Students

Natalia Gurmankin has been working with Hawley since June of 2008, and in November of 2008 she became Hawley's full time groom. She has accompanied Hawley and Gin and Juice to Jersey Fresh, Fair Hill, Rolex and most recently the World Equestrian Games!

In addition to being Hawley's right hand lady, Natalia also competes her own two horses, Hail and Tequesteris ("Tex"). Natalia and Tex placed 3rd in the CIC** at Galway in March and were a part of the Area VI Silver Medal Team at NAJYRC in the 2** in 2010. She moved Hail up to Intermediate and had a successful year with him as well.

Natalia on Tex (left), Brant Gamma Photo.





Looking on to 2011 she plans to run Hail and Tex in the 2** in the spring and aims to move up to Advanced with both horses mid year. She also hopes to be aiming at the Galway Downs CCI*** in the fall.

Natalia is extremely excited not only for her future competition goals, but also to travel with Hawley and Ginny on all their fun adventures!! Hawley's friendship, coaching and advice have played a huge role in Natalia's successes & she can't wait for 2011!!

Natalia on Hail (right), Mandy Spencer Photography.







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Sue Church has the distinction of being Hawley's first student when Hawley Bennett Eventing at Kingsway Farm when founded. "I've ridden with lots of trainers in my life, and could tell immediately that Hawley had what it takes. I ride for the love of riding and horses and it's important to me to have a fun group of people to be with, and the fact that we are great friends is wonderful!. Hawley's barn and KingsWay Farm brings that in spades!" explains Sue.

Sue is the proud owner of Canadian Spy, a Canadian bred Thoroughbred discovered by Gerry Bennett, Hawley's mom. She is also the lucky owner of Five O'Clock Somewhere, full brother to superstar mare Gin & Juice.

Sue's personal goals for 2011 are to ride Spy to success in Preliminary and to see Hawley and Five O'Clock Somewhere ("Chunky" to his friends!) achieve success in the upper levels. It's going to be a amazing adventure!"

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Maralee Paul has been riding with Hawley since March of 2007. In 2009, she moved her horse Bye Bye up to Intermediate and in November found out that she was pregnant. Hawley took the rides for her on Bye Bye and a new horse, Newcastle for much of 2010.

For 2011, she hopes to do a 2 - star on Bye Bye and Intermediate with Newcastle. Hawley 's coaching is exceptional and the loyalty, love and determination she shows towards her students and their horses, helps them to attain their goals.

Thank you Hawley for all you do and for your unwavering support, friendship and love.

Photo Credit Maria Morgan


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Alexandra Slusher has worked and ridden with Hawley since 2007.  Until her recent marriage to Matt Slusher, Allie worked as Hawley’s full-time groom.  Allie joined Hawley on her trips to all the events to include Badminton Horse Trials in England in 2007 and Rolex Kentucky 4-Star in 2008.  Becoming close friends, Hawley also coached Allie on her own horses Last Call and Juicy Couture.  In 2008, Allie won the CIC 2-Star at Galway Downs International Horse Trials aboard Last Call. With Hawley’s help, Allie is hoping to finish this year at the 3-Star level on Last Call and the 2-Star level with Juicy Couture.  Over the last two years Hawley and Allie have become like family, and through their continued friendship and working relationship they plan to achieve many future goals together!


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Mike lives in Temecula, and has been training with Hawley for a little over three years now. He bought his first horse, an Arabian mare named Sienna, in 2007 to do endurance racing, but Hawley quickly recognized her potential as an event horse.

Hawley has since ridden Sienna at Training level quite successfully, most recently with a first place finish at Woodside, and will most likely take her Prelim in 2011. Mike is currently competing at Novice level, with hopes of going Training in 2011. Mike says, "I didn't plan this, I literally fell into it! And now, I feel incredibly fortunate to have Hawley training Sienna and I in this newfound passion. I wouldn't be doing this without her!"

Amy McCool Photography


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Alexa Perkiel is 21 years old, from Park City, Utah and was Hawley Bennett's working student for 6 months. She has been riding with Hawley since Feburary of 2008 with her horse Spike, shown as Cover Charge. Alexa did her first prelim on Spike in March, the CIC* in Montana at Rebecca Farm, and finished with her first CCI* in California at Galway!




Photo Credit Naismith Images

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Kate Gillespie rides her Danish Thoroughbred cross, Renegade Reno at the Advanced level. She has been riding with Hawley for the past 4 years, and is hoping to complete in her first 3 star event this year at Rebecca Farms to qualify for the World Equestrian Games in 2010. Kate competes for South Africa and hopes to make her country proud!






Photo Credit Amy McCool


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Stacey Winter started training with Hawley when she moved to San Diego in 2010. She had a very successful year, moving her big Oldenburg mare Stella up to Intermediate in the Spring. Her goals for 2011 are to qualify for a 2** and maybe even win!

"Hawley's exactly what I need in a trainer: smart, positive and ambitious for me!"





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Lia Nydes is 18 years old and is originally from Santa Fe New mexico. She moved to Temecula in August 2010 to ride and to be a working student for Hawley. Lia rides her horse Manja Preliminary and hopes to take him Intermediate next season.

She is also also leasing a new horse, Big Bad Ed, also known as Eddie who she hopes to do a one star on next season. Lia loves Hawley's coaching style and wonderful, sunny california.

Photo Credit David Nydes!