Meet the Staff

The staff at Riding High Farms is dedicated to meeting the individual needs of each student and helping them grow through the program. Each staff member is focused on a person's abilities and not their disabilities. Confidentiality is of great importance to us, and you can be assured that we work together to ensure that your privacy is protected. We consider ourselves a family, and we can’t wait for you to join it.

Take a look at our pictures and bios. We look forward to meeting you.

Julie Baker

Julie grew up in New Jersey with a love of horses her whole life. She started taking riding lessons as a young girl and has been hooked ever since. She owns a Haflinger gelding that she rescued, and together they do everything from trail riding, lower-level dressage, jumping and working cows! Julie works full time as a Sergeant for the NYC Parks Enforcement Patrol where she spent 5 years in the agency’s mounted unit training horses and riding in parks all over New York City, including Central Park.

Josie Basso

Barn Manager

Josie joined Riding High Farm in March 2025, drawn by her love of adventure, horses, and helping people. As Barn Manager, she oversees the daily care of the farm’s equine staff and ensures the facility runs smoothly.

With a deep passion for horse care and farm management, Josie plays a vital role in maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for both riders and animals. Whether tending to the horses or keeping the barn in top shape, she takes pride in making RHF a place where students and equines can thrive.

Brianna Cassidy

Brianna started volunteering at Riding High Farm in 2019 during her freshman year of high school. She is currently a sophomore in college and has earned her veterinary assistant certification. Brianna loves volunteering with the RHF staff, clients, and horses, and in 2023 she became a part of the RHF team as a lesson assistant.

Georgia Elek

Horse Enthusiast and Instructor

Georgia’s journey with Riding High Farm began as a volunteer, a role she embraced wholeheartedly before officially joining the team. A passionate horse lover and an artist at heart, Georgia finds joy in training horses, including her own 3-year-old Friesian-Appaloosa cross, Moon.

She is equally enthusiastic about teaching riders and is always eager to expand her knowledge. Georgia values the opportunity to learn from her coworkers, students, and equine friends, making her a dedicated and dynamic member of the RHF family.

Terran Endresen

Terran’s love of horses blossomed when a one-time 10th birthday riding lesson quickly turned into a lifetime passion for horses. Over the years she has enjoyed sharing her love of horses with her students. She earned ARIA certifications in both Hunt Seat and Recreational Riding. Terran’s goal has always been to work with special needs riders. After semi-retiring from her CPA career in 2022, Terran began volunteering at Riding High Farm. Shortly after, she transitioned to instructor. Terran enjoys camping, hiking, and boating with her family when she is not “horsing around.”

Judy Ford

Judy Ford began as a volunteer at Riding High Farm over 5 years ago. With the experience gained from the program and the support and encouragement of the staff and instructors, She became a Certified Riding Instructor through the PATH process. She loves each and every student at RHF along with every animal that lives here. In addition to her work at RHF, she is a Mom and an IT Professional for the State of New Jersey.

Linda Gentzik

Linda started volunteering at Riding High Farm after she retired in 2018. Her dedication and love for the program grew through the years. In 2020 she joined the team as an instructor’s assistant and the Assistant Barn Manager.

Kathy Harris

Kathy is a PATH certified instructor teaching individual and group sessions. She brings over 10 years of experience working with adults and children on the autism spectrum, those with physical disabilities and psycho-social disorders. Using equine assisted learning techniques she has taken on the roles of both a riding instructor and a lead instructor for an at-risk teen program. Kathy has a passion for working to effectuate change in lives through recreation, education, positive guidance and support.

Tabitha C. Hilliard

Certified PATH Instructor and Accessibility Advocate

Tabitha has been a dedicated member of the Riding High Farm family since 2014, initially starting as a volunteer before obtaining her PATH International certification and becoming an instructor in 2016. In addition to teaching, she serves as a coach for RHF's Dressage Team, inspiring riders to achieve their goals in equestrian sports.

Tabitha holds a master’s degree in anthropology and a professional development certificate in Disability Access and Inclusion, which reflect her passion for creating inclusive environments. Beyond her work at the farm, Tabitha applies her expertise in accessibility and disability services in her role as a library assistant.

In her free time, Tabitha enjoys reading, exploring trails on horseback, and spending quality time leash walking her adventurous cats.

Carrie Hufnal

Carrie began as a volunteer at Riding High Farm before becoming a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. She has owned and worked with horses for over 25 years and has training in natural horsemanship techniques. When she isn’t at RHF, you can find Carrie playing with her two Icelandic horses, Molly and Skjoni.

Rose Michaud

office Manager

Rose is our Office Manager and Volunteer Coordinator here at Riding High Farm. In 2010 she spent 9 months in Florida attending Disney’s College Program. While there, she obtained certificates in Psychology and Leadership. When she returned to NJ, she was a Kennel Manager and Veterinary Assistant for 4 years before she called Riding High her home. Outside of work, she takes pride in her ability to craft just about anything she dreams of. Her time is spent in parks or fairgrounds enjoying life to the fullest.

Julie D Nelson

Originally from England, Julie learned she had a love for horses at a very young age. After successfully raising a family in Las Vegas, NV, she found her self longing to be around horses again. Starting as a volunteer, she discovered a passion for helping others, especially those with special needs. Julie has been working hoof in hand with horses for 9 years, ground training and brushing up on her own riding skills. After moving to be closer to her youngest daughter and her family here in NJ in early 2020, Julie now works full time as a receptionist at a Veterinary Hospital and is also a PATH certified riding instructor at Riding High Farm. In her spare time, Julie enjoys spending time with her family and two beautiful grand-daughters.

Lynsey Sandy

Lynsey is a Staff Instructor. With her outgoing and somewhat loud personality she is hard to miss around the program. Lynsey is a mom to four amazing children and works effortlessly with animal rescues that range from feathers to fur.

Kaitlyn Struz

Kait grew up here at Riding High Farm. As the Director’s daughter, she was raised around horses and was fortunate to be around people with special needs from a young age. Kait never saw them as “different” — only equal. Kait’s passion was softball, but she always managed to get in some pony love. As an adult, she continued her work with special needs children and adults. She currently works full time as a veterinarian technician and an Instructor here at RHF.

Robyn Struz

Executive Director

Robyn has been a part of the RHF team since 1999. She is currently the Executive Director of Programs ensuring the day to day operations go smoothly for both human and horse staff. As a certified PATH Instructor, you will see her on the farm working with students and her team members. She is also certified in Mental Health and Learning, holds a certification in Occupational Therapy and Child Psychology and is a registered Behavioral Therapist. Robyn is a mom of two amazing kids and enjoys time with family and friends.