The long-time equestrian history of backcountry Round Hill will be continued with the addition of Serenity Show Stable, which is replacing Kelsey Farm at 1016 Lake Avenue. Ruth Nicodemus and husband Ted Grogan are hoping to move their business from Redding, CT to Greenwich this October.
Serenity Show Stable was founded and has been owned by Ruth since 2014. It is a full service show stable offering training to riders of all capabilities including competing at top levels. Ruth is a life-long rider since childhood in Westchester County, NY, and competed in top tier hunter/jumper classification. She is the head trainer with a passion for teaching and coaching students of all ages for more than 30 years. She has always loved teaching, training horses, and helping riders find the perfect relationship with their pony or horse.
In 2022, Ruth also founded The Serenity Project, a 501(c) (3) non-profit equine therapy programs which Ted oversees as the Executive Director. Working with licensed therapists and organizations, The Serenity Project, which is also housed at Serenity Show Stable, provides no cost equine healing assistance for survivors of trauma and other types of anxiety and depression in a safe and compassionate space. Several fundraisers are held throughout the year to support this equine therapeutic program.
Ruth’s and Ted’s future plans are to continue running Serenity’s hunter/jumper training and show program, expand lessons in the Greenwich community, and to make the farm the new home of The Serenity Project. They want the farm to be where Greenwich learns to ride, and want to be good neighbors and active in the Round Hill community by having people come to the farm.
Ruth would like Round Hill residents to know, “Ted and I looked at several properties over the years, but nothing drew us in like this farm. It’s 77-year history really spoke to us. We fell in love with the history and character of the farm exactly like it is. We are excited to honor that history while putting our own touches on it, making some thoughtful updates, and carrying the equestrian tradition forward for many years to come.”
Modifications have already begun to their new property. The outdoor riding ring is being reconfigured and enlarged to accommodate training and jumping. Additional stalls in the barn are also being built to provide more room for the horses.
