Testimonials
Pam and Milo (Millenium)
I can not thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this wonderful experience of riding with Conrad. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. Everything you did in preparation for the riders and horses was FIRST CLASS. You run a wonderful operation and are clearly well-loved by your riders and owners! It was a very special 4 days!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Barbara and Dolce
Before coming to Hidden River Ranch I had a
passion
for dressage, but no plan.
Then I started working with Erin and Susie and under their expert guidance realized that success comes with both -- couple that with a congenial atmosphere and camaraderie -- and you have the perfect environment to excel at dressage.
Both Susie and Erin are happy to share their expertise and knowledge with their students. Whether it's in teaching a student lesson, training a horse or providing ground support at the shows, both are eager to encourage and challenge their students to be better riders. Susie particularly goes out of her way to attract qualified teachers and trainers to come to Hidden River to share their expertise with others and I have been the grateful recipient of many new ideas which have improved my riding. Indeed, I had the good fortune to be able to attend an adult camp event at Hidden River and can tell you that experience was awesome. The environment at Hidden River, under Susie's guiding hand, is friendly, supportive, involved, but without pressure, since each student is free to participate or decline in barn activities without reprisals and your horse could not receive better care.
Thank you Susie and Erin!
Barbara and Dolce
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
I always look forward to attending the USDF Adult Camp that is held at Grand Haven Stables in Jefferson, OH with instructors Susan Hoffman-Peacock and Pam Lifton-Bancker. As a professional, I realize that I am in the minority, as the camp is primarily attended by adult amateurs, but these camps provide me with an opportunity that I just can't pass up. Not only do I participate with my young horse, I also bring as many of my students with me as I can. This gives me the opportunity to see fantastic instructors work with my students and they provide me with insight into my students progress and areas that we may need to work a little harder on. By observing, I'm also able to help my students with the goals that are set for them.For myself, I have now set goals of my own that prior to meeting Susan and Pam I would not have thought possible. They have encouraged me in my own riding and have given me such confidence in my abilities as a trainer. Thanks to them, I also have the goal of becoming a USDF certified instructor within the next few years. Susan and Pam have such a wonderful way of teaching and both of their styles compliment eachother beautifully. What you learn with one instructor in your morning session is only reinforced and enhanced upon by the other instructor in the afternoon. I would recommend attending these camps to anyone, whether an adult amateur or a professional, the education and the friendships that you come away with will last your lifetime.
Trish Brown
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Susie,
I just wanted to tell you again how euphoric I am about finding Java and purchasing her from you. What an awesome girl she is. She has it all: beauty, elegant gaits, a great personality, and some very impressive Swedish bloodlines. She is already my fantastic lifelong friend.
I know that Java was so well started and very much loved as a young filly. Her calmness and great temperament is a testament. You have done a superb job training and loving her in the first 9 years of her life. I know it must have been difficult seeing her leave your barn.
You are a teacher, clinician, coach and trainer, but mostly a really great lady that I knew I liked from the moment I met you.
Susie, what a great training facility you have in Corona. It has been such a joy to come back to your place and take lessons and clinic with you. (I know that this is not typically the case when someone buys a horse 1 ½ hours away from her home and has her own full time training program with a different trainer). I have only been riding dressage for 5 years, but have had three other trainers and have also take clinics with internationally known clinicians. You are by far the most detailed clinician and coach that I have ever experienced.
Anyone can ride, but not everyone can teach. You have mastered both.
After taking your clinics, many questions that I have had for years about the biomechanics of a certain movement were answered in my 45 minutes with you. You have such an amazing ability to explain answers and were able to dissect every detail until I clearly understood the concept of our focus.
What else can I say? You are a great teacher.
I am looking forward to making the 90 minute drive from Escondido for more coaching, teaching and your warm welcomes.
Sincerely,
Linda Shinn & Java
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Laura and Cassius
I have had the great honor of knowing Suzie for over fifteen years. I met Suzie as a young reckless 3-Day Eventing teenager and after I started taking lessons with her my eyes where opened to a better way of riding. I took lessons with Suzie throughout high school once a month. Once I decided to go to college I quickly moved my horse to her facility close to Cal Poly Pomona. I was so excited to finally have frequent access to her. However, starving students can’t afford frequent access to lessons and training. Suzie let me become a working student at her barn and this is really when my Dressage education starting progressing a record speed. After a year of two of hard work I finally was promoted to Suzie’s assistant and worked for her for 4 amazing years.
I have been riding for over 20 years and with the help of Suzie I have had opportunities I could have never dreamed of such as NAYR Young Riders on the legendary Cassius. Her coaching has made me a very confident, successful rider and I couldn’t be more thankful. Every time I sit on a horse now I hear Suzie. She is my head, in my riding and in my heart forever. I will honestly say she is the BEST instructor I have ever experienced. If you take a lesson from her be prepared to have several “light bulb” moments and be prepared to be a changed rider.
