This week’s episode of the Practical Horseman Podcast, sponsored by Purina, is with leading hunter rider and top trainer, Geoffrey Hesslink. 

Geoffrey played many sports as a child and always had a love for animals, especially horses, but he doesn’t come from an equestrian family. An unfortunate accident that resulted in a broken arm became fortunate, though, when his doctors recommended horseback riding as rehab. Geoffrey calls that recommendation “destiny” because after just one riding lesson, he was hooked. 

Geoffrey spent his junior years as a working student and catch riding in all three rings. He excelled in the equitation, and his junior career culminated in victory at the 2014 USEF Talent Search Finals East. When he aged out, Geoffrey decided to forgo college to pursue his dreams in the equestrian industry. As he shares in this episode, Geoffrey knew he wanted to be a riding professional from a young age and always had a vision for his future.  

His dreams came true, and now Geoffrey owns and operates his business, Hesslink Williams, in Wellington, Florida, alongside his partner Brendan Williams. He is one of the leading hunter riders in the country and is a top trainer for juniors and amateurs in the hunters, jumpers and equitation. Some of his most recent accolades include being named 2023 Pennsylvania National Horse Show Leading Hunter Rider, winning the 2023 $100,000 WCHR Central Hunter Spectacular at Traverse City Spring and placing second at the 2023 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, both aboard Drumroll. And in 2022, he piloted Mon Tresor to the win in the prestigious $100,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. 

In this episode, Geoffrey gives tips for training young horses to success, shares his belief in open communication with his students, and speaks candidly about the challenges of making a name for himself in the hunter industry. 

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