Welcome to Cumberland Riding Academy, your one stop shop for your riding needs. We are conveniently located at Chasin’80 Ranch in the Hendersonville-Gallatin area of Middle Tennessee. At Cumberland Riding Academy we believe that there is a difference between being a rider and being a passenger. Thus, our program emphasizes safety by giving our students the tools necessary to successfully communicate with their horses in many different situations. CRA is also proud to offer our students an innovative way of teaching.  Most riding schools have an established program that their students must follow; CRA believes this generic approach cannot possibly work for everyone. At CRA we recognize our students as individuals; therefore, each student’s needs, wants, and goals will be assessed and a program will be generated accordingly. At CRA we believe in building student morale, and that riding is not a pass/fail activity. An evaluation will take place at the end of every term, the sole purpose of which is to give the student an accurate picture of their progress and to reassess their goals accordingly.

Finally, at CRA we realize that our horses play a significant role in our program. It is our priority that our horses are healthy, happy, and well taken care of. The staff at Chasin’ 80 Ranch is an integral part of that. They carefully monitor and attend to our horses’ every need. All our horses are on FULL CARE BOARD which is the exemption rather than the rule at most lesson barns. Each horse has its own stall and is on daily turn out. This set up adds to our emphasis on safety since students have easy and safe access to their horses. Horses are also better monitored, any problems can be addressed promptly, and the probability of injuries is lessened. CRA is certain our students will appreciate the care we give our horses; it makes a great difference when the horse is having as much fun as the rider.

LESSON PROGRAM

Cumberland Riding Academy offers lessons from ages 6 to adult, from beginners on. We teach all basic horsemanship specializing in hunter/jumper. Students are also taught to care for the horse, including preparing their horse for the lesson. Our lessons are offered in 30 or 45 minute time slots. All beginners start in 30 minute private lessons and are progresses into semi-private (2 riders) lessons, either 30 or 45 minute. For pricing and additional information please call us at 615-423-0038 to schedule a tour of our facility where you will receive a complete information package.

OUR FACILITIES

Cumberland Riding Academy is located at the state of the art Chasin’ 80 Ranch, conveniently located at 1624 Long Hollow Pike in the Hedersonville-Gallatin area. Our students will enjoy three riding arenas. The indoor arena is not only spacious but it is the only arena in the vicinity equipped with mirrors. There are two outside arenas both equipped with viewing areas for those accompanying the rider. For more information about our beautiful location please visit www.chasin80ranch.com.

OUR STAFF

Daniela Romo-Leroux
General Manager

Daniela began her career in corporate America. She worked in brand management after graduating in 1996 from Florida International University with a Bachelor in Business Administration with a double major in Marketing and International Business. After two years of work experience, Daniela decided to go back to school. She graduated in 2000 with a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Political Science from the University of Miami. Since then she has worked in Marketing Management in various industries, such as Designer Wear, Internet Marketing and Boutique Gourmet products. Over the years Daniela had become an avid Thoroughbred Racing fan, and had come to admire and love these incredible creatures. However, she was extremely intimidated by horses. In 2006 while on hiatus to stay home with her son, Daniela began to take riding lessons in the hopes of conquering her fears. During that process Daniela came to realize that her needs as a student were not being met and that perhaps she could initiate a riding school with values and goals more in sync with her own. Having been Zoey’s student for a year, Daniela knew that they shared a common vision, so she convinced Zoey to join her in this new adventure. Together they worked very hard to create a program that they could be proud of. They wanted to offer their students great horses, great facilities, and a great environment. The result is Cumberland Riding Academy!!

Zoey Smith
Head Instructor and Trainer

Zoey began her riding career at the age of 8 at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA, where she participated in Pony Club and began her showing career on the schooling circuit. Her first trainer, Shirley Dolan, opened her own riding facility in 1992, and Zoey became a working student and worked to pay for her lessons and showing costs. She also began assisting Shirley with summer camps and lessons at the age of 13. At the age of 15, she began riding with former French equestrian team member Yves Cazanueve. At the age of 16 she bought her first horse and began showing all over Southern California on the A and B circuits. She also started riding for Enterprise Farms in Los Angeles at this time, under international rider Georges Bitares. Her show career was successful, but Zoey realized early on that her passion was for teaching, and at the age of 18 she became a full time instructor for Enterprise Farms. She was responsible for all children’s programs as well as summer and holiday camps. In early 2004 Zoey began working for Jane Shaw, a respected trainer and horse show judge, as her assistant. In this capacity Zoey was able to further her experience in horse training, specifically training young and green horses. Since her arrival in Tennessee in March of 2005, Zoey has worked for two area riding schools before joining Cumberland Riding Academy as Head Instructor and Trainer. Her teaching philosophy is that there must be a balance between rider and horse, and that the program must be designed based on the goals of the individual rider. She cares for all her students regardless of whether they are interested in competition or just riding for pleasure. She feels blessed to do what she loves every day, and hopes to inspire everyone to love horses as much as she does.

LESSON HORSES

Just In Time AKA “Justin”
Chestnut Thoroughbred Gelding

Risk Taker AKA “Chance”
Black Quarter Horse Gelding

Dream Snatcher AKA “Bubba”
Red Dunn Quarter Horse Gelding

Sundance Kid AKA “Cowboy”
Chocolate Palomino Quarter Horse Gelding

CONTACT INFORMATION

For any questions or comments please contact Daniela at 615-423-0038. You can also contact us via e-mail at info@cumberlandridingacademy.com.

Location:
Chasin’ 80 Ranch
1624 Long Hollow Pike
Hendersonville-Gallatin area

Any mailed correspondence should be sent to:
Cumberland Riding Academy
104 Carissa Circle,
White House, TN 37188