Jill Poe Started riding when she was seven years old. Even then she had a tactful connection with horses; a true appreciation for distinct personalities and talents. By the time she was fifteen years old she was teaching and received a junior instructors certificate from the Camp Horsemanship Association. Destined to be a teacher, she read and studied independently as much about horsemanship, riding, stable management and care as possible. Upon graduation from high school Jill was accepted into Morven Park International Equestrian Institute’s Instructor program.

Located in Leesburg, Virginia; Morven Park at that time was designed to train Equestrian instructors on a world class level. Since the United States of America no longer had a national equestrian center connected with the Military such as those that exist in Europe, the board of directors of the United States Equestrian Teams started Morven Park to fill the gap. As noted in the book, Great Riding Schools of the World by Dorian Williams “students accepted into the instructors program at Morven Park had to have achieved at least the B Pony Club level”. Jill was not part of the Pony Club, but her junior instructors certificate, and riding abilities were more than enough to qualify her for the program.

Upon completion of Morven Park Jill began to manage farms up and down the east coast choosing positions ensuring her continued education of all aspects of the equestrian world. She has been and active member of the Keswick Hunt in Virginia, Middletown New Market Hunt in Maryland, and Goldens Bridge Hunt in New York; As well as an honorary guest of the Wye River Hounds and Wicomico Hunt in Maryland. She has always been an avid student of dressage studying with students of Carl Mikolka and Michael Poullen . Additionally, Jill holds a Bachelors Degree in Philosophy and two professional degrees from Cornell University in Equine Nutrition and Early Care and Health Management of the Young Horse where she was mentored by Dr. Harold Hintz.

It was her time spent with Dominique Barbier that has influenced her riding and teaching experience the most. After experiencing the real difference that a classical approach to both position and horsemanship makes, she has embraced all things classical in horsemanship and continues to pursue and perpetuate the classical tradition of equestrian art.

A member of Sylvia Locke’s Classical Riding Club and an Instructor listed with the Classical Riding Club Jill chooses to teach and promote the values and traditions of Classical Riding Excellence in her own Club. All you have to do to join is to become a student and embrace the classical principles set forth over the ages and listed by Sylvia Locke as part of the Classical Riding Club.