Staff
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Francine Hammen
Trainer
Meet Francine Hammen, originally born and raised in Maryland’s horse country who started riding at the age of 10 with a trainer she is still in contact with today and which she very quickly decided horses would be her career; working hard to get where she is today.
Francine’s junior and young adult years were filled with traveling, showing, and doing anything that would allow her to be on the back of a horse. She galloped thoroughbreds, broke babies, and even competed in the Junior Equestrian Olympics. Because of her love and drive, she traveled riding for the great clinicians Ray Texel, George Morris, and James Wofford; surrounding herself from the beginning of her career with extremely driven, respected, and professional trainers/mentors which she has studied extensively and mimicked.
Throughout the years she has learned and mastered many aspects of training including the Hunter, Jumper, and Equitation disciplines as well as true horsemanship. Her love of breaking young horses and working through problems comes from her working with William (a.k.a. Billy) Santoro, who is regarded as a master trainer, rider, and jockey in Maryland. Francine worked under Billy and his ex-wife (respectfully) Jennifer White, for several years, riding any horse she could.
Francine’s love for Equitation comes from many influences including several months working under the infamous George Morris at his farm in Virginia and being able to work closely with Oldfields School’s head trainers, Grace Mullan and Bernie Villeneuve. She was asked to ride for Oldfields School’s Varsity Team even though she didn’t attend the school. Francine went on to show at Washington International several times and has fond memories of her 18th year doing the Junior Olympics in New York, placing silver.
Moving on, Francine trained under the incredible Rodney Bross for many years developing horses and showing. She owes a lot of her style and eye from this time in her riding career as she learned innumerable lessons as a professional. One name that also taught her invaluable patience was the extremely talented late Susan Sisco. For two years Francine rode alongside and with Mrs. Sisco at her farm in Pennsylvania. Susan is still known as a “Legend of Devon" for a reason garnering countless awards and recognition throughout the horse world and USEF for her contributions to this sport. Francine also spent several months in Canada and New York working for and learning from the Olympic Medalist Peter Leone and others which was a wonderful learning experience.
After many years of riding for well-known and respected names in the industry, Francine went on to develop her own training and sales program geared towards the great Thoroughbred as well as the ever-popular Warmblood; noting that her love of the Thoroughbred comes from her early influences in riding. Whether a Warmblood or Thoroughbred, she has been extremely successful finding the perfect match between horse and rider while owning her own equine sales facility which she was sought out to break, develop and train young horses for many other professionals.
Sadly, Francine suffered two life-threatening injuries from riding and was forced to take a small hiatus in her career but is thankfully back after full recoveries doing what she has a passion for.... the horse and rider.
Francine says she is the happiest when she pushes riders to achieve their outlined goals and accomplish what riders didn’t think they were capable of, whether it be at home, local shows, or the AA Level.
Francine is now relocating to Georgia with her daughter after living in Maryland, New York, and Florida. She is looking forward to creating a phenomenal team of horses and riders at Hillmar Farm.
Brittany Purcell
Academy Lesson Program Instructor and Assistant Trainer
With over 18 years of experience, Brittany Purcell started riding at the age of 12 at Falcon Ridge Stables in Woodstock Georgia under Trainer Sharon Enteen. Throughout high school, Brittany was given the opportunity to teach the beginner lessons at Falcon Ridge as well as learn the many ins-and-outs of a working show barn.
Upon graduating high school, Brittany attended Berry College where she rode on the Women’s Varsity Equestrian team from 2011-2013. She then transferred to Kennesaw State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in biology. After completion of her degree in 2017, Brittany became the Assistant Trainer at Three Bears Farm until 2018.
Brittany took a short hiatus from her equestrian career to work in her family’s business where she gained extensive administrative and corporate knowledge. Not being able to stay too far away from her true passion for horses, she served as the Rolling Hill Saddle Club Hunter Seat Chair during the 2022 show season and remains a board member to date. In the Fall of 2022, Brittany was offered the Assistant Coach position for Berry College Women’s IHSA & NCEA Equestrian teams and will continue to remain active in their program.
Brittany’s students inherit her dedication, respect and love for the horses and passion for the sport while building strong skills on and off the horse. Brittany can transform a beginner’s dream of riding, to reality focusing on the correct equitation, effective riding skills, and appropriate exercises for both horse and rider.
Brittany is married and is a mother to a young Thoroughbred, four dogs, a pussy cat and 5 chickens. Outside of the equine world, Brittany enjoys crafting, cooking, being with family and friends, and loves outdoor adventures.
Upon graduating high school, Brittany attended Berry College where she rode on the Women’s Varsity Equestrian team from 2011-2013. She then transferred to Kennesaw State University to pursue her bachelor’s degree in biology. After completion of her degree in 2017, Brittany became the Assistant Trainer at Three Bears Farm until 2018.
Brittany took a short hiatus from her equestrian career to work in her family’s business where she gained extensive administrative and corporate knowledge. Not being able to stay too far away from her true passion for horses, she served as the Rolling Hill Saddle Club Hunter Seat Chair during the 2022 show season and remains a board member to date. In the Fall of 2022, Brittany was offered the Assistant Coach position for Berry College Women’s IHSA & NCEA Equestrian teams and will continue to remain active in their program.
Brittany’s students inherit her dedication, respect and love for the horses and passion for the sport while building strong skills on and off the horse. Brittany can transform a beginner’s dream of riding, to reality focusing on the correct equitation, effective riding skills, and appropriate exercises for both horse and rider.
Brittany is married and is a mother to a young Thoroughbred, four dogs, a pussy cat and 5 chickens. Outside of the equine world, Brittany enjoys crafting, cooking, being with family and friends, and loves outdoor adventures.
Taylor Sherman
Rider
Taylor is an FEI Groom/Rider for USA Eventing Team Member Jenny Caras Roberts and Canadian Eventing Team Member Waylon Roberts. Hillmar is so grateful to Jenny and Waylon for sharing Taylor with us to assist with training rides.
At 23 years old Taylor has been riding for almost 20 of those. After graduating high school, she went straight to horses full-time knowing it was her life’s passion. Riding in both the hunter/jumper and eventing worlds, Taylor found eventing was her niche; riding and grooming for multiple upper-level eventers.
Her current position has taken her over-seas to Poland for the Nations Cup which she worked with the USA Eventing Team as well as traveling the FEI Eventing Circuit throughout the United States.
Do not let Taylor’s age fool you, the fearless ride that she puts on a horse is well beyond her years; her equine knowledge is so impressive as well as her work ethic.
Celeste Casale
Manager
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With over 53 years of equine experience and over 33 years in Corporate America, Celeste combined the two giving Hillmar Farm a unique strength. Growing up in Virginia, Celeste rode and worked as a student for equestrian legends. Her priority is to ensure that unsurpassed equine care is provided and the farm runs smoothly, while maintaining the owner's and trainer's vision. |
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Margaux Nodvin
Owner
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Margaux began riding at age 8, and developed a passion for horses, which has lasted more than 30 years. She had the good fortune to ride with a number of great trainers, who taught her not only how to ride, but also about the proper care and maintenance of horses. After learning about stable management under the tutelage of trainer Michael Allen, Margaux was fortunate enough to be able to purchase her own farm. Margaux has now owned and managed Hillmar Farm for 19 years. She continues to enrich her knowledge of horse care through seminars, literature, and through working closely with veterinarians and with horse nutritionists. The health and happiness of the horses is Margaux’s utmost concern, and is evident in the shining coats and the positive attitudes of the horses residing at Hillmar Farm.
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