Meet Ilona (Staikou) Hargitai, our certified riding instructor with extensive experience in Hungary, Greece, and the United States. Ilona has a diploma as a riding instructor from Hungary, and she has worked as a riding instructor, coach, and trainer at several prestigious riding clubs, academies and private schools.

Ilona's teaching philosophy is based on horsemanship through awareness on the ground and in the saddle. She focuses on developing a centered-balance seat and light hands to create a balanced and happier horse. Ilona's classical "English" riding style, combined with her husband Franklin Levinson's western discipline, resulted in the creation of a joint program called the Fundamentals of Elegant Horsemanship.

Ilona's experience includes managing a riding school, teaching students and training horses.  She helped more than 100  riders to start to compete in National Level in dressage and/or jumping competitions.  She has also served as an examiner for equestrian tour guide and Bereiter schools, as a judge assistance for national indoor jumping competitions, and as steward assistant during 3 and 4-star international jumping competitions.   

For over a decade, Ilona has collaborated with her husband, Franklin Levinson, to teach horsemanship and spread their knowledge to help horses live better lives with humans. Ilona is committed to helping riders of all levels achieve their equestrian goals, and she would be delighted to help you too. 

Contact Ilona at 760.708.6203 for more information or to set up training.  Group lessons are available upon request.