A Discipline for Everyone
At Hillside Farm, we're very proud of the diversity of our Trainers. Whether you're a first-time rider or have years of training, Hillside has the right plan for you. If you love the thrill of the jumper or the careful perfection of dressage, we have the perfect instructor.
Our disciplines include:
We accommodate all levels of experience. We have 16 lesson horses available for all skill levels. Please follow the links on the right for information about specific disciplines.
Meet Our Training Staff
Shelley Day
Shelley brings 23 years of teaching and training experience to Hillside Farm. She gives lessons from beginner to advanced riders. In addition to having lesson horses available, hauling in is available. Shelley will also travel from northern Wisconsin through southern Illinois.
Shelley is a USDF bronze and silver medalist. She is currently working on receiving her gold. She has attended several trainer seminars through USDF. Shelley has worked long term with trainers and judges such as; George Williams, Jayne Ayers, and Curtis Sage. She has also clinic ed with Caroll Lavell, Gary Rockwell, and Bo Henna. Shelley has been continuing her education on full time basis with Kim and Yvonne Barteau.
Shelley has an extensive show career, winning many USDF awards. She has been in the top 20% in the nation the past 5 years. Shelley has also won many championships through the Westfalen, Trakhener, and Thoroughbred associations. Her students have also had great success. Most recently she had a 12 year old take a reserve champion placing at Silverwood Farm Championship Horse Show as well as 2 other students being in the top 10 at the prestigious region 2 championships.
Shelley has a systematic, easy to understand approach to teaching and would be an asset to any one whether you are a beginner rider or serious competitor.
Emily Smedlund
Emily Smedlund offers basics in position and horsemanship. She brings patience and a positive attitude to make learning to ride fun. With her current work in autism therapy as well as lecturing statistics at UWM, Emily brings experience from teaching both adults and children. She also has over 10 years of experience working with horses through jumping, polo, eventing, dressage, training, and horse ownership. With emphasis on practical and responsible riding, her instruction will aim to not only improve riding skills but also enhance your overall understanding of horsemanship and equine care.
Sarah Pulvermacher
Sarah Pulvermacher grew up in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Her love of horses began at the age of 12. Starting in 4-H and stock horses she quickly moved on to focus her training at local Hunter/Jumper stables showing Open and B shows along the way. She has trained for Eventing throughout the past 7 years and has been focusing on this with her current TB with hopes to compete after her undergrad is completed at Alverno College in the weekend program as an International Business and Marketing Management major.
As a beginner riding instructor for the last 10 years she is very sensitive to the horse and rider's needs. She focuses on horsemanship and equitation and absolutely loves working with children and adults. Whether it is polishing up your seat for an upcoming show, learning how to soften your hands to keep your horse happy, or returning to your love of horses again for the first time, Sarah is ready to work with you.
Margaret Paur
Margie is the Hillside Polo instructor and she teaches Equine Management courses at Waukesha County Technical College. Her approach to training involves the rider treating the horse as an athlete and includes a focus on the special care needed for horses. Margie uses natural horsemanship techniques and gives natural horsemanship lessons on a case by case basis.
In addition to co-owning and managing Hillside Farm and teaching polo and college courses, she also serves on several non-profit boards including the Milwaukee County Zoological Society, the Luthern Social Service Foundation board, the Women's Fund Board, the Milwaukee Polo Club Board, and at Waukesha County Technial College. She's a life-long horsewoman who as a youth was trained in Saddleset and Western riding disciplines. As a young adult she trained in Hunter/Jumpers, later training in Polo and Dressage. Margie also takes in problem horses and fixes them in a gentle, firm, and kind way. No short cuts. It takes longer, but this method works best, the horse is happier for it, and the horse can then accel at what it can done best. Margie strongly believes in non-violent horse handling methods that create a safe learning environment for horse and rider.
Ryan Fetherston
Ryan Fetherston is a professional hunter/jumper trainer with over 15 years of riding and showing experience. From the A circuit to starting young horses and ponies, Ryan will develop a program that works for both horse and rider. Offering lessons and training from beginner to advanced. Private and group lessons available on your horse or one of ours.
Offering: lessons, training, A&B circuit shows, schooling shows, sales, will travel.