Meet the CRE Team
Owners / Instructors / Trainers
Amy Prechter, Owner of Cedar Ridge Equine in Bozeman, MT
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, Speed Williams and Clay O'Brien Cooper.
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 Van Galder, one of the lead instructors at CRE. Sue mentored Amy over the years and even introduced her to one of her 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 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. When not at home in her own arena Amy often finds herself competing at barrel races near and far. After hosting summer
camps and year-round riding lessons for over 20 years now, Amy is happy to say she is living her dream.
Edward Prechter, 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.
Camp Assistants:
Theresa Walker
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.
Jessica Howard
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!
Reese Wyman
Reese is currently an undergraduate studying agricultural business at MSU and has been riding and competing since she was about 7 years old. Riding has been an integral
part of her life and one of her biggest passions.
She has been training with Amy and Justin for the last two years and has throughly enjoyed pursuing barrel racing on her barn favorite, Smooch, as well as roping. She has
also been working on her horsemanship by riding a variety of horses at CRE.
Before she found Amy in the Bozeman area, Reese was competing in the English discipline of dressage in the junior division and was ranked nationally in the top 12 riders
of the country several years in a row.
Emily Rasmussen
Emily started riding lessons when she was 7 years old, dragging along her dad—who was less
than comfortable around large animals—into the pasture each week to help her halter her
15-hand lesson horse. Over time, she immersed herself in the horse show world, competing in
trail, showmanship, and western pleasure. In the fall of 2023, Emily stepped away from horses to
move to Bozeman and start college at Montana State University. However, by the summer after
her freshman year, she realized just how much she missed riding horses. She began taking barrel
racing lessons with Amy. Within a few months, she began leasing a barrel horse and after
competing in a few local jackpots, she quickly discovered her passion for barrel racing. Not long
after, with help from her supportive (and still very nervous around horses) dad, she bought her
first horse.
Emily is currently interning with CRE, where she's getting hands-on experience starting colts
and continuing to grow her horsemanship skills. She is also teaching riding lessons and enjoys
helping others become more confident riders.
Amber Graham
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.
Guest Instructors / Trainers
Linda Scholtz, Instructor/Trainer
Linda Scholtz from Pueblo Colorado will be offering Trick Riding clinics at Cedar Ridge Equine.
Linda has been featured in both the Western Horseman and America's Horse magazines. She has performed across the US at such rodeos as : Madison Square Gardens in NYC; The American Royal in Kansas City; Prescott Frontier Days in AZ; Colorado State Fair, Pueblo, CO; Oklahoma State Fair; Montana State Fair; South Dakota State Fair; Ohio State Fair; Kansas State Fair; Pendleton, OR; Ellensburg, WA; Salt Lake City; Ft. Worth; Denver; Morris, Manitoba; Dodge City; Pikes Peak or Bust, in Colorado Springs, CO; El Paso, TX; Ft Smith, AR;. She has also performed at other venues such as the Belmont Stakes Horse Fair in NYC; Presidential command performance in Washington DC; Inaugural Parade in Washington, DC; and twice at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
As a PRCA Gold Card member, Linda has been in Pro Rodeo since 1980. She rode for 14 years with PRCA Trickrider and Roman Rider Vickie Tyer, with the All American Trickriders, carrying the largest flag in the world ever carried horseback. It measured 10 ft tall and 20 ft long.
She learned the art of trickriding from former PRCA trickrider Karen Womack Vold, wife of PRCA stock contractor Harry Vold. Karen and Linda now teach trickriding schools together at the Vold Ranch in Colorado, every March and April for the last 31 years.
In addition to her trick riding clinics, Linda ministers at rodeos and cowboy church services through music and speaking. Linda's performing spirit lends itself heartily to her talents of playing both the piano and guitar and singing. Linda also travels to some Rodeo Bible Camps and ladies retreats across the country.
"I feel trickriding has been a God given talent, that I could use to entertain people. It has been a truly rewarding challenge. Knowing I have given just one child or adult enjoyment for eight minutes – well – it makes it easy for me to smile!"