Chelsey Bakof
I brought my first horse February of last year. He was a neglected grey TB gelding with the sweetest temperament you could ever ask for. Poor boy came to us with nothing, not even a name. It was about a month before he had put enough condition to start any kind of work and by then he was feeling pretty good. Donny had your typical pushy TB manners haha. My mum knew nothing about horses and was nervous and scared herself, which rubbed off on both me and Donny. It was about then I started having lessons with Shannon, after a friend of my mum's suggested her to us. Shannon was so kind and patient and little by little, Donny began to trust. We discovered he had not only had physical scars but mental scars as well. He would react explosively whenever something different or unknown pushed on his little 'safety bubble'. These unknown things were great in number because of Donny's lack of education. Slowly he learnt to accept different things and trust. In the beginning he didn't know how to lunge or move off pressure and seriously lacked the basic education most horses should have. Shannon was brilliant with both of us and Donny improved so quickly. In a few short months he went from the pushy spooky TB to a quiet and well mannered horse I would trust to carry my brother(who knows nothing about horses) safely. I would have been lost without Shannon's guidance.
Later that year I went away to America to visit family(and have an awesome holiday). Shannon took Donny into her care so I wouldn't have to worry about him and to further educate him. Shannon was awesome at keeping me informed! She sent me emails almost daily and made a page on her website I could check for pictures and videos. (You should go check it out! It's got heaps of info on what she did with him and his improvement). I couldn't believe how much he'd change when I got back! He was heaps softer in the bridle and more accepting of the contact. His lunging problems disappeared (Donny would panic and take off when asked to canter on the lunge and under-saddle) and his canter under-saddle had improved 1000%. It was well worth sending him there and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Now a days Donny and I regularly compete in showjumping, dressage and are about to start eventing. You might even see us at a show or two, even though we aren't really showies lol. We'd gone from not being wanting to leave my agistment to competing and placing almost every time we go out! We're currently competing at 70cm in showjumping and training nearly a meter at home, as well as competing at preliminary dressage and scoring over 60% nearly every test! I think that's not bad since 12 months ago I couldn't even canter him, let alone round him up and do a dressage test! None of this would have been possible without Shannon's guidance. She's always thrilled to see how we're going and what we've been up to. But without her help I wouldn't be able to do 99% of the things I'm doing now.
I brought my first horse February of last year. He was a neglected grey TB gelding with the sweetest temperament you could ever ask for. Poor boy came to us with nothing, not even a name. It was about a month before he had put enough condition to start any kind of work and by then he was feeling pretty good. Donny had your typical pushy TB manners haha. My mum knew nothing about horses and was nervous and scared herself, which rubbed off on both me and Donny. It was about then I started having lessons with Shannon, after a friend of my mum's suggested her to us. Shannon was so kind and patient and little by little, Donny began to trust. We discovered he had not only had physical scars but mental scars as well. He would react explosively whenever something different or unknown pushed on his little 'safety bubble'. These unknown things were great in number because of Donny's lack of education. Slowly he learnt to accept different things and trust. In the beginning he didn't know how to lunge or move off pressure and seriously lacked the basic education most horses should have. Shannon was brilliant with both of us and Donny improved so quickly. In a few short months he went from the pushy spooky TB to a quiet and well mannered horse I would trust to carry my brother(who knows nothing about horses) safely. I would have been lost without Shannon's guidance.
Later that year I went away to America to visit family(and have an awesome holiday). Shannon took Donny into her care so I wouldn't have to worry about him and to further educate him. Shannon was awesome at keeping me informed! She sent me emails almost daily and made a page on her website I could check for pictures and videos. (You should go check it out! It's got heaps of info on what she did with him and his improvement). I couldn't believe how much he'd change when I got back! He was heaps softer in the bridle and more accepting of the contact. His lunging problems disappeared (Donny would panic and take off when asked to canter on the lunge and under-saddle) and his canter under-saddle had improved 1000%. It was well worth sending him there and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Now a days Donny and I regularly compete in showjumping, dressage and are about to start eventing. You might even see us at a show or two, even though we aren't really showies lol. We'd gone from not being wanting to leave my agistment to competing and placing almost every time we go out! We're currently competing at 70cm in showjumping and training nearly a meter at home, as well as competing at preliminary dressage and scoring over 60% nearly every test! I think that's not bad since 12 months ago I couldn't even canter him, let alone round him up and do a dressage test! None of this would have been possible without Shannon's guidance. She's always thrilled to see how we're going and what we've been up to. But without her help I wouldn't be able to do 99% of the things I'm doing now.
