Anya Sheckley, Owner

Anya is the owner of Hammertown Insurance and a licensed Property and Casualty agent with an office in Pine Plains, New York. She is currently licensed in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusettes, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Minnesota, and California.  This list continues to grow so please contact us if you do not see your state listed here.

Anya grew up in upstate New York where her love of horses as a teenager had her working at show barns in exchange for riding lessons. Anya went on to develop a career in finance in New York City and enjoyed thoroughbred racing and pedigree research as a hobby.

After the tragic events of 9/11/2001, Anya knew she wanted to pursue her love and interest in horses as more than a hobby. Since that time she has developed Hammertown Insurance Agency which has become one of the most successful equine mortality insurance agencies in the Northeast.

Michael Lischin, Consultant

Michael is an attorney specializing in equine law and previously was a Property and Casualty broker in Kentucky. He assists Anya as a consultant at Hammertown Insurance Agency.

Michael graduated from NYU Law School in 1976 and began working for Fasig-Tipton Company in 1978. In 1982 he was named President of Fasig-Tipton’s financial services division which provided financial services to farm owners and stallion syndicates.

Upon leaving Fasig-Tipton in 1988, Michael concentrated on representing horse farm owners, syndicate managers and breeders in the thoroughbred industry and he served as an officer of several thoroughbred industry service companies including two finance companies that provided in excess of $200 million of financing to the industry for the purchase of horses and syndicated stallion shares.

In 1998 Michael moved to New York and purchased Dutchess Views Farmin Pine Plains, New York. The farm is a commercial boarding and breeding farm and owns 15 currently racing horses of its own. Dutchess Views Farm boards more than 100 horses on its over 200 acres.

Anya and Michael are husband and wife and live on Dutchess Views Farm with their son. Hammertown Insurance Agency’s offices are located on the farm, as is Michael’s legal practice.