Hilda Donahue

Hilda Donahue grew up in Ireland, immersed in horses and equestrian culture. After college, she moved to the US, settling in Florida to be a working student for Olympic rider and US Eventing Team Selector Ann Sutton-Hardaway (now Ann Taylor). After her time with Ann, she returned to school and earned an MBA from Stetson University.

Hilda continued her riding career alongside her studies, and made her 5* debut in 2002 at the Kentucky Three Day event. Since then, Hilda has competed at some of the world's top 5* events, including Burghley, Pau, and Adelaide, and has also represented Ireland at the World Cup Final in Pau, France.

In addition to her career in eventing, Hilda has diversified her equestrian education by pursuing other horse sports as well. She has earned her silver medal from the USDF for dressage, so far competing through the FEI Intermediate level. As if being an international level rider in two sports wasn’t enough, Hilda is also an avid and accomplished endurance rider, qualifying two horses for the 2018 World Equestrian Games. Hilda has competed in some of the toughest endurance rides in the world, including the famous Tevis Cup and the Sheik Mohammad 100 mile ride in Dubai.

With her belief that horses always have something more to teach us, Hilda enjoys learning something new every day from the horses and riders she gets to work with. She delights in teaching anyone who wants to learn, no matter their level, and strives to help people connect with and learn from their horses in an encouraging and productive way. Hilda has been an Area 3 Young Rider camp trainer & NAYRC selector for 15 years, with an exemplary safety record. A popular clinician, coach, and trainer, she is currently based at her own Ashmore Equestrian Center in Orlando, Florida.