Tracie Ruzicka

Tracie is the owner, operator, and head riding instructor at Rivendell Riding Academy. She has taught horseback riding since her time as a "B" in the Millbrook Pony Club.

Tracie built Rivendell with her husband, Jon, as a family place where everyone is encouraged to participate and experience the joys and accomplishment of riding and handling ponies and horses. They have maintained the farm for the past 23 years. Their children, Harrison and Prudence, rode to high levels in eventing and showjumping while growing up.

Tracie instructs riders from Beginner to the Training level in Eventing.

Harrison Ruzicka

Harrison was raised on the family farm and has ridden nearly every day of his life, competing up and down the eastern seaboard. As a teenager he trained his own throughbred, Grand Jury, to Preliminary-level Eventing and Level 5 in the Junior Jumper divisions. He has also trained and schooled many other lower-level horses.

Harrison has ridden twice for the United States as a junior. He won the team and individual gold medals for Eventing at Glen Oro in Canada. He was also on the Silver medal team for Jumpers competing in India at their national horse show.

Harrison earned a B.A. degree in Philosophy from Hartwick College in Oneonta, NY.

Gretchen Scott

Gretchen has extensive experience riding and competing in both Combined Training and Dressage. She is a Graduate "B" Pony Clubber, earned a B.S. Degree in Equestrian Science, and has worked extensively with such local notables as Michael Page and Lendon Grey.

For more than 20 years, Gretchen's approach to teaching has been to make it as easy as possible for horse and rider to understand what is being asked of them. She uses a variety of exercises and activities to establish and confirm the different elements that contribute to a well-rounded equestrian.

Her teaching is based on a combination of practical experience and theoretical information, and her aim is to develop her students into self-sufficient horsemen. Whatever your goals, Gretchen aims to create an atmosphere of enthusiasm, learning, and respect for equestrian sports.

Jazzelle Colley

Jazzelle has been riding at Rivendell since she was 8 years old. Over a year ago Jazzelle took on the responsibility to take Ben and train him. They have made great strides, getting second at the Dutchess County Fair high jump invitational in 2014. Both Ben and Jazzelle learned, that day, exactly how far they could go.

Jazzelle teaches the beginner level classes and our summer program.

Beyond her passion for riding, Jazzelle hopes to study nursing at Mount Saint Mary College and become a nurse practitioner.

Tammy Ward

Tammy grew up with horses in her heart and has been working with them since she's been 15.
She started teaching lessons in 1992 where she taught all levels from beginner through 2'6". She helped develop the show program there until 2021 when her bosses retired.
Tammy used to show Western and also worked at Mohonk Mt House leading trails and carriage driving.
She's very good at creating a strong foundation and a bond between the horse and rider.
Whether you want to learn to ride and how to be safe around them or you have an interest in showing.

Amanda Weklar

I started working and riding at Rivendell when I was in middle school, and it was one of the most important formative experiences of my life. I worked and rode all through High School teaching beginners, helping to run the summer program, had unfortunate experiences doing hay, and competed, with Tracie’s great patience, at the novice level.

I stepped away from riding and my work on the farm as I completed my degree and joined the ranks of teachers in Albany, where I have taught history and civics for 18 years.

In the summer of 2021 my son expressed an interest in taking riding lessons and, despite the protests of muscles I have neglected, I very quickly got back in the saddle as well.

I am thrilled to return to Rivendell as a teacher for the summer camp program of 2022. At Rivendell I learned responsibility, empathy, and trust, along with the many facets of caring for horse and barn. I am eager to work on these skills with the summer camp students through a mixture of games and skill development on and off the horses.

Tunde Zeitlin

My name is Tunde. I've been riding since I was 10 years old as a hunter/jumper.

I recently moved up here from Philadelphia to care for the horses and the people at Rivendell. 

I am learning the ropes of Eventing from the experts here & loving every minute of it!

Danielle Summers

I’m Danelle.

I started working at Rivendell in October 2022. I have been riding since age 5 in various events such as dressage, pleasure, hunter paces, jumping, ranch sorting, and barrels. I have been instructing since I was 15.

I enjoy teaching young kids the basics of riding and the care of horses. My teaching style is warm, insightful, and positive. I take pride in adapting my instruction to how each child learns and in being a supportive coach at horse shows.

I’m first-aid and CPR-certified, and I also enjoy starting young horses.

I look forward to continuing my journey here at Rivendell!