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Students
| Serenity Farm Dressage |
| Contact Us: michele@serenityfarmdressage.com |
SFD Students are featured here. Check back frequently for updates.
During the summer of 2007, I was Michele’s working
student. I had the opportunity to ride upper level horses
and work with my own horse in lessons. Michele
encouraged me to ride into the next movements and to
ask Vonna to give me even more. She raised my
expectations of my horse, and challenged me to ride
Vonna with these high expectations. The hard work paid
off with more expressive movements and sore abs!
student. I had the opportunity to ride upper level horses
and work with my own horse in lessons. Michele
encouraged me to ride into the next movements and to
ask Vonna to give me even more. She raised my
expectations of my horse, and challenged me to ride
Vonna with these high expectations. The hard work paid
off with more expressive movements and sore abs!
Allie King and Wanjana (Vonna)
Hannibal and I have come a long way with Michele in a short
amount of time. Michele is very technical, which is great!
She takes apart the tests movement by movement and really
explains what you are doing and why. She makes sure her
students are well prepared for each portion of the test and
know what to anticipate during the test. She also has you
schooling on future movements while you are mastering
current ones. Michele's lessons are varied and my horse
and I have enjoyed that! Hannibal and I have really enjoyed
working with her and we look forward to the future!
amount of time. Michele is very technical, which is great!
She takes apart the tests movement by movement and really
explains what you are doing and why. She makes sure her
students are well prepared for each portion of the test and
know what to anticipate during the test. She also has you
schooling on future movements while you are mastering
current ones. Michele's lessons are varied and my horse
and I have enjoyed that! Hannibal and I have really enjoyed
working with her and we look forward to the future!
Simone Millbright and With Clearance
(Hannibal)
(Hannibal)
I met Michele a few years ago but didn't really get to know her until last year.
Not only is she a wonderful person but I consider her a very close friend. Her
talent and knowledge as a trainer with the horses and students shows in the
way we ride and how happy the horses are at her farm. Michele takes up time
with horse and rider and really works hard to bring out the best in us. There are
not many trainers that go that extra mile to make sure that her students and
horses are happy. Michele makes training fun and she really explains the
movements and fundamentals of dressage, and whether your an Intro student
or up in the "levels" she makes you feel just as important in the ring!
It has also become really fun riding with Michele because my husband and I
train with one trainer but we have Onassis with her. So there is always jokes
floating around from the trainers and it is always comical to watch husband and
wife competing against one another! Michele has put so much time into Onassis
last year, she won almost every show that she entered him into and the scores
were in the 70's! I can't wait for Onassis's future to see what kind of talent that
Michele will bring out in Onassis and myself!
Not only is she a wonderful person but I consider her a very close friend. Her
talent and knowledge as a trainer with the horses and students shows in the
way we ride and how happy the horses are at her farm. Michele takes up time
with horse and rider and really works hard to bring out the best in us. There are
not many trainers that go that extra mile to make sure that her students and
horses are happy. Michele makes training fun and she really explains the
movements and fundamentals of dressage, and whether your an Intro student
or up in the "levels" she makes you feel just as important in the ring!
It has also become really fun riding with Michele because my husband and I
train with one trainer but we have Onassis with her. So there is always jokes
floating around from the trainers and it is always comical to watch husband and
wife competing against one another! Michele has put so much time into Onassis
last year, she won almost every show that she entered him into and the scores
were in the 70's! I can't wait for Onassis's future to see what kind of talent that
Michele will bring out in Onassis and myself!
Dana Shah-Bishop and Onassis
Working with Michele has been a wonderful experience. Her ability
to see the problems and needs of each individual student and
their horse is incredible. She not only sees the problems, but
works you through the steps to fix them. Michele's knowledge and
attention to details has already been proven in the improved
success of her students.
to see the problems and needs of each individual student and
their horse is incredible. She not only sees the problems, but
works you through the steps to fix them. Michele's knowledge and
attention to details has already been proven in the improved
success of her students.
Caren Vandergrift and Ironside
When my horse and I first came to Michele in the summer of '07
we had plateaued in our training. We were both bored with
working on First Level movements and were ready for a new
challenge. Michele gently pushed us past our comfort zone and
now we are schooling (and a little bit of showing) Second Level
and some extra movements. Michele pushes you to your limits in
an amazing way that makes you stronger as a rider and helps
your relationship with your horse. Now everytime I get on to ride
I can just tell how much my horse enjoys what he is doing, and
so do I. Michele gave us a new and fun out look on dressage
and makes every lesson worthwhile. I learn more than I thought I
could in 45 minutes! Thanks Michele!
we had plateaued in our training. We were both bored with
working on First Level movements and were ready for a new
challenge. Michele gently pushed us past our comfort zone and
now we are schooling (and a little bit of showing) Second Level
and some extra movements. Michele pushes you to your limits in
an amazing way that makes you stronger as a rider and helps
your relationship with your horse. Now everytime I get on to ride
I can just tell how much my horse enjoys what he is doing, and
so do I. Michele gave us a new and fun out look on dressage
and makes every lesson worthwhile. I learn more than I thought I
could in 45 minutes! Thanks Michele!