Laura Rice Kaye
____________________________________________________________________________________________
When I came to Hidden River Ranch, I had almost given up on my horse and I ever going anywhere with regard to a show career. Right off the bat Suzie and Erin were very welcoming, and went out of their way to make sure that my horse and I were comfortable. After a week at Hidden River Ranch, I can say with confidence that my horse and I will have a better chance at a showing career. Through their hard work, the clarity of their explanations, and specialized teaching tactics for different riders, I have learned many new things about the connections between horse and rider. I can say with conviction that Hidden River Ranch is always a positive learning environment with the opportunity to accomplish anything in your riding career. For being a rider for about 12 years I have never had a trainer that teaches the way Suzie and Erin do. I most definitely recommend Suzie and Erin, and will always hold a special place in my heart for them.
Cindy Gumber
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Adult Dressage Camp May 16-18, 2008 Grand Haven Stables, Jefferson, OH
I was nervous about coming to camp. Would my horse be at the appropriate level, would I? Would we embarrass ourselves by coming? I found out my answers very quickly. Everything would be fine, and most people were just like me.
I was most impressed by the way the lessons were catered to our individual needs at each lesson. Each day I had my morning lesson with Susan and my afternoon lesson with Pam.
Susan really helped me work through my emotions and nerves. She gave me strategies to use when I was nervous, my horse was nervous, or when we both were. I felt that this was a huge gain for me, learning what to do when I get scared. (Actually staying focused so I could do those things!)
I rode with Pam in the afternoon. It was amazing how seamlessly the lessons flowed from one instructor to the next. It was as if they had gotten together to discuss my morning lessons (which they had not had time to do!). Pam was able to help me to the next step because I had dealt with my emotions in the morning. Pam gave me some great patterns and warm-ups to use with my horse at home.
This camp was a great experience for me and for my horse. He had not traveled in about 9 years. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, the attitude of everyone, and the quality of instruction I received. I hope to attend again in the future.
Tina Treichler
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Colleen & Challis
Hi Susie: When I saw you asked for some testimonials, I just had to submit mine in. You were the biggest influence in my riding career, and what you taught me has been with me for the last 19 years. You taught me to make sure my horse was warmed up properly for each lesson, sometimes we spent the entire lesson on warming up. I loved how detailed your explanation's were, and how you asked me to ride with such precision.
I can still remember you saying this to me: Just like a bodybuilder, you have to warm up before your work out, have plenty of rest breaks, and know when it is time to stop and not overdue the training session, and that it takes years to build up the correct muscles to get to the Grand Prix level.
After all these years, I can still hear your voice, and I am forever grateful that I had the honor to ride with you.
Thank you for all the great memories,
Colleen Walker
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Daria Weinrich
I have ridden with many different trainers in my over 30 years of riding. I have never had a trainer who just knows like Suzie. I can ride with Suzie for one hour and gain more knowledge and ability to correct myself than hours logged with other trainers. She is a natural. Suzie can pair a rider with a horse like magic. She knows what each rider is capable of accomplishing and she gets them there. She is amazing!
Daria Weinrich
____________________________________________________________________________________________
I know that i already told you that danny has been phenomenal lately. For the past 2 weeks EVERY ride has been great. At first i was just happy to have 3 consecutive rides that i walked away from feeling proud and successful of. On ride number 4 though, i decided we were on a lucky streak and noted that i had used the same golden plaid polo wraps on all 4 rides. Luck probably has nothing to do with it. It's more likely the months and months of lessons. A following chest, lower hand, longer hamstring. Breathing out one count more than in. Learning that "supporting him" and "holding him" are different, as are "power" and "speed", "impulsion" and "fast". It's probably more the months of suppling, & pushing forward, and all the times i said, "No, danny. Now means now, not in a minute," though he tried to convince me "in-just-a-sec" would be just fine. He probably started to get better when i decided clinging on with my legs wasn't helping afterall and a shorter rein with a longer arm was much more effective. Yes, the logical part of me knows we are not on a lucky streak, but rather, we are getting better as a pair. I'm riding the way i hear all those lessons taught, how i even teach myself, and he, likewise, is improving in the way that horses do when ridden more correctly consistently. However, i must be honest, I've used those same golden plaid polo wraps everyday since and they have not yet been washed even once in the past 2 weeks. Sometimes, i think, when you own a thoroughbred, you just get a little superstitious....or maybe it's a little desperate. I'm, not sure - this is my first thoroughbred. Either way, thank you for everything susie.
ashley
____________________________________________________________________________________________
|
