Our Staff
As a co-founder and owner of Hill Country Equestrian Lodge, I have found the creation and directing of our Summer girls' riding and horsemanship camps to be one of the most rewarding parts of our operation. Since 2009, I have enjoyed the privilege of sharing my love of horses and horsemanship with many young women, and been moved by the strength and confidence it inspires in them. Many of our campers have advanced in their horsemanship skills to the level of returning as instructors and counselors, and have continued on to pursue degrees in related fields such as Equine Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Microbiology.
People who know me will tell you that I am one of the most particular people on the planet. When it comes to caring for your campers and providing them the safest, most enjoyable, and best educational horsemanship camp possible, I do not apologize for this. The same carries over into the particular way in which I have chosen my staff for this year's Equestrian Lodge Summer Horsemanship Camps. Each of these young women has worked with me extensively in the day-to-day operations of our ranch vacation business, caring for our horses, guiding trail rides, and teaching or assisting in the many lessons and clinics that we provide throughout the year. They have each received intensive training in the specific way that I teach students, and ride and train our horses, according to the Whole Horsemanship method that I have developed over the years, which is briefly described on this website on the "Our Philosophy" link. This method combines the breadth of information describing effective horsemanship that is available from many presenters and sources today, with my understanding of human biomechanics learned through my 6 years as a certified personal fitness trainer, filtered through my own intuition and experience in training horses and people. Each of these young women has worked hard to develop proper riding technique and intuition as a horsewoman. But that is not enough. Each of them has to be able to communicate their knowledge of horsemanship to others in an understandable, kind, safe, and enjoyable way.
And that they do. Each of them has a specific set of skills and traits that makes them ideal for giving your camper the best horsemanship camp experience possible, including:
1) A working knowledge of effective riding and training techniques.
2) A kind, nurturing nature that strives to help others.
3) A pleasing, yet assertive personality that encourages students to push beyond their typical limits, yet keeps them safe and happy.
4) The ability to adapt to a variety of students, horses, and situations.
5) Having a "6th sense" that keeps them constantly aware of their surroundings and that of their horses and students, and which allows them to react quickly when necessary to avoid and avert unsafe situations.
6) Patience, patience, patience!
You will find that each of our staff members embodies these qualities in a unique way that makes her ideal for filling an important role in our 2019 Whole Horsemanship Camps. Each of these outstanding young women is described below, along with her role in our daily camp life. Take a moment to learn more about each of them, and contact me with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your sincere interest in our camps, and for taking the time to learn more about myself and our staff.
As a co-founder and owner of Hill Country Equestrian Lodge, I have found the creation and directing of our Summer girls' riding and horsemanship camps to be one of the most rewarding parts of our operation. Since 2009, I have enjoyed the privilege of sharing my love of horses and horsemanship with many young women, and been moved by the strength and confidence it inspires in them. Many of our campers have advanced in their horsemanship skills to the level of returning as instructors and counselors, and have continued on to pursue degrees in related fields such as Equine Science, Veterinary Medicine, and Microbiology.
People who know me will tell you that I am one of the most particular people on the planet. When it comes to caring for your campers and providing them the safest, most enjoyable, and best educational horsemanship camp possible, I do not apologize for this. The same carries over into the particular way in which I have chosen my staff for this year's Equestrian Lodge Summer Horsemanship Camps. Each of these young women has worked with me extensively in the day-to-day operations of our ranch vacation business, caring for our horses, guiding trail rides, and teaching or assisting in the many lessons and clinics that we provide throughout the year. They have each received intensive training in the specific way that I teach students, and ride and train our horses, according to the Whole Horsemanship method that I have developed over the years, which is briefly described on this website on the "Our Philosophy" link. This method combines the breadth of information describing effective horsemanship that is available from many presenters and sources today, with my understanding of human biomechanics learned through my 6 years as a certified personal fitness trainer, filtered through my own intuition and experience in training horses and people. Each of these young women has worked hard to develop proper riding technique and intuition as a horsewoman. But that is not enough. Each of them has to be able to communicate their knowledge of horsemanship to others in an understandable, kind, safe, and enjoyable way.
And that they do. Each of them has a specific set of skills and traits that makes them ideal for giving your camper the best horsemanship camp experience possible, including:
1) A working knowledge of effective riding and training techniques.
2) A kind, nurturing nature that strives to help others.
3) A pleasing, yet assertive personality that encourages students to push beyond their typical limits, yet keeps them safe and happy.
4) The ability to adapt to a variety of students, horses, and situations.
5) Having a "6th sense" that keeps them constantly aware of their surroundings and that of their horses and students, and which allows them to react quickly when necessary to avoid and avert unsafe situations.
