About Us
Five Star Performance Horses, owned by Erin Cecchini, is built on a passion for horses and a dedication to excellence. Erin graduated from Cazenovia College in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in Equine Business Management. Since opening its doors in 2009, Five Star has produced numerous national and state champions, including the winner of equitation over fences and high point 14-18 champion at the prestigious All American Quarter Horse Congress.
The current facility, built in 2019, offers a modern, welcoming environment designed to support both horse and rider success. Over the years, Erin has celebrated NSBA World Champions, AQHYA Bronze World Champions, and multiple Regional and State Championship.
At Five Star, we pride ourselves on maintaining a family-oriented atmosphere, welcoming riders of all ages - from children to adults. While we have a special love for quarter horses, we have and warmly welcome horses of all breeds to our facility.
Our Facility
Built in 2019, our modern barn features 18 spacious stalls designed for both comfort and safety. We offer a full range of amenities including hot and cold-water wash stall, a convenient locker room, and both indoor and outdoor arenas for year-round training.
Each horse enjoys individual turnout in well maintained paddocks, ensuring plenty of fresh air and personal space. The heated lounge provides a welcoming spot for the riders to relax, warm up, and connect with other boarders.
With 24/7 attentive care, our team is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of horse health, safety, and well being
Erin Cecchini
Erin’s riding journey began at age 7, when her mom asked if she wanted to try horseback riding—after that moment, the rest was history. Since then, Erin has grown into a World and Congress Champion, bringing decades of skill, dedication, and passion to the arena.
Known around the barn as Miss Erin, she specializes in taking riders from their very first lesson all the way to top-level competition. She believes deeply in teaching her students not just how to ride, but also how to understand, care for, and connect with their horses.
When she’s not teaching at Five Star, Erin is often on the road traveling and competing alongside her students, supporting them every step of the way.
Meet our team
Behind every service we provide is a dedicated team of passionate equine professionals. Each trainer brings unique experience, skill, and energy to our program—creating a supportive, knowledgeable, and inspiring environment for riders of all levels. Together, they are committed to helping every student grow, achieve their goals, and build lasting connections with their horses.
Martina
Martina has been around horses her entire life—quite literally since she was a baby. Growing up with horses in her backyard, horsemanship became second nature from the very beginning.
In her younger years, Martina focused on barrel racing and mounted games, developing strong riding foundations and a deep understanding of speed, precision, and partnership with the horse. Over the years, she has evolved into a well-rounded, highly skilled instructor here at Five Star.
Today, Martina wears many hats at Five Star. She is one of our primary riding instructors, the assistant coach for our IEA team, and the dedicated manager of our entire lesson program. Her passion, experience, and commitment help create a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for every rider who comes through our barn.
Lily
Lily has been riding since she was just three years old and grew up competing in CHSA hunter/jumpers and equitation. In high school, she rode as a point rider for her IEA team, sharpening her skills and confidence in the show ring.
Lily has been a part of Five Star since she was young, growing up in our program and developing into the professional she is today. With a long-standing career in the equine industry and years of teaching experience, she brings a calm, supportive approach and a genuine passion for helping riders of all levels succeed.