Meet Our Team
Jake Pittari
Head Trainer | Hunter/Jumper | Equitation
Jake Pittari brings a lifelong passion for horses, competition, and education to his role as Head Trainer. He began riding at just two years old at his family’s riding facility near Prospect Park in Brooklyn, New York. From an early age, Jake developed a deep love for the sport and went on to compete in the Equitation, Hunter, and Jumper rings.
As a teenager, Jake lived and worked at Winterbrook Farms in Lisbon, Connecticut, a working breeding farm where he trained under Edna Pobuda and continued to refine his skills as both a rider and horseman. After returning to New York, Jake stepped away from the equestrian industry for a period of time and pursued a career in athletics at Brooklyn Friends School, where he coached Varsity Baseball, Middle School Soccer, and Basketball for over 15 years.
Jake’s extensive experience working with children and athletes has shaped his teaching style and strengthened his ability to communicate clearly with riders of all ages and levels. He is passionate about helping both young riders and adults build confidence, improve their skills, and better understand the connection between horse and rider.
A lifelong competitor, Jake especially enjoys working with riders who are interested in the competitive side of horseback riding. He takes pride in helping students prepare for the show ring while developing strong fundamentals, discipline, and confidence.
Jake returned to the equestrian industry and has since built meaningful relationships with both horses and riders. In 2021, he was named Head Coach of the Pratt Institute IHSA Equestrian Team. Known for his upbeat and encouraging teaching style, Jake combines his background as an educator and coach with the science and art of horseback riding to help each rider reach their full potential.
Kelly Kern
Equitation | Jumper | Dressage
Kelly Kern developed her love of horses at a young age while spending time at her cousin’s farm in Cairo, New York. She is a graduate of The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica Estates, Queens, and continued her education at Stony Brook University.
Since beginning her professional equestrian career in 2014, Kelly has dedicated herself to the thoughtful development of both horses and riders. Her experience includes riding instruction, horse training, stable management, daily horse care, and equestrian program development.
Known for her patient, detail-oriented teaching style, Kelly focuses on building a strong foundation through connection, balance, correct position, and effective communication between horse and rider. She works with riders of all levels to help them gain confidence, strengthen their skills, and achieve their individual goals both in and out of the saddle.
With a background in both Dressage and Equitation, Kelly brings a well-rounded perspective to her instruction and training programs. Throughout her career, she has worked with respected trainers and clinicians, including Razieme Iborra, and has participated in educational clinics with accomplished riders such as Michael Page, Chris Mitchell, and Boyd Martin.
In addition to her instructional work, Kelly has extensive experience starting, training, and developing young and green horses. Her commitment to continued education, sound horsemanship, and individualized training allows her to create programs that support long-term progress and success for each horse-and-rider partnership.
Kelly is especially passionate about competition and enjoys preparing riders for the show ring while fostering confidence, sportsmanship, and strong partnerships with their horses. Whether working with a first-time rider, a competitive equestrian, or a developing horse, Kelly is committed to creating a positive, supportive, and rewarding equestrian experience.
Giavanna Demato
Hunter | Equitation | Western Riding Instructor
Giavanna Demato brings more than 14 years of equestrian experience to her work as an instructor and has been teaching riders of all ages and experience levels since 2021. Her background is rooted in English riding, with extensive competition experience throughout New York in the Hunter and Equitation divisions.
Giavanna was also a member of her college’s IHSA Equestrian Team, where she continued to strengthen her competitive riding skills and deepen her understanding of effective horsemanship in both practice and show-ring settings.
In addition to her English riding foundation, Giavanna has a strong passion for Western riding and appreciates the balance, versatility, and relaxation it brings to her horsemanship. She believes that cross-training between disciplines helps riders become more confident, adaptable, and well-rounded horsemen and horsewomen. She enjoys introducing students to both English and Western riding when appropriate, helping them develop a broader understanding of riding and horse care.
As an instructor, Giavanna is dedicated to helping every rider work toward their individual goals, whether they are learning to ride for the first time, building confidence in the saddle, or preparing to compete. Her students have earned Champion and Grand Champion titles in their respective divisions at NYEC schooling shows, reflecting her commitment to developing skilled, confident, and successful riders.
Giavanna creates a positive, encouraging learning environment where riders can grow their abilities, strengthen their connection with their horses, and enjoy every stage of their equestrian journey.
Julia Kraemer
Program Director | Riding Instructor
Julia Kraemer has spent her whole life working with, riding, and loving horses. At 6 years old, Julia began riding at Thomas School of Horsemanship. As a freshman in college, she joined the Molloy University Equestrian Team and was the Captain for three years before graduating with a B.A. in Communications in 2021. Julia has always had a love for learning, and after graduating from Molloy, she went on to get an MFA in Screenwriting from Stephens College in 2024. She began working at New York Equestrian Center as an Instructor, shortly after graduating.
During her time at NYEC, Julia has worked as an Instructor and Office Admin and is now the Program Director, running NYEC’s programs, including After School and Summer Camp. Julia’s love of learning has directly influenced her love of teaching, particularly her love of teaching beginners and introducing a love of horses to children and adult riders alike.
She has always believed that riding horses should first and foremost be fun. Whether riders want to go on to compete professionally at horse shows or take a weekly lesson as a new hobby, Julia wants to help create riders who will fall in love with the sport and the animals, just as much as she has.
Julia credits her college coach, Carole Gerity, with teaching her the most valuable lessons regarding horsemanship. Carole had once told Julia, “You’ll need to remember this for when you’re teaching lessons one day.” Julia hadn’t believed her then, but Carole had been right, as always. Carole Gerity passed away in 2025 after serving as the Molloy Equestrian Team Coach for nearly 50 years and is without a doubt one of the primary influences in Julia’s career as an equestrian. Julia hopes to go on to teach and influence half as many riders as her own teachers have, and bring joy to each and every rider and horse she works with.