Development Dodged: Greenwich's Last Commercial Horse Farm Preserved

Kelsey Farm—a 10-acre fixture at 1016 Lake Avenue and Greenwich’s last remaining commercial horse farm—has changed hands after 77 years. The sale marks an exciting victory for backcountry equestrian life and open space preservation, ensuring the storied property remains a working farm rather than a high-density residential subdivision.

From Playland Ponies to Backcountry Staple

Founded in 1949 by Elise "Sis" Kelsey and her husband C.W., the farm began when Sis brought home two Playland ponies—Peter Pan and Tiny Tim—to offer winter riding lessons. That humble start grew into a beloved community institution featuring 18 horses, riding rings, a long-running Pony Day Camp, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding program and vital access to the Greenwich Riding and Trails Association’s (GRTA) 150-mile trail network.
In 1989, daughter Elise "Easy" Kelsey took over management, eventually buying out her siblings in 2019 to preserve the working farm. For generations, local families cherished its annual, unrated horse show—a relaxed, low-stress tradition where kids showed off their skills without the pressure of circuit competition.

New Ownership

This October, Ruth Nicodemus and her husband Ted Grogan will relocate Serenity Show Stables from Redding to 1016 Lake Avenue. Alongside competitive training, the farm will host The Serenity Project, a non-profit equine therapy program executive-directed by Ted. To support both programs, the owners have requested a Planning & Zoning permit to increase the farm's horse count from 14 to 24.

Our P&Z specializes in making most land use projects difficult, especially when a change would allow a commercial venture to survive, so we’ll have to wait to see what happens here. Break a leg!