By ALY BLACK
Interview with Ruth Nicodemus, Head Trainer/Owner of Serenity Show Stable. Ruth is based out of Redding, CT at Marchant Farm.
1. Congratulations on Serenity Show Stables’ 10th anniversary! Can you tell us about the journey of starting the stables and how it has evolved over the past decade?
Thank you so much! The past ten years has been such a whirlwind! Ten years ago, I decided that I had gained enough knowledge, and confidence to start my own business. I have had such great mentors over the years, people who challenged me to be my best and to think differently and to always, always put the horses first. I have also had the experience of learning what not to do, which can be equally if not more important.
So, at 40 years old I was ready. I had created my own brand of how I wanted to teach, and a program that helps the rider to achieve their goals. Looking for a new way of doing things “Serenity Show Stable” was born. My first day started with 6 clients/horses, the next week that doubled to 12. Three months later I was at 28 horses.
2. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the equestrian world since you founded Serenity Show Stable?
It’s hard not to immediately think of 2020. I was at Ring 9 in Wellington, FL on a Saturday. All other sports had been shut down, and we knew we were next. It was scary, what would we do without showing daily? What came next was unexpected. I was able to go to the barn and teach lessons. Like really teach lessons. The good stuff, fundamentals, basics.
There was no timeline of getting back to the show ring, no quick fix to getting through the combination, I was able to teach real lessons again. Break things down and teach how to correct things step by step. It was invigorating, and it taught me a huge lesson. That no matter what, I need to keep things simple and to continue working on the basics.
Do you know that book “Everything I need to know I learned in Kindergarten”? My book would be “Everything you need to know you learned in Short Stirrup”! I love the sport, I truly do. But after we were shut down, I fell back in love with teaching, it’s always been my passion.
3. Looking back, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned in the last 10 years?
I would have to say the biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that it’s okay to say no. I’ve been at this long enough now that I know this is not a “the customer is always right” service that we provide. Quite often the customer is learning, and it is my responsibility to teach them about our sport and to keep them safe, and that sometimes means saying no.
No to jumping bigger when they’re not ready, no to moving up a division too soon, no to excessive jumping lessons on an older horse. I am an advocate for the horse and this sport, and I take this role very seriously. I have also learned that I have very solid friends in this industry. Really good horse people who are like minded and supportive, and I am grateful to have them.
4. What do you think sets Serenity Show Stable apart from other facilities?
We are lucky enough to have landed at a brand-new state of the art facility in Fairfield County called Marchant Farm. The owners are incredibly supportive of Serenity. Marchant boasts a huge outdoor ring, and a large indoor ring, several grass and sand paddocks, lunging pads, trails, and even hosts several shows throughout the year.
In addition to the facility itself what sets us apart are the relationships the staff and I have with our clients. How each staff member is a part of each horse/pony and client’s success. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes to make the daily activities seamless for the clients, and my team is the best.
My assistant trainer Kara Burgess has been with me eight years now. She takes care of the program at home in CT over the winter as well as putting together the daily schedule, she’s my right hand. Rosemary Rebollo is my barn manager. She over sees the daily chores of the barn, does the showing of the horses, and helps with the Florida program over the winter. Her husband, Efren Rebollo, is my head groom. He manages the grooms that work for Serenity. They have a son, Ernesto, who happens to be my Godson!
So, we truly have a work family that is like no other. We all look out for each other, and we all have the one common interest of getting our horses and ponies to compete to the best of their ability.
5. Can you share some memorable moments or highlights from the past 10 years at Serenity Show Stables?
Gosh, there have been so many. So many times, I’ve been proud of wins, proud of my riders and their horses. But I think my greatest achievement over the last ten years, was starting a charity, The Serenity Project. It occurred to me one day, that I was so incredibly fortunate to get to do this every day. To be surrounded by horses, and the gifts they give us. I was overcome with gratitude and thought, how can I give this experience to others? Now, three and a half years later, The Serenity Project an approved 501©3 charity, has helped thousands of trauma victims find peace, self-esteem, and some serenity too. It’s been a huge blessing to me, the support from the equestrian community has been overwhelming. I am blessed to get to do this work as well.