Karah Watkins and Echo's Fire
Narrative Coming Soon!
Kathy Mitchener and Rosie
Sarah Mitchener and Kaluha
Marsha Cooksey & Rosa Lady (Rose)
Rose and I started training with Michele in the spring of 2008. At the time,
we could hardly maintain a canter around the whole arena, and were riding
in draw reins. We quit the draw reins after the first lesson, and I now ride my
horse confidently and without fear. Rose and I both love training at Serenity
Farm; it is just as the name implies, serene…it is a peaceful and comfortable
atmosphere to ride in. Michele is a very gifted instructor; and teaches in a
way that is clear and understandable. She is very patient and kind, and
puts a great deal of thought into each lesson to ensure that we move
forward in our training at a pace that we can handle. Having watched her
bring several other young horses along and achieving high scores in the
shows gives me absolute confidence in her ability to train Rose and me
through the levels!”
we could hardly maintain a canter around the whole arena, and were riding
in draw reins. We quit the draw reins after the first lesson, and I now ride my
horse confidently and without fear. Rose and I both love training at Serenity
Farm; it is just as the name implies, serene…it is a peaceful and comfortable
atmosphere to ride in. Michele is a very gifted instructor; and teaches in a
way that is clear and understandable. She is very patient and kind, and
puts a great deal of thought into each lesson to ensure that we move
forward in our training at a pace that we can handle. Having watched her
bring several other young horses along and achieving high scores in the
shows gives me absolute confidence in her ability to train Rose and me
through the levels!”
Photo by Dana Shah-Bishop
Pam Hollis and Konstantin (Jangles)
Narrative Coming Soon!
I brought a very young untrained horse to Michele along with a rusty rider; me.
Simone Perry Milbright rode Jangles for me and validated the untapped talent that I felt
he possessed. Although he is a lot of horse he has a kind pleasing attitude that is
hard to find in any breed. Michele has made remarkable strides with Jangles
evidenced by his high scores and wins at his first show. Her ability to 'fit a horse out'
and read a young horse has been a pleasure to watch. She is the most disciplined
and compassionate trainer I have ever worked with including FEI level on the East
Coast and German Olympic rider during Hanoverian inspection in the West. Her keen
sense of when to push and when to back off in training developed this young untrained
horse to a point that in just under 60 days he walked into a pointed double show over
a four day period out of town and behaved and performed as well as any seasoned
adult horse competing evidenced again by his high scores. Michele has the challenge
of putting me together enough to go back in the ring again too.
The Perry's could not have recommended a finer trainer and I am thankful for their
support. It is a pleasure to be in the barn of this consummate trainer with a stellar
personality in this land of hunter/jumpers and as our President of DDA.
Simone Perry Milbright rode Jangles for me and validated the untapped talent that I felt
he possessed. Although he is a lot of horse he has a kind pleasing attitude that is
hard to find in any breed. Michele has made remarkable strides with Jangles
evidenced by his high scores and wins at his first show. Her ability to 'fit a horse out'
and read a young horse has been a pleasure to watch. She is the most disciplined
and compassionate trainer I have ever worked with including FEI level on the East
Coast and German Olympic rider during Hanoverian inspection in the West. Her keen
sense of when to push and when to back off in training developed this young untrained
horse to a point that in just under 60 days he walked into a pointed double show over
a four day period out of town and behaved and performed as well as any seasoned
adult horse competing evidenced again by his high scores. Michele has the challenge
of putting me together enough to go back in the ring again too.
The Perry's could not have recommended a finer trainer and I am thankful for their
support. It is a pleasure to be in the barn of this consummate trainer with a stellar
personality in this land of hunter/jumpers and as our President of DDA.
During the summer of 07 I was horseless and looking for something young to
train. Allie King currently had her horse at Michele's and had told me about a
young horse that Michele had that I might want to try. I went with Allie a few
times to try River, a cute little thoroughbred. He was great and I very much
needed a home that required very little riding, with a crushed heart my search
continued. Finally, I stumbled across an amazing 3 year old at a barn where I
kept my pervious horses. January 08 I purchased Benny. Since then I have
been taking lessons with Michele every week. She has been so great working
with my young horse. She has really helped me get him to where I want him.