Alysha Maher
My first horse was a 12 year old TB, and he turned out to be a little more horse than I had first thought. His insecurities really tested my confidence.
My horse and I had a big crash one evening. I was too scared to ride him again after that. I got Shannon out to help me with some ground work. We spent hours on basic ground manners and getting him to respect me and after a while I started to trust him again too. Thanks to Shannon’s patience, understanding and encouragement I was able to ride him again. Shannon never made me feel inadequate or pushed me or my horse beyond our limits, instead she was always supportive and kind in her caring approach to both of us. Since then I have been able to call on Shannon when I have had concerns with anything horse related and she has always been quite happy to help me.
In 2011 I had a show jumping fall. I injured my neck and my neurosurgeon said I was never allowed to ride again, the thought of this devastated me and we came to the conclusion that I was just not allowed to jump. I had two years of just dressage lessons. Early 2013 I brought my second horse. He is a 14.3hh Arab X QH. I had my first jumping lesson with Shannon after having the two years off. I was extremely nervous and worried about what was going to happen. Shannon made sure I was comfortable with everything and by the end of the lesson we were already jumping 70cm. Shannon’s gentle approach has never made me feel embarrassed toward my insecurities. In just three months of owning my new horse, I now feel quite confident in my abilities and both my horse and I are enjoying competing at various inter-school competitions and shows.
Shannon is always happy to hear how we are going and always willing to help whenever I need her.
Alysha + Tyson
My first horse was a 12 year old TB, and he turned out to be a little more horse than I had first thought. His insecurities really tested my confidence.
My horse and I had a big crash one evening. I was too scared to ride him again after that. I got Shannon out to help me with some ground work. We spent hours on basic ground manners and getting him to respect me and after a while I started to trust him again too. Thanks to Shannon’s patience, understanding and encouragement I was able to ride him again. Shannon never made me feel inadequate or pushed me or my horse beyond our limits, instead she was always supportive and kind in her caring approach to both of us. Since then I have been able to call on Shannon when I have had concerns with anything horse related and she has always been quite happy to help me.
In 2011 I had a show jumping fall. I injured my neck and my neurosurgeon said I was never allowed to ride again, the thought of this devastated me and we came to the conclusion that I was just not allowed to jump. I had two years of just dressage lessons. Early 2013 I brought my second horse. He is a 14.3hh Arab X QH. I had my first jumping lesson with Shannon after having the two years off. I was extremely nervous and worried about what was going to happen. Shannon made sure I was comfortable with everything and by the end of the lesson we were already jumping 70cm. Shannon’s gentle approach has never made me feel embarrassed toward my insecurities. In just three months of owning my new horse, I now feel quite confident in my abilities and both my horse and I are enjoying competing at various inter-school competitions and shows.
Shannon is always happy to hear how we are going and always willing to help whenever I need her.
Alysha + Tyson
Linda Hall
Shannon,
Thanks for another great lesson on Friday. In the 4 weeks you've been helping me work my horse Harry he & I have learned so much, he has come leaps & bounds & you've given me the tools to continue his training.
Not only are you a great & knowledgeable natural horse trainer but you yourself are a lovely person and Harry & I look forward to our next training session.
I HIGHLY recommend Shannon to anyone, needing someone to help further educate or retrain their problem horse, she is a kind and gentle teacher.
Linda & Harry
Kathryn Christieson
Thank you Shannon for another great lesson today, you are always able to bring out the best in my horses. Would absolutely recommend Shannon to everyone, she is great :)
Emma Remy Jenkin
Had a lesson Tuesday! Guys you must ring up and book a lesson! I learned so much from just one lesson! It helped me so much! She was that fantastic that I've booked at set time per week! If you want a kind but very good instructor you can't go wrong! Thanks again so much, I learned so much :)
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Thank you Shannon for another great lesson today, you are always able to bring out the best in my horses. Would absolutely recommend Shannon to everyone, she is great :)
Emma Remy Jenkin
Had a lesson Tuesday! Guys you must ring up and book a lesson! I learned so much from just one lesson! It helped me so much! She was that fantastic that I've booked at set time per week! If you want a kind but very good instructor you can't go wrong! Thanks again so much, I learned so much :)
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