I came to riding later in life than most.  I had always wanted to ride but never had the opportunity.  As my children left home, I found that I had the time to explore riding.  My first experience with lessons locally was not what I what I had hoped for as I was riding with young children under the age of ten; after a few months I decided to try another riding center. Along the way, I found a nice little horse, a Quarter horse and bought him.   And where I was learning  to ride him, I found that I wanted more-I wanted to know him, what motivates him and  how to better communicate with him.

I was introduced to Kirsten and felt that she had the personality that would work well with me.   She  has provided me with riding instruction along with information on the personality of my horse,  With that information, I can better work with him as a teammate.  I found that riding is not controlling a horse but working together.  Kirsten has provided me with professional instruction.  To begin with, she has encouraged me in all my lessons, and rather than feeling that I will never “get it” when it comes to riding because of my age, Kirsten acknowledges all improvements in my quest.  Any one who is older or who rode as a child and is a little nervous about returning to riding, I encourage you to work with Kirsten as she is  positive and patient. As an educator, I find that Kirsten possess the skills of  great teachers.

Kirsten’s knowledge of horses, horse care, and training is amazing.  I also like that Kirsten is experienced in different areas of riding;  jumping, dressage and trail riding, just to name a few. You won’t find yourself preparing for jumping if your interest is in dressage.   She knows both the English and Western disciplines.  She has me riding in open fields with confidence.  When riding with Kirsten, you feel energized, confident and pleased with your work.  For those of us who are new to riding or are returning to it after a number of years, I think you will find  that Kirsten is the perfect instructor.  I hope you have the opportunity to work with Kirsten Lee as she will take you and your horse to a level of riding that I found no where else. Good luck to you and enjoy the ride.

How lucky I was to have met Kirsten! What a difference Kirsten made in his training, her ability to see outside the box and see all the great things Flash was capable of really encouraged both of us to do better. She picked up on our bond immediately and figured out ways we could better work together as a single unit rather then just a horse and owner. Flash and I had an immediate improvement in communication after only one lesson with Kirsten.

Kirsten is an invaluable resource for any horse and owner, her patience knowledge and kindness would work well for any one with a desire to listen and succeed in any equestrian activity. She has a special way with horses and they respond to her almost immediately. She does not use force or any harsh training methods but rather relies on the unique bond between the horse and rider in a gentle yet disciplined way.

I am happy to say because of the training my horse Flash and I received from Kirsten, we now are winning blue’s in the show ring, doing running walk, canter, trotting, and racking. We ride on trails fearlessly just for the fun of it, and the trainer who said I should pick another horse, well lets just say the last time she saw us in the arena I thing I saw her jaw drop to the ground!

Thank you so much Kirsten,

Pam and Flash

I thought that I had some basic skills after having ridden for much of my youth, but quickly learned that I knew nothing about training completely green horses. From the beginning Kirsten grounded our time with the horses around respect, safety, and fun for both me and the horses. My two horses had been worked with for a few 30 minute sessions over a two year period before being introduced to Kirsten. In about an hour Kirsten loaded them both onto the trailer masterfully and, most importantly, without the horses feeling trauma or force.

Over the past few years the key things I have learned, and continue to learn from Kirsten are to give the relationship with your horses the time it requires, be fair and patient by allow horses to work through the things we are asking of them, be present every moment, and set appropriate boundaries in order to be a respected leader. I am still learning from Kirsten every time we have a horse interaction as she makes everything a teachable moment. Kirsten also taught me that every interaction is a learning opportunity for the horse. She brings wisdom, kindness, and an immense amount of knowledge into each training experience. Whether you are looking for natural horsemanship training methods, or riding lessons at any level, I would recommend Kirsten Lee as a master teacher, trainer, and mentor.

I managed to find Kirsten, and I shipped Volly from Connecticut to West Virginia so that he could stay there for the half-year I was away. (In the end, he stayed closer to a year). The first time I visited him, I was thrilled: he was soft, responsive, and full of impulsion; he was receiving correct, balanced training; he wasn’t being asked to do more than a four-year-old should. Most importantly to me, Volly was obviously incredibly happy: he was calm, composed, and confident.

