About Genna Centolanza

 

Genna Centolanza is the Owner and Head Trainer of Brookside Show Stable.

 

Genna graduated summa cum laude from Centenary College (now Centenary University) in 2009, earning a bachelor's degree in Equine Studies with a concentration in Riding Instruction and Training.

 

Before attending Centenary, Genna had an extensive show career in jumpers and equitation with her own horses: Shutter Speed, South Shore, and Nashville. She trained under the guidance of Jack and Kate Benson at Briarwood Farm in Flemington, NJ. Over more than ten years of competitive horse showing on the New Jersey circuit, Genna received numerous state and zone awards throughout her campaigns. Notably, she ranked 1st in the 2003 Zone 2 Children Jumpers and 2nd nationally in the MS Children Jumper in 2004, both while riding South Shore.

 

Genna's in-depth knowledge of horse shows comes from her experience behind the scenes. For thirteen years, she managed various ingates at horse shows including those at Briarwood, Sussex County, Hunterdon County, Duncraven, Four Seasons, Garden State, Palermo, Blue Rock, Woodedge, Our Farm, and Windsor Farm. Additionally, she served as a Secretary's Assistant for Shirley Griswood for several years.

 

Starting in 2005, Genna began teaching riders of all levels. She has taught at Backer Farm in Mendham, NJ, Trinity Farm in Long Valley, NJ, and Briarwood Farm in Flemington, NJ.

 

From 2010 to 2012, Genna worked at Cloud 9 Farm, a retirement and rehabilitation center for AA Circuit horses and ponies. Her responsibilities included caring for injured horses and rehabilitating them back to health.

 

From 2012 to 2014, Genna was the Head Trainer of the Riding Academy at Palermo Show Stable and also served as an Assistant Trainer to Osvaldo Ornia Pacher. During this time, she taught riders ranging in age from 3 to 61, and her enthusiasm for helping her students grew stronger. She coached several riders at schooling and rated shows.

 

In April 2014, Genna opened Brookside. Drawing from her past experiences in teaching, riding, and showing, she created a horseback riding facility that offers tailored services to equine enthusiasts. In her lessons, as well as at horse shows, Genna emphasizes a positive approach, encouraging her students to understand the steps necessary to achieve their goals. Through her teaching methods, her students not only learn to ride effectively but also become horsemen and women who cherish their time with their horses, both in the saddle and on the ground.