About Helen & Sam
Samuel Miller, Owner
An avid rider, Sam has been in the saddle since he was a kid. During his early junior years, he competed in the Hunter, Jumper and Equitation rings. As he got older, his focus shifted primarily to the Equitation and Jumper ring, competing on the Equitation circuit culminating at indoor finals. He was lucky enough to train with some of the nation’s top trainers at the time including Kim Jacobs, Kip Rosenthal, immy Toon and Michael Kirby, to name a few. With consistent top 10 finishes his final two years as a junior, Sam’s attention to detail and finesse were exemplified both in and out of the show ring.
Sam then attended Goucher College where he was a four-year member of the IHSA team competing in the Open division. Graduating with a B.S. in History and Education, he brings the lessons and skills he learned in the classroom to the riding ring which allows him to adapt his teaching style and methods to suit each individual rider’s needs. While attending Goucher, Sam also had the privilege of working for Heritage Farm where he was able to hone his riding and teaching skills.
After graduation, Sam coached the Pace University IHSA team for 3 years qualifying many riders to regional and zone competition. While at Pace, he brought the team to their first ANRC competition where they placed 2nd overall. His professional resume is extensive, having worked for such notable barns as Riverside Farm, Old Salem Farm and Kirby’s Bridge Brook. While working for Michael Kirby, Sam was exposed to the inner workings of a Sale Barn and had the opportunity to ride different horses every day. This experience would lay the foundation for the methods and approach he uses today by showing him the importance of being able to adapt to each individual horse and having them work with him as a teammate.
In 2017 Sam began teaching at New Canaan Mounted Troop (NCMT), where he coached the Interscholastic Equestrian Association Team (IEA) and continues to teach advanced and intermediate riders. In addition to his teaching role at NCMT, Sam is in charge of the organization’s horse training program, which comprises up to 30 horses.
Constantly continuing his education in the equestrian world, Sam attends clinics. He has had the privilege of working with some of the most highly sought-after trainers in the country including George Morris, Joe Fargis, Judy Richter, Kip Rosenthal, Scot Evans, and most recently Buck Brannaman. He loves attending clinics to look for new ways to further his education to bea better horseman and teacher.
Sam’s role as Co-Owner of H & S Equestrian is Instructor and horse trainer.
Helen Miller, Owner
Helen has had a love of horses since she was a kid. She grew up riding in Bedford, NY before going to the Ethel Walker School. While at Ethel Walker, she was able to ride with Linda Langmeier competing with her horse “Sebastian” in the Jumper and Equitation ring. While competing with Linda, she was exposed to the inner workings of how a successful show barn and training facility operates.
After high school, Helen attended Manhattanville College while working for Kate Macphail’s Takoda Farm, where she specialized in administering layup and rehabilitation care for over 6 years. During her years at Takoda Farm, Helen developed an interest in veterinary medicine and worked alongside veterinarians and farriers providing specialized care. After overseeing the care of up to 50 horses at a time, Helen gained a strong passion for barn management and the intricacies involved in running a top-notch facility. Under Helen’s care the horse’s needs are always the top priority. Later, Helen took a job managing a show barn in North Salem where she oversaw the daily management of 30 plus horses.
Recently, Helen has taken an interest in barrel racing and you can catch her running her OTTB, who was uninterested in the hunter ring, through barrel patterns at night and on the weekends.
Helen’s role as Co-Owner of H & S Equestrian is business and barn management.