Today we’d like to introduce you to Brooke Novak.
Hi Brooke, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started with Red Gate Farms in the fall of 2022 as a part-time horse trainer while I was in the midst of a major career transition. At the time, I simply wanted a job that kept me grounded and connected to something I loved while I figured out my next steps. What I didn’t realize then was that stepping into Red Gate Farms would ultimately reshape my entire career path.
What began as a position to fill the gaps in my schedule quickly grew into something much more meaningful. Red Gate Farms is a family-owned property that has been in the family since 1931. The Equestrian Department itself was founded in 2018. Being welcomed into a place with that much history, intention, and heart made me want to contribute in a real way. Approximately six (6) months after coming onto the team, I took a role managing.
This role has also allowed me to reconnect with and expand on my background in business, which is what I went to college for. Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with and learn from our marketing manager, gaining hands-on experience in branding, outreach, event promotion, and building the public voice of a program. That mentorship has been invaluable and has shaped how I approach growth and operations at the Equestrian Center.
Today, what once was a part-time side job has become a full-time management position that I’m incredibly proud of. I’ve had the privilege of helping the Equestrian Center expand into an all-around facility offering: trail rides, carriage rides, kids camps, lessons, scout projects, team-building events, birthday and bachelorette parties. Watching it develop year by year has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life.
This role has allowed me to blend my love for horses, my passion for building programs from the ground up, and my commitment to creating meaningful experiences for families and our community. Red Gate Farms has truly become home—not just a workplace—and I’m grateful every day that a simple transition job turned into a career I love.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
One of the biggest challenges has simply been managing the pace of growth at Red Gate Farms because our property includes two wedding venues in addition to the Equestrian Center. There are days when the entire farm is operating at full capacity. It’s not uncommon to have a horse-and-carriage service scheduled for a wedding at the same time we’re running children’s birthday parties, trail rides, lessons, or other events.
Coordinating those moving parts in a way that feels seamless to guests requires strong communication, detailed scheduling, and a team that works well together. It’s a constant balancing act of timing, safety, and guest experience across multiple departments operating simultaneously.
While it can be a challenge and at times has been a bumpy road, it has also pushed us to create better systems, build stronger teamwork, and streamline how we support one another across the farm. Watching everything come together on our busiest days is one of the most rewarding parts of being involved in such a dynamic, multi-faceted property.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Red Gate Farms is a uniquely dynamic property, and that’s part of what makes the work here so special. The Equestrian Center plays just one piece in a much larger picture that includes two wedding venues, private events, seasonal celebrations, and a steady flow of visitors who come to experience the charm and history of the farm. What makes Red Gate Farms shine is the way all of these elements work together to create an environment where families, guests, riders, and the community feel welcomed and connected.
Within the Equestrian Center, we offer a wide range of services that allow people to experience horses in whatever way fits them best. Our program includes trail rides, riding lessons, children’s camps, pony rides, birthday parties, scout programs, team-building experiences, and horse-and-carriage services for weddings and events. Each offering serves a different purpose, but together they create an all-around facility where guests can learn, celebrate, explore, and enjoy time outdoors.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is our partnership with the Girl Scouts. It was a very long road of reaching out, meeting the right people, and navigating the approval process, but it was important to me because I saw how valuable the experience could be for these girls. Today, we host scouts regularly for badge programs, and seeing them learn new skills, gain confidence, and interact with the horses makes all the effort worthwhile. It’s become one of my favorite parts of what we do.
At its core, my work at Red Gate Farms is about creating meaningful experiences. Whether it’s a first-time rider, a visiting family, a troop earning a new badge, or a couple celebrating their wedding day, every moment here has the potential to become a memory. Being part of a place that offers so many ways for people to connect—with nature, with animals, with each other—makes the work incredibly fulfilling.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory goes back to the community I grew up in where horseback riding was simply part of everyday life. One of the highlights of every year was something we called a poker ride. Everyone would saddle up and ride out on the trails, stopping at different checkpoints along the way to collect cards for a poker hand.
We’d ride together in huge groups where we would talk, laugh, and sometimes even race each other. The ride always ended at the Sheriff’s Ranger Station, where the whole community gathered to eat, dance, and celebrate. Those days felt like pure joy and connection, and they’re a big part of why horses have always felt like home to me. I even won the raffle once! I was riding in the poker ride for as long as I can remember, from a toddler to a teenager.
Pricing:
- 1 (one) hour trail rides – $85 per rider
- 30 (thirty minute) trail rides – $60 per rider
- 1 (one) hour carriage rides – $125 up to 6 guests
- After School Group Lessons – $280 for 4 weeks
- Pony Parties starting at $500
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rideredgate.com
