Vivian Ripley on Ak Surfin for Cash, aka Warrior
Vivian Ripley had her first ride with Amy when she was 4 years old and at that point decided that horseback riding was going to be her thing! Over the last 14 years she has been taking lessons with Amy and all her amazing horses. Vivian began teaching lessons three years ago for Cedar Ridge. Her very first horse was one of Amy's horses. Three years ago, while she was on the search for her next horse, Amy introduced her to one of her performance horses Warrior and Vivian fell in love with her next horse. Together this team has accomplished so much in just a short amount of time both in barrel racing and the Cowboy Dressage arena.
Currently, Vivian is a senior in high school and her goal has always been to ride for the MSU Rodeo Team. She plans to study equine science and do chiropractor and massage work on horses. Something that she learned from Amy is that “ horses are always trying to tell you something. They are so commonly misunderstood and Amy has inspired me to listen to them and make them feel and perform to the best of their abilities.”
One of Vivian’s favorite things about horses are the bonds you can build and just how much they can teach you, and that is why she loves teaching lessons. Seeing riders of all ages be able to build a bond with a horse and improve as riders has filled her with so much joy! She believes that everyone deserves to know just how magnificent these creatures are. “The lesson program at Cedar Ridge has been going on for many years and I love being able to bring everything I've learned from Amy to all generations! Amy and the horse community have become such a huge part of my life and I would call Amy my second mother! This part of my life has been very fulfilling and I owe Amy, the horses and the Cedar Ridge community much gratitude.”
Photo Credit - Boaz Elkes
Jessica Howard discovered her love of horses at age 11 and quickly convinced her parents to buy a spicey Arabian that was part of the family. As a child and teen, she competed in Hunter Jumper and Dressage events.
After college, work, marriage and raising two boys took over there sadly wasn't room for horses.
In July 2023, Jessica met Amy at the Valley View Rodeo after watching her barrel race, she immediately inquired about lessons. Within 2 weeks she was back in the saddle taking lessons at CRE. Shortly after beginning lessons, she purchased Sid, the "fire breathing Ferrari." Jessica is thrilled to be part of the CRE Team, working with kids and teaching beginning horsemanship and safety to the next generation of riders! In 2025, Jessica was the highest money barrel racing earner on the Cedar Ridge Equine team!
Amber Graham (riding Little Gypsy Dancer) one of our performance broodmares
Amber’s journey with horses began as a child, when she first fell in love with riding. After taking a long break from horses during her teenage years, she found her way back into the horse world in Jan 2023—and quickly realized it was where she was meant to be. Since then, she has been fully immersed in the equine world, combining hands-on experience with formal education to grow her knowledge and skill set.
Amber is currently finishing her degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Science at Montana State University, and will graduate in fall 2025. While at MSU, she spent a year riding on the university’s polo team, which gave her valuable experience in the English discipline and further broadened her understanding of horsemanship and teamwork in a competitive setting.
At Cedar Ridge Equine, Amber works as an assistant trainer, helping start and bring along young colts. She enjoys the process of building trust with green horses and giving them a solid foundation to succeed in their future careers. In addition to training, Amber is involved in many aspects of ranch life—from daily chores and horse care to assisting with lessons and supporting boarders and clients.
Working at Cedar Ridge has been a huge part of Amber’s return to the horse industry and her personal growth as a horsewoman. She’s especially passionate about continuing to learn and gaining well-rounded experience in training, horse management, and ranch operations. Her long-term goals include continuing to work with horses professionally and eventually running her own equine facility.
Amber brings dedication, patience, and a strong work ethic to everything she does. Whether she’s helping a young horse learn something new or assisting a rider on their journey, she’s committed to creating a positive and encouraging environment for both horses and people. Amber got married to her husband Seth in 2025 and will graduate from Montana State University in December of 2025 with a bachelors degree in Animal Science with a concentration in Equine Studies. We are pleased to announce she will be staying on full time at CRE as a ranch assistant and instructor.
Theresa pictured with lesson horse Rabbit and granddaughter Lydia
Theresa has spent the last 35 years in the Early Childhood Profession.
Horses have always been a part of her life. From riding in the Angles National Forest as a youngster,to Head Wrangler at Summer Girl Scout Camps,to Riding the Trails of the Big Sky Country.
In the summer of 2017 Theresa crossed paths with Cedar Ridge while looking for a Equine Riding Program for her Granddaughter and a perfect match was made.
Her passion for Horses and her love of Children made a perfect fit.
Since retiring from the Early Childhood Profession,Theresa has been able to combine these two passion at Cedar Ridge and assist year round with special project and camps.
