, I found myself taking on weddings and other special events, which now, 30 years later, between wholesale and farmers’ markets, keep me busy from May to Oct, and I couldn't be happier, getting to know and working with such lovely people on their special day!

The ephemeral quality of fresh picked flowers is like nothing else ...the gift of just one fragile bloom has the ability to lift spirits and found new relationships! 

And then came the Horses:

MEANWHILE..... From an early age, between harvesting vegetables, arranging bouquets and helping at our markets, our three children fell in love with horses, and before we knew it, they had found their way onto our farm and into our hearts. What joy! Being with horses requires an inner focus and harmony that brings out the best in everyone who experiences them.

As a young mother, I focused on finding the best resources and mentors to guide us.  I sought methods of working with horses in the same holistic manner that we approach farming; by understanding their innate nature and working in partnership with them, to find a path of mutual benefit, not just a means to an end, so prevalent in the world of horses today.  

BridleWood:

In 2014, with 4 horses at home, (needing more pasture!), and a growing ability of horsemanship skills, dressage, and training, we purchased the beautiful, albeit rundown horse-farm, BridleWood, as an investment for the future. The project of restoring four barns, three arenas, multiple houses and countless outbuildings is fairly overwhelming, not to mention the need for new roadways, water and electrical infrastructure... but the property is on a hillside with sweeping vistas of the Taconics and Berkshires and there is so much good-will from friends and neighbors eager to see the property revitalized, into a family friendly space where the human equine experience can unfold and grow, that a day doesn't go by without us feeling incredibly fortunate to have this chance to not only experience horses ourselves, but to share them with the world, through BridleWood Dressage & Equestrian Center. 

And yes, how could I resist, I've already established rows of Hydrangea, Delphinium and flowering trees, with more to be planted every year! 

THE NAME:

BridleWoodBlooms, combines two of my most favorite things, horses and flowers; and with the help of flowers, BridleWood will blossom again, not only as a healing place for horses and their partners, but as a local wedding venue in its own right...we cant wait to share it with you and in the meantime, we hope you'll call us about your next event or floral needs!

We look forward to sharing with you the beauty of local flowers!!