Our Team

Felicia has been involved with NCMT for over 10 years. It all began with her daughter’s love of horses. Her daughter started riding here at age 7 and participated in the horsemanship program until age 18, when she graduated form high school.

Felicia recognized what amazing programs the barn had to offer and quickly became a volunteer helping on the parent committee, fundraising, and event planning. She served on the board of directors, as Vice President for several years, then she stepped off the board, July of 2022, to become an employee.

Felicia and her family have lived in New Canaan since 2011. She has chaired various local events and committees including at West Elementary School, New Canaan Newcomers, and St Luke’s School where she chaired the New Families Committee and mentor program.

Felicia was born and raised in Texas. Prior to moving to Connecticut, Felicia served on the Parent/Teacher Association for Willow Creek Elementary in Kingwood, TX as Vice President.

Her professional experience includes 20 years as an Interior Designer both Commercial and Residential as well as an Architectural Sales Representative of Interior Products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in interior design from Texas Tech University.

Since joining NCMT in 2005, Anne brings over twenty years of riding and equine management experience. She works to ensure that the horses and ponies of Troop are happy, healthy and ready to teach the Troopers on a daily basis. Anne takes pride in developing individualized feeding and care programs for our diverse herd of horses. In addition, she works with the cadets to teach them barn management and equine care skills, involving the cadets at all levels for an enriched experience. Anne holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Connecticut.

Caroleigh Evarts has been involved with Super Troopers since the Spring of 2013 when she started volunteering. Soon after, Caroleigh worked as a volunteer coordinator and in 2015, she became the program director. Caroleigh is a PATH CTRI instructor and PATH Certified Mentor. Caroleigh brings a lifetime of experience working with horses and people with special needs.

For more information about Super Trooper programs, evaluations, schedules, and fees, contact Caroleigh either by email or phone.

Josephine (Josie) Hauer, Ed.D. serves as President and CEO of the New Canaan Mounted Troop, bringing decades of leadership experience in federal and state human services administration, education, and public service, along with a lifelong passion for horses and youth development.

Dr. Hauer is a visionary educator and strategic changemaker whose career has focused on strengthening families, expanding opportunity, and building effective, mission‑driven programs and initiatives. Most recently, she served for over two decades with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, where she worked closely with state and community leaders across New England to advance innovative policy, cross‑sector partnerships, and data‑informed practice to improve economic mobility for low‑income families.

In addition to her federal service, Dr. Hauer has a background in teaching, research, and leadership development. She holds a master’s in theology and education from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Bridgeport.

A lifelong equestrian and experienced dressage enthusiast, Dr. Hauer is deeply inspired by NCMT’s 87 year legacy of transforming lives through horsemanship, leadership, and therapeutic programming. As President and CEO, she aims to strengthen NCMT’s impact across generations through collaboration, stewardship, and a shared vision shaped with staff, families, and the broader community.

Connie Kleiner has been riding and around horses since early childhood, beginning at just two years old. She joined New Canaan Mounted Troop in 2016 and has continued her equestrian journey by showing in the jumper rings at various barns throughout Fairfield County. Connie has always surrounded herself with animals of all kinds and brings extensive hands-on experience and knowledge to her work. In addition to her equestrian background, she has volunteered for years at both the Westchester Animal Shelter and Christine’s Critters, continually seeking meaningful ways to stay involved in animal care and education. Her lifelong dedication to animals and strong horsemanship foundation make her a valuable member of the team.

Hannah Wirfel Jones is a lifelong equestrian and dedicated coach with extensive experience in both riding and teaching. She graduated from Trinity College with a degree in Art History, where she interned as a curatorial assistant at the New Britain Museum of American Art and studied abroad at Trinity’s Rome campus.

A nationally ranked junior rider, Hannah competed while attending Greens Farms Academy, training under legendary instructors such as Emerson Burr, Olympic medalist Leslie Burr Howard, and equitation great W.T. “Timmy” Kees. She earned top ribbons in hunt seat equitation and jumper events at prestigious “A-Circuit” venues, including Wellington, FL, and Lake Placid, NY.

Among her many accomplishments, she was one of just 50 junior riders from the U.S. and Canada to qualify for the ASPCA Maclay Finals at Madison Square Garden — the last year the National Horse Show was held there.

Recognized for her sportsmanship, she was honored with the Lauren Leslie Memorial Trophy at the Ox Ridge Charity Show.

Hannah has been deeply involved in equestrian coaching for many years. She served as an IHSA coach for Trinity College’s equestrian team and co-coached Miss Porter’s IEA team. Since joining NCMT in 2011, she earned her PATH certification (2013) and later became a USHJA Certified Trainer (2017). She played a key role in developing NCMT’s IEA team, further expanding opportunities for young riders.

With a passion for mentoring young equestrians and fostering excellence in horsemanship, Hannah continues to contribute to the equestrian community through her coaching and training expertise.

Introduced to horses at a young age, Claudia King has been riding horses since she was four years old. Her mother rode and showed horses, while her uncle raised them. She spent most of her time around the horses at Gladewinds farm in Miami, Florida, which is a barn with a very similar environment to New Canaan Mounted Troop. She rode and showed several horses which took her to win several Florida Hunter Jumper Association (FHJA) and American Saddlebred Horse Association (AHSA) state championships in equitation and the hunter division, including the United States Equestrian Team (USET) finals. Outside of her work at NCMT, Claudia is also an artist, she loves to paint, work with clay, and take photographs.

Fredi came to NCMT in 2010, bringing many years of experience in horse care and maintenance. He has worked extensively at  top competitive show barns in Fairfield and Westchester Counties, where he was in charge of the health and appearance of “A” circuit horses and ponies. Fredi works with Anne and the rest of the staff to ensure that all of the horses and ponies at NCMT are well cared for and receive appropriate turnout time. Fredi also helps train horses to have excellent ground manners which ensures the safest possible environment at NCMT.