TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

This letter is in reference to my experience with Shauna Haskell as my equestrian trainer. I came to Shauna's barn as a novice rider in the year 2000 with an older horse which I rode western, if you can call if riding. I think she cringed every time I took off on the trail because she was worried about my safety. The day I asked her to give me lessons and help me to really learn how to ride was a happy day for both of us. She taught basic dressage and equitation to me AND my older gelding, as well as vastly improving my general horse-handling and care taking skills. Her first priority is safety of the rider and safety of the horse.

After two years of lessons with my old gelding, I couldn't ask him to go any further with dressage, so I acquired one of Shauna's young arabian geldings that she had trained. I would NEVER have considered getting a fresh young horse except that I knew Shauna had trained him, that she could vouch for him, and that she would be there to teach me to ride and handle him. I was fortunate enough to spend enough time around the barn with her to appreciate her gift for training both horse and rider and her vast experience with not only wonderful horses, but with "trouble" horses that people would bring to her to "fix." And fix them she did.

After two more years of training with Shauna, I felt comfortable enough to bring my horse home to my own barn and we have had a fantastic time together. She is always there to answer questions I have and to help me better understand my horse. Every time I trailer him out and ride him in the mountains I think of Shauna and send her a little mental "thank you" for giving ME the gift of safe and fun riding on a beautiful, well-mannered horse.

Sincerely,

Karen N. Lee

Dammeron Valley, Utah