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.

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.

Rebecca Cord

Trainer
Rebecca moved to the east coast from the Midwest in 1998. She earned her instructors certification through the American Riding Instructors Association and competed through FEI Young Riders. Before coming to Hilltop in 2009, Rebecca owned her own training and sales business in Malvern, PA. During those years, she earned her USDF bronze medal and graduated the USDF L Program. In 2007, she won the BLM Regional Championship on Janet Rubino's Sombrero as well as the USDF All-Breeds Award at First Level.

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. NTC 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 enjoys the variety of tasks she does and says she has one of the best views of Hilltop Farm from her upstairs office.

Brittany Callahan

Intern
Brittany is a student at Cazenovia College majoring in Equine Business Management currently interning at Hilltop Farm to complete her degree.  Brittany is from Wrightsville, Pa.  She has been riding, as well as being involved in her families Thoroughbred Racing business for about thirteen years. 

Sarah Waters

Groom
Sarah graduated Lake Erie College in Dec ’06 with a major in Equine Stud Management and Biology, and has been working as a groom at Hilltop since November 2007. She enjoys eventing her horses at Training Level.

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 care

Mary Hufnagel

Stable Floor Supervisor
Moving from Ann Arbor, MI, Mary joined the Hilltop team in 2008. She has been an avid horsewomen for over 21 years and has been a working student at Phyllis Dawson’s event barn.

Samantha Schraml

Stable Floor
Earning a bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from University of Maryland in May ‘09, Sam joined the Hilltop Team a month after graduation. Sam comes from a hunter/jumper background and has been riding for over 12 years.

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.

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.

Megan Fischer

Director of Raising Services
Megan has been enamored with horses since a young age and turned horses into her career right out of high school. She worked at Oldenburg Farm for over 8 years, gaining extensive experience in all aspects of running a breeding farm. Megan managed the Elite Hanoverian stallion Regazzoni and directly cared for all the broodmares and youngstock.

Jose Avila

Field Assistant
Jose joined Team Hilltop in 2000. He has a special fondness for the broodmares and enjoys caring for the horses in the fields. Jose also helps out the Grounds and Maintenance Team.

Corey MacGuinness

Field Assistant
Joining the Hilltop team in 2007, Corey helps care for the broodmares and youngsters. Corey says: "Working with the young horses is a great opportunity for me.  It really gives me a chance to explore the world of professional handling.  I also enjoy the time spent outside and in the fields.”

Kelly Talley

Field 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.

Megan Phelps

Intern
Megan was a student at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and currently interning at Hilltop to finish her equine science degree. She’s from Chicago, IL and learned to ride four years ago on the SIU intercollegiate team. She hopes to one day be a thoroughbred bloodstock agent.

Hope Barker

Intern
Hope is just out of high school and from eastern Montana. She has been riding for 11 years and plans on turning her passion into her career. She will be attending Rocky Mountain College in the fall to pursue multiple degrees in equine studies. She would eventually like to end up training hunters and jumpers somewhere along the east coast.

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.

Linda Hunter

Gardner / Maintenance
Previously working as a stone mason and woodworker for Tiffany Store NYC, Linda brings a wide variety of skills to the Hilltop Team. She also enjoys a variety of hobbies including windsurfing, skiing, and scuba diving.

Francisca Avila

Gardner/Maintenance
Francisca can be found working diligently in flower beds, mowing, or painting. She and her husband Jose reside at the farm and enjoy visiting family every year in February.

Josh Dear

Stable Maintenance
Currently a sophomore at Cecil County Community College, Josh splits his time between helping the stable floor and up keeping the facility. Josh plans to continue his Bachelor degree in Law Enforcement and start attending the Police Academy in Fall '09.