Ruth Nicodemus
Owner/Head Trainer
Ruth grew up riding in Westchester County, New York. She began riding and showing at an early age, on the local and “AA” rated circuits, quickly progressing up to the USEF Medal finals at Harrisburg, PA and the ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals. She found her true passion when she began teaching at the age of 16.
Embracing her passion for teaching, Ruth made the easy decision of becoming a professional as soon as she aged out of her junior years. Since that time, her students have had great success in the Hunter, Equitation, and Jumper arenas. Ruth has coached her students to top honors and placings at seasonal and year end finals such as the USEF Pony Finals, Marshall and Sterling Finals, New England Horsemen’s Council Finals, USHJA Zone Finals, Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association Finals, Pennsylvania National, and The Winter Equestrian Festival, just to name a few.
Ruth brings together the perfect combination of professionalism, horsemanship, and fun to her students and clients. Whether a student is just learning to ride or is heading into the show ring, Ruth will give that student 110% of her focus and energy, as she has done for countless riders over the years. Ruth's motto is simple, “hard work pays off”. Her life long passion has been coaching and teaching and she has been doing so for nearly 30 years.
After gaining experience as a professional rider and trainer at other facilities in the area, Ruth opened the doors to Serenity Show Stable in 2014. She brings her knack for putting together the right horse and rider combination to create a winning team. Her teaching style is simple, yet effective, combining the basic fundamentals and a sense of discipline into each of her riders. Giving each of her riders the tools to accomplish their goals. Ruth has dedicated her life to bringing out the very best in each of her riders!
Owner/Head Trainer
Ruth grew up riding in Westchester County, New York. She began riding and showing at an early age, on the local and “AA” rated circuits, quickly progressing up to the USEF Medal finals at Harrisburg, PA and the ASPCA Maclay Regional Finals. She found her true passion when she began teaching at the age of 16.
Embracing her passion for teaching, Ruth made the easy decision of becoming a professional as soon as she aged out of her junior years. Since that time, her students have had great success in the Hunter, Equitation, and Jumper arenas. Ruth has coached her students to top honors and placings at seasonal and year end finals such as the USEF Pony Finals, Marshall and Sterling Finals, New England Horsemen’s Council Finals, USHJA Zone Finals, Connecticut Hunter Jumper Association Finals, Pennsylvania National, and The Winter Equestrian Festival, just to name a few.
Ruth brings together the perfect combination of professionalism, horsemanship, and fun to her students and clients. Whether a student is just learning to ride or is heading into the show ring, Ruth will give that student 110% of her focus and energy, as she has done for countless riders over the years. Ruth's motto is simple, “hard work pays off”. Her life long passion has been coaching and teaching and she has been doing so for nearly 30 years.
After gaining experience as a professional rider and trainer at other facilities in the area, Ruth opened the doors to Serenity Show Stable in 2014. She brings her knack for putting together the right horse and rider combination to create a winning team. Her teaching style is simple, yet effective, combining the basic fundamentals and a sense of discipline into each of her riders. Giving each of her riders the tools to accomplish their goals. Ruth has dedicated her life to bringing out the very best in each of her riders!
Kara Burgess
Office Manager and Assistant Trainer
Kara grew up riding on the South Shore of Massachusetts when she was in the first grade. Kara competed in Eventing in her youth and began focusing on Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation before college.
Kara attended Centenary University in New Jersey, and competed on the IHSA Team. She had originally considered becoming a veterinarian, but she had the opportunity to take a teaching and training class and fell in love with instruction. Kara graduated from Centenary and earned her Equine Science degree in 2016. She began riding and teaching professionally directly out of college.
Since the Fall 2018, Kara has been an assistant trainer at Serenity Show Stable working with introductory to intermediate level riders in the lesson program and taking students to local horse shows. "I love working with riders and watching them grow into stronger and better riders. I love taking them to the horse shows, to see them succeed and fulfill their goals based upon what we worked on at home."
Kara has helped our riders become more confident in and out of the show ring. She enjoys teaching our students the basics and preparing them for their progression to the show ring. She can be found teaching lessons and assisting with riding at home, and enjoys traveling to shows close to home with our clients.
Office Manager and Assistant Trainer
Kara grew up riding on the South Shore of Massachusetts when she was in the first grade. Kara competed in Eventing in her youth and began focusing on Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation before college.
Kara attended Centenary University in New Jersey, and competed on the IHSA Team. She had originally considered becoming a veterinarian, but she had the opportunity to take a teaching and training class and fell in love with instruction. Kara graduated from Centenary and earned her Equine Science degree in 2016. She began riding and teaching professionally directly out of college.
Since the Fall 2018, Kara has been an assistant trainer at Serenity Show Stable working with introductory to intermediate level riders in the lesson program and taking students to local horse shows. "I love working with riders and watching them grow into stronger and better riders. I love taking them to the horse shows, to see them succeed and fulfill their goals based upon what we worked on at home."
Kara has helped our riders become more confident in and out of the show ring. She enjoys teaching our students the basics and preparing them for their progression to the show ring. She can be found teaching lessons and assisting with riding at home, and enjoys traveling to shows close to home with our clients.
Rosemary Herr
Rider/Stables Manager
Rosemary grew up surrounded by horses on her family's breeding farm. She comes to Serenity with a wealth of knowledge, and experience. Learning from her father, who is a farrier, and working along side veterinarians, she is a valued and trusted member of our team. She has worked as a rider and manager for top show and sales stables. She has traveled internationally to manage top show horses at the FEI level, as well as preparing top hunters and jumpers here in the States for championships and finals.
Rosemary studied Psychology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. While studying, she competed in the Open Division for the IHSA team. She has competed up to 1.15 Jumpers and earned many championships in the Child and Adult Jumper divisions.
Rosemary joined Serenity in November 2020. Her incredible work ethic and attention to detail are second to none. She has a personal relationship with all of our horses and is a vital member of our team.
Rider/Stables Manager
Rosemary grew up surrounded by horses on her family's breeding farm. She comes to Serenity with a wealth of knowledge, and experience. Learning from her father, who is a farrier, and working along side veterinarians, she is a valued and trusted member of our team. She has worked as a rider and manager for top show and sales stables. She has traveled internationally to manage top show horses at the FEI level, as well as preparing top hunters and jumpers here in the States for championships and finals.
Rosemary studied Psychology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro. While studying, she competed in the Open Division for the IHSA team. She has competed up to 1.15 Jumpers and earned many championships in the Child and Adult Jumper divisions.
Rosemary joined Serenity in November 2020. Her incredible work ethic and attention to detail are second to none. She has a personal relationship with all of our horses and is a vital member of our team.