Team Hilltop

Jane MacElree

President/Owner
Jane's vision when Hilltop Farm was incorporated in 1991 was to have a world-recognized sporthorse breeding and training center. That vision is what shapes the direction of Team Hilltop still today. Jane will often be seen at horse shows and inspections cheering on her own horses, as well as those of our clients. Her enjoyment and pride in the success of each horse and rider is infectious.

Ann Hill

Jane's daughter
.Ann started riding at nine years of age. She became very active in the horse world joining Sunny Hills Pony Club in Delaware and becoming a C2 Pony clubber among her many other horse activities. Ann continues to ride and compete in hunters and jumpers..

Trainers

“It’s a pleasure to work for an owner who’s as generous and kind as Jane, and at one of the best private facilities in the country.”
~Chris Hickey

Christopher Hickey

Director of Training
In 2007, Chris Hickey joined Hilltop Farm as the Director of Training. It marked the start of a monumental year in which he was the Team & Individual Gold Medalist at the Pan-American Games, represented the US at the FEI World Championships for Young Horses, and won two US National Championships. Chris has trained many horses and students from their early careers through the Grand Prix level. Chris spends the winter competition season in Wellington, Florida and resides the rest of the year at Hilltop.

Michael Bragdell

Trainer
Originally from Sweden, Michael joined the Hilltop team in 1995. He is well known for his young horse services in handling and backing and has handled hundreds of horses in inspections and breed shows. In 2008, Michael captured his first USEF FEI Four-Year Old National Championship. He is a USDF Bronze and Silver Medalist and is a popular clinician for both handling and riding clinics.

Kayla Johnson

Trainer
Joining the Hilltop trainers in 2011, Kayla Johnson has worked with noteable professionals such as Gerd Zuther and Silke Rembacz. Valuable time working for Meg Williams and Oakwood Farms ignited her passion for developing young sporthorsees. Kayla's successfully prepared numerous mares for their MPT's and early show careers.

Administrative

"I enjoy the opportunity to combine my horse experience and computer skills at Hilltop's world class facility and love the family-like atmosphere."

~ Erin McCardell

Natalie DiBerardinis

General Manager & Breeding Manager
A broad background as a rider, instructor, sporthorse breeder, USEF Technical Delegate, and equestrian event manager has provided Natalie with the base needed to manage Hilltop’s general operations and breeding program. Her association with Hilltop Farm actually began in 1998 and her respect for Jane MacElree and the belief in Hilltop’s vision made it an easy choice to return in a new role in 2007.

Gayle Stike

Executive Secretary, Bookkeeper, & Webmaster
Gayle started her office career working first for the U.S. Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, MD and then the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground editing classified reports. After taking a break from the work force to become a full-time mom and raise her two sons, she joined the Hilltop Team in 1996. Gayle says she has one of the best views of Hilltop Farm from her upstairs office.

Brittany Callahan

Breeding Department Assistant
Brittany joined the Hilltop team after earning a Bachelor in Equine Business Management at Cazenovia College in 2011. With a diverse background in hunter/jumpers and Thoroughbred racehorses, Hilltop Farm is the perfect place to learn about a different aspect of the industry. In her spare time she enjoys riding and working on her family's Thoroughbred farm.

Erin McCardell

Office Manager & Photographer
Being involved with horses for more than twenty years, Erin joined Hilltop in 2007 to combine her many talents. In the past, she has worked as an NICU nurse at the New Bolton Center, a foaling attendant for Sylmar Farms, and a small business account manager for Bank of America. Erin also has an avid interest in photography and now does most of the photos of the horses here at Hilltop Farm.

Patsy Cress

Admin Assistant
Pat joined the Hilltop Team in 2010 after being retired from MD state service for 61/2 years. In her spare time she most enjoys riding her little Morgan, as well as caring for her menagerie of animals. Pat also enjoys being with her family, socializing with friends, playing bridge, knitting and reading.

Grooms

Kristen Blaikie

Groom
Kristen is originally from Long Island, NY and joined the Hilltop Team in Spring ‘10. She has been riding and showing for over 12 years in a variety of disciplines and has turned her passion into her career.

Christine Talbert

Groom
With a degree in Equine Facility Management from Lake Erie College in ’06, Christine has been involved in high performance dressage for over three years, including grooming for George Williams. Christine joined the Hilltop Team in March ’10 and enjoys training her own dutch warmblood gelding.

Jaimie Tausch

Groom
Joining Hilltop in August 2011, Jamie has worked in the dressage and eventing fields since she was 8 years old. An avid rider in her free time, Jamie earned her USDF bronze medal in 2006.

