Tell me about Holly Hepp....

[*JumpIt*]

Holly Hepp is going to be a new trainer at the farm I board at and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with her.

Does she seem the type to take a hunt seat rider and teach the basics of of dressage, or is she only into working with high level eventers?

[Eventfan4LIFE]

I've only met Holly a couple of times but have a good friend who rode briefly with her.
She's very tough and kind of a yeller. So if you don't mind that...
The thing that made my friend leave, unfortunately, is that Holly made some unkind comments about another student's riding ability and her RACE. She is not bashful about expressing her bigoted views and I don't think anyone on this board who knows her would dispute that.
Not the type of person I want to train with.

[showmom4u]

I have known Holly for a few years now and am rather shocked at those comments as that is not the Holly I know. My daughter/friends have trained with her and really enjoy working with her. She has always been very polite, encouraging, patient and a pleasure to be around.

[klc]

I first met Holly when she coached my 12 year old daughter at the AEC's when our trainer was unable to get therein 2006. She was extremely kind and polite. She took a lot of time to walk the xc course explaining how each jump should be approached. I watched her in the warm ups for xc and stadium with her own students, and never witnessed any kind of bad behaviour from her. It really surprises me to hear someone say she was bigoted. Please give her a try and form your own opinion of her.

[LisaB]

She's been around here for years and has been nothing but professional and courteous. I've seen her do some very good horsemanship decisions.

[LAZ]

Holly is very thorough and expects a lot of effort from her students. If you're willing to work hard you'll do well with her and learn a lot.

Re: the racist remark, I was associated with Holly regularly in the 3 years I ran the Area VIII YR program and I never heard any remarks of any kind, either in public or when we out socially. I'm very surprised to hear that, and not all that inclined to give it any credence.

[WakeRider]

hey Corey!

I'm in Winston, and i'll be trailering up there regularly with my horses to take lessons from her. My good friend is her right hand, and has worked with really BNT and says that Holly is by far the best. Yes, BNT are difficult to deal with.. i mean who isn't when you have accomplished that much?? but all in all i've found Holly to be quite pleasant and REALLY good at her job.

See you there!

[InVA]

I've only met Holly a couple of times but have a good friend who rode briefly with her.
She's very tough and kind of a yeller. So if you don't mind that...
The thing that made my friend leave, unfortunately, is that Holly made some unkind comments about another student's riding ability and her RACE. She is not bashful about expressing her bigoted views and I don't think anyone on this board who knows her would dispute that.
Not the type of person I want to train with.

BULLSH%T.
I've known holly for years and groomed for her and trained with her. if she made any comments they were taken the wrong way. I am sure she was only making a joke . she is not a bigot. what a shi#ty thing to say!

[*JumpIt*]

Does she seem the type to take a hunt seat rider and teach the basics of of dressage, or is she only into working with high level eventers?

:)

[eventingfan]

I have known Holly since 2005, my daughter trained with her for NAYRC. She was great to work with, a very effective trainer. She gave my daughter some advice she still uses to this day. We have also been around Holly during a very difficult time for us and she was generous and kind. I would expect having Holly as your resident trainer to be a great advantage and pleasure.

[roki143]

I'm very exciting about her coming to the area and am looking forward to trailering over for her to yell at me :D Lord knows, somebody needs to!

[finneventer]

You have a PM! :)

[cevent]

I've only met Holly a couple of times but have a good friend who rode briefly with her.
She's very tough and kind of a yeller. So if you don't mind that...
The thing that made my friend leave, unfortunately, is that Holly made some unkind comments about another student's riding ability and her RACE. She is not bashful about expressing her bigoted views and I don't think anyone on this board who knows her would dispute that.
Not the type of person I want to train with.

:eek::no: Yikes! Do you think maybe that could have been sent in a PM? I know everyone has their own opinion and whatnot, but sheesh!

Corey91- I don't personally know Holly, but have seen her around at some events and she seems like a very nice person. If I was you, I'd give her a try since she'll be at the farm where you board.

