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What are people saying about us?
"While riding at Bookmark Farms I have learned so
much about all aspects of riding and horse care. Now that I am away
at college majoring in Equine Studies, I am constantly reminded of
the importance of a solid foundation in the basics of riding, as
well as an in-depth understanding of fine-tuned techniques and
skills. I feel as though I couldn't have been better prepared for my
riding classes at school. The one aspect about Bookmark Farms and my
training with Joan Promen that sticks out the most in my mind is the
attention to detail and the importance of not cutting any corners
while learning. It helped me head into college with confidence,
feeling safe and secure in my equestrian
pursuits."
-Courtney Newby, Student-Lake Erie College,
IEA National Champion in Varsity Intermediate on the Flat, and
Bookmark Farms student since 2002.
.
 "My
name is Kirsten and I really enjoy riding at Bookmark Farms. The
instructors are encouraging and nice. We learn a lot and have fun
riding. I look forward to my lesson time. Everyone I have met at
Bookmark Farms is helpful and very friendly. The best part of
Bookmark Farms is the horses."
-Kirsten Oswalt, 11, rides on Saturdays with Instructor Karrin
Winslow. Kirsten is a beginner jumper.
ASHLEY AND SARAH EKOLA
 "Oliver"
and Sarah, with Mom Ashley and little sister Sophie looking on in
background
"One
of our favorite places in the world is Bookmark Farms! I (Ashley)
grew up with horses and loved having them as a big part of my
life, but then circumstances took me away from them for over 20
years. I thought that surely lightning couldn't strike twice, but
after much begging and pleading from Sarah (my 8-year-old
daughter) I agreed to bring her to Bookmark for lessons at age
7. She loves the horses and the barn with a surprising passion,
and works very hard at learning and riding. Most of all, she
loves taking care of the horses.
It is
the most wonderful thing to ride and learn and share our love of
horses together! (Of course I couldn't stand just watching for
long - I started riding lessons too.) We have discovered that
while horses in general are fantastic, Bookmark Farms is truly
remarkable. Joan and all the trainers are respected and loved by
horse and human students alike, and the values that permeate the
place make it incredibly special. All students learn confidence,
respect, trust, determination, patience, generosity,
responsibility, humility, partnership, and compassion in addition
to riding and horsemanship skills. What is it they say?...there
is plenty of horse sense in the world, but the horses have most of
it? There is plenty to be found at Bookmark Farms!
Getting back in the saddle as an adult has done more for me than I
can explain. It seems like such a big mountain to climb,
especially in middle age, to get back to something that is so
physically demanding. But it has given me such joy!
To
watch Sarah progress and learn and excel at something she loves so
much is a great gift for a Mom. I was wondering aloud on the way
home the other night how it is that she understands the horses so
well, and she said, "Well, that's easy Mommy. You know the thing
inside the horse that makes the horse a horse? I have that in me,
too!". Apparently so ;)."
-Ashley Ekola is a working mom with two daughters. She takes lessons
with Barb Klatt on Saturdays and is trotting and cantering. Sarah is a third-grader at High Point Elementary and takes lessons on Saturdays and Mondays with Karrin
Winslow. She is currently working on cantering with no irons and
jumping cross rails. Ashley and Sarah are proud to introduce their new
pony "Oliver".
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