Hillcrest Meadow Farm is family-owned and run. Our horses are family and we emphasize that in the love and care they receive.
Situated on 20 acres in Ocala, FL. just 5 miles from the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company and 10 miles from the World Equestrian Center, we’re in the heart of horse country and equipped with great amenities. From a well-ventilated shedrow barn to large grass pastures, a training track, trails, top notch veterinary care provided by Dr. Kate Papp and the watchful eye of trainer Monty Sims our horses have everything they need to thrive.
At Hillcrest Meadow Farm, we breed, foal, raise, and race our horses. We don’t sell them at sales and we retire each and every one when they tell us they’re ready to hang their race shoes on the wall. The best part, and what we pride ourselves on the most, is that each of our horses has an escrow account that follows them throughout their life to ensure their well-being in retirement or in the event they were to get separated from us.
Dr. Kathryn Papp, DVM grew up around animals and rode competitively on the AA’ Circuits well into her college years, showing primarily in the hunter/jumpers. She knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at a very young age. She attended the University of Vermont, Tufts University in Massachusetts, and graduated in 2008 from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. While Dr. Papp treats small, large, and exotic animals, her main focus is on Thoroughbred racehorses. Her knowledge of and extensive experience with injuries, chronic pain, and “mysterious” lameness has enabled her to help hundreds of horses throughout her career. She’s also a huge advocate for the welfare of racehorses both on and off the track, working to help thoroughbreds retire and live long, happy, successful lives in other careers through her 501c3 non-profit organization, PARR.
Monti Neal Sims is a third generation horseman and thoroughbred racehorse trainer. His Grandfather and Father, both Monti Sims, were steeplechase jockeys before becoming Stakes Placed Trainers and well known in the racing industry. His dad, Monti “Sunny” Sims was the general manager at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky for many years and rode Seattle Slew around the farm. Together, Monti Neal Sims and his dad trained Multiple Graded Stakes winning mare The Very One. His grandfather is known for training Destroyer, the Florida-bred colt who won the 1974 Gr. 1 Santa Anita Derby and ran in the 99th Preakness Stakes. Monti, also known as “Neal” has been around horses his entire life. His approach to modern day racing has a focus on proper conditioning, preventative care, and minimizing medication use for a healthier, happier, better athlete. Monti rides all of his horses himself. Doing so allows him to feel what needs improvement, what a horse is lacking, if they feel sore, or if anything is abnormal. He also has excellent exercise riders who step in whenever he wants to watch the horse from the ground. With generations of knowledge, experience and successful training methods, Monti is able to keep his horses feeling and performing their very best.
