Winter Haven Equestrian Center

MEET OUR TRAINERS

Come and meet our trainers; their experience is beyond compare!  They will develop a program that works for you and your horse/pony.  Our instructors feel that your connection with the animal is what can help you become an educated equestrian.  Understanding the animal, basic horse care and good solid riding skills are what you will first learn when you train at Winter Haven.  “It’s about riding and jumping well, not being pushed into jumping high without knowing all aspects of Equitation first.”  You will always be included in the training process and decisions as you and your horse progress.  Your happiness, safety, and your horse/ponies comfort are our main priority.

Bethany Fischetto
Bethany has been riding for over 20 years and a proud owner since the age of 13. She has been teaching riding lessons and training for over 10 years. She has the ability to take students and/or their mounts from the absolute beginning to the peak of their talent. She thoroughly enjoys what she does and her primary focus is always SAFETY and believes in the philosophy that the horse comes first. It is always a “Good Effort” no matter what. During the early years of her career, Bethany worked as a show groom for many trainers.  She groomed at local shows all the way to Devon as well as The National Horse Show.

Bethany's style of riding, teaching, and showing reveals her strong sense of tradition in the Hunters and Jumpers with a base in Equitation and Dressage.  She has shown the local show series circuits such as The Sussex Benefit Series, Smokerise, and Briarwood all the way to The Garden State Horse Show as well as The New Jersey State Fair Horse Show.  Bethany attended Ramapo College of New Jersey with a focus in literature.  She is Winter Haven's head trainer and stable manager and is always available to answer any questions/concerns. Bethany is available for lessons during the week and weekends by appointment.

 

Erica Burrows

Erica has been riding for 13 years; 11 of which have been spent working closely with Bethany Fischetto. Erica has been training and teaching riding lessons since 2004. She excels in teaching beginners the fundamentals of riding and always makes sure her student leaves with a smile. She takes great pride in her ability to communicate both the simple and complex concepts of equitation at the beginner and intermediate levels. Erica graduated from Boston University School of Management with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Marketing and Organizational Behavior. Erica is available for lessons by appointment during the week and on Sundays.

 

Vanessa (Horneff) Burt

Vanessa Burt has been riding for over 20 years. She trained as a Hunter/Jumper rider and as a teen she began cross training in Dressage after learning about the numerous benefits it brings to the performance and conditioning of a horse. During that time Vanessa discovered an affinity and talent for Dressage and has been competing in that discipline ever since. As a child she gained a lifetime of experience in the show ring riding and training many different breeds from Welsh ponies to Warmbloods. Working and riding under the tutelage of Olympian Heidi Ericksen, Vanessa competed at the International level showing in the FEI Prix St. George. Vanessa graduated from New York University with a major in English and Literature with a minor in Creative Writing and is available for lessons and training sessions by appointment only.