[Eventfan4LIFE]

BULLSH%T.
I've known holly for years and groomed for her and trained with her. if she made any comments they were taken the wrong way. I am sure she was only making a joke . she is not a bigot. what a shi#ty thing to say!

Sorry to burst your bubble. There are at least three people on this board who know what I am talking about. Maybe she thought she was only "making a joke" but the person she offended didn't think it was so funny.

[pegasusmom]

My son has been training with Holly for three years. I have ONLY ever seen her act in a professional manner, she is a fabulous instructor, a consumate professional and singularly one of the best horsewomen I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I would and have trusted my son and his horse with her at any time and any place.

Burst my bubble sweetie?? Bring it on. My son rides at prelim/intermediate and I am hardly an armchair mom who merely writes checks. I see an awful lot of so-called professionals in my work and travels and she is head and shoulder above most of them.

And I'll sign MY name -

Dana Diemer
Director of Competitions
Carolina Horse Park

[Tuckertoo]

I've ridden with her, and I just can't imagine her saying that. She was very kind to me (a lowly BN rider) and was always very positive and encouraging. She never hesitated to say when she thought something was good. On the flip side, she never hesitated to tell me when she thought that I could improve something, but that's kind of what you want. And she was never in any way, shape, or form a "yeller". She was never mean. Sure, she kept after me to correct my mistakes. I guess you could call that tough, but I call it a good instructor. And she never made rude comments about my riding ability, though I was plenty rusty since I hadn't jumped in a while.

She also kept my horse's well-being in mind. In giving her a history of us, I told her about my horse's previous suspensory issue. She let me decide when I thought it was time to stop (he was still coming back into jumping work) and didn't push me to keep going. I really appreciated that.:yes:


Wow. What an easy way to hurt someone's reputation. It could have at least been a PM.

[Eventrgrl]

Sorry to burst your bubble. There are at least three people on this board who know what I am talking about. Maybe she thought she was only "making a joke" but the person she offended didn't think it was so funny.

I wont pretend to know Holly personally, but have met her at events and she is without a doubt nothing less than professional and kind.

I find it quite...interesting?... that you only post about UL riders, and ONLY to say something negative and inflamatory. I get the jabs at Laine and Amy...but this is just 100% uncalled for. Please think about the remarks you make before you ruin someone's good name.

[HiJumpGrrl]

Corey, I'm a lower-level rider, a convert from the hunters, and I had a lesson with her at adult camp at GMHA a couple years ago. That camp caters to the lower level adult rider. She was the consummate professional, and will work with what she has in front of her, regardless of level. She gives a lot of instruction, so if you are one that likes to hear only one thing at a time, be prepared. I very much enjoyed my lesson with her, and am thrilled that she's going to be so close now!

[J. Bewley]

She is not bashful about expressing her bigoted views and I don't think anyone on this board who knows her would dispute that.
Not the type of person I want to train with.[/QUOTE]

I rarely post here so maybe I don't qualify as being on this board but I know Holly and I dispute that.

Does she yell? Maybe to get a point across or to be heard. Maybe sometimes in frustration if a rider really isn't trying but never in a demeaning manner. Nor have I ever heard her express bigoted views. Other views, yes, but not bigoted ones.

I've ridden with her. My husband who hunts and does not event has ridden with her. Now, she may have HAD to yell at him because he's almost deaf. More importantly, we send young horses to Holly. These are youngsters we bred and raised and they don't go to just anybody. They've gone to Holly because she is great rider with a program I respect. You can see some of the results on our website.

Corey91 - I would suggest you take some lessons from her when she's settled in at your barn and make your own decision about Holly.

Regards,
Pat Bewley
www.catoctinsporthorses.com

[lecoeurtriste]

I've ridden with Holly for over 4 years, and am beside myself that she's moving further north (making my trailer drive almost 4 hours instead of 2)! Pegasusmom hit the nail on the head when she said that Holly is much more professional/compassionate/interested in her students than a majority of BNTs around here! I had one of the dirtiest stoppers on the east coast for the first 3 years I rode with her, and while she ENCOURAGED me to find a new horse, she never gave up on us and found ways for us to be safe and successful. I'm sure she'll be more than happy to work with you! Good luck!!

