Our Team
Regina Esterman, Ph.D
Owner / Manager
After earning an A.S. degree in Horse Science from The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in 2000, and a B.S. degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University, Regina came to Gainesville, Florida to pursue graduate work in Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. She completed a M.S. degree in Reproductive Physiology in 2006 and a Ph.D. degree in the Animal Molecular and Cellular Biology Program in 2010.
Regina began showing horses in 4-H and Pony Club in Ohio, taking entries to the Ohio State Fair twice. At Colorado State she was a member of the polo team and interned at Royal Vista Equine reproductive center. Upon coming to Florida, Regina embarked on her first farm venture, operating Shady Grove Farm, a small boarding and training facility.
Eclipse Sporthorses LLC was created to encompass the existing boarding and training services, offer greater leasing opportunities, and better promote the expanding sporthorse breeding program. Opened in 2011, Haile Equestrian has allowed Regina and Eclipse Sporthorses LLC to expand and serve a greater number of Gainesville clients. The farms grew again in 2017, with the opening of a third location in nearby Archer. Today, Regina and her husband, Mauricio, operate three farms in the Gainesville area that are home to around 100 horses.
Kylie Robertson
Riding Instructor
Kylie comes from a family of horsemen, raised around horses and barrel races. She started in leadline divisions and has always found horses fascinating. She has a bachelors degree from University of Florida in Animal Sciences with an Equine emphasis.
Kylie has experience riding and teaching in both english and western disciplines and loves helping riders of all ages and skills. She began working with hunter/jumpers in her senior year of high school. She currently competes in speed series, including barrel racing and pole bending in her free time. She spearheaded Haile Equestrian’s first group lessons dedicated to western speed events and it is a hit with the students!
Abigail Gibbons
Riding Instructor
Abigail grew up in Minnesota and began riding at the age of seven. After getting her first horse she began pursuing a career in eventing. She has competed through novice level eventing and has experience riding many different types of horses including challenging ones. Along with eventing she has competed in dressage and show jumping.
Abigail has her C2 eventing certification and HB national horse management through Pony Club. Pony Club values horsemanship, organized teamwork, respect, service, and education which she incorporates into her teaching style. Before starting college she worked in an Olympic level barn. She enjoys teaching all ages and levels. Abigail hopes to inspire all of her students to enjoy riding and progress to the level they desire.
Madison Sawyer
Riding Instructor
Madison began riding at the young age of four, beginning in western pleasure and participating in local 4-H shows. She then joined the United States Pony Club where she continued for almost a decade, including competing in their national championships in Lexington, Virginia. She has over 9 years of eventing, western pleasure, dressage and hunter/jumper experience. She has extensive teaching experience, specializing in beginners and novice riders. In addition to her riding and teaching experience, she has trained multiple green horses and advanced them into training level eventing. Madison is a great, well-rounded instructor for beginner to advanced riders.
Marissa Brandhuber
Riding Instructor
Marissa’s love of horses began as early as she can remember. She has been an equestrian for over 20 years and began her riding career with Full Partners Farm at the age of 5, where she was on the show circuit regularly. With Full Partners Farm, she took her first pony all the way to the State show in Tallahassee. She later joined 4-H where she had two mounts qualify for the Area-B State qualifier. She grew up competing in various disciplines from Western pleasure to Hunter/Jumper, Dressage and even Rodeo Games. Marissa has ridden with a diverse selection of instructors which has given her the foundation she uses to assist her in sharing her knowledge and love of horses with others.
Throughout her experiences Marissa has learned that riding is ultimately about the bond between horse & Rider. As Winston Churchill once said “No hour of life is lost, that is spent in the saddle”.
Anaïs Naoumoff
Riding Instructor
Anaïs grew up riding in Space Coast Florida. She began learning in the hunter/jumper rings, but switched to eventing with her thoroughbred. She has experience at Training Level, and has competed at AECs in Kentucky as a Junior Novice with a finish in the ribbons.
Now Anaïs is studying at the University of Florida to earn an Animal Science degree with a specialization in Equine. She values knowledge of equine physiology and emphasizes how this knowledge can help us become a better partner to our horses.
.
Feenix Hartell
Riding Instructor
Feenix began riding at the age of 5, showing competitively at 8 and now has over 15 years of experience with horses. She comes from a family of horsemen and grew up on a farm training, riding, showing, and instructing lessons. Feenix has experience with both western and english disciplines. In addition to being on the Illinois State University’s Equestrian team, she also spent time as the western coach.
Her teaching style emphasizes the importance of horsemanship and building a strong foundation. Feenix specializes in western and english pleasure, as well as pattern classes.
Kaylin Ditmars
Riding Instructor
Kaylin grew up in Illinois and has over 10 years of experience riding and competing in the Hunter/jumpers/english equitation. Especially in her young adult life, Kaylin has had experience with all sorts of horses and has recently started riding in the Reining and Western Ranch Riding in her free time.
Kaylin loves teaching students with any horse background, from new to more seasoned riders, believing all students should have a solid foundation, appreciation for horsemanship, and most of all have fun!
Katie Pontone
Riding Instructor
Katie has experience of over 15 years competing and developing horses on the A circuit. She has earned titles at all of the USEF National finals as well as trained clients to qualify in both the hunters and jumpers. Her training style focuses on the fundamentals of good flatwork and building rider strength to develop a solid position and body control that stays out of the horse’s way allowing for optimal performance in and out of the show ring.
