President of Lauren Hill Equestrian, Inc. and General Manager of Seaborne Farm, Inc.
USHJA Certified Trainer
Lauren’s desire to ride horses began at a young age growing up on her family’s Connemara breeding farm. She went on to compete some of the breeding operations foundation ponies extensively in the hunter ring. As an active member of the United States Pony Club she earned her C-2 rating and attended Show Jumping, Dressage, Tetrathelon, and Combined Training Rallies. She has trained with notables such as Canadian Olympian Harold Chopping, South African Olympian Mark Stopford, top equitation rider and r Hunter Judge Jennifer Johnston, French Canadian Olympian Gilles Casavant, R Hunter Judge George Wallace, R Hunter Judge and IHSA Coach Thom Pollard, Dr. Melyni Worth (Ph. D., P.A.S., BASAI Britain, Equine Nutrition), and 3-Day Eventer Laura Patterson. During her junior and amateur career she successfully competed at the “C” and “A” show levels where she earned many year end high point awards and equitation final titles. In 1999 she was the NCHJA “C” Children’s Hunter and Equitation Age group 15-17 Year End Champion and the winner of the Triangle Farms Equitation Cup Finals. In 2000 she continued her success with the NCHJA “A” Adult Amateur Hunter 18-35 Year End Champion award, was named HITS Culpeper two-time Best Amateur Rider and Circuit Reserve Champion, and was a Marshall and Sterling League Adult Hunter Classic National Qualifier. In 2003 she went on to win the Brian Jones Adult Equitation Medal Finals with farm stallion Seaborne's Schooner as well as earning high score awards with the American Sport Pony Registry and the American Connemara Pony Society. Lauren graduated from North Carolina State University in 2007 with degrees in Agribusiness Management and Livestock Management. While attending, she held executive positions with the NCSU equestrian team as sponsor chair and president. During her time riding for the team she earned Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Reserve High Point Open Level Equitation Rider in 2003-2004 and 2006-2007. In 2006-2007 she was an Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Open Level Equitation National Qualifier finishing as one of the top eighteen intercollegiate riders in the nation. In the 2012-2013 show season Lauren qualified and competed her horse Fuerst Felicity in the International Hunter Derby Championships in Lexington, KY. Lauren has been featured in Equus Magazine and Pony Enthusiast Magazine with Seaborne Farms stallion Seaborne's Schooner in which the two were described as an “outstanding sport pony and rider pair” as well as featured in Hunter and Sport Magazine in an article titled “Finesse Over Fences” in which she was pictured as an example of a polished amateur rider. Most notably Lauren appeared in Practical Horseman in a George Morris photo critique titled “Four Nicely Done Releases” in which he referred to her as a “stylist”. Lauren’s philosophy as a trainer and a coach is to establish a trusting bond between herself, horse, and rider from which to build the basics of the American System of Forward Riding. In addition to establishing a solid foundation as a rider she is a positive role model and strives to teach her students to have good sportsmanship and what it means to be a good horseman or woman. Her students learn to understand horse behavior, properly care for their horse and use their equipment at home as well as at shows. Though she has a competitive focus, it is not all about the ribbons. Lauren’s lessons focus on correct hunter seat equitation and rider effectiveness. Her classical methods allow for customized training plans to help each rider achieve their goals. Lauren has produced horse and rider pairs that are consistent winners of their respective levels at NCHJA “C” and USEF “A and AA” rated shows. She also has experience with assisting pregnant mares during foaling, starting the foals using natural horsemanship, and training horses and ponies that have competed very successfully in both hunters and combined training. Her versatility as a rider, knowledge of horses, and attention to detail makes her an invaluable tool for the horse and rider wishing to advance their skills or become more competitive in the show ring.
Lauren is accepting horses in training and students at Seaborne Farm. Prospective students (and parents) should be prepared to set riding and competition goals. Please feel free to contact Lauren or Denise Hill at Seaborne Farm by e-mail or by phone if you are interested in setting up a time to meet with her or to have an evaluation ride.
Testimonials
“My granddaughter and I met Lauren about a year and a half ago and WOW! What a unique, special young woman and trainer she is. We thank god every day that we found her.
Lauren is a rarity in the horse industry, first and foremost putting the safety and welfare of horses before anything; a true gift and understanding of the horse. She is one of the most upstanding and good-hearted people I have met.
Her extensive experience with horses and compassionate disposition resonates in her teaching style. She just has the perfect blend of knowledge, honesty, wisdom, kindness, patience, and clarity to give encouragement to riders of all ages; honest and truly concerned about finding the perfect partnership between horse and rider.
She has brought us back from the brink of panic to a level of confidence in many incidents. She is always there to help with issues right from the beginning to finding the solution to connecting it and following through to the end.
I would recommend Lauren to anyone who wants to understand horses, learn to ride, develop deeper connections with their horse, or anything else related to the horse.
I honestly do not have enough space to express all the accolades we have for Lauren.”
Mary Young and Family
Lauren and the Young's mare "Something Different"
Chelsea Jones and her mare "Celebrate Me"
"We don't know where to begin in our thanks to you for all you have done in Chelsea's life and ours! By far in the ten years of Chelseas riding no one has done more to elevate her skills, confidence, and security. You've been so much more to her than a trainer! You have been a mentor, role model, and a friend she needed. While this is a separation in this season of life we are forever connected in our hearts. We do plan on continuing our relationship and pray all good things for you in life."
Bob and Cindy Jones
Bob and Cindy's daghter Chelsea is currently a student at UNC Wilmington and rides on the IHSA equrestian team. We miss you Chelsea!
"Rebecca has been riding since she was 5 years old. Many people have participated in her "equine education" but Lauren has done so in a very singular way. Not only has she cared for Rebecca’s thoughts and concerns in riding; she always considered the horse, and what is best for the horse/rider pair. Lauren has a gift in the handling of each of her students – all different, each with their unique needs; children, young adults and "seasoned" adults. She allowed us to understand when it was time to move on to a different horse and provides guidance with each step in the process of moving on to the next horse.
Never has the equine world been so un-stressful (and non pressured). Seaborne Farm and Lauren Hill Equestrian have provided the environment we have searched for; one in tune to rider and horse, family oriented and drama free!"
John and Abbie Agocs
Lauren and the Agocs mare "BeDazzled"
Charlotte and Lauren after a THIS medal class win
"My daughter, Charlotte, has had the privilege of riding with Lauren for the past seven years. As a teacher, Lauren has the ability to assess and build upon her riders’ strengths while helping them understand what to work on in order reach their riding goals. Her high expectations, combined with a natural talent to communicate with horse and rider, has allowed Charlotte to compete successfully from Short Stirrup to Children’s Hunter and Junior Hunter to Equitation Medal classes at both C and A shows. Lauren’s calm, encouraging manner while instructing at home and at shows provided the support and guidance Charlotte needed to grow as a rider. Her attention to detail both in the ring and on the ground has taught Charlotte how to work safely around horses and properly care for them. We have been extremely fortunate to work with such a talented, young professional who has been much more than just a trainer and coach."
~Kitty Yarbrough
Contact Information Owner: Denise Hill Trainer/Instructor: Lauren Hill 2005 Boyce Bridge Rd Creedmoor, NC 27522 Farm: 919.528.0331 Denise: 919.201.2619 Lauren: 919.201.4109
