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Horses in Harmony
Lifelong horsewoman, Rachel Hilton has a wide range of experience to draw from when it comes to training and teaching. She spent the first decade of her career riding reining horses and starting colts with Tom Pierson, who coached Rachel to many victories in the NRHA arena, and over $60,000 won. The second decade of Rachel's career was spent at Mardanza Farms in Micanopy, FL operating Keystone Training. Rachel worked with Frank Barnett to start young warmbloods destined for the jumping and dressage rings, and Frank taught her classical dressage that she put to practice on a wide range of horses.
Rachel is proud owner of Jagalicious (Veronica) a 2014 AQHA mare by a son of Smart Chic Olena, out of a Mr Melody Jac mare. Together they have found much success:
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Three-time WDAA (western dressage) world champion
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AQHA Stakes Champion (dressage and western dressage)
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USEF Horse of the Year in 2021
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USDF Silver Medal recipient
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World Equestrian Center reining freestyle reserve champion, which showcased the mare's athletic ability to perform both reining and western dressage movements within the same performance.
Rachel firmly believes in cross discipline training, and has a diverse skillset to draw upon. She offers training and riding lessons to select horses and riders at Hilton Family Farm in Thomasville, NC. Lately, Rachel and Veronica have been training and competing at masters level Working Equitation. Veronica has a 2026 filly by Sir Sinclair that Rachel plans to develop in the coming years. Rachel generally purchases the occasional young Quarter Horse to develop and then pair with a suitable rider, and has been doing this for quite some time with great success. Check in to see current availability.
Lessons
Rachel is keen to help riders gain a deeper level of communication with their horses. She is well versed at making an accurate assessment of where the horse and rider currently stand, and will help build a road map that is tailored specifically to your needs. She is capable of communicating the finer details of communication to riders in a way that resonates, and will challenge and encourage you to be the leader your horse deserves. Private lessons are available by appointment, $100 per session.
Training
Rachel enjoys taking horses in for tune ups that require some time spent building a new set of skills. She draws from her well rounded background to tailor a program designed to improve communication with your horse in a calm and confident way that will challenge them both mentally and physically.
Full training includes 5-6 training sessions per week, full care board (stabled at night, turnout during the day), and one scheduled lesson or visit per week, so that the rider gets the opportunity to witness the development of new skillset that their horse is building and be part of the process.
To make a lasting change in a horse's musculature, it takes a minimum of 120 days. Short term training is available, but Rachel will be the first to tell you she is not a miracle worker! Depending on the situation, a month or two might be enough to bridge the gap between where you are and where you'd like to be. Evaluations prior to sending a horse for training are available upon request. Training is $2,100 per month.
Clinics
Rachel is available to teach clinics or private lessons; generally, the day consists of one-on-one sessions or small groups that are working on similar tasks. If you are interested in hosting, it will require someone willing to organize and gather riders who are interested. A minimum number of riders and payment will be required in advance. Contact Rachel for more details, she would be happy to discuss the possibilities with you.
Horses Take Us Higher
Horses Take Us Higher is a memoir written by Rachel combining her story training horses across the country for over a decade, and training tips that make up the framework of her program. An uplifting story enriched with technical expertise that encourages readers to keep cultivating intentional awareness, both in one's personal life and in the saddle, and gives some practical ways to do so. Softcover book was self published in 2024; 126 pages with black and white photos; can be personalized, signed, and shipped to your preferred destination. $25 includes media mail shipping, please call or email to order.