MEET OUR TEAM

LANCE HAYES

LANCE HAYES STABLES OWNER

Lance has been around horses since childhood. He has trained hundreds of horses and shown them all over the country to much success. Lance started his career in the horse business as a groom, and eventually became the caretaker of the famous World's Grand Champion five-gaited horse, CH Imperator. In 1998, Lance opened his own stable and has been breeding and training top horses ever since. He has trained three World Champions as well as two Reserve World Champions and several National Finalists. In 2017, Lance was named the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin Horse Person of the Year. Lance has served as the President of the Winnebago Saddle Horse Association for several years, and he also manages the annual Oshkosh Charity Horse Show. Lance truly loves the horses and ensures that they receive the best possible care.

PAT MCCONNELL

LANCE HAYES STABLES TRAINER

Pat is among the most well-known and respected trainers in the Saddlebred industry. Having grown up in a family of successful horse trainers, he brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. Throughout his career, Pat has developed many top young horses, and has trained numerous successful amateur and junior exhibitor riders. He boasts a long list of World and National Champions, including Saddlebreds, Hackney Ponies and roadster horses. In addition to his training abilities, Pat has also served as a judge for some of the top horse shows in the country. In 2016, Pat was inducted into the American Saddlebred Association of Wisconsin Hall of Fame. Pat's talent for training a variety of horses and helping horse and rider become a team is what makes him one of the best in the business.

ANDREW HITT

OWNER

Andrew grew up in rural Wisconsin and had lots of opportunities to be around horses and do some occasional riding.  His daughter first caught the horse bug at age 5 and his son at age 7.  With one more child getting to that age, he and is wife Stacy are wondering if all three kids will eventually be riding.  His children's love of horseback riding brought Andrew closer and closer to the horse world and eventually he decided it was time to combine his business skills and love of entrepreneurship with the family's passion for horses. Starting this riding academy has been a dream come true for the Hitt family.  Andrew brings his experience as a parent, rider, and a stable client to Rose Tree Farms to ensure that you have a positive, educational, and exciting experience.  His goal is simple: bring his family's love of horses and the horse show experience to more families.