Ashley started formal training around age 9, competing on the NCHJA circuit and earning many year end awards as a junior rider out of her hometown of Charlotte, NC. She grew up riding and jumping at the chance to work off extra ride time or help groom at local competitions to help pay for her lessons.

 

Ashley holds a UNC degree in Communications which she credits with helping her better connect horses and riders. She competed with the UNC Equestrian Team on the IHSA circuit, while continuing to build upon her dressage foundation under USDF Gold Medalist Lynn Leath.  Throughout college she worked part time with Ali Shackelford at Hidden Hill Farm, learning about successful breeding and a young horse program. Eventually joining Apex Equestrian’s team as a working student for Int’l Grand Prix German Jumpers Matthias Holberg and Thaisa Erwin, she wintered in Ocala, FL as a groom and gained experience in the adult equitation and jumper rings. 

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She accepted a position as Barn Manager & Trainer at Seaton Hackney Stables in NJ, where she had a very active lesson program with over 30 horses, 8-week summer camps, and a competitive junior show team. While there, Ashley co-developed a program for the most advanced show team students to attend a winter camp in Ocala, FL.

 

To further develop her own skill, Ashley jumped at the opportunity to join Palermo Show Stables.  As a Trainer and Exercise Rider under Int’l Grand Prix Jumper Osvaldo Ornia Pacher she continued competing in hunters & jumpers (Adequan Hunters and up through Level 3 Jumpers) and at events such as The Garden State Horse Show and WEF.  (Clinics with Olympic riders including: Laura Kraut, Chris Kappler, Anne Kursinski).  While at Palermo her marketing plans included her program for clients and lesson riders to experience a winter season in Wellington, FL.  Ashley believes in providing exciting experiences for her riders, both as spectators, students, and competitors.

 

Sought out by the owners of Bow Brickhill Stables in NJ, Ashley accepted the position of Head Hunter/Jumper Trainer.  She enjoyed training and showing the farm’s young sales horses while continuing to teach riders of all ages and levels.  She worked alongside well-known eventing trainer & husband of Sinead Halpin, Tik Maynard (Canadian Team, TB Makeover Winner, author).  This not only expanded Ashley’s skills in groundwork it also introduced her to eventing. (Clinics with: Sinead Halpin/US WEG Team, Peter Leone, Bernie Traurig).   She trained 4 top ponies for 3 different riders, qualifying all for Pony Finals. Her students enjoyed numerous wins competing on the NJHSA and CJL Circuit at schooling level through AA Shows.

 

While working and training in Wellington, FL, Ashley was recruited by Lainie Wimberly (Hunter World Champion, Legacy Cup, Maclay Winner) for nationally-known Brigadoon Show Stables, NY.  Honored to start as assistant trainer & rider, she enjoyed teaching as well as competing at top Northeast show destinations (Old Salem Farms, The Hampton Classic, HITS, Saratoga, Fairfield Hunt Club).  She worked with noted top mounts: “Beaucatcher”, Equitation Star, “Poprocks”, and the Champion Hunter “Boulevard Dier”. 

 

Ashley has made her way back to NC with her husband Will - a former Nuclear Engineer in the US Navy.   Her love for the Triangle area has drawn her and Will to put down permanent roots and start a family. She was welcomed with open arms back to the Hidden Hill Farm family in 2022, truly making her equestrian career a full circle of experiences & opportunities.