Michelle has raised my expectations for what my horse is capable of doing,
and I push him everyday to remind him what we learned in our lessons. Benny
and I have achieved more than I thought in a short amount of time. I am very
excited to see what she will teach us in the future.
train. Allie King currently had her horse at Michele's and had told me about a
young horse that Michele had that I might want to try. I went with Allie a few
times to try River, a cute little thoroughbred. He was great and I very much
needed a home that required very little riding, with a crushed heart my search
continued. Finally, I stumbled across an amazing 3 year old at a barn where I
kept my pervious horses. January 08 I purchased Benny. Since then I have
been taking lessons with Michele every week. She has been so great working
with my young horse. She has really helped me get him to where I want him.
Michelle has raised my expectations for what my horse is capable of doing,
and I push him everyday to remind him what we learned in our lessons. Benny
and I have achieved more than I thought in a short amount of time. I am very
excited to see what she will teach us in the future.
Julia Stephens and Bennington (Benny)
Narrative Coming Soon!
Dressage on a quarter horse ain't easy. They are great all
around horses, and great for what I do, but sometimes I think
Magic would rather be cutting cows.
Even though I love dressage, getting good scores on my
naturally down hill boy, has been, well, kind of depressing.
Since I have been taking from Michele, my scores have really
improved, my confidence has improved and now I get
comments like"nicely balanced"and beautiful gates".
I have come in second at my last two novice level recognised
events.
I held on my dressage score.
Michele is positive, direct and really knows her stuff.
Besides knowing dressage inside and out, she also competed
successfully at eventing so she knows that world also.
Good for me, and good for others like jumpers or hunters who
want to cross-train.
Thank you Michele!
around horses, and great for what I do, but sometimes I think
Magic would rather be cutting cows.
Even though I love dressage, getting good scores on my
naturally down hill boy, has been, well, kind of depressing.
Since I have been taking from Michele, my scores have really
improved, my confidence has improved and now I get
comments like"nicely balanced"and beautiful gates".
I have come in second at my last two novice level recognised
events.
I held on my dressage score.
Michele is positive, direct and really knows her stuff.
Besides knowing dressage inside and out, she also competed
successfully at eventing so she knows that world also.
Good for me, and good for others like jumpers or hunters who
want to cross-train.
Thank you Michele!
Mary Burrows and Magic
August Marshall and Bridgette
Jordan Oldham and Honest Tom
Sixteen-year-old Jordan Oldham is an eventer who has
sucessfully competed to Training level, while schooling at
Preliminary level. Jordan is competing cross country on (a)
Letnayakohn, her 16-year-old American Warmblood mare,
and (b) First Knight, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Cross country is one of three phases completed in the sport
of Eventing; the other two phases are stadium jumping and
dresssage.
about 6 months and has lowered her dressage score
by about 7 points!!
**In eventing your dressage score is subtracted from 100 to
get your penalty points. So a 67% on your test = 32 penalty
points, and lowering your penalty points is GOOD!!
sucessfully competed to Training level, while schooling at
Preliminary level. Jordan is competing cross country on (a)
Letnayakohn, her 16-year-old American Warmblood mare,
and (b) First Knight, her nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
Cross country is one of three phases completed in the sport
of Eventing; the other two phases are stadium jumping and
dresssage.
about 6 months and has lowered her dressage score
by about 7 points!!
**In eventing your dressage score is subtracted from 100 to
get your penalty points. So a 67% on your test = 32 penalty
points, and lowering your penalty points is GOOD!!
Lyn Myers and Tucker
I was given a cute QH horse named Tucker, who had been “yard-art” for many
years. I had recently lost my gentle giant Belgian, Beau, with the world’s best
disposition. Along comes this little Palomino guy, with attitude, independence
and mostly no training plus no desire to acquire a work ethic. We floundered
together for quite some time. (a few laughs in between)
We needed HELP! Dana introduced me to Michele and our good fortune, she
accepted the challenge. Tucker is her first QH – who’d have thought with her
background that she’d even be interested in taking us on. Her clarity, patience,
problem-solving abilities, and knowledge, coupled with discipline, have been a
god-send for us both. Tucker loves her and is enjoying his new job - he has
grown into a handsome and kind horse…and, I am learning how to ride, finally,
@ 57. THX, Michele, for being a great (diversified) teacher!
years. I had recently lost my gentle giant Belgian, Beau, with the world’s best
disposition. Along comes this little Palomino guy, with attitude, independence
and mostly no training plus no desire to acquire a work ethic. We floundered
together for quite some time. (a few laughs in between)
We needed HELP! Dana introduced me to Michele and our good fortune, she
accepted the challenge. Tucker is her first QH – who’d have thought with her
background that she’d even be interested in taking us on. Her clarity, patience,
problem-solving abilities, and knowledge, coupled with discipline, have been a
god-send for us both. Tucker loves her and is enjoying his new job - he has
grown into a handsome and kind horse…and, I am learning how to ride, finally,
@ 57. THX, Michele, for being a great (diversified) teacher!
Kitty Junkind and Kobi
Narrative coming soon!
Narrative Coming Soon
Pam Rayl and Airborne