Hopeful Journey Equestrian "Where Riders Become Weiser"*
Testimonials
It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Fionna on her opening of Hopeful Journey Equestrian Center. A place where any age rider begins a hopeful (and joyous) journey to accomplishment in the world of horses.
I was very fortunate to meet Fionna few years ago. After a serious horse accident 15 years ago, I lost a great deal of my confidence riding (after 50 years of riding). Fionna introduced me to the skills of Centered Riding. Her easy manner, encouragement and ability to explain skills in very plain language with examples to real life makes her coaching invaluable. So at age 65, I am still in the saddle.
I had a great opportunity to help Fionna with a summer camp for some of her students. What was impressive to see was the respect and comradarie between teacher and students as Fionna gave to them her love and knowledge of horses. Fionna also has a wonderful communion with our four-footed friends. She has changed my 9 year old Han/TB mare from a shoulder-dropping, behind the bit, uncomfortable ride to a horse who has engaged her back-end putting her front up, and is soft on the bit. She has become a pleasure to ride and to watch perform.
I am also delighted with her boarding program. Each horse in the stable is given an individual feeding program. Fionna looks after every horse as her own. My 16 yr old mare is boarded with her during the winter. Because of allergies and a skin condition, this mare sometimes requires more attention and Fionna is always there to care for her. Fionna makes sure all horses in her little herds are happy, healthy and safe, changing individuals when necessary.
A big Thank You Fionna, for all the help you have given me and my horses!
- Marian Tenhove
I was 16 when I really started getting into riding and horses. A short year after I started riding, Fionna Carlaw was hired on as the coach at the barn where I rode. I had never met someone so enthusiastic, generous, and knowledgeable about horses before. She knew every answer to every question I had and still does now, 5 years down the road. She’s pushed me to accomplish things I never imagined I would be doing. My motto when I ride is “If Fionna says I can do it, then I must be able to do it because I know she would never do anything to cause me harm.” And it’s worked for me this far! She’s taught me how to become a better rider but also how to properly care for my horse. Fionna was also the one who convinced me that I better find a way to buy that handsome chestnut gelding who’s afraid of his own shadow, and that was one of the best decisions I have ever made. She was the one who got me into showing as well. My gelding is afraid of trailers but with Fionna, I’ve never worried a second about him trailering because she always gets him on safely and hauls that trailer knowing it carries my most loved possession. My gelding and I have come such a long ways and none of it would have been accomplished without Fionna. I moved my gelding to her barn when he had an unfortunate accident 8 months ago and she was there every morning and evening (for 2 months) with me helping to look after him. She didn’t complain once about having to come in even earlier in the morning than usual to help me before I had to be at work. And since he’s been there, he’s been much more relaxed and willing. She is the one person I trust completely to look after my horse whether I’m just away or he’s sick or hurt. She takes care of him just as I would if I was able to be with him 24/7. Fionna is an amazing coach and barn owner and a very trusted friend.
- Hilary
Two years ago my husband and I took a one day workshop on centred riding from Fionna. What an eye opener that was! I learned that most of the behaviour that I did not like in my mare was caused by things that I was doing At the end of the day we could see a huge difference in the response we were able to get from our horses and the ride itself was so much more comfortable. We were sold and have been getting and enjoying lessons from Fionna ever since! Fionna has a great way of teaching and explains what and why she wants you to do something in such a way that you understand the request and see the results. We do not hesitate to recommend Fionna to anyone looking for a teacher and trust her completely with our animals! Can't wait for Spring and our lessons to start again! Thanks Fionna for making our hobby much more fun!
- Karen and Dale Smith
