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After competing at the highest level of eventing, and being named to the Canadian Equestrian Team’s eventing team for 4 years I didn’t think much could surprise me about horses or horse trainers.   So when I bought an unbroken Dutch Warmblood gelding and started having problems with him, I was at a loss.   I had always worked with off the track thoroughbreds, and had never started a horse right from scratch, and I was quickly learning that starting a colt is very different from re-training an Off The Track Thoroughbred.  

I was at a point where I could get on my gelding and have someone leading him around, but he was spooky and when I went to dismount, he would repeatedly spook and bolt.   It was quickly spiraling into a very dangerous situation.    Luckily a reference from a friend led me to Ronnie Ford.   While I always try to keep an open mind, I am always a little bit skeptical of horse trainers and the methods which some utilize to get a horse “trained.”   Ronnie, however, put my mind at ease immediately.   His approach to horses and their training is to give them the idea and allow them to decide to do the right thing. “Be specific and make the right thing easy, and the wrong thing hard” as Ronnie puts it.   His methods are gentle, safe, and extremely effective.   In only a few days I watched Ronnie build my horse’s confidence, and he was able to mount and dismount him without any problems from my gelding (and WITHOUT anyone holding him!).    

The quiet, confident look in my horse’s eye, and his relaxed, lowered neck made me know that this will never be an issue again.   Within a week of arriving at Ronnie’s I am not only able to mount and dismount my gelding safely, but we are now able to walk, trot, canter, rein-back, and steer successfully and quietly.   My horse and I have learned so much from Ronnie in only a week and I am looking forward to continue learning from him in the future.   I would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to train with Ronnie to come and spend some time at his farm and watch him make a difference in your horse and your methods of training.  

-Katie Evans

2005 CET short listed rider

2002-2005 CET long listed rider & talent squad

2003 Individual bronze medalist NAYRC