Danielle DeCarli (Danielle Stites), daughter of owners Daryl and Rick DeCarli, is an up and coming young professional. Danielle specialized in hunters, jumpers, and equitation and has competed at Connecticut Finals, HITS shows, and on the local “A” show circuit all on horses that she has broke and trained herself. She takes pride in starting her horses herself and learns from top professionals along the way, turning herself and her horses into well educated partners. Danielle continues her education working with a variety of trainers and regularly showing and attending clinics.  She continues an active training and showing schedule developing herself, her horses, and her students into well educated and well rounded members of the horse community. Danielle believes that a solid foundation for both horse and rider starts from the ground up and encourages her clients to take a hands on approach from Day 1 as she helps both horse and rider progress toward their goals. She also believes that a well rounded horse is important and encourages cross-training into dressage and cross country to keep the horses mind fresh and help build confidence for both the horse and rider. Whether you are looking to ride for fun or competitively, Danielle can help you and your horse reach your goals and build a happy, confident partnership.

Danielle is available for training and lessons at DeCarli Equestrian Center or off-site if your horse is boarded elsewhere. She can be reached via call or text at 860-878-9275.

Gretchen Geromin, our dressage trainer here at DeCarli Equestrian Center brings a wealth of knowledge teaching students of all ages and abilities as well as horses of all breeds and abilities. With experience training, teaching, managing barns, and running shows, whatever it is you need, Gretchen will help you meet your goals. Her success is recognized with wins by both herself and her students from local levels to FEI shows. Gretchen has trained in both the United States and Britain and is certified by both the United States Dressage Federation and the British Horse Society and also has a USDF Bronze Medal. 

Deborah Murphy, USDF Associate Instructor and Centered Riding® Instructor Level ll. Deborah is extremely enthusiastic about sharing Centered Riding techniques with students. She states that whatever your discipline, Centered Riding enhances it! Her teaching style focuses on the individual needs and goals of each rider and horse to help them progress in a enjoyable and safe way.  She is happy to work with riders of all abilities and has had great success in increasing rider confidence. Deborah is VERY positive, and has tons of patience, believing that the journey of progress, in riding and training should be fun and rewarding for all participants. Deborah utilizes dressage, Centered Riding, and techniques learned from Natural Horsemanship, Horse Agility, Horse Versatility, and any other horse or rider related training, that will help her students learn to ride with feel and have enjoyable success.   

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Nikole DeCarli, daughter of Rick and Daryl DeCarli, is an up and coming professional who combines a decade of experience in a variety of disciplines to help you develop a correct, solid foundation on your horse. Nikole specializes in starting young horses, restarting horses, correcting behavioral issues on the ground and under saddle, and developing an all around horse for you to enjoy. Through Nikole’s training your horse can be desensitized, learn to ground drive, become more rideable in all of their gates, and be started over fences, through patterns, and on the trail. She can also assist in rehabbing and enjoys helping owners fix their relationship with their horse. She has a strong belief that a good horse is made from the ground up. Nikole also has six years of professional experience selling horses and can help you sell your horse or find you the perfect fit for your next partner. She continues to gain more knowledge through riding with top professionals in lessons, clinics, and shows.

Nikole is available for training and lessons and can be reached via call or text at 860-878-4838.

Dee Dee Hopper, brings to her teaching 45 years of experience developing, training and evaluating horses for performance as hunters, jumpers, equitation, and event horses. She trains riders to develop and improve their own horses, specializing in young horses or rehabbing older performing horses. Dee Dee emphasizes diligent flatwork combined with jumping to produce a better horse. She is dedicated to educating for better horsemanship for the owner/rider combination. Dee Dee is an advocate for the horse and rider and her teaching methods emphasize a correct position, softness, and a harmonious relationship with your horse.