Client Perspective: A Year in Review

Special thanks to Shannon L. for sharing her experience!

“As I conducted my ‘year in review’ on New Year’s Day, the outstanding blessing from 2020 was my ability to spend more time with Stephany at Serendipity Dressage. Over this past year, Stephany has given me a beautiful new ‘horse voice!’

It’s kind, gentle, funny, uplifting, and energetic!

My first horse was killed by a drunk driver when I was in my teens. My little mare was my very best friend. I didn’t get on another horse until more than 30 years later.

In my mind I was still a fearless teenage rider - yet that wasn’t reality.

My first ride back, I fell off at high speed and ended up with broken bones and nerve damage in my right leg. For the next nine years I tried to recreate my childhood horse relationship. I bought countless horses thinking if I just had the right one, riding would be easy again.

Instead I suffered many more bruises, falls, and broken bones. Despite weekly lessons, I developed a deep and paralyzing fear. I was close to giving up on my dream of having a relationship with horses. I reached the point where I thought I would just admire them from afar and have to be content to brush mine and walk him on a lead rope.

I saw an ad at the local tack shop for Stephany at Serendipity Dressage, and I took down the number. I reviewed the website repeatedly and was intrigued by her words of a ‘holistic approach.’ Yet, I didn’t have the nerve to call for almost a year.

Finally I decided I just needed to try a lesson with Stephany. It was a last hope. I am soooo thankful that I did!

Just as she advertises, riding with Stephany is definitely not a cookie-cutter type experience. At my first lesson, she put me on Ottie the Wonder Horse. I was absolutely petrified.

She spoke softly and gently and sweetly with him—no harsh negative words about his new riders’ inabilities or lack of confidence. As I sat up on his back and we walked about she let me voice all my fears. She let me dismount when I became overwhelmed and gave me permission to stop and stand and collect my breath and then get back on. These were new concepts to me.

Other instructors had berated me for being afraid and wanted me to just push through it. Their ‘horse voices’ even made fun of me for not knowing what to do.

Not Stephany. Instead, she helped me chip away at those fears. Admittedly it wasn’t an easy process. I had to talk myself into going to each lesson. I had lived with the fear so long it was a known friend — the kindness and confidence Stephany showed me was foreign. However, over the following months she patiently answered my relentless questions.

Along with our one-on-one lessons she encouraged me to attend and observe other lessons and various horse shows and welcomed discussions afterwards. She truly embraces her role as educator and willingly shares her knowledge. I met many of her other students - kind, gentle women just like Stephany. I learned volumes watching her interact with them and their horses.

Throughout my learning process, there were tears (mine) and yelling (me again) and more than a few pouting sessions (all me).

But Stephany was steadfast and never gave up on me.

Stephany taught me to understand and effectively communicate with my horse. Over this past year she has helped to melt my fears by giving me the tools and information I need to feel confident. She safely challenges me to get to the next comfort level with my horse. I now ride independently, and even trail ride again with my husband and his horse.

Stephany and her team have been a blessing to me and my horses. If you are looking for a true, kind, caring, fun professional horsewoman — definitely reach out to Stephany.

I happily look forward to many more chapters in my horse relationships and continued improvement in my riding skills.

Thank YOU!! Thank YOU!! Thank YOU!!

~ Shannon L.