Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Regalado.
Hi Jill, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Cleveland Ohio. I have traveled up and down the east coast going to some of the top hunter/jumper horse shows. I was spending the winters in Wellington Florida and the summers in Lexington Kentucky, as great as that lifestyle was, I wanted to be based in one place year-round. I moved to Wadmalaw Island in 2017 to manage and train for a private family. I did not know anyone in Charleston when I moved here, but everyone told me it was a great place to live so I thought why not give it a try. The family I worked full time for was really great, with nice horses and a great facility. Shortly after moving to Charleston-like just a month- I met my husband. It all just felt serendipitous to have landed here.
In 2021, my husband Morgan and I welcomed our first son into this world in June. Having a child changes everything, even when you read all the books and make all the plans. My little man forced me to take a pause and reevaluate working full time or taking the leap to start my own business. I took the leap! Thankfully for my biggest cheerleader and supporter, my husband Morgan I started Wanderlust Pony Services. I am a freelance Hunter/Jumper Professional, I established a group of private customers, including the family I was with for four years! I travel to their facilities to teach them and we also travel to local shows. I also started body clipping horses, whether it’s your faithful old guy who needs a haircut for summer or your horse show mount, I clip all the horses and ponies in between. I have also partnered with this great company called Matter of Trust. Their Clean Wave Project takes hair donations to repurpose into mats and booms for oil spills in the ocean. Wanderlust has donated about 25 gallons of horsehair this year!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it’s been a lumpy road! Being a new mom- and starting a new business, has definitely been a challenge, but in the best of ways. Between postpartum emotions, a new body, a new tiny human, and a new business-it are a lot. I could not have done it without my support system. My husband helped me set up my LLC, and is always there as my sounding board. My sister helped me build a website and help me with my marketing. We are so lucky to have our parents around down here and they have all helped to take care of Ben when I am out working with horses and customers. It takes a village and I am so thankful for my tribe!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Jill Regalado, originally from Cleveland, Ohio, made her way to the Low Country in 2017. Previously, she worked in Cleveland with Jeff Gogul, focusing on training ponies and riders. She then made her way down the east coast with winters in Wellington, Florida, and summers in Lexington, Kentucky attending top-level hunter-jumper horse shows. She worked with some of the industry’s top professionals including Havens Schatt and Fred Commissaire, Michele Grubb, Ken and Emily Smith, and Sharn Wordley. Working with top-level hunters and FEI showjumpers, also meant working with the industry’s top veterinarians and clinics, which helped Jill develop the professional horsemanship with which she founded her business.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I would say one of my favorite childhood memories would be finally getting to show at our big local AA show over the summer. It’s the Chargin Valley Hunter Jumper Classic at the Polo Fields. I would go every year with my mom and just watch all the horses all day, every day for a week. I saved up my money from grooming for others at shows and farm sitting so that I could take my horse to the show. I had a young green horse that I showed in the Children’s Hunters. We were not amazing, but I worked hard with my trainer to bring along this horse, I paid for the show on my own and was really proud of myself for making it happen, which was probably the catalyst for my professional life.
Contact Info:
- Email: wanderlustponyservices@gmail.com
- Website: www.wanderlustponyservices.com
- Instagram: @wanderlust_pony_services
