My name is Ashlie Ruggiero and I am the owner of A Diamond In the Rough: Save a Diamond. I began riding at the age of 9. I began a focus as a Hunter Jumper around 13 years old just before my Freshman year of high school, competing around the state of Connecticut. I went off to ride IHSA in College, and entered a program that began my education on Horse behavior and training in 2006. Since then, I have trained horses (many of them rescues) and colts; prospects going off to become great family horses, competition horses, therapy horses, and more! I graduated at the top of my class with my Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Haven, as well as two Associates Degrees. I am also a Nationally Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). I am a mother to girl/boy twins, and was a single mother for 7 years before marrying my husband in October of 2015. My goal is to not only run a successful rescue and training business, but to also begin my own therapy program with at risk youth, rescuing them, teaching them responsibility, and letting them feel love. Many have had rough lives just like the rescues I train - and the diffrence our horses make on these children is like nothing you have ever seen. I began this program in 2013 and it has changed many lives - both human, and horse. The true meaning of finding a Diamond in the Rough. For now, I focus on rescuing horses who are off to slaughter or are in abusive situations, rehab them, retrain them to ride, and find them forever homes. The money that comes in from their adoptions go towards rescuing rehabbing and caring for another in need. I hope you all LIKE my page and support SAVE A DIAMOND :)
