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Testimonials
Here are excerpts from letters and emails Catherine has received from students.
Thanks for the lessons this week - I'm so pleased with the continuous progress! And so happy I have found you! And also thank you for taking the time to laser him. ~Eileen Kenny

Catherine is an extremely enthusiastic instructor who has the right touch for bringing out the best in horse and rider. She works well with riders of all levels and is more than happy to hop up on your horse to further her instruction. Catherine showed us a different way to get Bluto on the bit, especially a BIG horse who prefers to be heavy on his forehand. She also gave me an added dose of courage in working with my green horse and that is an added bonus of working with such a great instructor. ~Wendy Murray, from an article in Half-Halt

I rode my horse Bluto with you at Oak Haven Farm and I just wanted to write a quick note and say thanks! I've had a confidence problem since Bluto launched me some time ago and as a result I'm usually stiff and resort to rock hard hands when he gets fast or heavy on his forehand. That's a problem I've been struggling with until we worked with you and the triangle method you showed us is really helping me keep quiet hands and steer the bog boy. My nervousness is based on me anticipating him taking off, which he hasn't even  tried yet, so I've condemned him as guilty before giving him a chance to prove otherwise. Working with you even for one hour helped us out a lot and I appreciate your enthusiasm and can't wait until you come back. ~Wendy Murray

Catherine, I just wanted to say thanks again for all your help and support. You are one special person and I'm so proud having you as a trainer and a friend. you are one very talented person and once you start showing Grace, you will be turning heads, even though you already do that now. I wish I was rich and could purchase you the most talented dressage horse and pay all your expenses so you would have to do nothing but go to shows, take lessons with only the best trainers and move up to the TOP. I would be so proud to be able to be your sponsor. Again, thanks so much for giving us your time. I wish I could do more for you in return. ~Jody Swartz

Catherine, you were a real hero yesterday. I can't thank you enough for coming all the way here, observing, riding and then encouraging me. You didn't embarrass me or make me feel stupid and you didn't ask too much or push me past my comfort zone. I felt confident with you there to guide us. It was like you understood what I was going through and knew exactly how far to go in that first little session. Nothing seems to faze you and that confidence really rubbed off on me! ~ Dana Metheny

The first time I rode the test, it was a semi-disaster. I hadn't warmed Misty up enough so she was spooking at the judge's table, not paying attention to me, etc. Catherine focused right in on my problems and addressed them in our lesson. She gave me tips on regulating Misty's speed, getting her to come into the bit better, and on improving our canter departures. When I re-rode the test, it was a night and day difference. Her advice worked! ~Jackie Donaldson

I had a terrific lesson. Probably one of the best lessons for the money! I understood everything Catherine was trying to relate to me and was able to apply it to my riding there and have continued to use it since I got home. I would have loved to have ridden both days with her. I feel like she knew what she was talking about, explained it well, was able to obtain results from the horse and ridden even if it was just for a few moments. She was very encouraging, which I need at the moment, trying to get through second level and wanting to do third level so bad I can taste it. ~Kim Thomason