Staci Hill Equine Training and Rehabilitation

How Staci’s privileges were earned throughout her time at Millar Brooke Farm

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Staci started out strictly as a groom for Ian with no riding privileges. Over time Ian rewarded Staci’s incredible work ethic and drive with the privilege of working with an Amateur Jumper that was in need of physio-therapy and rehabilitation both on the ground and under saddle.  Ian saw the dedication and results of Staci’s efforts when this AA Jumper went back into the competition ring with her owner.

When Ian’s daughter, Amy Miller, went off to college, Ian granted Staci the opportunity to ride/work Manhattan, Amy’s Grand Prix gelding, on a daily basis.  This then grew into more and more rides and opportunities.

One day Ian called Staci into the arena in which he was riding his great mount Big Ben.  Upon Staci’s arrival to the arena Ian rode Ben to the mounting block, dismounted, and to Staci’s great shock, Ian told her to get on.  Staci got on Ben and Ian instructed her to walk Ben for 20 minutes.  That was the last time that Ian was to ride Big Ben.  From that day forward, Staci rode Ben for his daily workout and over the next five years Staci and Big Ben developed an unbreakable bond.

Staci Hill riding Big Ben in 1995.  Photo autographed by Ian Miller to Staci’s mom Bev.

(Staci was published in The Chronicle in 2005 for an article she wrote in tribute to Big Ben and then that article was later published in a book of short horse stories titled “An Apple a Day”.)

In the beginning of Staci’s employment with Millar Brooke she spent a majority of her time heavily touring North America with Ian’s team of show grooms.  As Staci’s riding duties expanded, her time on the road quickly reduced and a majority of her time was spent at the farm working with the string of horses that were resting/working at home while the other string was out on the road.  During this time Staci had the distinct honor to work and ride some of the best horse in the history of Show Jumping.  Horses such as Olympic mounts Mont Cenis and Play It Again.  She also rode many other Grand Prix mounts such as Ivar, Future Vision, Roulette, My Girl, Aftershock, Life Guard, and many many more.

As an added bonus, Staci not only received top notch schooling and instruction from both Ian and his wife Lynn, Staci also got to participate in regular schooling sessions with the company of other great riders such as Canadian Olympic rider Jill Henselwood and Canadian World Show Jumping Champion Gail Greenough.  Staci was allowed to school horses from starting the youngsters to working the Grand Prix horses. Staci also earned the privilege of showing some of the lower level horses for the Millars.

After an unfortunate riding accident in the show arena with Ian and his mount Lonesome Dove, Dove received a career ending injury that was extensive enough that the attending veterinarians wanted to euthanize her.  With Ian’s love for this mare and knowing that she could overcome this injury, Ian brought her home to Millar Brooke and turned her rehabilitation over to Staci.  There were no expectations for Dove’s recovery and the vets did not believe she would ever become weight bearing on that leg again.

With a daily vigilance to this mare, Staci’s efforts combined with Ian and Lynn’s guidance over the next year, Dove was able to do the unthinkable.  Dove not only made it back to the state of soundness…Staci got Dove back into the jumping/competition arena.  During this process Staci gained an extensive working knowledge of such alopathic therapies as lazer therapies, acupressure therapies, hydro-therapies, thumper therapies, massage therapies, etc.

The winter before Staci’s departure from Millar Brooke, Staci was sent along with Ian’s horses over to Jill Henselwood’s, Juniper Farms in Oxford Mills, Canada and she spent a few months working not only with Ian’s horses but she also got to work with some of Jill’s clientele as well as other such notables as Sandi Patterson (Ben’s original groom) and Jill’s wonderful string of horses.  Staci was allowed to teach and train a select number of clients along with her daily grooming duties while Jill and Sandi went to horse shows.  It was a wonderful experience to gain insight from other world class caliber trainers and their ever so important grooms.

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Staci’s journey continued after Millar Brooke Farm. 

Read here to see how she spent 17 years (to include the 10 years at MBF) touring North America in pursuit of figuring out where she really wanted to open her own business.

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After leaving Canada and returning to the United States, Staci spent two years building her own business in the Mid-west.  She toured the Mid-west and East Coast with reasonable success however after being away from her family for so many years Staci decided to move back to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to her family.

In 2006 Staci created her business Prestige Hunters and Jumpers in Enumclaw, WA.  Staci had great success with her business to include teaching clients, working with all levels of horses from rescue horses to Grand Prix horses, rehabilitation horses, and buying and selling horses for clients.  She had successful track record in the smaller show arenas around Washington. Staci had an even bigger track record with helping horses that needed all different levels of rehabilitation.

In 2008 Staci came to the conclusion that if she wanted to reach her goal of competing in the international show arenas under her own name she needed to place her business where the international caliber shows and riders are.  So with that decision Staci disbanded Prestige Hunters, and helped place all her clients with appropriate trainers in the area, before moving herself and her horses to California.

Now located in Santa Ynez, CA Staci has found her niche and since October 2010 has started building her new business Staci Hill Equine Training and Rehabilitation (SHETAR).  With beautiful weather year round Staci has situated herself in the best place possible to guarantee the level of success she has set for herself to obtain.

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How and when and why did Staci start pursuing Intergrative Therapies?

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Upon meeting her now friend and mentor Cindy Rackley in 2007, Staci was introduced to the world of integrative therapies and vibrational medicines.  Staci studied intensely and learned and practiced on a daily basis by applying these techniques not only to her horses, but to herself that allowed her some much needed physical healing after years of bodily neglect.

As her knowledge and skill grew, Staci started applying these methods to her personal horses as well as her client horses.  In doing so she noticed a huge leap in her horses well-being, attitudes, and overall health. Staci also noticed a drop in her clients bills when it came to the areas of vet care and supplements due to the fact that the horses were so much happier and healthier they didn’t require so much assistance in these areas.

Staci now uses these practices daily/as needed to help maintain a happy and healthy balance for all of her and her clients horses.  She continues to expand her knowledge on the various different types of Integrative Therapies offered.

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