I wanted to send you a quick note of thanks for yesterday. I was very happy with how the day and the show turned out and couldn't be more impressed with Wunder. Your coaching and mentorship is an inspiration for me. I can't believe how far Wunder and I have come in the last few months. Thanks again and I look forward to many more. Please also give my thanks to Franz. He was amazing with Wunder!
Talk soon!
Suzy
Photo by David M. Hainish
Nitika
Aug. 24/09
Shirley took my mare Nitika and brought her from a fairly green horse to a working dressage horse who has won a number of times in her training tests.
Over the time that she has been working with Nitika, Shirley’s riding skill and her patience with Nitika is what brought her to this level.
Shirley trains Nitika at least 3 times a week, each session beginning with warm-up lunging and proceeds to ride her through all three gaits.
When Shirley first got Nitika, Nitika was just learning to canter and Shirley taught Nitika how to balance herself with a rider. Now Nitika has a lovely smooth canter that is a joy to watch.
I would recommend Shirley as a training coach or as a horse trainer to anyone who asks with no reservations.
Christine Pohlkamp
Polecat Paints and Friesians
Rockwood Ontario
Photo by Plaid Pony
Rad
October 7, 2004
Dear Shirley:
Thank-you so much for the sound horse advice you have given me over the years and the great training you put on my horse...and for being there when we needed you! Through your calm, quiet and steady demeanor, Rad's movement improved ten-fold and he was never 'fitter' than when he had completed his training with you.
Shirley, you possess commendable qualities that separate you from many trainers out there; the biggest two being your honesty and integrity. When you say you will ride the horse each day - you do. You are honest with your billing and you are fair. You always went the 'extra mile' and kept me informed of my horse's progress and would recommment any special dietary, health or training requirements. You would never make a decision without including me, the owner, in the decision making process. You always provided me with a complete picture of the pros and cons of each choice, hence, I could make an informed decision which would help me achieve the goal required. And, there was always that assuring "nod of approval" from you when I made the right decision! That little nod and giggle of yours made me feel secure knowing I was making the right decision and receiving the bonus of learning in the process!
I was just logging on to send you an email..... Glad to hear from you. Illusion is doing very well. She has adjusted to her new surroundings. It took her a few days, but she feels at home now. She bonded with me very quickly. I can tell that she really trusts me.
Let me just say that she is an absolute pleasure to work with. I commend you and your father for starting her so well. She longes like a dream, even with distractions(i.e. other horses) and is already going forward and halting by my seat alone. We are still on the longe, and are taking things very slowly. My coach wants to clone her, so she can have her for herself.
Talk to you soon.
Brad and Jennifer
August 2007
ILSA (Ibrahim/Mickey 2nd)
August 13, 2003 Hi Shirley, "Well we did accomplish our first show! And pretty well I might add. We did have some faults that I wasn't too fond of (picking up our canter when we weren't supposed too) however, I think that is because she pulled her shoe in the middle of our test. We did the training level test 1 and 2 and placed second in both tests (the only people who beat me were my own trainers...lol) we had some scores just below 60 (the judge was pretty harsh). For our first show I must say that's pretty good. We are planning on showing at a few more dressage shows this summer and possibly our first very low level event! Everyone at the stable really likes her and they all think she has great potential. Her gaits even scored an 8 for my dressage tests at the show."
September 26, 2003 "Well everything over here is really good. I am so happy with Ilsa. We have started jumping and let me tell you that she has one great jump. In the ring we are awesome and we have been able to jump a 2'6" course and able to jump 3' in a gymnastic line. We're not pushing much, no jumping shows yet, hopefully next year. I have taken her out cross country and boy does she like that. She likes to throw a little buck here and there when we are out in the field jumping but give her time and we'll be able to do it like a pro. We just completed our second dressage show. A VERY successful one at that. We scored with a 67.75% in training 1 (we had a little spook issue during the test - she didn't like the judge too much) but we managed to get through the test and come back with the best test we have ever done. We scored a 70% in training level 2. The test was the most fluid and relaxed test ever (in practice and at show)!! Mind you the show we were at was a cross country show as well so we had jumpers flying all around us and we remained steady throughout the second test."
