Our Staff

Hicham Benabbad - Facilities Manager

Hicham established his extensive riding career at the young age of eight. Growing up in Morocco, he developed as a junior rider, receiving advanced rider diplomas and competing all over the country. Hicham trained at the esteemed Royal Club Equestre Dar Es Salam, an equestrian center founded by King Hassan II in 1971, and home to many national and international competitions – including the prestigious Morocco Royal Tower and the championships of Morocco. While competing, he received numerous awards, progressing through the divisions.

In 1998, at the request of Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol in Estepona Spain, one of the most renowned equestrian centers in Spain, he joined them as their Facilities Manager. Hicham remained at this establishment, overseeing the care and organization of a 160 horse operation, specializing in show jumping and international competitions. He was then honored with the privilege of overseeing the logistics and horse care for the Moroccan show jumping team whenever they visited for competitions in Spain. In addition to his manager duties, Hicham also maintained his skills as a jumping instructor, developing riders from youth through adults. In 2010, he was recruited as Facilities Manager and Head Instructor at a riding academy in the United States. There he was responsible for the care of both privately owned and schooling horses, as well as training, sales, and client relations. In 2015, he was invited to be a part of the Skye Acres team as Facilities Manager. He brings his numerous years of diverse experience in equine management and training to maintain the highest level of horse care at Skye Acres Equestrian Center.

Natalie Guginsky - Trainer

A Long Island native, Natalie began riding at age 9. By 11 she was competing in the Big Eq (hunter jumper) through her junior years. Natalie spent many years training and coaching alongside Patty Messina with First Edition Farm. She helped numerous young and adult riders enjoy riding, showing and horsemanship.

She has been very involved in her daughter Jessica’s riding career for the past 12+ years. Starting from leadline, through the 3’6” divisions. Her biggest joy is watching Jessica grow as a rider. Jessica has now committed to the University of Georgia and will be on their D1 riding team beginning fall 2021.

Natalie began teaching at Skye Acres in 2016, and has been coaching the IEA Skye Acres team since 2017. She takes pride in her involvement and hearing all the team kids call her “Coach.”

Raul A. De Leon - Guest Instructor

Honored by the American Riding Instructors Association with the title of Master Instructor, Raul is an internationally acclaimed clinician in Equitation, Dressage and Jumping. He has been sponsored to train students and Instructors by the FEI, the IOC and the National Equestrian Federations in seven countries. Director for six years of the International Equestrian Institute at Morven Park. Recipient of the ARIA International Instructor of the Year award. His students and horses appear as demonstrators in Bert de Nemethy's video series. He has trained riders in the US and abroad to win national and international awards in Equitation, Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, including Individual Gold Medals in the Olympic, Pan American and Central American Games. His students have won four USDF Regional Dressage Championships in Region 8. Raul is available for lessons from the beginner to the professional levels on Long Island as well as for clinics, lectures and Instructor training.

Helen Vitarelli Garramone - Instructor

Helen began riding when she was 10 years old. Through her teenage years, she competed in notable Equitation and Hunter shows across Long Island such as the Hampton Classic. After her many years of riding, Helen enjoys sharing her experience and skills to teach aspiring riders the fundamentals of Equitation and Horsemanship at Skye Acres.

Helen and her daughter, Alexis have been riding at Skye Acres since 2017. Alexis joined our IEA Skye acres team for the 2017-2018 season, and was awarded numerous 1st and 2nd place ribbons through the series of shows.

Vinjenna Lafata - Instructor

Vinjenna is an accomplished rider specializing in Jumpers. A former student of Facilities Manager, Hicham Benabbad, she was also a member of the varsity equestrian team at the Cazenovia College in New York, and has years of instructional experience. Vinjenna brings a lot of talent and expertise to her duties which include teaching students, training horses, and organizing equestrian day camps. In addition, Vinjenna keeps her two horses, Missy and Develina, at Skye Acres.

Bahia Benabbad - Office Manager

Bahia started riding horses at age 6 at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa Del Sol in Estepona, Spain. She joined the Skye Acres team at its onset in 2015. In addition to schooling our horses, she has been assisting her father Hicham – our facilities manager – in the daily managerial duties at the barn. 

Now an advanced college Business student, her position as Skye Acres’ office manager allows her to combine her love of horses with her organizational and methodical skills. She loves interacting with people who share her passion. And passion is a big part of what Skye Acres represents.