All for the love of the horse.
Head Trainer
Francine Gentile
Francine is a lifelong equestrian who started riding at the age of five. She competed in hunters and jumpers before starting her dressage studies as a teenager. Francine has trained horses up through the Grand Prix level, as well as coached many riders through international levels. She has a vast knowledge of the top sport of dressage, as she was the Dressage Director for the American Horse Show Association (AHSA). With the AHSA, Francine organized the 1998 World Cup Dressage Finals at the Washington International Horse Show, and was the assistant Chef d’Equipe for the US Vaulting Team at the 1998 World Equestrian games in Rome, Italy.
Francine competed her own Noble Baron in the international levels of dressage before leasing him to her student, an FEI Junior/Young Rider who took him to the National Championships and the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships (NAJYRC).
Francine also has extensive experience with para-dressage riders. She has loaned horses to several riders to compete at international competitions. Paralympian Kebbie Cannon qualified for the 2000 Sydney Games on Francine’s horse Cavalier.
Francine has been able to use her variety of connections to learn from some of the most experienced judges, trainers, and clinicians. Her mentors include: Linda Zang, Anne Gribbons, Jessica Ransehousen, Carol Lavell, Dottie Morkis, Lendon Gray, Juan Matute, and Walter Zettl, among others.
Francine regularly goes to Europe on horse shopping trips to locate appropriate horses for clients. Her student base is not limited to dressage, as she has a fond appreciation of all of the equestrian disciplines.
Francine can help you achieve whatever your aspirations are with your horse. She believes, first and foremost, in listening to the horse. Her training style not only requires the horse to learn the rider's aids, but also for the rider to understand the horse, which ultimately leads to top performance.
Early days
Francine and Noble Baron at Dressage at Devon
Sophistikate, owned by Francine, at Dressage at Devon
Training in Wellington, FL
Showing
At the World Equestrian Games