Qualifications

  • Grand Prix Rider and Trainer
  • USDF Gold, Silver & Bronze Medal Recipient (all scores earned on self-trained horses)
  • USDF Certified Instructor through 4th Level
  • USEF "r" Candidate (2019)
  • USDF “L” Program Graduate with Distinction (2015)
  • Goode Rider Ambassador
  • 2011-2012 – Instructor for Heilan International Equestrian Club in Shanghai, China.
  • 2008-2010 – Numerous wins at Training, 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Levels at the Global Dressage Festival in Wellington, Florida. Campaign horses included Pure Spanish Stallions for Hampton Green Farm, one of the top Pure Spanish Horse Breeding farms in the United States.
  • 2006 – Instructor for the Al Saifi Riding School owned by the Royal Family of Amman, Jordan.
  • 2004 – USDF All-Breeds Award Recipient: Prix St. George PRE/Andalusian Riding Rociero XV
  • 2003 – Reserve National Champion – American Trakehner Association 5 year old Futurity riding Midori (Leonidas x Abdullah)
  • 2001 – Region 7 – Ranked 10th overall – Young Rider Division
  • 1995 – 2003 – Apprenticeship with 2-time Olympian / 9-time Pan American Games rider, Hilda C. Gurney

Training with Ana Gilmour
As a Grand Prix trainer and competitor, Ana trains with a systematic approach, according to the German Training Scale. At the very bottom of the scale, mental relaxation and confidence in the rider are the two most important things a horse must possess in order for any training to take place. It is necessary for a rider to learn to control themselves and their own body before they can control the horse underneath them, so position, weight placement and seat flexibility and security are addressed with each rider. Ana works with each horse individually, creating a carefully tailored training program to fit specific needs in order to reach the full and uninhibited potential of each horse and/or rider.

Along with Ana’s 20 years of experience in the training and competition world, she also has a history steeped in commitment, having worked together and tirelessly with Olympians Hilda C. Gurney, Lendon Gray, Courtney King-Dye (USA), Juan Matute, Victor Alvarez, and Danielle Martin-Dockx (SPAIN), and Martin Schaudt (GERMANY). Throughout her career, Ana has maintained a steady aim for greatness, an aptitude for distinction, and an attention to detail that results in nothing less than the highest standard of training and performance in her riding as well as her instructing.

What is the German Training Scale?
Each component of the German Training Scale works together with one another and also independently in order to build a horse's trust & confidence, elasticity & flexibility (of the mind and body), the pushing & carrying power, as well as his lateral and longitudinal suppleness & balance.

The concepts of the scale are simple yet complex. Although in a sense, they do build one upon the other,  they are not executed simply like a stair case. These principles must work interdependently, like a vast elevator system built into the structure of a sky scraper. Elements can be applied interchangeably at the appropriate moments in training to increase the horse's understanding and his capacity for exercises and movements.

A thorough understanding of the of the German Training Scale takes many years of commitment and many horses to teach us "feel" along the way.