Manager/Driver
My name is Jill and I’m a Brooklyn, New York native. I became an animal person early into my childhood, caring for every type of pet you could imagine over the years. Looking for something to occupy my time over the summer as a preteen, I signed up for my first horseback riding lesson at a local urban stable in 1998. I had no idea that the first time I worked in partnership with a horse it would set the direction my life would lead in so many years later.
I became a “barn rat,” volunteering at the stable throughout much of the summer, and on every weekend when I went back to school through my teenage years. As a young adult I worked in the office world for a few years before deciding it wasn’t allowing me enough time with horses.
In 2015 I got my NYC Horse Drawn Carriage Driving License, training with drivers in the carriage business since the 1980’s and eventually I decided happiness had a higher value than the US dollar. I made the transition from office 9-5er to full time horse carriage driver.
Nick was the first horse I regularly drove and developed an incredible partnership with. I’ve always felt so honored to have bonded with such an intelligent and loving horse. He learned my request for “massage” in under 30 minutes! I'm really proud of the work we've accomplished together.
In 2019, the owner of the carriage I worked decided to pursue other ventures and being the solid business partners we’d become, left me in charge to take over the management of our carriage and horses. Noticing how few women were in the industry, I found the direction I wanted to move forward in with my website; Little Red Carriage.
The NYC horse carriage industry is an equal opportunity business, so men occasionally drive for my tours as well, but I’d really like to inspire more women to get involved.
Driver
My name is Natasha and horses are a real passion of mine. I immigrated to the US in 1998 and soon began volunteering and riding horses at a small private stable in Queens, New York. I really enjoyed caring for the horses and I thought it would be more fun to continue working with them instead of returning to the office, so when the opportunity to drive carriage horses in Central Park opened up to me, I jumped on it!
I got my carriage driving license in 2010 and my daughter got hers shortly after. She drove carriages with me part time for about 4 years while she attended college. Now that she’s a pediatric nurse in Arizona, she only rides horses as a pastime, while I’ve remained driving carriages in New York City.
It's such a unique job to have in the middle of Manhattan. Since moving to New York, I've always worked in Manhattan, but being able to work here in the outdoors with horses and people who are happy to be in the park is really something special. I love being surrounded by such beauty and every season has something to enjoy.
I drive a few different horses on several different carriages and work with Little Red Carriage 2-3 days each week. I look forward to working with Nick, the horse because he's lots of fun and has a great sense of humor. He can be a little lazy, but he's so healthy and really gentle with an amazing personality. Jessy, on the other hand keeps me on my toes with her energy. I respect that you have to come to an agreement with her with whatever you ask of her. She walks with a lot of grace and I imagine she would be comfortable to ride. She has my favorite color coat on a horse and reminds me of a horse I drove early into my career in the industry.
I hope to introduce you to my equine partners and show you what I love about the park!
Driver
(Bio Coming Soon!)