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Tuesday, June 26 2018 / Published in Weekly Feature

Maggie Hill: From Wyoming to Wellington

Maggie and O’Ryan

By Mandy Boggs

Portraits by Kim MacMillan

Many riders have dabbled in other disciplines, but not many have experience in the variety of disciplines that Maggie Hill has, and all before the age of 15. Maggie started her riding career in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where her family lived, riding western in 4-H before moving on to eventing in Pony Club and competing in dressage.

Maggie’s family moved from Wyoming to Wellington so Maggie could pursue her riding career

As an up-and-coming junior hunter rider, Maggie trains with Jack Towell and Liza Boyd of Finally Farm, based out of South Carolina. For the past two years, Maggie has completely immersed herself in the hunter world. She’s been extremely successful in the junior hunters, equitation and derbies over the past year, with an excellent show season spent at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, Florida.

“I started out riding western and always had high hopes for myself,” Maggie said. “I loved horses and wanted to learn how to ride so badly, but I was the only kid in 4-H that had to wear a helmet when everyone else wore cowboy hats. It was embarrassing. My mom suggested I try riding English because they wore helmets. I really didn’t want to at first, to be honest, but I did and I’m so glad I made the change. I gained a lot of horsemanship and general horse skills from riding in 4-H and later in Pony Club. Eventing and dressage really helped me to learn the true feel of a horse and have good, solid flatwork, which I apply to my riding today.”

Working Toward Goals

Maggie’s family has always been supportive of her dreams when it comes to riding. From the very beginning, they saw a true passion in her for horses. Maggie’s parents, Jane and Tom Hill, along with her sister, Ellie, 11, made the united decision to commit to Maggie’s goals and do what was best for the family in following her as she pursued them.

“It wasn’t at all an easy decision to move,” Jane shared. “Jackson, Wyoming, still feels like home, but it simply was not possible to pursue riding at this level while commuting across the country. We moved to Wellington to help create a better balance for our family. Our younger daughter, Ellie, is able to attend a great school and Maggie is able to train and compete at a national level. After WEF, we’re just a short flight away from the shows in the Southeast Circuit, where Finally Farm competes. My husband, Tom, still has to commute to Denver, Colorado, to run Summit Materials, but it’s is a better balance than we had in Wyoming.”

There has never been a day in her life that Maggie has not wanted to take care of or ride horses … ever,” Jane added. “She has worked tirelessly regardless of the circumstance to grow as a rider in a place where it was very difficult to do so. She was singularly focused in her passion and commitment.”

The sacrifices and commitment of Maggie’s family is commendable especially considering they don’t share in her horse interest. “Trust me, we tried to get her interested in other things!” Jane said. “I think what we enjoy most is seeing her thrive here in Wellington, in a horse town with horse people. She belongs here. Not only are we not a horse family, Tom and I are uncomfortable around horses. Our daughter Ellie loves trail riding, but Tom and I like them on the other side of the fence!”

There seem to be qualities about Maggie that play a role in her ability to achieve many of the goals she has set for herself, in such a short amount of time. Her parents and trainer both talk about her working as hard as anyone they’ve seen to become better at something they love.

“She is extremely hard working. She will get up as early as you want and is always willing to ride, any day, any time, any horse. She’ll ride all day long and often practices things I haven’t even told her to practice. She rides without stirrups so often, sometimes I have to tell her, ‘OK that’s enough, Maggie,’” Liza, her trainer, chuckled.

Maggie Hill, right, with her horse Cassanto and trainer Liza Boyd

Liza sees the value of Maggie’s equestrian background in her training. “I think the diversity in her past has really helped her riding now. Dressage gave her such a great foundation and made it so easy to teach her rhythm. She has such a strong leg and strong sense of balance. I really respect 4-H and Pony Club-type programs; I think they’re just amazing. She was able to catch up so quickly in the hunters because of her foundation and already being such a great horseman.”

And when it comes to working with Maggie on a personal level, Liza’s praise doesn’t stop. “It’s not just about showing to her, not even close. She is so fun to teach! There are times she will show me some dressage moves and I find myself saying, ‘Wait show me that again!’ I never have to teach her something twice, and she spends so much time with the horses on the ground. She’s just a sponge, always ready to absorb anything she can learn. Her parents are so supportive, it wouldn’t be possible without them!”

A Good Setup

Maggie balances riding with school, where, as no surprise, she strives for perfection on her schoolwork as well. This year she made her debut in the equitation and derby rings, as well as her first time doing the junior hunter 15-and-under divisions, where she finished champion or reserve numerous times. She finished up as the WEF Reserve Champion in the junior hunter 15-and-under with O’Ryan. And with her own Cassanto earned the prestigious Martin F. Bucko Family Perpetual Trophy and was Large Junior Hunter Champion, 15 and under at the Devon Horse Show.

“I qualified and rode in the $10,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights this year at WEF, my first time doing something like that,” Maggie said. “I rode Cassanto, who was just so amazing. He held my hand, and I think maybe I even held his. It was pretty scary, but I was really happy that I proved to myself that I could perform at the higher levels when the stakes are up there. In a way, it’s just a starting point for my next goals.”

The commentators from the Hunter Spectacular were very complimentary of Maggie holding her own under the lights with top professional riders. Just a short time later, she competed again at Deerridge in the National Hunter Derby on Charmeur and Shamrock, finishing sixth out of over 100 professional, amateur and junior riders. Being so young and surrounded by so many talented riders, it makes one wonder what she does to prepare herself for these big moments in her riding career.

Maggie, with her dad Tom Hill and Cassanto

“I’m extremely superstitious,” Maggie laughed, “I’ve worn the same pair of boot socks during shows since I first started riding. They have shamrocks on them and have so many holes in them I have to wear them over other socks. I’m wearing them right now, actually! I have a certain way I walk to the ring, even if I’m running late, and I always, always, always eat oatmeal before I show.”

Superstitions or no, Maggie knows where credit for her success truly lies. “My parents are so supportive and I’m grateful,” she said. “Finally Farm is an amazing place to train and everyone there is awesome. Liza is like family. She’s a great trainer and really knows the horses, teaching me so much and being there for all the ups and downs. I love watching Liza and learning: how she holds herself, her focus, mental game, the tack, how she cares for and treats the horses. I hope to carry that on for the rest of my riding career and into my professional life someday.”

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Tagged under: Kim MacMillan, liza boyd, maggie hill, mandy boggs

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The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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