"Rachel does a wonderful job of teaching correct riding biomechanics in a way that is so much fun!! My daughter's confidence and riding grew so much under Rachel's tutelage as her position and balance improved."
Gabby Ledger, 2016
Rachel is an exceptionally talented coach who shares her knowledge openly. She bases her coaching on evidence and not only considers the student, but also puts the horse's well being first. Rachel has helped me to understand how my position influences the way my horse moves, and how to improve so my horse can improve as well. She aspires to bring out the best in both and can do so in a very positive way. Rachel's coaching skills are excellent and I appreciate the eye she has to recognize what needs to change to make things better.
Brenda Foster 2014
"We have had the pleasure of getting to know Rachel as an employee and personally. She is a hard working, patient and intuitive teacher. She rides along with you as a coach and has a passion for teaching proper techniques.
Rachel is friendly and her bubbly personality wins you over from the start. She has taught all ages at our facility and was adored by all. If you're looking for that one teacher who creates confidence in her riders you will love her positive approach!
Wishing her all the best in her future endeavors!!"
Jennifer VandenDool owner of Stella Mount Stables ON, Canada
Rachel has the unique ability to read both horse and rider and to bring them together. I have taken many lessons and workshops which seem to focus on one aspect or the other. To work with someone who has the ability to help with both at the same time has transformed my riding in a short period. I had lost trust in my gelding after a couple of falls and each ride felt tense and crooked. Prior to taking lessons on him with Rachel, each ride felt like a fight that was not enjoyable and often ended in frustration and tears. Rachel quickly showed me it was my tenseness and body position causing him to respond to me. Rachel took me back to basics showing me less is more, improving my body position while helping my horse to relax and soften. I was amazed to find that small body movements could affect my horse in large ways, something that felt very basic and right but had never really been explained to me like this before. After a few short lessons, my once tense and crooked gelding felt soft and smooth and was a pleasure to ride. From there we quickly progressed to some beautiful soft moments of self carriage and a small jump course, something I never thought I would achieve with this specific horse. I love the energy and enthusiasm Rachel brings to every lesson; you can tell she truly cares about the horses and making it a positive experience for both horse and rider.
Brigitte Rudolf, 2017
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"I have owned my pony since December 2011 and he is now 20 years old. I had a few lessons in my early 20s but got seriously interested again at the age of 64. Prior to having lessons with Rachel I had a couple of other instructors.
When Rachel came to give me my first lesson she started with the basics, correcting my position which resulted in an immediate positive change in my pony. She showed me actions influenced my pony in positive and negative ways. Rachel gave me homework after each lesson and I was able to work on my short-comings. Rachel told me not to ask my pony to do something unless I had his full attention and she showed me how to get and keep his attention. This had been a problem before as my pony was quite herd bound. One of my biggest problems was that I was only able to canter in harmony for a few steps and then I would start bouncing. By the end of the fall, I learned to ride my pony in a relaxed manner he began to offer self carriage. My canter has improved to the point where I am in harmony with him and I do not bounce around. Canter is not a challenge now, it's something I look forward to each time I ride.
I like to do ground work and Rachel gave me important helpful ideas about getting him to stretch and relax.
Having Rachel in my life made me look forward to each lesson and made me feel extremely happy with the results I achieved in every single lesson. Rachel gives you her full attention and explains her actions in detail. She is such an amazing instructor and because of her I have improved my riding to totally new level."
Antoinette Rudolf 2017
"Bear was no fun to ride. He threw his head, cranked his jaw, popped his shoulder and "trantered", but he would trot around perfectly sometimes. The vet said he had a hitch and to ride him. I used a chiropracter, laser therapy, massage and supplements but nothing helped. I got his teeth checked, saddle checked, and I tried a bitless bridle and micklem. I had pretty much given up hope after giving long periods of rest in the field. Every now again I would get him in hoping time had helped....
Rachel worked with him starting on the ground and then started ridden work. There seemed to be some improvement, but the problems would still arise. Rachel suggested more physio and found a therapist she rated. I was reluctant to spend any more money on this horse but Rachel was determined that there was hope for him! After his first treatment you could see dramatic changes. I then knew this was money well spent. After more treatments and Rachel's gentle riding and patience Bear was on his way to being a useful horse. I am so grateful to Rachel for believing in Bear. I am now very excited for his future."
Cathy Lawrence
She is a fantastic coach! Before meeting Rachel, my young daughter was just learning to ride, had been attending another stable for a year and she'd progressed only to trot on a lead line. A friend told us about Rachel and we signed up for training. After an assessment, Rachel decided to start my daughter from scratch and within three months of weekly lessons she was cantering! She was enjoying horseback riding again!
What became very clear to me that Rachel was more than a riding enthusiast who thought she could teach. Indeed, Rachel was extremely knowledgeable in horse care and teaching and was constantly training to improve her craft.
Rachel has a friendly and caring yet persistent demeanor. She kept my daughter comfortable, but also she motivated and helped her past her fears. Rachel was able to appreciate that my daughter just wanted to ride, not compete, and tailored her teaching accordingly. Tragically, Rachel left Canada for England; our loss, your gain.
Helen Funk
“Rachel and I competed together at Dressage but I do not jump so she took my horse cross country schooling - they jumped everything! Rachel also rides my green horses for me; she is a very good rider.”
Vanessa Percy, 2010
"Well after struggling to get Garrison to the point where he was strong enough to start schooling, this is where I enlisted the help of Rachel, she was the most enthusiastic, caring and determined woman I had ever met. Rachel worked with Garrison for several years when ever she could, and slowly he went from
this to this
I have never met anyone quite like Rachel. She would work with Garrison for hours, gently asking him to do what she wanted and no matter how much he resisted she never lost her temper, got angry or disheartened. She was always safety conscious for both rider and horse and l loved the enthusiastic lessons I had with her. I always came away feeling as if I had achieved a better connection with Garrison and loved the progress we both made. If you are looking for a lady to work with you and your horses, who is gentle, determined, strong and somehow magically gets fabulous results from some amazing connection with the horse; then I can only say that this is the lady."
Mary Winsdale, 2009
