Oh, Lyngle!
You
and Robert saw me at the very beginning, so you really know what has
happened in these 2 1/2 years! You can see all the ways Pacific
Sundown (now called Shadow) changed Rogerio's and my life for the
better. We didn't get to have children, but we have Shadow, and he
is our "child". We love him so much. In the video you didn't get to
see Rogerio playing his banjo at the barn. He loves to come out and
just chill, walk with Shadow, putz around the barn.
I have loved horses all my life. They have appeared
in my dreams throughout my life. I've ALWAYS wanted one. My only
opportunity to be with them was when I was a child and my family
would go to Yellowstone Park, and I begged to ride a horse. When I
hit 59, I just decided that I had to "go for it", but I wasn't sure
I was physically fit enough to handle a horse. Please remember that
I was in a wheelchair [Kirstin had polio as a child] in 2004 by the
time I retired work from CDC.
The person I visited & stayed with before I came to
you was a woman (Janet) up in Indiana who had studied with Monty
Roberts. She was a friend of a friend. I worked with her for 5 days
(all ground work) just to test my endurance and stength - to see if
I might be able to develop enough to handle a horse [Kirstin walked
with a cane at the time]. I had already been looking for gaited
horses. Originally, I was thinking about an Icelandic horse - small,
good disposition, gaited.
During my research, someone mentioned the Rocky
Mountain breed (which I'd never heard of), so I went on line and
found that everything I read and saw of them attracted me. By the
time I made the trip up to Indiana, I had identified online three
RMH farms I wanted to visit.
Your website attracted me because of Robert's
Foundation First training, and just his style. Even on the website I
felt like he (y'all) were accessible, experienced, straightforward,
yet humble about what you do - not just working a sale. I called
him, told him what my circumstances were, asked if he thought he
could work with me, despite my age and disability. He was just very
welcoming and made me feel comfortable. I came by your farm for the
first time on my way back from my visit with Janet. Robert put me on
Stormy, and I just knew I'd found the breed and the farm where I
would eventually get my horse. So you could definitely say that
Stormy, Robert, Erin and you, Lyngle, changed my life at that
moment. That was in May of 2008. I went home, started saving money
to come for a week of training with y'all, though I didn't imagine
or plan on getting a horse of my own for another year or so.
That week I spent staying with you put everything
into "fast forward", and I'm sooo glad. Robert can tell you that he
called me after I sent him the deposit and asked if I wanted to
"sell" Pacific Sundown to a lady who offered an additional $1000 for
him!! I was sooo grateful to Robert for the way he handled that, and
I'm so grateful I stayed with my choice. I LOVE that horse.
Lyngle, I'm so happy for you in your new venture and
hope you'll let me know how that goes. You are the perfect person to
do this! Know that Robert fostered my interest and confidence in
training, and YOU kindled my LOVE and confidence in feeling like
this all was really possible for me! I'm sure you have done that for
many people. So, please, if you're happy for me, know how grateful I
am for having lucked out and found you and Robert!! If I dared to
dream one more wish it would be to ride with you and Robert one day
out on a trail.
Do keep in touch with how your competition goes. I'd
love to see photos if you get some!
Love to you both,
Kirstin
November 9, 2011
Stoner Ridge Farm
Paris, KY
Dear Robert,
After completing
another successful week with you as instructor and trainer, I
felt compelled to put a few of my thoughts into words. A few
years ago my wife and I decided to explore horse ownership and
the surrounding activities as a new hobby. Of course we soon
learned there was much more to it than finding a horse and
hitting the trail.
After being
introduced to you and your training facility by mutual friends,
we soon found you to be a trainer who would not only work with
our horses, but also provide the riding instruction we were
unable to find in our area.
Through the
series of clinics you have been willing to conduct at our barn
we have found invaluable instruction, first for safety in
handling and riding our horses; then during each subsequent
visit you would re-assess both our horse’s performance and our
riding skills, and give us careful, specific and more advanced
instruction for both riders and horses. Because of this unique
one-to-one experience, we have been able to progress from basic
safe riding practices and control of or horses, through the more
refined riding skills that employ the subtle cues from the rider
and more advanced maneuvers for the horses, adding greatly to
the enjoyment of the ride. Each time we completed a clinic we
felt we had made measurable progress, and were left with new
techniques on which to work; new goals to meet.
It is safe to say
that without your help and guidance we would likely not own
horses today. Regardless of the task at hand, we have always
enjoyed and appreciated your professionalism, skill, patience,
kindness and friendship. Thank you again.
Most sincerely,
Joe and Sandy
Minard
A Thank You
We received a lovely card from Janet Dunne
after she purchased a great horse from SRF. The mare was bred,
born, and trained at SRF.
“Dear Mr. Lawson,
I am writing you this letter to thank you for
making, “She’s Got Curves” (now called Tess) the best friend I could
ever hope for. She has been an amazing source of joy for me, from
the moment she arrived! Tess and I have connected in a wonderful
say. We ride six days a week, and enjoy our time on trail
together. She trailers beautifully and is always up for a road trip
or a new adventure. I’m also blessed to be able to ride bareback a
lot. She is not spooky and has a level head.
My dreams have come true! Tess completes me,
and I thank you again for making this possible. I also praise God
for allowing this miracle to come to pass! God is great!
Thanks again and God bless you, Janet Dunne
P.S. People see what an amazing horse Tess is and I
have passed your name on to those who showed interest.”
