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 23 years and a proud owner since the age of 13. She has been teaching riding lessons and training for over 14 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 feels that you are never too old to learn something new and for this reason she continues to further her education by training with Mark Leone on her Holsteiner Cross, Minister of Magic. 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 Monday through Saturday by appointment only.

 

Donna Partlan

Donna has been riding and showing for 19 years and has enjoyed exploring a wide range of equestrian disciplines from the Hunter/Jumpers to Hunter Pacing/Horse Trials and Eventing. Donna is a certified horseback riding instructor by The American Riding Instructor Association to teach both Hunt Seat Jumping and Recreational Riding. She is the proud owner of a Thoroughbred mare, who she has owned and shown for the last 10 years. As a child and teen, Donna was very involved in 4-H. She was the President of her club and competed in multiple competitions annually at State Level. She attended Ramapo College of New Jersey and St. Thomas Aquinas College with focuses in Elementary Special Education and Psychology. Donna believes that what you learn from being around horses will help you in all aspects of life. She believes that horses can teach us many life skills including confidence, patience, respect, trust, and responsibility. Donna is available for lessons most weekday afternoons and Sundays by appointment only.

 

Courtney Budd

Courtney Budd has been training and showing Dressage for many years. Courtney is a USDF Silver Medallist and recipient of the Gold Star award for sportsmanship. She is a graduate of the Advanced Young Rider program and trained with Lendon Gray, Betsy Steiner, Courtney King, Conrad Schumacher, and Kathy Connelly, among others. She has competed through the Intermediare across the Northeast and in Wellington. Courtney currently trains and shows the KWPN gelding Top Secret (Biotop x Calypso III) in preparation for the Grand Prix. Courtney is a graduate of Trinity College with a BA in Literature and a grad school graduate of New York University Stern School of Business with an MBA in Marketing. Courtney enjoys coaching and teaching students and horses at all levels of Dressage and is available for lessons and trainings by appointment only.