Shelley,

 I need to write this to say “thank you” for all you have done for Izzy and Nikki. I hope you will post this for others to see.

 I can not thank Shelley enough for coming into our lives.  I had called Shelley on July 16, 2008 and I told her I was looking to have someone train my daughter and my horse.  I told her that Isabelle, a.k.a Izzy, my horse, is an 11 yr. old Chestnut Thoroughbred Mare from the track, she raced for a few years and did well.  I paused after spewing that out because usually I am met with moans and groans because first of all, she's a thoroughbred, second, she's a mare, third, she's a former race horse and has that "mentality", and fourth she's a chestnut with two white socks.  There is a saying about "beware of the Chestnut Mare".  The saying is that no socks or one sock is preferred, two socks, look out for the major attitude, three socks, you're in for trouble and four socks, you might as well forget it.  Shelly did not seem concerned. 

 I also explained that Izzy, a major love of my life, has many issues such as biting people she doesn't like, not willing to trailer and a bucking, spinning, rearing combination if she's not real happy with the lesson (yes, my daughter is on her at that time).  Again, Shelley seemed unflappable.  I told Shelley that my daughter, Nicole has been working with Izzy for approximately 4.5 years and we have owned her for 4 years.  At this time, my daughter is 15.  I explained that we were looking to get them to some shows this year and continue on. 

 Shelley, Nikki and I met on July 19th at the Bux-Mont Riding Club so Shelley could meet Nikki and discuss her goals and dreams.  The meeting went beautifully.  I liked the fact that Shelley is very kind and has a lot of the same views that I do.  She is not harsh with any horse and believes that a horse "acting out or up" is usually a sign that something is either wrong or the horse doesn't understand.  This does not imply that the horse is "bad".  By the way, I believe that there are no bad horses, just bad people.

 Our first lesson was scheduled for July 25th.  Izzy met Shelley and really seemed to like her!  The lesson was amazing.  She explained things that I had heard over the course of my daughter's riding career, but never understood; like "let the horse fall into your hands", "half-halt", and my favorite, leg positioning.  I finally understood what Nikki was being taught over all of these years. Shelley also ends these lessons with a question and answer session for the student and parent and she gives "homework".

 Our second lesson was August 1st and again, it was beautiful!  Nikki was happy and Izzy was happy.  That has always been my goal.  I just want them happy.  Nikki looked better than she had in a long time in her riding.  Izzy responded and looked relaxed and happy.  She was listening to Nikki, but absolutely no confusion about what was being asked of her.

 We followed that lesson with one on August 8th and one on August 14th and had previously asked Shelley to take us to our first show under her on August 16th.

 Shelly brought the trailer over the night before the show because I had told her that Izzy has issues.  Shelly figured out the issues within minutes and may I proudly say, Izzy got on the trailer and seemed fine.  Our plan was set for the next morning.  Shelley would return early, just to be sure Izzy would still get on and we could get to the show.  If we start early, we have time for any attitude problems.

 Nikki showed in the green division because, even though I've owned the horse for 4 years, training has been inadequate or non-existent.  Izzy has only shown one year.  This year, they took first place in all four classes and were the champions of that division.  I think I might know a tiny bit how Michael Phelps' mom felt when her son won.  I actually cried.  I was so proud of both of my girls!!  Several times during the classes, I lost sight of Nikki and Izzy because my horse was always the one whose head would pop up.  This time, she was relaxed and looked so easy to ride!

 Shelly is trainer number 13 for us in these last 4 years.  Amazing I know.  Looking back through the trainers we have had, I now know we would not be where we are if I still had any of the prior trainers.  We have had some that were great for beginning riding, which is what we needed at that time.  I will never take that away from them.  They were there to teach Nikki how to ride in the beginning.  I bought a green horse and had a green rider.  Those two things usually don't mix.  What I also had was an incredible bond between equine and human.  Nikki is very much an introvert who, at the advice of a friend, I took to riding lessons.  Three years later, we met Izzy and the two just clicked.  I often say that Izzy brought Nikki around and Nikki brought Izzy around.  Nikki's kindness and patience with Izzy has paid off in a big way.  This horse has taught lessons that nobody could ever teach in a riding lesson.  Izzy's ability to learn to trust in someone has also paid off.  I am not sorry for buying her when I did. 

 I have had some people who call themselves trainers, but are nothing short of money mongers looking for the fast buck.  Some of these alleged trainers told me to sell Izzy, put her down, she was going to kill my daughter, and my absolute favorite, "your horse has a brain tumor".  This was told to be by a "trainer" who then wanted me to sell my horse as a brood mare.  Now I ask, why would you breed a potential problem?  I think that trainer actually has the tumor!

 A few lessons learned - your rider and horse both have to be happy with your trainer.  If even one is not happy, it will not work.  Look for a person who is out for the best ineterest of the horse and rider, not their name.  This is not about the "big" shows all of the time, it's about learning, caring, understanding and for both horse and rider to have fun.  Look for someone who tries to figure out the horses issues and fears and does not man handle the horse.  You will not win against something 4 or more times your body weight.  Look to a person who "hears" what your horse has to say.  Look for someone who welcomes your questions about lessons or horses and doesn't treat you like an idiot for asking.  We are all here to learn and some of us in this life are teachers.

 I believe I have found all of these qualities in Shelley.  Lucky number 13.  Sometimes you have to sift through the gravel and rubble to find the real gems in life!

 Thank you again, Shelly, and may God Bless!  You are truly one of a kind!

 Laurie Torres

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