The AHJA offers the "Trainer's Directory" as a courtesy.
We do not accept responsibility for the claims and actions of the trainers listed. It is up to each individual person to research and locate the trainer and/or services that are appropriate for them.
Attention Trainers: If you wish to add any additional information, or make a correction to the information found on this page, please contact ahjashowsec@alabamahunterjumpers.com.
You may also ad a direct link to your farm's website for an additional charge. See the "Advertisements" page for further details.
White Horse Farm - Located in Vincent, AL PH: (205) 672-8085
Trainers - Matt & Barbara Grubbs, Gayle Cook, Amanda Baker
A family owned operation. All four family members are experienced in starting a horse from the very beginning to the "A" circuit level (depending on the horse). This also goes for our students. We prefer to give our students their first lesson and the last before they go to college, but we also accept anyone no matter where they are in their riding.
Matt Grubbs has always been our ground man on breaking young ones and an expert in loading and hauling. Gayle Cook takes the young horses and teaches them to walk, trot, canter and soon to jumping. Gayle is also showing on the A circuit and works with problem horses. Amanda Baker works with all of our horses but specializes in the ponies for our younger kids. Amanda is also an excellent instructor and will be setting up our camps for the summer of 2007. Amanda has just taken a teaching position with Jefferson Christian Academy and will now be free in the summers. Barbara Grubbs (who has been riding her whole life, and began teaching full time in 1986) really oversees everything and instructs the very beginnings of the riders all the way up. Gayle and Amanda both show horses and have remained under the instruction of their mother, Barbara.
We have been in operation since August of 1992.
The name White Horse Farm came from Revelation 19:11;
Rev 19:11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon, called Faithful and True; and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
White Horse Farm is really not owned by the Grubbs but by God himself.
Hillcrest Farm - Located in Albertville, AL PH: (256) 572-7422
Trainer - Jennifer Gilliland
Our style of training both the horse and rider is a result of
competitiveness, classical correctness, and safety. We teach with purpose,
understanding and discipline. Here at HillCrest Farm we teach with a very
classical style and include a strong foundation in dressage, where both
horse and rider discover what it means to be supple, rhythmical, and
balanced. We have an excellent facility complete with a lounge for our
customers to view other lessons or relax in between rides or just visit with
others. Stained and poly-urethane Tongue and Grove Pine make our stalls and bead-blasted stainless steel stall fronts and two wash stalls.
Our horses and riders are all on a very personal level with us and know that we are always available to help in anyway we can.
Windwood Farm - Located in Birmingham, AL PH: (205)296-0367
Trainer - Javier Mazzoni
Javier Mazzoni, from Argentina, is the trainer at Windwood. He has been an internationally recognized competitor and trainer since 1984. He has successfully competed at Grand Prix in Argentina, Holland, France, Italy, and the United States. He has trained under Carlos Delia (Olympic rider), Robert Tagle (Olympic rider), Nelson Pessoa (World Champion and Olympic rider), Henk Noren (Olympic rider and Chef de equipé for the Italian Team) as well as the Internationally known Dressage trainer Desire Lorent, former student of Nuòo Oliveira. Since coming to the United States, Javier has had the opportunity to compete at some of the most prestigious shows in the country including Lake Placid, the Vermont Summer Festival, and the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. He also has had the opportunity to work with the very successful hunter rider, Amanda Steege at Ashmeadow Farm in New Jersey. Javier Mazzoni is an accomplished rider and has gained a distinguished reputation riding show jumpers, a demanding sport which requires the highest levels of agility and equestrian skill.
Longview Farms - Located in Vandiver, AL PH: (205)672-2046;
(205)337-6856
Trainers - Dennis Murphy, Jr. and Kirstin Murphy
Longview Farms offers classical jumping training in a beautiful country setting. A 500 acre Hunter/Jumper facility, Longview is an ideal farm to learn to ride or to perfect your skills. We have a 44 stall barn, a large sand jumping arena, clubhouse, round pen, trails and turnout. We offer boarding and lessons from beginner to advanced, on your horse or ours. We show on a local and national level, start young horses and offer a variety of sale horses (green and show-seasoned).
Our training philosophy has been directly inherited from the great Bertelan de Nemethy, under whom Dennis Murphy, Sr. rode when he represented the United States on the Team. His accomplishments range from member of the winning Nation’s Cup Team in 1974, member of the 1976 Olympic Team, Pan Am Gold Medal winner, and breaking the world outdoor high jump record in 1980 (7’8”).
His son, Dennis Murphy, Jr., and daughter-in-law Kirstin Murphy continue this tradition of classical training and competitive excellence. They have trained several Grand Prix horses, nationally recognized hunters and winning students. Above all, they strive to make each horse and rider the best that they can be.
Blackjack Farms - Located in Trussville, AL PH: JMH (205)283-3082;
(205)956-8532
Trainers - J. Michael Halbleib and Ellen Bethea Blalock
Head Trainer - J. Michael Halbleib
Served as Vice President on the AHJA board for 5 years starting in 2002 and is the head trainer at Blackjack Farms since October of 2000. He trained with George Morris, Frank Madden, Bill Cooney, Anne Kursinski and Kathy Moore at Hunterdon, Inc from 1982 – 1988 during which he rode in the A/O hunter and jumper divisions through Open jumpers. While riding in the A/O divisions his successes ranged from Grand Champion Hunter at The Hampton Classic on ‘Pursenatcher’ in 1983 to Champion both at Devon and the Washington International in the A/O Jumper Divisions on ‘Maxim’ in 1984. He rode in his first Grand Prix and World Cup class aboard ‘Maxim’ in 1984 at the Hampton Classic. He continued to compete in the Open jumper divisions and Grand Prix through 1991 with success in Florida at the WEF, Los Angeles Hollywood Charity, the Gold Cup at Devon, WEF at Tampa, and the Arizona Desert Classic A to Z horse shows. In 1987 he lived and worked in Bern, Switzerland for world renowned horse trainer Gerhart Etter. Currently, J Michael rides, teaches, and trains students competing at the USEF / USHJA ‘A’ & ‘AA’ circuits in Ocala, Atlanta, Nashville, Gulfport, Conyers, Cleveland, TN and throughout the Alabama AHJA series. His students have won numerous AHJA Year End Awards and he received the AHJA Pat Hoyle Sportsmanship award in 2004. J Michael is an ‘R’ licensed USEF / USHJA judge in Hunters, Jumpers, and Hunt Seat Equitation and has worked for the USEF as a judge at the United States Olympic sports festivals in San Antonio, TX and St Louis, MO.
Assistant Trainer - Ellen Bethea Blalock
Is currently an AHJA board member and is the assistant trainer at Blackjack Farms. She is a graduate of Auburn University ’03. Ellen has competed successfully on the AHJA series circuit for the past 5 years and has won numerous Champion and Reserve Champion ribbons at USEF / USHJA ‘A’ shows such as Wills Park-Atlanta, Brownland-Nashville, Gulfport, Conyers, and Cleveland, TN.
Westminster Farms - Located in Northport, AL PH: (205)361-0640
Head Trainer - Andy Kocher
Offering lessons 7 days a week, full service to basic board, horse showing at the "A" rated level down to at home schooling shows. Only facility in Alabama to offer USEF rated horse shows.
