Twenty five years of showing experience, over a year touring alongside a two-time gold medalist, and creating a successful teaching program over the last six years, are all accomplishments Nicolle Madonna Cerio wears proudly. But above any personal achievements what she takes the most pride in as a trainer are the moments where she sees the measurable improvements in her students riding and the opportunities that are created for them through their hard work.
In an effort to give a greater number of middle and high-school aged kids the opportunity to experience horse showing, Nicolle formed Team CNY EQ, formally the Sanctuary Stables IEA equestrian team, in 2008. As head coach, Nicolle and her middle school students qualified for zone finals that year; with one student qualifying for National finals. In only the teams’ second season, the fruits of their labor paid off, with both the High School and Middle School teams won Zone 2 finals, giving them both a spot at National Finals; thus allowing 8 riders to compete at Nationals in 2010. In 2011 Zone 2 nearly tripled in size, but the CNY EQ still qualified for Zone finals and finished in the top 10. Along with an ever expanding client list for her one-on-one training the team continues to be an important part of Nicolle’s teaching.
In 2012 Nicolle was approached by Le Moyne College of Dewitt NY to help start an IHSA (Intercollegiate) equestrian team. Our team is currently a club sport for Le Moyne with 15 members! We compete in IHSA Zone 2 Region 2.
Nicolle credits much of who she is as a professional to not only the fantastic horses she has had the opportunity to work with but also to the professionals who have given her opportunities to grow as a professional and whom she has gleaned so much from over the course of her career. Some of these people/facilities include:
-John Madden Sales, Cazenovia, NY -Hunter Farms, Princeton, NJ -Crystal Gaskell, Cazenovia NY
Still very much a competitive rider herself, Nicolle can be found showing a variety of horses in the professional hunter and jumper divisions both for clients as well as CNY EQ’s wide variety of quality sale horses.
At a pivotal moment in her riding career Nicolle was given some invaluable advice: “It’s not about the final outcome, you cannot focus on that, it is all about the journey. Enjoy the journey, make the most of it, and you will achieve everything you ever wanted.” Nicolle’s teaching style greatly reflects this, with a strong emphasis on a solid foundation; so that you can smoothly move through the levels, maximizing your level of success. Nicolle herself continues to lesson and clinic with some of the top riders in the industry, including John Madden, Carol Kozlowski & David Raposa; as she strongly feels that ones’ education is never complete.
To contact Nicolle directly, her personal email is nmshowing@gmail.com and cell phone is 315.380.3387