6) Patience, patience, patience!
You will find that each of our staff members embodies these qualities in a unique way that makes her ideal for filling an important role in our 2019 Whole Horsemanship Camps. Each of these outstanding young women is described below, along with her role in our daily camp life. Take a moment to learn more about each of them, and contact me with any questions you may have.
Thank you for your sincere interest in our camps, and for taking the time to learn more about myself and our staff.
Sincerely,
Meet Our Team
Amber Freeman
Amber Freeman began her horsemanship journey at age 13 in Titusville, Florida. She first worked at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge in 2013, where she learned "the ropes" of our Whole Horsemanship riding and training techniques. She worked as a trainer and trail guide for Cross G ranch for 2 years, then ventured to Montana, where she became a Certified Trail Guide For Diamond P Ranch in West Yellowstone. Amber returned to our ranch in February 2018, where she has become an invaluable staff member, sharing her skills as a teacher, trainer, trail guide, and stable manager. Her love of children and young people, coupled with her fun-loving personality and her caring, insightful character make her a tremendous asset as an instructor for all levels of Western and beginner English riding, and as a counselor for our Whole Horsemanship Camps. She is also currently working toward a degree in Equine Science. 
Elizabeth Mendez
Elizabeth Mendez has attended the Horsemanship Camp for the past three years, and is excited to return this year as a counselor and assistant instructor. She has focused on Western riding and has mastered skills such as turning on the haunches and rollbacks, as well as trail riding, barrel racing, and straight-aways. She is now pursuing a degree in equine Science at Colorado State University and is looking forward to a career working with horses after graduating. She can’t wait to see the returning campers and to meet all the new arrivals, too! |
Olivia Samsel
Native Banderan, Olivia Samsel's horsemanship experience spans a broad range of skills and disciplines, from assisting cutting trainers and roping instructors to working at Triple H Equitherapy in Pipe Creek, Texas, where she taught disabled adults and children, veterans, and at-risk youth basic horsemanship skills, from the ground through beginner riding. Since becoming a staff member at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge in October of 2018, she has guided all levels of trail rides, taught beginner and intermediate lessons in Western Riding, assisted in advanced lessons, and has shown great intuitive skill as a hunter/ jumper rider. She also takes part in the daily care of the horses, and the maintenance of an efficient and safe stable operation. Olivia will be a counselor, and will be teaching beginner and intermediate Western classes. 
Dianne Lindig Lovett
Dianne Lindig Lovett, Camp Director and Head Instructor. My horsemanship skill and experience draws information from many different sources, presenters, and disciplines. I have shown and trained horses in both Western and English disciplines, including Western Horsemanship, Reining, Western Riding, and Trail, Dressage, Hunter-Jumper and Eventing. Drawing on my diverse horsemanship background and my 6 years of experience as a certified personal trainer, I developed the Whole Horsemanship method of riding, teaching, and training in 1999. In 2006 I was a featured speaker at the Alberta Horse Owners and Breeder Conference, and in 2009, I was named Outstanding teacher of the Year by readers of Horseback Magazine. I was Captain of HCEL's Team Girl Power, Dude Ranch Rodeo Champions 5 out of 8 years, from 2009-16. I ride, train, and teach at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge year-round. I have been the Director and Head Instructor of our girls' Whole Horsemanship Camps since 2009, and I will be teaching advanced classes in all Western and English disciplines for our 2019 Summer Camps. |
Sara Pearson
When Sara Pearson was 10 years old, her family purchased her first horse, Blaze. For Sara, the many hours of riding, brushing, and caring for Blaze that followed developed into a passion for horses that has continued to this day. Meanwhile, Sara's love for children lead her to undertake college-level study in Child Development and Child Psychology, and to teach classes in Pre-School through 3rd Grade levels. Since beginning her work at Hill Country Equestrian Lodge, she has received extensive training in our Whole Horsemanship techniques, and has continued to develop her riding and training skills. The combination of her passion for children and horses has made her a uniquely valuable member of our staff. As a trail guide and co-instructor, she has made the most timid riders feel safe and confident, and has cheerfully kept developmentally challenged riders engaged and happy. Her patience and nurturing nature will be a great asset to our camps this Summer! She will be assisting all levels of Western and English instruction and will also be a counselor. 
Emily Garrett
Emily Garrett has attended Whole Horsemanship camps as either a camper or a counselor and assistant instructor since 2015. She is an accomplished hunter-jumper rider and competitor, as well as an actress and vocalist. Her bright personality and open, nurturing spirit add immensely to the energy and character of our camps. She will be returning to co-instruct beginner Western and all levels of English instruction, and will be a counselor as well this year. |
