Riding Instruction

DIANE MCCLURE: Owner & Head Trainer

Diane McClure has been involved in the hunter-jumper horse show industry since 1975. She rode as a child at Blue Ribbon Horse Complex, which was located in her hometown of Northbrook, Illinois. While at Blue Ribbon, she trained and showed with Kay Holt (Feldmar) at “A” circuit shows throughout the Midwest showing primarily in the 3’6” junior hunter and equitation classes. 

While attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, Diane rode at Foxton Farm with trainers Bob & Dacia Funkhouser. She also competed in Intercollegiate Horse Show Association shows for Purdue University, earning a high point rider championship as a freshman. Upon graduating Purdue with a B.S. in Animal Science and Marketing, Diane got a job working for an equine pharmaceutical company. After a year of working for the pharmaceutical company, the horse show world lured her back, this time as a young trainer with her own business. 

In 1986 Diane started McClure Training Stables where she trained her own horses, as well as horses for clients. In 1987 she won the High Point Horse of the Year award for the NIHJA circuit with her horse Real Rhythm. 

In 1995, Diane partnered up with long-time friend and fellow equestrian Jeff Katz to form Gateway Farm. Diane & Jeff trained many horses and clients who won numerous year end awards on both the “A” & “B” horse show circuits in Illinois, as well as qualifying riders for prestigious shows on the East coast. After Jeff’s untimely death in 1999, Diane continued as Gateway Farm’s sole owner. 

Diane continues to train horses and riders who compete successfully at both the “A” & “B” shows, and also serves as a horse show judge at both regular & intercollegiate horse shows. Diane’s 39 years of experience in the hunter-jumper horse show industry has made her a well-rounded professional trainer, and she welcomes riders of all ages and levels.