Samantha Gardner
Samantha, our manager and instructor, specializes in western pleasure, horsemanship, showmanship and trail. She works with all calibers of horses from starting young horses to conditioning senior horses. Samantha successfully coaches riders in mini-stirrup, short stirrup, beginner hunter and pre-children's at USEF recognized shows. Samantha, relocated from North Carolina in 2002 to attend graduate school at Seton Hall.
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 Sheila Hunter
Although the names and management have changed several times, Sheila has been a staple at the Essex Equestrian Center locale for 30 years! Very patient and a believer that a good basic foundation makes the best rider, Sheila chooses to work with beginners for the most part, in particular in hunters and jumpers. Included in her experience is show jumping, including competing in the 1959 National Horse Show in the old Madison Square Garden.
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Ashton Phillips
Ashton has worked at the EEC for over 12 years with an emphasis on Hunters, Hunter Seat Equitation and Jumpers. Ashton is a past Intercollegiate National Reserve Champion who received a B.A. degree in Equine Studies at Virginia Intermont College. Ashton is currently coaching New York University's equestrian team, who practice at Essex four days a week.
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 Andrea Greco
Andrea brings over 30 years of international experience to the EEC. She worked in Hong Kong for 25 years at has been a part of clinics and seminars in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Andrea's area of discipline is Dressage and Jumpers. She also enjoys playing polo and designing show jumping courses.
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Susan Haberman
Susan started riding here at Essex 34 years ago with Sheila and has come back to what she feels like home. Susan specializes in teaching Hunt Seat Equitation to the beginner rider, giving them all the confidence and knowledge they would need to move up to the next level. Susan has been a part of clinics in New Zealand, instructed in Scottsdale Arizona and New Jersey. Majoring in Early Childhood Education at Centenary College in 1977 has given her the insight needed in teaching the young child.
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 Aleks Szatkowski
Aleks began riding in Poland and Sweden at the age of five, returning to the states she began riding at Montclair Riding Academy, today Essex Equestrian Center! As a young rider she rode our very own Sheila Hunter.
Today Aleks enjoys working with beginners, helping them build a good basic foundation and confidence. She believes that as a rider we are always learning and continues her education, training with Ashton Philips and Samantha Gardner.
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Vanessa Trzesinski
Vanessa has been with Essex for over two years. She grew up riding at the barn and as an adult sought out the opportunity to teach at the stable. She especially enjoys watching her riders make it from their first time on a horse to their first recognized show with a strong emphasis on the basics and safety. She owns her own horse and knows the importance of suitability for riders and their mounts. Whether it be the weekly lesson or a rider looking to own and compete their own horse, Vanessa embraces the rewards or both.
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 Andrea Davey
Coming soon!
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Tim Leuzarder
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Meet our Instructors
