Maple Hill Farms began a little more than 13 years ago with the purchase of a small farm in the Berkshire Hills on the New York/Massachusetts border. The prospective new owners were attracted to the farm's gently rolling fields, a manageable 40-acre site, two ponds, and a stocked trout stream that meandered alongside the property. The 200 plus year old farmhouse had been recently updated which allowed them to concentrate on building fencing and barns.

Phil grew up in the suburbs of New York and was fortunate enough to have a horse and be involved in the horse show circuit. As his love for horses developed and his involvement in horse shows grew, he dreamed of one day breeding his own horses. This dream was realized a few years after the purchase of Maple Hill Farms with the birth of Richie, a quarter horse paint foal who he delivered at 3:00 a.m. one Sunday morning.

Phil and Larry's introduction to llamas came in 1992 when they lost a lamb to a coyote. They had read that llamas make good sheep guards and, after traveling around to a few events where llamas were present, made their way up to Vermont and purchased a pair of geldings to use as guards for their small herd of Romney sheep.

Well, now 12 years later, that pair of sheep guards is still guarding sheep, and their llama herd has grown to about forty animals. They began their showing and breeding program with a young male named Aspen Hills Silver Magnet. In less than a year of showing, Magnet earned his halter championship and his ROM. Magnet's first offspring arrived in the spring of 1999 and they are extremely proud of what he is producing. Subsequently, they purchased FVL Sirius; a well-established herd sire and have added two other males to their breeding program as well. MHF Doubletake and CCC Peruvian Challenger now occupy slots in the stud barn, along with two upcoming herd sires, MHF Full Throttle and PPF Anasazi. Their newest addition is Piccaro, a super suri herdsire. Magnet has moved on to a new home, and has given us some extraordinary offspring with which to pass along his exquisite style and presence.

Their involvement in the llama community lead to forming the Northeast Llama Showcase, a corporation whose primary function is to showcase llamas and the reward of llama ownership to those interested. The first event was held in the spring of 1999 which consisted of an ALSA level 2 show as well as a llama and alpaca showcase. The Showcase, now a level 3 event, is run by Phil. Additionally, Phil was elected to the Board of Directors of GALA and serves as District 11, New York Director as well as Treasurer for the organization. Phil is an ALSA judge as well as the superintendent of the ALSA Eastern Regional. In addition, he serves as a director and Treasurer of the Llama Futurity Association.

When not working with llamas, Phil is busy with his family business, P. Feiner & Sons Inc. He and his sister are the fourth generation of Feiners to be actively involved in the day to day operations of this 118-year-old New Jersey based sheet metal job shop. In addition to P.Feiner & Sons Inc., he is the president of Sternvent Co. Inc., a manufacturer of industrial dust collection equipment, also located in New Jersey.

Larry works in the garment industry in New York. He has been active in sales in the fashion couture business for the past twenty years. Larry enjoys life on the farm and working with the animals. He works with the youngsters training as well as taking an active role in the horses and their upkeep. He is the calming factor when it comes to birthing and critical health issues with the Maple Hill animals.

FVL SIRIUS - HERD SIRE FVL SIRIUS OFFSPRING
MHF Sirius Contender	MHF Sirius Mischief
MHF Sirius Sensation
PPF ANASAZI - HERD SIRE
PPF ANASAZI OFFSPRING
MHF Santa Fe
LlamaSalesList.Com Comments: Phil and Larry have been great supporters of LlamaSalesList.Com and have consigned some very nice llamas in our auctions. And just look at their upcoming youngsters! Who wouldn't benefit from one of these? Contact Maple Hill Farms if any of these llamas interest you or for more information on their breeding program. Thanks, Phil and Larry, for your support from the beginning.