I started training with Fiona in June 2005, with my (then) new horse. I was a nervous rider, having been through the mill with 3 previous horses.My goal to compete affiliated dressage was going to need some serious help before turning into reality.
Fiona knew how to deal with someone who isn’t too sure of themselves, and set me on the road to recovery! She spent plenty of time going over the same things in bitesize chunks until I was happy with them. One of my great sticking points was canter, I had an overwhelming feeling that I was being carted off with at every opportunity.
In what felt like no time, I was comfortable in the saddle and off galloping around the huge arena, laughing as I went!
We have had our setbacks, but each time I have gone for a lesson and vented my spleen, Fiona has been there to pick me up, dust me down, and get me motivated again. I can even say that I enjoy competing now!
Towards the end of 2006 I felt like we needed to make huge improvements, so I asked Fiona to take my horse for a few weeks to get him to focus himself more. When I returned to collect him, I was sure he had been swapped for an identical looking horse, but a beautifully schooled one! He is much more responsive to ride now, and I really feel like we have turned a corner. My only wish is that I had sent him there much sooner!
Fiona has lots of interesting ways of explaining things to me, and I always feel that I am able to admit when I don’t understand. She never makes me feel like I am not good enough, and I always come away knowing that I have achieved something, no matter how small, in each lesson.
Every time I hear friends say they are looking for a new instructor, I always recommend Fiona, and I am pleased to say that 3 people have been converted!!!!