I grew up in NJ riding hunter/jumpers. I stopped riding after college and though I never lost the desire it took me 27 years to finally start riding again. I moved to FL 3 1/2 years ago and started riding in a lesson program at Tristan Oaks,  it was great to be able to ride a variety of school horses and to have the opportunity to show those horses as well. Later when it was time for me to purchase my own horse Jill found my gorgeous Dutch Warmblood, "Julio". I am so in love with him I even built a house in Plant City 5 minutes from Tristan Oaks!  I am looking forward to our first show season together with the group of friends I have at the farm.










I have been riding with, and working part-time for Jill since late 2006. In February of 2011, I began a half lease on one of her school horses, "Sam". Sam and I had a very successful first year together under Jill's guidance. In just thirteen months together we got our scores at first and second levels toward a USDF Bronze medal. We also qualified for, and attended, the Regional Championships for first level, finishing in the middle of the huge class with a 64%.  Currently, Sam and I are working on half passes and a flying change for the third level tests. When Sam isn't working with me, Jill still uses him
as a school horse in her lesson program.

I have been lucky enough to be a working student for several reputable,  and well educated, individuals in the American dressage community, including the Tempel Lipizzans and JJ Tate, before coming to work with
Jill Hardt at Tristan Oaks. I can say with confidence and experience that not only does Jill offer a top notch training program that is on par with others I've worked in, but she also has one of the friendliest atmospheres I've encountered in the sport. I have gotten results and had a ton of fun along the way at Tristan Oaks!













Whether its riding, training or teaching, whether its Warmbloods, Ponies or Paints, Jill Hardt excels at meeting the horse and rider where they are and taking them where they want to be - AND she makes the journey fun for both horse and rider!!











I met Jill almost four years ago when I was desperate to find a dressage trainer who not only taught from the ground but had no reservations jumping in the saddle to ride and train my horse. Jill was instrumental in training my young horse whom I was struggling with. I was striving to get this young horse trained so I could show. Over time and trained up to 2nd level we decided this horse wasn't "cut out" for dressage. Although much was learned under Jill's training I wasn't developing my dressage skills as quickly as I wanted. With Jill's help we decided it was time to find a more developed equine partner to assist in forging my training forward so I could begin to focus on competing.

Last year we purchased my lovely and talented 17'3h Hanoverian, Sebastian. Having Jill as an agent made this tedious and stressful process enjoyable and a learning experience. I had no doubt she was watching for my best interest and was going to ensure a match with an equine partner that was best suited for me.

With Sebastian we continue our training with Jill and I'm having a blast! We did our first show and we were thrilled with the results. I'm looking forward to continued improvement in my riding as we prepare for the 2013 show season and work towards my bronze medal.

Lastly, I'd like to give a special thanks to Jill for her patience (in her special way), encouragement and the tireless days spent caring, training and teaching. Jill I appreciate you more than you'll ever know!



Jill Hardt has been and continues to be my tour guide on the journey of learning dressage. She has been an inspiration to me since the first day I started riding with her at age 50. After two years of lessons, we determined that if I was to achieve the goals I had set for myself I would need a new dressage partner. We found the perfect match for me in my lovely Dutch girl Ilona. Even though I didn’t think I would ever learn to sit her trot, Jill confidently told me that I would. She was right. Together we achieved so much more than I had hoped for. In 2008 we not only received our Bronze Medal but we were the All Breed Vintage Cup Reserve Champion at 3^rd level. My initial goal had been the Bronze, with that achieved we established a new set of goals and stepped it up to fourth level. Now that Ilona is pushing 23 I am searching for my next partner. With any luck we will find him or her and continue our pursuit of learning to ride like Jill. My long, long, term goal is to be riding with Jill and achieve the Century Award! Hang in there Ilona!