Rider stories of success & learning
I would highly recommend Sue Pennington to any rider, at any level, without hesitation. I love lessons with Sue and I feel she is literally on my “horsey journey” - right with me.
She genuinely cares about my horse and cares about how our training is progressing. I really appreciate how Sue explains why the horse is moving in a certain way (or not!) and she gives the detail on how and why her instruction is influencing how I ride, therefore how the horse is going.
I really like to have feedback through a lesson so I can better grasp what I am supposed to be doing, when – and how. This really helps me develop feel which I can then work on between lessons.
Lessons with Sue have really built up my confidence and ability. Some days my horse can be a little anxious and Sue always accommodates this and finds a way for him to settle and for us as a partnership to learn and grow.
Sue has enormous knowledge about horses and her approach is very caring and encouraging for the horse, always choosing a path that respects the horse and listening to what the horse is communicating to you, which really does help grow the amazing bond we can have with our horses.
I also like that although Sue can see from the ground what the horse is doing, she is also happy to jump on and demonstrate what is possible, super helpful for me to see how well my horse can move with Sue on board.
Al and Blue
So much more than just poles!
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the pole lessons when we do them, but I also love how Sue is able to adapt and provide support on whatever we most need on any one day – be that poles, dressage, a naughty lower-leg, or even just getting the angsty youngster to bring his attention back to the classroom and stand still at the mounting block.
Sue has helped me trouble-shoot and incorporate new “tools/techniques” into my “tool-kit” when those that had worked exceptionally well with one horse were just not working with the other, and she has helped me find my feeling of competence again, after experiencing a knock to my confidence with my big green baby.
Most of all, I love how Sue has provided us with a safe and supportive learning environment that has helped to build not just my confidence and ability, but that of my two young horses, and how she always shows up for us in whatever way we need on any given day in our journey of growth and development.
Rachel, Bonnie and Bandit
“A complete trainer – that doesn’t just say “Yes that’s nice” or “Good, good, good”, she gives constructive, understandable and workable feedback. Offers solutions and encouragement to big & small problems we have when riding. Sue, looks at the greater picture as she strives to achieve success for both horse and rider.”
Judy Beaven and Maui
“My horse was nervous at the show and very hot to begin with but I kept thinking of all the things Sue tells me in a lesson - "Breathe, breathe, breathe! YOU set the rhythm, slow your rise" - and she calmed down and began to have fun. We ended up doing some of our best work with a lovely rhythm as if we were in a lesson, where I could feel each hoof plant cleanly.”
– Huia & Summer
Here is the lovely Beccy on Sue's super horse Jasper.
Beccy came along for a course of intensive learning, a deep dive into improving her riding.
Each day Beccy would have 2 lessons, one on her own horse and the other on Jasper
I have been riding for over 20 years but have never felt that I sat well on a horse. I have had many lessons but often came away feeling despondent. When some friends mentioned they were having lessons with Sue I decided to give it another shot. In four lessons Sue has completely changed the way I ride. She is a natural teacher and is able to explain concepts in a way I understand. I come away from my lessons feeling excited about what I and my horse can achieve. And finally, I feel like I look like I belong on my horse. If you need some help or a different perspective I would highly recommend Sue.
This was Kate's first lesson with Sue Pennington. She commented "I got more out of one lesson with Sue than I did in four other lessons!"