Hazel Clinton and Janet Manley joined forces in 1998 with the vision of creating an environment to study, teach and explore every aspect of quality horsemanship. Over the years Hy Court has brought together individuals whose talents and commitment create a team dedicated to bringing forth the best in every horse.
HAZEL CLINTON - Owner of Hy Court Farm
Hazel and her late husband, the Honorable Sam Houston Clinton, chose the name Hy Court as a tribute to our justice system...a system that he deeply believed in upholding. He believed that every person deserved full expression of individual freedoms within the constraints of the law. Judge Clinton went on to become an icon in Texas law because of his sound opinions based on fairness and compassion with respect to the law.
Hy Court Farm has taken this legacy and applied these ideals to their development of sport horses. Each horse is treated as an individual with specific needs and capabilities. Hy Court maximizes the capabilities of each with an eye to producing a 'willing' horse ready to meet the needs of the new owner.
With the creation of Hy Court Farm, Hazel has brought together an exceptional sport horse breeding and development program that meets the mental and physical needs of the horse from birth to adulthood.
This program is focused on breeding exceptional bloodlines to produce talent and temperament, coupled with a training program designed to optimize the mental and physical attributes of each horse. This has set Hy Court on its way to being a reliable source for quality performance prospects.
Visit the sport horse collection page.
JANET MANLEY, BHSII - Program Director and Trainer
Born, educated and trained in England, Janet brings thirty years of experience in dressage, eventing and refined horsemanship to the Hy Court program.
Her formal training in the UK includes; Competition Groom for Sue Dutton, BHSI and International event rider. Groom to Richard Meade, OBE and four time British Olympian, two year student at The Talland School of Equitation under the instruction of Molly Sivewright FBHS.
After attaining her BHSAI and BHSII certifications, Janet emigrated to the United States and was hired as Assistant Manager for Sonset Farm Trakehner Stud in Rochester, NY. Eventually settling in the Central Texas area and purchasing her own facility, Janet began her own training program including competing and coaching riders to regional and national eventing championships.
Over the years Janet has studied, taken lessons from and participated in clinics with; Lucinda Green, Ian Stark, Rodney Powell, Ferdi Eilberg, Hans Wikner, Dick Stillwell, Karen O’Conner, Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt and Tom Curtin to name a few.
Over the years through a blend of these influences and study of classical teachings Janet has honed her focus. She strives daily for the betterment of her own horsemanship skills and those of our clients and their horses with a goal of achieving more harmonious relationships.
Janet is known for her ability to help horses reach their potential. After carefully considering the needs of each horse, she works closely with the other team members to create the best plan for the individual.
Amy Ramsdell - Trainer and Instructor
As a teenager, Amy competed in eventing and relocated to North Carolina in 2003 to groom and manage for international 4* eventer Caroline Atherholt-Dowd. While working in North Carolina, Amy met Linda Hoover and began studying refined horsemanship and learning many aspects of equine business management.
In 2006 Amy moved to Texas to continue her horsemanship journey, and has studied with trainers including Tom Curtin, Ginger Gaffney as well as working closely with Hy Court’s Janet Manley.
Amy is currently focusing on the development of Hy Court Farm’s young horses and aiming for competition later this year. She enjoys teaching riders of all ages, skill levels and disciplines, and appreciates the importance of helping riders and their horses build a partnership to bring out the best in both horse and rider.
Amy says, “As riders and handlers, we have to learn to trust our horses while keeping safety in mind. This becomes easier through education for horse and rider, proper conditioning, a deeper understanding of the nature of the horse and riding with better feel and timing. Whether you are riding for show or pleasure, enjoy your horse…enjoy the journey. I hope to see everyone out and about having fun!”
AMANDA WILSON - Farm Manager
A native Texan, born and raised in the Houston area, Amanda spent her teenage years as a working student and acquired a solid foundation in good horsemanship. During these years she competed successfully in many varied equine activities ranging from Arabian Sport Horse to Team Penning. After her studies at the University of Houston, she moved to the West Coast where she worked as the Young Stock Manager for Blooming Hills, the largest Thoroughbred stud farm in Northern California. During this time Amanda gained valuable experience in every aspect of the farm management and the breeding industry including stallion and mare preparation, foaling out, veterinary care and handling young stock.
Amanda returned home to Texas in the fall of 2007, and worked with Barclays Arabians, shaping and formulating a highly successful management and show program as well as developing their young horses using sound horsemanship practices.
Amanda’s experience in young horse training, office management and business planning combined with strong organizational skills are an asset to the Hy Court program.
LINDA HOOVER - Hy Court Consultant, Clinician and Founder of the U.S. Refined Horsemanship Association
In Linda’s thirty-one years as a professional trainer, her work with a multitude of breeds and disciplines has allowed her to utilize these elements to improve the partnerships of her clients with their horses. She has trained and shown horses who were working in or headed towards the disciplines of dressage, hunter/jumper, eventing, carriage driving, racing, foxhunting and specialized breed shows (i.e. Quarter Horse, Arabian, Morgan, cutting, etc.).For the past twenty-eight years, she has owned her own training business. During this time, she has always remained committed to the advancement of her skills. Since 1991, she has worked with a number of the "Masters" of the art of horsemanship. Linda regularly avails herself to the teachings of Tom Curtin, Buck Brannaman and Peter Campbell, just to name a few.
Linda’s experience in the area of physical problems encountered by equine athletes and the role training plays in the rehabilitation allows her to enhance and maintain their optimal physical and mental performance. She understands and utilizes many of the modalities in the field of integrative medicine, i.e. chiropractic manipulation, body work, acupuncture, homeopathy, etc., in addition to conventional veterinary medicine.
In her work, Linda has always welcomed owners and riders who are interested in understanding their stewardship to the horse. She recognized early on the importance of effective teaching and communicating with others as the way to build successful partnerships.
For more information about Linda and US-RHA visit the web site.
MICHAEL "CUTTER" CLUCK - Property Management
As property manager, Michael works together with the trainers and veterinarians to provide optimal care for the horses. He has been keeping the operations running smoothly at Hy Court for over sixteen years. And most importantly - the horses thrive under his wonderful care. Michael works hard to keep the Farm looking sharp year-round.