Born in England, Gillian grew up in an equestrian household. Her grandfather was a trainer and breeder of National Hunt horses, and her father was a show jumper and point-to-point rider, who also became a National Hunt Trainer. Her mother shared this deep love for horses and actively supported Gillian’s passion, even overcoming her fear of towing the horse trailer to take her to shows! Growing up, Gillian was active in Pony Club and competed in dressage, show jumping and eventing. She spent her school holidays working at her grandfather’s racing stables and at a very early age (9) was allowed to exercise certain racehorses –a task at which she passionately proved her talents.

In 1982, Gillian moved to Bermuda where she met her husband Francis. There, she competed in local hunter/jumper and dressage shows and organized clinics for horse owners. In January 1997, she and Francis purchased Pine Knoll Farm in Kentucky, and in 2001, founded the Four Harmony Foundation.

In September 2007, Pine Knoll Farm and Four Harmony Foundation moved to their new premises, seven minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park.

Gillian is very excited about the new farm. And, after years of market research in the equestrian educational and health care fields, she is now able to implement her knowledge and expertise, and merge them with the Farm and Foundation’s “Mission” and “Vision”.

A primary part of the Four Harmony Foundation’s Vision is Integrative Health Care for both the horse and rider. The holistic concepts and evidence based medicine and therapies for the program have been developed with the assistance of Dr. Judith M. Shoemaker, a dear friend and teacher, with whom Gillian has collaborated for more than 15 years. The exceptional quality and consistency of her beloved animals’ health and athletic function is a testimony to the effectiveness of this advanced health care.

She is having a fabulous time riding her home bred stallion “Gold Charm” (stable name Shane), under the guidance and regular tutelage of Gil Merrick, resident trainer, and clinician Tom Poulin. All the horses at Pine Knoll Farm were started by Bruce Anderson, and Gillian feels very fortunate to have spent the last 10 years working horses with his guidance.

Gillian’s MISSION - To support an inspirational environment for growth and education. My passion is “connecting people and horses” allowing a place for the equine-human connection to flourish.

Gillian’s VISION - Facilitating a network of teachers, horse care professionals, trainers, clinicians and lay-people by providing educational horsemanship programs, cultivating awareness, and fostering the art of horsemanship and riding.

Probably the person who has been my greatest teacher is Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM – thank you for opening my eyes to SOOO MUCH! You are forever learning and inspiring….thank you.

Gillian with Special & Phoenix - two patients rehabilitated through the support of the Four Harmony Foundation's Rehabilitation Program.	The vision of the Foundation is a combination of centers whose collective mission is to provide state-of-the-art facilities and educational programs to enhance the health and performance of equine and human participants.
See <www.4harmonyfoundation.com>

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