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Fairfield County Hunt Club

Private year-round country club

Equestrian Staff

Name

Jenny Martin-Rudaz

Title

Stables & Riding Manager

Originally from Mahwah, NJ, Jenny Martin-Rudaz trained with Mindy Mineto at Stonehenge Farm in Suffern, NY, as a junior. Mindy would invite the great horsemen, Victor Hugo-Vidal and George Morris, to guest train her students. Jenny was fortunate to have had to opportunity to regularly learn from these legendary horsemen. She qualified for the AHSA Medal Finals and ASPCA Maclay Finals (held at Madison Square Garden). She also ribboned in the equitation at Devon and Harrisburg. After the tragic and sudden death of her beloved hunter, Jenny deferred acceptance at William & Mary and accepted a training and riding position with her trainer, Mindy, at Stonehenge. In the summer of 1984, Jenny was offered a training and riding position at Overpeck Inc. with Steve and Linda Shahinian.

Name

Sue Conley

Title

Assistant Barn Manager and Trainer

Sue has been a part of the FCHC team since 1978, originally working with Emerson Burr. Sue teaches beginner through intermediate riders. Outside of the barn, Sue enjoys showing her Dalmatians.

Name

Nevin Pere

Title

Trainer

Nevin grew up riding in the Hudson Valley. As a junior, she rode under BJ Ehrhardt and Lisa O'Neil competing in the Maclay and Medal. While attending Marist College, and later the University of South Carolina, Nevin would often catch ride horses on the AA circuit. Most recently, she was a rider under Garrett Warner and Katha Gatto, riding new imports as well as competing with them. Nevin has recently been training her 4 year old, Simba. She is now a trainer and rider at FCHC, traveling to away shows with head trainer Jenny.

Name

Rosemary Free-Bertin

Title

Trainer

Based out of Wellington, FL with experience from short stirrup to Grand Prix. Rosemary competed in hunters and jumpers winning championships at major shows on the East Coast and Canada. Rosemary says she is “lucky to join the talented team at Fairfield for the summer show season!”.

Name

Cass Steptoe

Title

Trainer

Cass started at FCHC in 2021. She rode throughout high school and college and was the co-captain of her college team. After graduating, she was barn manager and an instructor at Windcrest farm. Cass enjoys riding all sorts of horses and sharing her love of the sport with her students. Outside of riding, Cass enjoys running and competing in modern pentathlon.

Name

Nikki Ventresca

Title

Riding Instructor

Nikki’s love for horses started when she began riding at the age of six. Since then, it has been her mission to make her passion for horses and the equestrian sport an essential part of her lifestyle and career. Nikki enjoys not only riding, but also spending time caring for horses and teaching her students the importance of practicing good horsemanship. Nikki graduated from Centenary University of New Jersey in May of 2016 where she rode competitively on both the IHSA and Hunter/Jumper Team. Nikki has experience teaching and working with a range of students from beginners to adults. Her charismatic energy encourages students to learn new techniques and perform at their best. Nikki has had success in coaching riders and helping them compete at local horse shows that are recognized by CHSA, CHJA, M&S, NEHC, USEF/USHJA.