March 2, 2004 "I hope everything is going well with your back. Also I hope all your horses are doing just fine. Feel free to use any of my letters for a letter of recomendation. Thanks for a great horse!"
May 9, 2004 "After I finished that class with the best round of my life we decided to quit for the day. Our round was wonderful, I had everyone complementing me about how much she has improved since last year. She really is a wonderful horse, and I thank you very much. I will be in touch with all of our other shows."
August 23, 2004 "Oh we also did a combined event (dressage and stadium but no cross country). And she did amazing!! We won!!! We had the best ride of our life in that show, so hopefully many more to come. I am getting a ton of complements on her at the shows by judges, other coaches, and just people walking by. Everyone loves her! My dressage test at this past show the judge added a complement at the bottom "Great pair, and great horse with a lot of future potential, going to go FAR!" Although that comment is for the future it shows she's got amazing potential now and lots of room to grow! We have been doing a lot of lessons in both dressage and stadium jumping! We have jumped up to 3'6" although Ilsa has the potential to jump the moon. Even Carol Koslowski said she can jump the top of the standards and she's watching for her to move on up in the future. All we have to work through are the "baby issues"...which in time is just the experience and getting her out there. We might we traveling to Houghton College in the fall for another event or just the jumpers, were not sure yet! But I will keep you in touch."
Lyndsay
DANCING DOLL (Dancing Adonis/Mandelied)
July, 2004
Hi Shirley, Dolly is doing fine. She is always happy and always has her ears forward. I did not do much with her all spring because she was still growing...16.2 h. But at this time we are trotting around in the outdoor riding ring. She has been very easy to train so far and I expect her to be so. Anne
AMERA (Dancing Adonis/Mandelied)
Sept., 2006 Hi Shirley:
Just an update on Amera. She has proven to be an exceptionally sweet and willing partner. We confirmed her groundwork, lunging and long reining, then proceeded with backing which was quiet and uneventful. My trainer is now schooling walk and trot with the focus on moving forward into light contact. She has a big forward walk and once her trot is confirmed it should be light and expressive. We are very impressed with her sensible mind and cooperative attitude in her work. I look forward to a long and happy partnership with Amera.
Great to hear from you! Yes i was busy on the weekend it took place this year so I am planning to go next year in july i believe. I have backed him and i get on him about every 3 weeks, just for 10 mins or so at the walk. he's been so great, that its difficult not to push him further, but luckily i have other ones to ride that are keeping me busy.
He is wonderful though, i can't say enough good stuff about him, he is an absolute sweetheart and i've become so attached to him. not to mention how tall and leggy he is now, last time i measured him he was just touching 16.2, and hes still growing, because he hasn't really filled out yet! How are the rest of your horses? did you sell either of the babies? i'm attaching a couple pics, they are not very recent, i will get more to you soon...hope everythings well.
kerry
MARAGOLD (Marangai/Mandelied)
Sept. 24, '09
"I took her cross country for the first time last week and she was perfect. We took her out with a 5 year old (who was also out for there first time) and Maragold just shined!!! She did the bank, stairs, ditch, tires, and coup and log jump and didn't look at anything, you would have thought she had done it all her life. My coach was speechless she said in all her years she has never seen a horse so well behaved there first time out."
"You are more then welcome to use any of my email as testimonial on the website. I can't thank you enough for such a great horse!!!! I will send photos the next time I take some, I have been putting it off cause she looks silly in pictures cause she is gangly looking right now. lol"
Alexis
Oct. 8, '09
Hey Shirley,
I wanted to send you a quick email because I was SO proud of Maragold. I took her out on the cross country course on Monday again and jumped all new fences. I don't think I have ever ridden a horse that jumps whatever is in front of her with no hesitation. We even did fences that jumped into the woods (usually very scary because the change of light) and it didn't phase her. Every day I am more amazed by this mare and her AWESOME personality. Next time out we are going to start putting her over a few larger fences cause she jumps about 5 feet over the 2'6 2'9 fences! I hope you're doing well and that all your horses are doing well Take Care Alexis
Photo by David M. Hainish
Photo by Plaid Pony
August 2007