Main Barn

"It’s inspiring to be part of a team that is so passionate and dedicated to providing the most comprehensive horse care possible. Whether it’s bringing in a specialist or learning from your teammates, we always strive to enhance the Hilltop experience and provide the best horse care available.”

~ Holly Fisher

Clay Matson

Stable Floor Manager
Clay made a transcontinental move from CA with his family to join the Hilltop team in October 2011. He has over 20 years experience in the horse industry and has managed stables in a variety of different disciplines.

Holly Fisher

Horse Care & Event Coordinator
Holly arrived at Hilltop in 2008 upon completing her Bachelor’s degree in Equestrian Science and Communications at William Woods University. Holly enjoys riding in her free time and earned her USDF Bronze medal in 2008.

Etta Lofthouse

Stable Floor
Graduating from Cecil College with an associates degree in equine studies, Etta joined Hilltop in the fall 2010. She has a background in hunter/jumpers and has been riding for over 11 years on all kinds of horses. In her free time she loves to ride and show her Morgan horses.

Kirby Smith

Stable Floor
With a degree in Equine Science Management from Delaware Valley College, Kirby has been working in the sporthorse industry since she was a young girl. She enjoys working with horses from a variety of age groups and hopes to one day have a breeding farm of her own.

Katlyn McEvoy

Stable Floor
Katlyn graduated from Meredith Manor International Equestrian Center in Spring ‘08. Joining the Hilltop Team in Feb ’10, she helps stable floor in the mornings. She has worked with a variety of horses for 17 years and loves to train her young paint stallion in her spare time.

Ashley Eilers

Stable Floor
Aspiring to pursue a degree in equine science, Ashley joined the Hilltop team in the Summer of 2011. She graduated high school as a home school student in 2009 and has been active in the horse industry for ten years, previously working at a local hunter/jumper barn.

Molly Linton

Stable Floor
Molly joined Hilltop in the fall of 2011 as morning stable floor help and is pursuing a degree in Equine Dentistry from Cecil Community College. She has been an active 4-H member, participating in both the equine and dairy divisions.

Breeding Barn

Tony Swedlund

Stallion Handler
Involved in the equine industry for over thirty years, Tony moved from Colorado in Spring ’10 to join Hilltop as our stallion handler. With a broad background from managing several farms to handling stallions such as the well-known quarterhorse Impressive, we’re excited to have Tony join the Team.

Raising Department

Melissa Burke

Director of Raising Services
Melissa graduated from the University of Massachusetts with an Animal Science degree and has over 15 years of experience in the horse breeding industry. Originally from Maine, Melissa joined Hilltop in November 2011.

Sarah Waters

Raising Assistant
Sarah graduated Lake Erie College in Dec ’05 with a major in Equine Stud Management and Biology, and started working as a groom at Hilltop in November 2007 then moved to the Raising Department in the summer of 2011. She enjoys eventing her horses at Training Level.

Kelly Talley

Raising Assistant
Kelly Talley joined the Hilltop team in early 2010. Having been a horse owner and lover since she was a child, Kelly gave up her two horses five years ago to become a full-time mom. Feeling a void ever since, she is enjoying the chance to care for horses once again in an environment with others who share her passion. A lifelong resident of Cecil County, Kelly and her husband Jason have two children and reside in Conowingo.

Grounds and Maintenance

Bryan Harnish

Director of Grounds & Maintenance
Bryan joined the Hilltop Team in 1991 and has been maintaining the property ever since.. He keeps all the equipment running smoothly and sees that the grounds and buildings are kept beautiful for all to enjoy. Bryan is an avid hunter in his spare time.

Billy Jack

Stable Maintenance
Previously working for a vet for over 30 years, Billy has been with Hilltop since 2004. Billy is an irreplaceable part of the team and can be relied upon to fill in for any situation that may arise. His experience and background allow him to handle the stallions during collection, assist with foalings, repair machinery, and anything else you can imagine.

Tom Rogers

Grounds Maintenance
Graduating Rising Sun High in Spring ’09, Tom started out helping the stable floor in the mornings November 2008. He has moved into working more with the grounds team most of the day. Tom has a passion for fashion and hopes to create his own fashion design with a flair of equestrian style.

Ellen McCardell

Housekeeping
A mother of four and retired post office worker, Ellen joined Hilltop in June 2011 and helps out part-time making sure our offices stay clean - a never ending job at a farm! She enjoys oil painting and has also taken up knitting in her free time.