Assistant trainer Jessica Ross currently lives in Harwinton, Connecticut and works at Powder Brook Farm with her boyfriend, Ricky Noiseux. Powder Brook Farm is owned by AQHA Judge Gretchen Mathes and run by Mathes and AQHA Professional Horseman, Gene Spagnola. Jessica’s primary responsibilities include preparing horses for the show pen and helping to prepare their customers for different events. Ross specializes in the All-Around events.
“There are many things to like about Jessica, so I will say her horse care is excellent,” Gretchen Mathes states. “She pays attention to details and she gives a very good lesson. The riders get a very clear and honest lesson where they are able to learn a lot in a way that is understandable to each level of rider.”
Originally from central Connecticut, she’s been fortunate to be able to grow and learn a lot through opportunities close to home. “Being close to my family has always been important to me,” Ross reveals. “I went to a private, Catholic high school and then went on to become an Education Major at Central Connecticut State University with a focus in math. I am certified to teach K-6. I got involved with horses when my dad moved across the street from a horse farm. I instantly fell in love, and most days he couldn’t get me to leave the barn. I guess not much has changed.”
GoHorseShow: Hi Jessica! Can you tell us when you started showing?
Jessica: I started riding when I was three years old, but I didn’t enter the show pen until I was about ten years old. A good friend gave me some formal riding lessons as a gift for my birthday one year. Shortly after that, my dad purchased my first Quarter Horse when I was 11, and I began my first year in walk trot. I went to the Congress that year just for the experience and made my novice and youth debut and ended up Congress Champion in the Novice Youth Trail.
GoHorseShow: What do you like about horses and showing?
Jessica: There is so much I like about horses and showing. I do this because I fell in love with horses. The showing aspect keeps you continually striving to be better. As much as it can build you up, it can also knock you down. It’s an incredibly humbling sport that keeps you continually trying to improve.
GoHorseShow: What are some of your favorite accomplishments in the show arena?
Jessica: One of my favorite accomplishments includes being Congress Champion in my debut run in the trail so many years ago. More recently, I was third in the Senior Trail at the Congress in 2016 and third at the NSBA World in the Color Trail in 2015. To be among those horses and trainers who I consider some of the best of the best was indeed an honor to me and, to this day, a little hard to believe.
GoHorseShow: Who are your most significant mentors?
Jessica: I’ve had a lot of significant influences on my career. For starters, I have learned so much from Geno and Gretchen in the time that I have worked here. Geno has an extraordinary way of preparing people for the arena, and that’s something I look up to. He’s great at teaching young horses and has a great eye from the ground. He’s very patient and always knows what to say and when to say it. Gretchen is genuinely a horsewoman. She loves horses more than anything in this world, and that shows in her principles and beliefs about their care and preparation.
Together, they’ve created a truly successful business where the customers trust their opinion and their input because they know it’s coming from an honest place of care for the horse and care for the person with their end goals in mind. I am also blessed enough to work with my boyfriend, Ricky Noiseux on a daily basis. He is one of the most talented people I have ever been around when it comes to a young horse. He seems to know when it’s time to push one, and when it’s time to back off. He has taught me so much about a young horse and how they learn. My foundation was never based really in knowing very much about the pleasure. He has taught me a lot about the western pleasure which has improved my style when it comes to the trail.
Another person I look up to is Whitney Lagace. She is one of the kindest, most positive people I have ever met in this business. Her attitude on a daily basis gives me something to strive to be. She is truly happy for her fellow competitors when they do well and has a way about her that people are drawn to. That’s a huge part of this business where people are continually working so closely together.
Finally, Amy Gumz has played an enormous role in the development of my career. She has continuously pushed me to be better and take chances that I probably wouldn’t have been comfortable jumping into. She’s also taught me a lot about the “prospect” side of this business which has, in turn, made me understand what qualities I look for when looking for a young horse to add to our program.
GoHorseShow: What is some advice you have for young trainers?
Jessica: You have to be able to dive right in and work harder than you ever imagined. Some days, it will feel like a constant struggle. But then, there will be a glimmer of progress which will let you know all the hours and all the effort are worth it. Never stop learning. Many people will help you in this business, but you need to adopt different styles and theories to create your own. Never try to be someone other than yourself in your training style.
GoHorseShow: What are some favorite memories from the industry?
Jessica: Probably some of my favorite memories came in 2015 when Range To A Te went on the run of a lifetime. Whitney caught rode him for me that year. We took him to the NSBA World, and he showed in five classes and won five trophies. From there, he went on to set the then record high score for the Congress in the Senior Trail, winning with a 241.5. The very next day he went on to win the Select Trail, as well. That year, he continued to the AQHA World Show to be Reserve World Champion in the Senior Trail. It was just one of those times where you felt that it honestly couldn’t be happening. He keeps rising to the occasion. I learned so much from Whitney during that time, and we had a lot of fun.
Another one of my favorite memories was this past year when Carly Jenkins placed fourth in the Novice Horsemanship 12-14 at the Congress on Im A Loping To A Te. This kid reminds me a lot of how much I loved this when I was her age. She is special to me and I have been lucky to help coach her since I started working here. It was just a cool moment for me, to watch all that come together for her.
GoHorseShow: How did you come about working for Gretchen and Gene?
Jessica: It started in November 2015, I’m not sure how it all came together, but I’m happy to be here. It’s been almost three years. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity they’ve given me. What I like the most about working for them is no matter the chaos this industry brings, we all have each other’s backs. Our business functions as a team. Although most days we probably feel more like a squeaky machine than a well oiled one, we all work well together and are always pushing to be the best we can be as a whole.
GoHorseShow: Why do you think you have been successful in this industry?
Jessica: Now that is a loaded question (laughs). I consider myself trying to be successful in this industry. It is such a process developing yourself in this business. There is always something new to learn and see. And as you are trying to improve, so is everyone around you. It is continuously moving and changing. So I guess, I try to be successful by keeping an open mind and learning from the people around me.
GoHorseShow: What would you like to see improved with the industry?
Jessica: I would like to see newcomers feel like goals are more attainable for them. It becomes a bit of an overwhelming feeling for people just starting out in AQHA. The clothes, the level of competition, the horses, etc. can be quite intimidating. I would like a way to bring more newcomers to where they don’t feel goals are out of reach or they cannot compete.
GoHorseShow: What are some of your future goals?
Jessica: I’d like to keep improving and be competitive in my field. I want to develop young horses that I’m proud of that are confident at their jobs and can go on to do a job for someone else when I’m done. But also, I’d like to keep a balance between work and life and remember to take time to enjoy family and friends. Stop and smell the roses so to speak.
