“I am proud to say that Ella Quigley is part of what makes our team successful.
I have been coaching Ella since the fall of 2020 when she came to me for a birthday lesson on her first pony. At that time, Ella had a love for horses and was showing locally but was beginning to realise the direction she wanted to pursue in the competition ring. Ella followed through on instructions, was a fast learner, and mature. Therefore, she trained with riders several years older, enabling her to advance quickly. She learned not only from me as a coach but also by watching others in lessons and from the sidelines at shows.
Ella is extremely competitive. Within a year of riding with me, she quickly moved into the children’s jumpers, winning multiple championships along the way, one being the prestigious Devon Fall Classic. She mentioned it had been a dream of hers to ride at Devon, and a win was icing on the cake. She is a humble champion as she continues to be one of the youngest in the junior jumper division.
The compassion and positive attitude that Ella embodies is clear even when the results are not as she hoped. She can clearly articulate her reflections and apply the improvements on future rides. There are not as many athletes with the grit that Ella has displayed. In 2022, I was the first person to check on her after a bad fall at a show. She was deeply concerned for the welfare of her horse, and tried to brush off her pain as a minor injury, which turned out to be a fracture of her collarbone. Despite needing surgery, Ella was back in the saddle and competing within weeks. She was extremely stoic to overcome not just the physical pain of her injury but also stayed positive, continuing to advance in the sport.
Ella comes to the barn early to care for her horse and is often one of the last to leave. Her work ethic exceeds expectations. She learns as much as possible about the management and care for her horses. She is a true teammate by helping to care for others’ horses at international shows. Win or loose, Ella has the wellbeing of the horses at the forefront of her mind.
As a student, competitor, and teammate – both in the show ring and the stable, Ella has gone above and beyond. In under three years, Ella has moved from never showing in the jumpers to a strong competitor in the 1m30 level, this year qualifying for the prestigious North American Youth Championships, a competition in which under 50 riders qualify for in all of North America for her age group. Ella shows incredible capacity to excel and grow in show jumping to the international level. I look forward to seeing this young lady pursue her dreams.”
~ Kama Godek LLC, Fairfax Station, VA, (561) 543-9871
“Over the last several years, I have had the pleasure of watching Ella grow from riding a large pony working out of a local barn, to consistently competing in the 1.30 Junior Jumpers in a top show barn. When I look at Ella, I see a young individual who is dedicated not only to the sport but to the horses as well. Horsemanship is essential, and it is becoming less and less common to young riders. The care and relationship with the horse must come before all else and no one knows that more than Ella. I am proud to have been a part of this journey and will continue to help her achieve higher levels of education within the sport and industry.”
~ Abby Grabowski, Assistant Trainer at Capital Area Premium Sport Horses, Aldie, VA
“I was introduced to Ella Quigley a few years ago at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala, Florida. Her trainer, a good friend of mine, Kama Godek asked me to fill in for her and instruct Ella in the preparations for her competition. When I arrived to help Ella, she was on time, organized, very respectful, receptive to instructions as well as critiques. She really strived to put her all into riding that day.
From that point on, when I have seen Ella at competitions, those traits continue to be a part of her. She is a very motivated, talented, driven young lady and has had an abundance of success. She has qualified for multiple championships/finals and has had top placings in the 1.10m child jumpers up to the 1.30m junior jumpers. She has a great work ethic and real love of horses. She is a team player in a sport that does not always strengthen that trait. I have witnessed Ella and her parents at competitions, long after Ella has finished riding/competing as she chooses to stay to help her trainer and fellow riders.
Ella would be a great addition to any program looking for a self-driven, well rounded young lady, who wants to further her education, not only, in the equestrian world but in her academic one as well.”
~ Tiffany Cambria, Head Trainer of Code Four Show Stables, Upperville, Virginia
“I have known Ella thru my work as Chef d’ Equipe for USHJA Zone team Championship. I have always found her to be a hard working, enthusiastic team player. I have enjoyed watching her progress from the low children levels to the 1.20/1.25m classes, with much success.
She is very determined and hard working. Her horsemanship and sportsmanship will be a great asset to any team.”
~ Sandra Ruiz, USEF & USHJA Zone 3 Chef d’ Equipe, Culpeper, Va, 540-219-9943