Mountain Thyme Training

16/07/2025

Since my first time competing at Lorenzo 21 years as a junior, I’ve been at the same place, the third weekend in July. This year will be no different.

On Friday, I will be driving Savannah and King in the combined test. On Saturday and Sunday, I will be driving Peter in the utility division. I also have a few clients and friends competing.

Come out and enjoy the show. Come say hi if you do!!

July 18–20, 2025 | Lorenzo State Historic Site, Cazenovia, NYGet ready for a timeless celebration of equestrian tradition, community spirit, and historic elegance. The annual Lorenzo Driving Competition (LDC) returns to the breathtaking grounds of the Lorenzo State Historic Site, bringing with it ...

01/07/2025

🌟NOW ACCEPTING TRAINING HORSES! 🌟

Mountain Thyme Training, located at Freshwind Farm in the rolling hills on Madison County, NY is currently accepting horses for training. Our first opening will be first week in July, others will be August 1.

Jillian specializes in combined driving and pleasure driving singles, pairs and tandems with any sized equine. Her focus is on safety and building solid foundational development with both horse and driver.

With extensive experience spanning over 20 years and notable achievements in competitions along the East coast, Jillian holds the distinction of being the sole professional driving trainer in New York State to have earned her bronze medal through the American Driving Society Driven Dressage awards (and is one score away from earning her silver). In addition to her extensive accolades, Jillian is the 2025 ADS North American Prelimary Single Pony Champion.

Please reach out with any questions or to book your horses training spot before our spots fill up! PLEASE NOTE- Facebook does not always alert me to messages. Please email me at [email protected] or call/text 315-440-2561.

30/06/2025

I’m a proud trainer and coach after yesterday’s combined test and pleasure driving show at the Caernarvon Horse Park in Barneveld, NY.

Debbie and Toby had an exceptional show, earning first place in dressage and claiming the championship in the combined test. They also got first place in working pleasure reinsmanship, along with fourth place in both timed obstacles and special obstacles. Their hard work earned them Reserve Champion in the open horse/pony division.

Cindy and Sunny also delivered a commendable performance in their first appearance in the open division. They placed fourth in dressage, sixth in the combined test, second in working pleasure, third in reinsmanship, fifth in timed obstacles, and third in special obstacles.

Savannah (owned by Terri S) and I finished third in dressage and fourth in the combined test. This was only Savannah’s second show and she impressed me with her confidence and cadence… even if we did go bowling in cones 😅

I was also fortunate enough to show Jake (owned by Bonnie M) in his first combined test, placing sixth in dressage and fifth overall. Jake has little showing experience and really gave me his all!

In the afternoon, I drove Peter (owned by Lindsay S) in the open division for Peter’s show debut! We finished fourth in both working pleasure and reinsmanship, and earning second place in both timed and special obstacle phases. He was certainly a fan favorite with that mustache of his.

Honorable mention to both Iggy & Minute and Rebecca and Jilly, who ironically have very similarly colored mini’s. You’ve been working so hard with your ponies and you both held your own in a big division!

Thank you to show staff and volunteers for doing such a great job running the show. To all my clients who trusted me to work with and show your ponies- thank you. To Jason, my pit crew and groom- I couldn’t have done it without you ❤️

30/06/2025

Training spot opening August 1. Accepting deposits to hold your spot for your horses training.

We will have a RARE stall opening August 1st! Please message us!

17/06/2025

So many booties… just a view from my office! 😉

11/06/2025

What a weekend at the Elk Creek combined test and driving trial- which also happened to be Kings intermediate debut!

Friday’s CT was a great first day. We had a 49.89 in dressage, one ball down and came in just over time in cones. We were the only one in our division, but that’s okay. It provided a great opportunity to set a base line and King decided to raise the bar 😉

Saturdays dressage was a bit of a different story…. King and I werent on the same page, which resulted in me getting distracted and having not one but two errors in my test. In between the errors, a certain pony got his tongue over the bit. I was frankly mortified and thanked the judges for their patience while I got back on track. After penalties, we had a 61.80 in dressage and one ball and some time penalties in cones. The marathon on Sunday was a big improvement with only a few moments where King and I disagreed on the routes. We won three obstacles and were second in three others out of all the intermediate/hybrid drivers. We earned the best overall intermediate score in the driving trial of just a few competitirs. But it’s not aboit the ribbons, it’s about working towards doing better the next time.

There were a lot of moments of learning and growth - I’m so happy King stuck with me even when I was pretty certain there was no coming back 🤣😩🙃. I had a lot of amazing words of wisdom and support sent my way to help me remember this was a big step for the team. I’m really proud of my stinky pony and so proud and grateful for my groom, Jason, for keeping us going the past few days. He always made sure my carriages were sparkling (10’s in presentation!) and kept the dirty side down on the marathon.

We have lots of homework and good things to work towards before the next show. Onward and upward!

Ps thanks to the amazing organizers, officials, volunteers, support staff at Elk Creek Combined Driving Event for making this event possible!

30/05/2025

Looking for your next drive and ride equine partner? Look no further than sweet boy Bodie, who is at Freshwind Farm LLC and available for test drives and rides.

Bodie was started by Raymund Helmuth and spent last summer with Jeffrey Kohler for finishing work. After having the winter off, hes back with me to continue his education and dust off the winter fuzzies.

Bodie is an honest and willing horse who is ready to find his people!

Visit for more details, photos and videos please visit- http://www.relhok.ca/bodie.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6Hz6F77G7K19hsD1SbM-S9XMWLyRm4VnydDVlUG1vwnQSDPEsC57qjl9iHTA_aem_4Xc01YGjoNOnVJVwFNLLkg

Bodie ​ 2018 Morgan Cross Gelding | 151 cm | Black Looking for your next driving partner with show potential? Meet Bodie – a stunning 2018 Morgan Cross gelding standing at 151 cm. Ride &...

20/05/2025

It’s been a great spring for practicing puddles 😉 but, all in all we can’t complain too much.

I have a few open lesson spots here and there, and am booking into summer/fall for training. Never too late to get ready for show season!

As always, PEMF services are available for you or your critters. Have any chronic pain issues? Let me show you how PEMF can help!

11/04/2025

For real ❤️

Courage is who you are when it's inconvenient. When no one is watching. When the rewards are uncertain. When the outcomes are unpredictable.

Courage is defined at the testing point.

Grab some courage and live your truth!

07/04/2025

Shoutout to this amazing lady who joined us at Southern Pines CT and CDE at the Carolina Horse Park in North Carolina this past weekend. This was her first CDE and just her second CT. Jessica drove her mini, Mitch, in the training single VSE division. If driving 11 hours to your first CDE isnt commitment, i dont know what is.

They placed first in the CT with a lovely round in cones and a respectable dressage test with lots of learning opportunities.

Fridays dressage went very well and Jessica applied what she needed to differently to earn an even better score, placing second in dressage. They rocked their first cross country course, completing all gates and obstacles with no penalties. With some patient persistence, Jessica got Mitch to go through the water! Mitch had to take a quick drink first 😉

Cones on Sunday was a long course for such little legs, but Mitch persevered through the afternoon sun and Jessica drove well, no balls down, but a few time penalties. This placed her second overall in her division.