6. How have your services and programs expanded or changed over the years to meet the needs of your clients and horses?
I pride myself on consistency. The method I have found to be the most successful is this. I try to give every student as much exposure to showing as I can to the 2’ divisions. What I mean is they will show in the hunters, equitation, and when appropriate, even some jumpers. Once the student has an idea of what direction they’d like to go in, what their goals are, I can then go over a plan with them as to how we accomplish those goals.
It is important to me, that I let the student choose the goal. I do not tell my students what their goals are, it is my job to come up with the plan to achieve them. Not to tell them the goal. I do not believe in a one size fits all approach to teaching or riding. I was taught to build on the strengths that both the horses/ponies and their riders have to achieve success. Humans were taught to ride horses, and too many times I’ve seen horses bullied into going a particular way that does not suit their conformation or their mindset just to accommodate a rider, that is wrong.
We must learn to ride the horse, and to get them to perform to the best of their ability, and they are all so uniquely different. That’s one of the reasons my job is so much fun. I must admit, I love a quirky one! If one is smart enough to tell me what its quirks are, then I should be smart enough to listen to them!
So, I guess the answer to your question is this, my services and program adapt to what is best for my client. You’d like to show in Wellington, Fl over the winter? Sure, we can do that. You want to qualify for equitation finals? Great, let’s come up with the plan. You’d like to stay on the farm, not show, take lessons, and learn as much as you can about these majestic animals? Absolutely, we can do that too.
Again, it is not my job to give my riders their goals. It is my job to teach them well enough that they may come up with their own goals, and then I, along with my staff, make the plan.
7. What new services or programs are you currently offering at Serenity Show Stable?
I am super excited to announce our “Winter Warrior” program which is new for this winter! I will be splitting my time between Wellington and Connecticut this year allowing me to put more of a focus on the shows in CT. The new program will have an emphasis on shows in CT, advanced groundwork at home with the horses/ponies, monthly team meetings, and so much more!
8. Can you tell us about the team at Serenity Show Stable and the role they play in its success?
I am so blessed to be able to work with a fabulous team. Kara Burgess, Rosemary Rebollo, and Efren Rebollo are truly the top in their field. They have been with me for years, and I consider myself very lucky. It has taken me almost a full decade to create this dream team.
A group of people who put the horses and ponies first, they put an emphasis on safety, and have solid morals and ethics. Our vet, Watermark Equine, is top notch and takes incredible care of our horses. Our blacksmith, Joe Santos, is one of the best in the business. He is always happy to discuss a specific horse, how they are traveling, and what he can do to help. Our transporter, Judge Manning and Caleb Glassberg, help us to coordinate travel with our animals getting them to each and every destination safely and seamlessly.
It’s been a lot of trial and error to get to where the team is now. With every change has come a lesson, and I’m truly grateful for the team I am surrounded by today.
9. How do you stay current with the latest trends and best practices in horse training and care?
My staff and vendors keep me up to date on any new trends that I should be aware of, and there’s always social media! To be completely honest, the way I was taught way back when, the “old school” way of doing things still holds merit. Whether it is a training aid, or riding style, the OG is usually the way to go! So, I stay tried and true to the fundamentals and the basics given to us by so many of the legends of this sport who came before me. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, I will simply pass on what has been given to me.
10. What are your goals and visions for Serenity Show Stable in the next 10 years?
Wow, I can’t possibly imagine what the next ten years will bring. I couldn’t have predicted where the last ten years have brought me to today! I won’t limit Serenity by having my own goals and visions, I’ll continue to follow the path that we have been on. Teaching my clients to the best of my ability, finding them their horse of a lifetime, assisting them in achieving their goals, that’s what I want for Serenity’s next decade. With each client’s step toward their dream coming true, it is another piece of the puzzle of our success story. I’m so grateful for those who have chosen Serenity as their guide. It’s an honor to be part of making someone’s dreams come true.
11. How do you balance the business side of running a stable with your passion for horses and training?
I don’t sleep much! In all seriousness this is 24-hour 7 days a week business. At the shows I am focused on the show and my clients and keep the business side of stuff on pause until we come out of the last class. A lot of Mondays, and evenings are dedicated to the business side. It is a balance, and it’s a lot, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I always say that I didn’t pick this business, it picked me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for it!
Learn more about Ruth and Serenity Show Stables online, via email ruth@serenityshowstable.com, or phone (914) 755-7562.
12 Marchant Rd. Redding, CT 06896
