Testimonials

Safely courageous? Smartly aggressive? That’s how you want your rider (my child) to ride on the cross country course. And, in the dressage arena. That’s how Hilda teaches you to ride. She built our 12-year-old beginning rider and 3-year-old green horse which she sourced for us (& started him) into an area 3 NAYC (junior Olympics) team pair and intermediate level competitor in 6 years. We learned about life through this sport. And our daughter grew from a child to a wonderful young lady, full of poise and confidence through learned horsemanship. Spend some time with Hilda and you’ll get all that too.

Dr. Rob Wood

My daughter has been training with coach Hilda for nearly a year, and the progress she has made under her guidance has been remarkable. Coach Hilda has not only helped my daughter build confidence in her riding but has also played a key role in developing trust and confidence in her horse, particularly in their show jumping. Her patience, attention to detail, and deep commitment to safety create an ideal learning environment. With her many years of experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge that she tailors to each rider and horse combination. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication and expertise.

Monica Moore

We have been fortunate to have had Hilda come and clinic at Foxberry Farm for 12 years! She never disappoints. Every lesson is great. Not only is she incredibly skilled at working with riders and horses at all levels, but she is also a joy to have around. Hilda collaborates seamlessly with our trainers, ensuring that everyone involved gets the most out of each session. My students always look forward to having her out, and we are so grateful for the positive impact she continues to have on our farm. It’s always a pleasure working with Hilda!

Kim Abernathy of Foxberry Farm, Dallas, GA

We have hosted Hilda clinics for 18+ years. She takes the time to get to know each and every rider and their horse. And places a huge emphasis on the safety and well-being of both. Hilda is an asset to any rider from beginner to the most seasoned veteran. We love having her here and look forward to 18 more years.

Aaron, Rhea, Stephanie, Tyler Wright of Sandstone Equestrian Center, 

          Eventing/Dressage Farm, Mobile, AL

 My 13 years (and counting) of training with Hilda Donahue have given me the same unwavering faith and loyalty in her that she has always shown to my horse and me. Through these years I have learned more and gained more confidence than 12-year-old me could have ever imagined. When Hilda sets fences asking for challenging combinations, there is no doubt in my mind of our capabilities because never once has she asked me to do something she hasn’t prepared me to do. This was most evident when it came time for me to run my first intermediate. I could write pages worth of reasons why Hilda is a wonderful trainer and role model but I’ll leave it to this, if you want to learn, grow, and be confident in your skills while having fun and lots of laughs, choose Hilda Donahue as your trainer.

Ryan Wood

Training with Hilda has been a transformative experience.  When I first came to her, I was struggling with a lack of confidence after a fall. She provided the perfect balance of support and challenge, helping me rebuild my trust in myself and my riding. Her depth of knowledge, structured yet adaptable approach, and unwavering focus on safety have been invaluable. Hilda is not only guiding me, but also helping develop my young stallion, and it has been incredible to work with someone who shares my values in training and horsemanship. I am excited for the journey ahead as my horse and I continue to grow under her expert guidance.

Jaclyn Johnsen of Valhalla Arabians, Apopka, FL