By Laura Scaletti
Portraits by Kacy Brown
When the pandemic brought the world to a halt, Mary Piller used that pause to follow her heart. “I had planned to go to the University of Kentucky for their pre-med program; however, when the pandemic had everyone studying from home, I decided to take a gap year before college,” Mary said. “I worked for my coach, Emily Broiller, at Miramonte Equine for the year and fell in
Kacy Brown Photography
Florida Equestrian Photographer
love working with the horses and people. I realized that I would be much happier working in the equine industry than what I had originally planned.”
Throughout her equine experience, Mary has been charting her own path. A first-generation equestrian, Mary has taken her love for horses from up-down riding lessons to multiple gold medals at the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC) in dressage to living her dream as a professional today.
The horse dream started when Mary’s parents bought a farm in Tennessee when she was 4 years old. “After they bought the farm, they decided that we needed a pony. I was very bad at riding said pony, so my parents put me in riding lessons to help me with my pony,” Mary said. “Those lessons are what started my riding addiction.”
As Mary began her time in the saddle, she focused on equitation and hunter-jumper classes. “I have been taking dressage lessons since I was in middle school. I was lucky to be part of a wonderful program with Mary Wells in Tennessee that included a lot of dressage flatwork alongside the jumping training before I switched completely over to dressage,” Mary said.
Dressage Focused
Even during her jumping days, Mary was always intrigued by how the dressage flatwork could help her horses while on course. She eventually added in weekly dressage lessons with Emily to further advance her flatwork skills. “I really enjoyed seeing the training progression that came with dressage. It was incredible to me how each horse responded to a new question and how fine-tuned I could make the aids for a movement,” Mary said. “On a few very special horses, it felt like I only had to think of what I wanted, and they would do it for me.”
The first horse that captured Mary’s desire to continue dancing with horses was Fling. “A half Arabian gelding, Fling made me truly love dressage. He made every training ride so much fun because he had a great work ethic,” she said.
When Mary began working at Miramonte Equine as a working student, she was fortunate to have the ride on Emily’s mare, Caterina. “Caterina was such an influential horse in my riding career. I earned all my USDF medals on her and learned so much about FEI training from her,” Mary said. “She really is one in a million.”
Many people believe you can’t beat a good mare, and Mary agrees. “A good mare that you can get on your team will go to war for you, and that’s what Caterina did for me,” she said. “She taught me so much patience and compassion.”
Caterina also taught Mary how to win as she moved up the levels. “I started competing her at First Level. Years and a lot of training later, she not only helped me achieve my USDF gold medal, but I won three FEI gold medals, in all three phases at the 2023 NAYC,” Mary said.
In addition to winning three gold medals at the 2023 NAYC, Mary and Caterina were awarded the Fiona Baan Pursuit of Excellence Memorial Trophy. This trophy goes to the Young Rider who earns the highest combined average score in the three dressage tests: FEI Young Rider team, individual and freestyle. Mary placed first in each of the tests, with a combined average of 71.884%. “NAYC 2023 was truly a dream come true! Hard work does pay off, and Caterina was happy to do the job for me at the CDI because of the trust we had together,” Mary said.
Miramonte Equine
After working with Emily since her early high school years, it was a no-brainer for Mary to move to Miramonte Equine about 20 minutes from campus to train full time when she was accepted to the University of Kentucky. Mary was prepared to make the most of getting an education in the saddle and in the classroom, until she decided to focus on horses full time.
Mary did continue her education; however, it was with the title of working student. Today, Mary is the assistant trainer at Miramonte Equine. As part of her duties, she trains clients and rides a mixture of competition, training and consignment horses. “I love all the horses. One of the highlights of my job is that we sell quite a few horses and I love seeing riders find their perfect
Kacy Brown Photography
Florida Equestrian Photographer
match and develop partnerships with their horses,” she said. “I also really enjoy watching the horse-and-rider pairs that I train reach new goals together.”
Although Mary is no longer a “student,” she continues to learn daily. “I’m a believer that every horse can teach you something new. One response to a question from one horse is not always the same as a response to a question from another horse. And that’s the fun of it,” Mary said. “I’m constantly trying to figure out what puzzle pieces fit together to make the perfect picture of each horse, and when it comes together, it’s magic!”
It takes a lot of training to teach horses the intricate movements that make up a dressage test. Mary enjoys starting horses from the ground up. “Some of the most gratifying moments of training are watching a horse do something for the first time—half steps, flying change or collection towards a pirouette,” she said.
Mary feels very lucky that she’s had great mentors like Emily to support her during her first moments as a young professional. “Emily’s an incredible mentor for me and I wouldn’t be where I am without her. I’m lucky to have found someone so supportive and honest to show me the way into the industry at such a young age,” Mary said. “She has given me so many opportunities over the years, and it has truly touched my heart.”
Continuing Education
In January 2024, Mary participated in the invitation-only Robert Dover Horsemastership Clinic. The annual clinic is held to develop the next generation of U.S. Dressage Team talent. During the week-long clinic, participants received instruction from industry professionals on topics related to riding, competing and horse care.
Thanks to her successful 2023 season, Mary secured an invitation. She decided to take her 7-year-old Hanoverian gelding that she’s currently bringing up the levels, Qualitas, to the clinic. “He’s such a hard-working horse with a great attitude that training him has been a blast, so I thought he’d be a perfect fit for the clinic,” she said.
Throughout the week, Mary participated in lectures, riding opportunities and workshops. “It was such a great experience. Qualitas really impressed me over the week as we made a lot of progress in such a short amount of time,” she said. “I haven’t worked with him long, but I’m excited for my future with him.”
As a young professional, being invited to the clinic couldn’t have come at a better time for Mary. “I took away so many tools for my future as a professional. The clinic inspired me to strive to a higher level of horsemanship,” she said. “I’m very grateful for everyone at USDF and USEF for creating such an educational program for young riders.”
Mary is currently regularly competing multiple horses from young horses at Training Level all the way to the FEI levels. In addition to bringing Qualitas up the levels, she is hoping to step into the Grand Prix ring with Elaine Cole’s Oreo. “I’ve competed Oreo for a few years and her Grand Prix work has really started coming together. I actually competed her my first year at NAYC back in 2022 and we won a team gold medal together. She’s such a special mare and I’m excited to get to the next level with her,” Mary said.
Kacy Brown Photography
Florida Equestrian Photographer
Found In M’ocean, or Mo, is another competition horse of Mary’s. Owned by Katie Crotzer, Mo competed his first year at Training Level in 2023. “He took it by storm. We were Reserve National Champions at the U.S. Dressage Finals in November 2023 and I couldn’t be more proud,” Mary said.
Mary is excited about what the future holds for her and the horses she’s currently training and competing. “Each test, I try to focus on keeping my horses happy in the ring because that’s what this is all about at the end of the day. They don’t need to work for us the way they do, but they do it for us anyway,” she said. “I’m so blessed to be able to work with an amazing group of horses and supportive people. I look forward to continuing my riding education and making it to the senior CDI Grand Prix competitions.”
For more information visit www.miramonteequine.com and follow Mary @marypillerr
Photos by Kacy Brown, kacybrownphotography.com
