Excellent Training for Your Horse
Whether you need training for a young horse to prepare it for riding and/or competing yourself, training to prepare a horse for sales, or help in solving a particular issue or problem, Melissa is experienced in bringing horses along and working through problems. All of her competition horses she has brought along herself: OTTBs and horses coming from other equestrian disciplines. She can design a specific program to meet your needs: working the horse herself with a weekly lesson for you; completely taking the horse for a few weeks or months to bring it along and possibly start its competitive career; or training and competing a horse to sell, thereby increasing its value and also acting as a sales agent.
Melissa not only deals with the teaching and training of the horse, but also looks at the health and comfort of the horse, believing that a horse cannot perform its best if it is dealing with some physical discomfort. We have seen some incredible changes in the demeanors and happiness of horses in for training after being assured that their health concerns are met–including saddle fit, chiropractic care, nutritional needs, etc.
Recent Clients
Whistler
Whistler is a 6 year old Oldenburg gelding who had not yet competed and was still very green. Melissa took him to a couple of trials in the Fall of 2011, then he went to Florida with Melissa for the Winters of 2012 and 2013, where she was able to work with him regularly, do a lot of cross country schooling, and really start his competitive career. He moved up to Training level quickly in 2012, generally finishing on his dressage score in most trials and will move up to Prelim in 2013. His first trial of 2013 in Ocala saw him finishing in first place in his Training division. His owner takes the ride back over when he gets home from Florida and has enjoyed riding and competing him immensely.
Roulette
Roulette is a four year old Oldenberg who is just beginning his serious training and competitive career. He is a lovely mover and seems to have a good brain and lots of jump and scope. He started his competitive career in the Young Event Horse at Richland Park Horse Trials and then did his first horse trial in October of 2012, finishing in a huge Novice division in 5th place on his dressage score. He will go continue his training and competitive endeavors and we look for big things from him with Melissa and with his owner.
Chaser
Chaser is a big 10 year old Appendix gelding who had no consistent training over the years. He had developed a few bad habits, probably due to some minor physical discomforts (not minor in his eyes!) and also because of the inconsistencies in his work and training schedule. He came to MME in the Fall of 2011, had some light work in the Fall then relaxed a bit while Melissa was in Florida, then went back into serious training in April. His owner has been incredibly supportive as Melissa has made treatment suggestions to help him feel better, as well as training and schooling him. He has become a happier, more fluid-moving, more reliable, and better-jumping horse and started competing Summer 2012. He finished out his year with one win and one third place at Novice horse trials.
