Julie has spent the past 19 years dedicating herself to sharing the wonders of the horse-human relationship with riders of all ages and abilities. She took knowledge gained as a child with horses in her backyard in rural upstate New York and blended it with her 26 years of marketing experience (account executive, then Vice President of Operations for Scott Cooper Associates, Ltd.) to turn her belief in what horses can do for a human being into a thriving non-profit. She spent 10 years, developing Saddle Rock Ranch’s therapeutic riding program as a volunteer for Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.  She used her marketing knowledge to develop Saddle Rock’s brand and her ability as an instructor to share the wonder of the horse-human relationship. In 2014, upon request from FREE, Great Strides took over management of all of Saddle Rock’s community-based lesson programs and is now home to a strong and growing lesson and equine assisted activities community, serving more than 90 special needs and veteran participants and 40 children and adults of typical abilities.

Maria Cusimano, Instructor

Maria has been certified with PATH Intl. and teaching therapeutic riding for the past 11 years, first for Saddle Rock Ranch, then continuing as part of the Great Strides team.  Prior to becoming a therapeutic instructor, she taught riding at Southaven Stables for 10 years.  Maria is a student of natural horsemanship, particularly the Parelli Method (is a member of the Parelli Savvy Club) and brings that dimension to her instruction method.  She teaches the rudiments of riding with the understanding of the horse from a natural horsemanship standpoint.  Maria has been working with adults with developmental challenges with AHRC for the past 11 years.  

Emily Valentino, Instructor

Emily has been riding for more than 16 years.  In 2013 she earned a degree in recreational therapy from St. Joseph’s College.  She worked for Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc. as a certified recreational therapist for their after-school recreational program for two years. In 2016 she earned her PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certification and began teaching at Great Strides. She simultaneously became a full-time therapeutic riding coordinator for Saddle Rock Ranch’s day program. Emily coached Special Olympics riders as part of the Great Strides team for the past two years.  She ran three sessions of summer programs in 2016 and will be working on one session in 2017.

Gianna Fernandez, Instructor

Gianna is currently completing her certification at the Equine Studies Institute to become a certified Professional Riding Instructor.  Gianna has been riding for 9 years, taking her first lesson at Great Strides. She has ridden and worked at different barns throughout the years, working with young horses on the ground and riding other people’s horses to solve issues they had or simply because their work schedule didn’t allow them to be with their horse all the time. She has hosted birthday parties, taught grooming classes and competed in at-home shows. Gianna focuses on each horse’s body language and how to communicate effectively without frustration or anger. Whether she’s teaching young children who can only say a few words or adults who just ride for fun, Gianna believes in all of her students forming a bond and understanding of what both the rider and the horse want. She believes that riding is communicating without words and earning the horse’s respect through kindness and patience.

Emily Toth, Instructor

Emily has 25 years of experience with horses including riding English, Western, Gymkhana, mounted shooting, and more. She grew up in Southold with seven horses and was first overall on Long Island for a few years showing in the pre-mini, mini, and big Equitation. She has been training children and adults through riding lessons and horse shows (LIPHA, Winner’s Circle, IHA, as well as HITS and the Hampton Classic) in both English and Western riding for over five years. She also has ten years of experience assisting with organizing and running horse shows (entries, gate keeping, etc.)  Emily has a patient approach that instills confidence in her students.  Whether you want to ride for pleasure or show, Emily has a great deal to offer.

Jaime Rishi, Instructor

Jaime has been riding for 18 years and showing for 13 years in hunters, equitation, jumpers and dressage.  She rides at third level dressage, jumping at the 1.30 meter height and at training level in eventing. Jaime has an Associate’s Degree in early childhood development and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in ASD.  She is a Board Certified ABA specialist and is currently working on her masters/doctorate in clinical mental health counseling and clinical psychology. She has been teaching therapeutic riding for 4 years and got her PATH Intl certification in 2021. Jaime has also had a lot of training in hippotherapy.  While she does not have a degree in PT, OT or Speech Therapy which prohibits her from offering hippotherapy, she does incorporate many of those components into her therapeutic lessons.