Hampton Green Farm Introduces New Training Staff
June 24, 2008
HGF is pleased to introduce its new training staff: Head Trainer Maria Lithander and Assistant Trainer Ana Gilmour.
“We are entering a new era,” says owner Kim Boyer. “Following the departure of our former Head Trainer, Pati Pierucci, it has become clear to us that we’ve moved beyond the point of needing a single rider who could represent us in shows and demonstrate the abilities of the PRE breed. We have grown, both as a breeding farm and in our training needs, into a center for not only the development of our own horses, but as a resource for riders of PREs across the country. We have more high-quality young horses under saddle than ever before, and with Courtney’s new role with Grandioso and our success with our young horses at Devon last year, the potential coming from HGF is receiving a higher level of attention than in the past.”
Boyer continues: “By the end of our Wellington season, we knew we needed to take several important steps to put a plan in motion in order to achieve a new level in the future. Our first step was to cement a training relationship with Lendon Gray (an enthusiastic supporter of the Spanish Horse for dressage). From the ground work up through the top levels, we will implement a training system based on her philosophies, and Lendon will be an advisor and partner to us—from investing in the education and training of our new staff, to a clinic schedule that will not only benefit us but other riders in our area.”
Secondly, the selection of a new riding staff became paramount. “Assistant Trainer Ana Gilmour was an immediate choice and we pursued her before she knew a position was available. Ana comes with one of the best dressage educations in the country—seven years under Hilda Gurney, where as an Assistant Trainer she worked with every level from young horses through Grand Prix. Says Gurney about Ana: “I have every confidence that Ana will prove to be an excellent addition to Hampton Green and I believe she has a very bright future to look forward to in this sport.” Additionally, Ana was very familiar with PREs, having lived and worked in Spain. Ana was also the first trainer to work with Margaret Carrera’s Rociero XV when he arrived in the States and is responsible for his early re-training—her specialty being tempi changes for which she received 8s in her first year of showing the horse at PSG. We are thrilled to have Ana as part of the team and look forward to her growth here as a rider and trainer.”
Selection of a Head Trainer took a little more time. Back in March, when a rider for the HGF horses was needed to finish the Wellington season, Maria Lithander filled the gap. “For the past year Maria has been training former HGF stallion Huelvano III, now owned by Carol Ehrlich, and her scores to over 70% this season with him caught our attention,” explains Boyer. “I was unaware when we hired her on an interim basis how extensive her experience with PRE horses had been. She is a sensitive and disciplined rider who understands the particular training needs of the PREs, especially in the higher levels. She is very solid in the basics and her European background is invaluable.”
Lithander has been living in Wellington for four years and operates Horses Forever Farm. She was born in Sweden and her initial dressage training was under Ingamay Bylund, Swedish Olympic rider and medalist. Her riding career eventually took her to Mexico, where she was part of the training circles of Berna Pujols and Patrick Burssens. While there, she continued to work with top visiting European trainers, including Rehbien, Teoderescu, and Bo Tibblin. Maria’s riding career in Mexico was remarkable: she has over 70 Regional and National Championships/Reserve Championships and qualified more than once to represent Mexico in Pan American competition, however was unable due to her Swedish citizenship. During that time she was introduced to the PRE horse. “About 15 years ago, one of my best clients brought me a young PRE to train,” explains Lithander. “I was very hesitant, and I had even discouraged clients from bringing PREs into my training program. I believed, at that time, that they were better suited for the circus than the dressage ring! However, I felt I could not turn down my best client and I began to work with her young horse. I was completely unprepared for the positive and fulfilling experience that I would have with him. I trained him up to the Grand Prix and competed him successfully through Prix St. George, and I became thoroughly converted. I eventually began to work with many PREs preparing and competing them for the required Functionality tests of the breed shows.” In Wellington, Lithander trains with Sue Jaccoma and Lilo Fore. “I enjoy training Maria because of her genuine appreciation of the horse,” says Jaccoma. “Her quickness to reward gives the horse a very clear foundation from which to train. Maria has a very clear understanding of the training scale. Her positive attitude brings out the best in her horses.”
“We considered a number of excellent, qualified riders—from California and Florida to Germany, Holland, and Spain,” says Boyer. “We compiled a list of criteria—age and experience, nationality, location, etc.—for what we needed, but we found that a correct and consistent training philosophy—through all the levels—was our first priority. Our candidates were very strong, however Maria stood out in her experience with our breed. Those who have ridden and trained a PRE know that the distinctions of these horses are significant enough to frustrate some riders—not every warmblood trainer can step into a program such as ours and not need a certain amount of personal re-training. We are happy that Maria has made the commitment to make Michigan a part of her summer routine and that she will take over the reins of our top horses this coming year in Wellington.” Says Lithander: “After working with PREs for over 15 years now, I really want to be part of the growth of the breed in this country, by convincing more people that they are not only noble and honest, but also have everything necessary to be successful at the highest levels.”
The final component in the new era at Hampton Green is, of course, Courtney King-Dye’s role in campaigning Grandioso, HGF’s 9-year-old stallion who is preparing for the Grand Prix. Courtney’s work with him is progressing well and she has received encouragement from Klaus Balkenhol and team member Steffen Peters, both of whom believe that Grandioso is an exciting horse for her future. Grandioso will be accompanying King-Dye to Germany next month to work with Balkenhol along with her other Grand Prix horses. “Courtney was instrumental in helping us appoint our new staff,” says Boyer, “and is committed to overseeing the development of several of our younger horses. She has already worked with Ana this past spring at Glenedon Farm, and she will be teaching at Hampton Green in Wellington on a weekly basis this winter.”
“I am extraordinarily happy with our new riding staff and the training program that we’ve established for our horses, riders and clients,” she continues. “Courtney, Maria, Ana, and Janne (Rumbaugh, rider of HGF’s Cosaco) are a pretty impressive team.”
HGF invites the Michigan dressage community to meet our new riders, if not casually at the farm this summer, then during the Summer Dressage Festival scheduled during August 9-17, featuring clinics with Lendon Gray and Victor Alvarez and a benefit bash for The Dressage Foundation. Please call 231-865-6000 for more information.