[piaffequeen]

I agree with everyone to make your own decision. Take lessons with her and don't listen to anyone else. I have heard nothing but good things about Holly. The person who badmouthed her may not have liked what she was told and has chosen to get back at her by saying those things. I have seen her at shows and she is very professional and polite.

Good luck~!:yes:

[Eventfan4LIFE]

For Gods sake people. I was simply replying to a post asking what people have heard about Holly Hepp. That is what I know about Holly Hepp from people I TRUST and BELIEVE. I stand by it and am confident others on this board know what I'm talking about.

[Evalee Hunter]

For Gods sake people. I was simply replying to a post asking what people have heard about Holly Hepp. That is what I know about Holly Hepp from people I TRUST and BELIEVE. I stand by it and am confident others on this board know what I'm talking about. (Emphasis added by Evalee Hunter.)

Eventfan4LIFE, are you saying that you have merely HEARD this ABOUT Holly Hepp - in other words, you were NOT THERE to PERSONALLY WITNESS her behavior. If so, you should not have posted. It is one thing to post something that you know FIRST HAND from personal experience. It is totally different to post something that is gossip or rumor. I believe gossip & rumor are prohibited here, in so far as possible.

[Eventfan4LIFE]

I saw her dispresect a good friend during a clinic...made a racial slur about my friend to another person who was standing with her. That was the day I met her (she did not know the friend in quesiton and I were acquainted). I was shocked to say the least that she felt so free about uttering such an awful thing aloud. Please don't jump all over me for saying the TRUTH. If you like Holly as a person and a trainer more power to you...my experience and others I know and trust would not agree.

[pegasusmom]

Oh please. Why on earth would you be the least bit surprised about the reaction to anything you have posted.

Would like to add that it's very very easy to hide behind a screen name to make comments such as you have made - and yet you seem surprised when people call you out for common courtesy. Grow up.

[FairWeather]

For Gods sake people. I was simply replying to a post asking what people have heard about Holly Hepp. That is what I know about Holly Hepp from people I TRUST and BELIEVE. I stand by it and am confident others on this board know what I'm talking about.

wow. So you are going online, anonymously, and potentially damaging a professionals reputation from something you heard second or third-hand?
Klassy!

[Moderator 1]

One person has posted about a their negative experience with this trainer. The specifics of the situation would be better addressed via PM; however, as many of the subsequent posts specifically address the statements made, we won't attempt to excise the references at this time.

That one negative opinion has been shared and specifics clarified, and there is no need to further elaborate on that situation from that perspective. Others are free to share their own, preferably first-hand experiences and feedback per the OP's query:

Holly Hepp is going to be a new trainer at the farm I board at and I was wondering if anyone had any experience with her.

Does she seem the type to take a hunt seat rider and teach the basics of of dressage, or is she only into working with high level eventers?

Thanks,
Mod 1

[LisaB]

Hey cevent,
Isn't eventfan4life your worst nightmare?;)

Forgot to add that I was close to this one stallion she rode before she got the ride. The owner was riding the horse and we always seemed to be in the same division so I got to know them. So I am familiar with the horse and she did really really well with him. Took him up a few levels and he looked excellent.

[Beam Me Up]

I took a couple lessons with her when she was in VA (5 yrs ago, maybe?) and really liked her. She was very straightforward, handled a group with varying abilities well. She didn't ride my horse but I do think having a trainer that is such a good rider is a plus.

I didn't think she was overly tough or upper-level oriented, though one thing I really liked about her (that others might not) is that she basically assumed that you could follow her instructions until proven otherwise. For example, she would tell you to do a bit of a shoulder in coming out of the turn, or to create a medium without a whole lot of explanation (unless you needed it, it wasn't "now, open your right rein and more your left leg back") which I thought kept it moving and focused.

I didn't get to know her personally at all, but will say that
- A professional would be crazy to make a comment like that in a clinic and think that would not deeply harm their career.
- If I thought I'd heard such a comment, whether directed at me or not, I'd spread the word too

[cevent]

Hey cevent,
Isn't eventfan4life your worst nightmare?;)

:lol: