Customer Testimonials
[Letter from Angie, Brio's breeder - following a successful year - a most treasured testimonial!]
[From Chris & Margaret Kivell & their daughters Tracey & Clare re. 'Digs'; who we broke in]
"I grew up with horses and competed regularly into my late teens. However, university, career and family dictated a 20 year riding gap until I bought a green Irish Sports mare two years ago for general riding and jumping. She quickly showed real promise in her jumping but her flatwork needed a boost, as a working mother of three with their own ponies and a business to run and no schooling facilities at the time meant I just did not have enough time to do it regularly. A friend suggested Trefewha Farm and Clare took the horse on for a few weeks. The work Clare did with her was excellent, bringing her on in leaps and bounds and at the same time improving her jumping technique and her confidence whic culminated in Clare jumping her indoors for the first time where she went clear. Clare encouraged me to affiliate her and she has gone from strength to strength. In addition to this both Clare and Mary have been friendly, supportive sources of advice and encouragement, without all or which I would not be where I am today horse-wise.
My son Jake only started riding in March 2008, but has been a fast learner and soon beyond what I could teach him at home. Mary is an excellent instructor - exacting but diligent with infectious enthusiasm, and has been the perfect choice and well worth the hour's trip each way. She had the job of teaching two novices, with my son's promising but backward Welsh pony, who had languised in a riding school for most of his life. Mary schooled the pony for a fortnight with significant improvements, and the combination she has produced in them is now rarely out of the ribbons at Cross Country, showjumping and working hunter classes and still improving. In addition my son revels in Mary's teaching and enthusiasm and has become very committed to his riding and a competitive future. Through knowing Mary and Clare professionally we have witnessed them break, school and improved many horses for their owners. They provide a flexible, friendly and confidence-boosting service to owners throughout the region and I have no hesitation in recommending them. They are worth every penny! "
[Email from Tara Physick, owner of Four Leaf - a horse Clare is competing in 2010 and mother of Jake who Mary teaches on a regular basis... Jake is one to watch for the future!!]
Hi Clare
Just had the most amazing schooling ride EVER!!!!!
I wanted you to know what a fantastic job you have done bringing Tigo on and I am so excited to know that there is still more to come.
In just two months you have taken a worried, green and cautious horse (who at some point in his past has been treated so badly by a rider when schooling his mental scares where obvious by his fearful and sometimes very dangerous behavior) and brought him into his prime, he rides like a dream, no longer unsure of his paces or the schooling environment. He is beautiful to watch when you are competing him but also he has become the ride I always knew he could be with the right education.
The most important part of Tigo's transformation is you have done all this with love, patience, building trust and the respect for him he really needed, in turn he has learnt his rider is not someone to be feared but a partnership. There are to many people out there claiming to be able to help horses but choose to use bulling and cruel methods and I have to say this was the the main reason for choosing Trefewha Farm. Not only are the results fantastic but the level of care and attention from everyone at Trefewha Farm has been outstanding.
Whatever happened in Tigos past my bond with him was always there on the ground but where I lack riding ability you have taken the bad experiences away and replaced them with an ability for him to have absolute fun, love for the job and be a truly lovable horse in all ways.
I am also looking forward to more lessons with Mary who has given me the confidence I really needed, she is a wonderful instructor and I can see why together you are both an amazing team.
Thank you so much xxxxxxxxxxxx
Jeannette
PS I think Tigo is missing you xxx
[Email from Jeannette Wood, owner of Tigo - a horse Clare is currently competing and whom Mary has taught]