Maddux moved to Bozeman when he was a 11 years old to live with his Aunt Amy (owner of Cedar Ridge Equine). Over the years he has spent many hours in the barn riding and assisting around the ranch. Over the years he had two horses that were well known in the CRE lesson program, some of you may remember Chase and Spencer. In high school, Maddux raised several very successful 4H swine projects. He graduated from Gallatin High School in 2023 and now works full time for Cedar Ridge Equine as a Ranch Assistant. When not at the barn Maddux enjoys working on and restoring an 1986 GMC truck project. We are so grateful to have him as an intricate part of the CRE team!
Amy has had a passion for horses all her life and considers herself extremely fortunate to have found a way to make them a part of her everyday life. She grew up in Grass Valley, CA on a small horse ranch owned by her family. Growing up, she spent every spare moment she had in the saddle, often competing in youth divisions for Pony Club and Morgan horse sanctioned breed shows. Throughout her youth, she competed in a variety of disciplines, including hunter seat equitation, pleasure events, western pleasure, pleasure driving, halter and showmanship, dressage and Cowboy dressage events.
When not riding, Amy spent countless hours at not only her barn, but the barns of other local trainers assisting with horse maintenance and care. She spent many hours observing and studying these trainers and their horses. Additionally, Amy sought out lessons and clinics offered by a variety of notable horse trainers/instructors, including Eitan Beth-Halachmy (founder of Cowboy Dressage), Jon Ensign, Claus Bergener, Sharon Camarillo, Paul Humphrey, Phil Haugen, Lindsay Schulz, Ryan Lovendahl, Janet Erickson, Scott Grosskipf, Joe Wolter, Speed Williams and Clay O’Brien Cooper to name a few. Every year she continues her education by attending more clinics. She believes that there is always something more than one can learn about horses.
In high school, Amy continued to compete with Morgans at regional, national and world championship levels of competition. She also took up an interest in barrel racing/high school rodeo events. This is when she met Susan VanGalder, owner/trainer of Kissing S Enterprises. Sue mentored Amy over the years and even introduced her to one of her very best horses, Surfer. Surfer is an athletic, correct AQHA stallion known as ‘Wata Newsy Count.’ Amy owned and competed on Surfer for several years until his passing in 2009. His spirit lives on in many of his offspring that she still works with on a daily basis.
Amy moved to Bozeman, MT in the summer of 2009 to pursue her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Montana State University. She loved the university and community so much that she stayed and finished a second bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education. Then, she moved right into a Master’s of Science in Agriculture Education and completed a college teaching certificate. After graduating in 2014, Amy purchased her current facility and began building her lifelong dream of her very own equestrian operation. Throughout the years she has assisted with local community events and organizations, including leading the local Gallatin Gallopers 4H Horseless Horse Club for several years. She has also maintained her certification as an Equine Specialist in the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association. In addition to running her business and instructing her students, Amy is currently pursuing a PhD in Interdisciplinary Education at Montana State University. She is also active in promoting the discipline of Cowboy Dressage and is currently the ambassador of Cowboy Dressage in Montana and has completed the requirements and became a CD Level1 Clinician. In the fall of 2018, Amy competed on her Morgan gelding, Holiday’s Hijo De Oro at the Cowboy Dressage World Finals and finished 10th in the CD Riding for the Brand Competition. Since then Amy has returned almost every year to the Cowboy Dressage World Finals, in 2022 she finished third in the riding for the brand competition aboard AQHA gelding Nic Bar Express owned by one of her clients. Amy met her husband Justin 2018 and they were married in 2022. Her and Justin share a passion for horses and when they are not at their home arena they can often be found at barrel races near and far, roping or out on the trail. After hosting summer camps and year-round riding lessons for over 20 years now, Amy is happy to say she is living her dream and now she gets to share it alongside her husband.
1943-2021, Owner / Founder of Cedar Ridge Morgans
In 2021 we lost the owner and founder of Cedar Ridge Morgans. Edward Prechter started Cedar Ridge Morgans in the early 90s alongside his wife Beverly (1948-2002). They developed Cedar Ridge Morgans with the vision of breeding top quality, competitive Morgan show horses, as a small family side business outside of his career as a general dentist of more than forty years. Beyond the horse show arena, Dr. Prechter enjoyed taking his horses out on the trail for recreation as well as on hunting/fishing/pack trips. In last few years, he has downsized his Grass Valley, CA facility, but still enjoyed all aspects of owning horses. He was very excited about CRE’s latest addition, a 2017 Morgan stud colt (EBP Kai’s Stormy) sired by EBP Electric Storm and EBP Beverly’s Promise, who now resides with at Amy’s Bozeman, MT. Facility. This pedigree cross was one of Edward’s ultimate goals to accomplish in his Morgan breeding program.
