Welcome to the website of rider, coach and Equine Facilitated Learning instructor louise hillman.

Louise

Louise has over 30 years of coaching experience in Australia and England. She holds coaching qualifications with both the British Horse Society and the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme in Australia. She is also an active and successful competitor and has been a member of the Western Australian Senior Dressage Squad for several years with her FEI horse DP Finean (until June 2013 when Finean retired) and currently with her FEI horse Lord Louie (who was also a previous member of the Australian National Futures Squad for youg horses).

Louise's horse riding clients span from those just starting out to riders successfully competing in official dressage and eventing. Eponaquest clients include people who have a background with horses, and people from the general public who want to undertake personal development through Equine Facilitated Learning. She helps people set goals, provides ongoing and virtual (distance) support though exercises for the in between lessons to enable the progress everyone is looking for.

Louise has considerable experience in facilitation, management, team building and staff management. She has held many Committee roles including positions of Chair for: the Southern Districts Dressage Club (SDDC); Albany Horseman's Association; and the Southern Horse Industry Council. She was also the Chair of the Dressage Development Fund for WA. She is a current member of the SDDC Committee.

News Wrap 2017

Louise continued to be sponsored by top WA saddler Saddles Plus. Gary Johnson made a number of trips to Albany saddle fitting and kept the horses gear fitting really well. Louie moved into the Prestige X-Helen saddle and he and Louise love it.

Bossy’s Bibs continue to work with Louise as their distributor for Australia and New Zealand. Their products really are effective – click on the Bossy’s Bibs tab above for more information.

Lord Louie moved up to Prix St George level and had a good year with wins in Advanced and Prix St George tests. Louie also posted 2 Advanced championships and took out the Western Austaralian Freestyle Championship across all freestyles at the WA Dressage Championships. Louise made the decision to travel to the Martin Collins National Dressage Championships in October where they competed in the Advanced, Advanced Freestyle, Prix St George and Prix St George Stars of the Future classes. Their first competition at the venue some 5 days before the major competition saw them post a good score (0.3% into second place), but the pressure Louise placed on herself and Louie at the championships negatively impacted on many of their nationals tests. They did however redeem themselves in the Advanced Freestyle for a 7th place and smiles all round. Louise was interviewed by Equestrian Australia just after the freestyle test. Visit the link to watch it. http://www.equestrian .org.au/news/inspiring-louise-hillman-dressage-championships

Virginia Longley's mare Bridlewood Dulcima (Lucy) successfully continued into her second year of official dressage, moving up to Elementary and posting some great scores as well as taking out a regional novice championship. Lucy also turned her hoof to eventing with young rider Josette Fretton, competing at one competition which they led from start to finish. We were justly thrilled with them both.

Louise has run various clinics around the region including 2 and 3 days clinics for the West Plantagenet Pony Club, Esperance Equestrian Club and the Warren Pony Club. Louise's clients continue to improve whether their goal is to be able to gain better connection in ground school with their horse or competing in their first State Championships or 2* horse trials. For more information about lessons please click on the Services tab.

2017 Sponsored Rider Olivia Miller had a successful year bedding down the basics on her lovely mare Sari, prior to moving up the grades in 2018.

Lord Louie adorned in his 2017 WA state freestyle Championship rug sponsored by Valley Equine Vet Centre..

Sponsored Rider

Each year Louise sponsors a rider. Whilst the criteria for selection varies a little from year to year, her main aim with the sponsorship is to assist newcomers to dressage (be it new to participant dressage, official dressage or partnering a new horse).

In 2013 she sponsored the lovely young rider Josette Fretton in her first year of official dressage on her Thoroughbred, Anguish (Gus). Both had a fabulous 2013 with wins and places in eventing and dressage. Josie is now enjoying university life away from Albany and riding whenever her studies allow.

In 2014 Louise had the pleasure of sponsoring Tracy Thomas on her handsome Friesian/TB cross, Antonio (Antz) in their first official year of dressage together. Significant progress was made with some fabulous scores over the year, culminating in a win at the Margaret River Dressage Spectacular in October. Tracy and Louise continue to work together and in 2015 Tracy and Antz transitioned up to Elementery and in 2016 they moved up to Medium level dressage.

For 2015 Louise sponsored Nicole Holdaway and her lovely thoroughbred, Coffee Time (Chino) in their first year of official dressage together. Nicole and Chino had a number of PB's and experienced competition outside the region in Perth and Margaret River.

In 2016 Louise sponsored Carly Annison and her paint bred quarter horse Tyson. While not the classical dressage body type, Tyson has really benefitted from the dressage schooling and posted some really good scores and places locally during the year and attained several Galloway hunter championships. Louise looks forward to working with Carly and Tyson in 2017 as they consolidate their skills and develop further.

The sponsored rider for 2017 was young rider Olivia Miller. Livvy made the move up to a larger equine in early 2016 and has worked really hard to develop a trusting and confident partnership with her warmblood mare Sari. During 2016 Louise was very impressed by Livvy’s dedication and work ethic, her willingness to learn and subsequent improvement. Click on the Services tab to read more and see Livvy and Sari…