I’ve recently had to move Volly so that I can ride him more than occasionally. Because of his time with Kirsten, he is now a pleasure to ride: light, responsive, impulsive, correct, and, most importantly, happy to do his job every day.

But then, here I am. Now, I’m getting valuable hands-on experience as a natural horseman and learning to ride while learning to teach my horse curiosity, friendliness, and courage. Dolly Madison and I are taking every opportunity to ride in our large grass arena, and are frequent visitors to the pole bending/Saracen head game row where we weave in and out of the poles like champs. That is an amazing feat of horsemanship for a guy with such a late start.

I’m also really blessed to be a part of the turnout board operation. Daily walks amongst the pastures are relaxing and fun, and watching the play of horse politics at feeding time is the source of endless hours of amusement and discussion. I’ve had the opportunity to turn an open field into structured pastures, creating order out of emptiness.

I’ve been gifted with watching new horses arrive unsure and uncertain of themselves and their surroundings, and be completely transformed by the open fields, good grazing, and natural environment we have here in the wv panhandle. And I’ve been blessed by seeing horses riding through farm lanes and trails that have existed since the Civil War, on land granted before the founding of our Country. Our horses graze on the very same grass grazed on by Stuart’s, Jackson’s, and Lee’s horses. How cool is that?

But best of all, is the time I get to spend with Kirsten working with the Horses. They’re a part of our daily lives. So many major operations, the people you speak to are not the person who manages the barn, who stays up all night with the sick horses, or shovels out the barn after the horses. Here, on this farm, we’re it. We’re as close to the animals on a daily basis as possible and horsemanship and horse care is integrated fully into our daily lives. I’ve learned so much in so little time, and she is the best horsemanship teacher I’ve ever met. It’s an honor to board my own horse here, and a privilege to learn from her teaching.

And it’s a privilege to be 15 days older than she is :=) Happy Birthday, my Love!

Just wanted to let you know how well Casper is doing. He settled-in just fine and has become very attached to his new pasture palls. He goes out during the day and loves his stall on these chilly nights. We have been riding him about four days per week in the ring and had him on one short trail ride. What a sweet horse he is. I hauled him over to Maraina’s trainers so that I could ride in the ring while she had her lesson and everyone there fell in love with him too. I stood in the middle of the ring with seven other horses while the students waited their turn to jump and he just wanted to snuggle with everyone. Just a very light touch on the rein was enough to remind him that snuggling was not allowed and he stood patiently. That was an important test for mounted patrol work. I took him over to another trainers for parade proofing and he did wonderful. We passed the test and I took him to the Veteran’s Day parade and he was just like an old pro. We had floats in front of us and the nations third largest high school marching band behind us so this was no small feat!
Casper has brought a lot of joy back into my life during this stressful time and I really thank you for giving me the chance to have such a wonderful partner. I’ll send some pictures when I figure out how!

THANKS!!!

“Why Kirsten is so cool”

When looking back on all the years of my childhood, they are filled to the brim with riding lessons, pony club clinics, camps and lectures. While I remember the knowledge I gained, it is sometimes hard to remember who taught it to me. Although, there is one person who stands out above the fuzzy memories of the others, and that is Kirsten Lee.

Kirsten is responsible for the majority of my effective riding skills and horsemanship. From taking me out of the “kickers and steerers” category she put me on the road toward becoming a well rounded and knowledgeable equestrian. She instilled in me the basics that are lacking in many riding lessons across the country today. Her instruction is thorough, supportive and correct. And besides all that, she is so much fun! She helped me when I cried and she helped me when I won. She taught me how to be a strong rider and face my fears. I strive to “be a Kirsten” to young equestrians that I teach.

I’m lucky that Kirsten was such a large part of my equine education, and even more lucky because she remains a good friend of mine to this very day.

About the author (by the author): Mary has won several World and National titles on the Morgan Horse circuit as well as many blues in novice and training level eventing. She is currently training in England for the British Horse Society exams. That’s just how awesome Kirsten is.

Kirsten Lee should be considered as a top riding instructor and horse trainer in the area. As a riding instructor, she has the natural ability to interpret the needs of the horse and the rider. Along with being knowledgeable and correct, Kirsten’s instruction style is objective, positive and patient; I have never felt patronized or put down in any way. At the end of the lesson, I feel like I have learned something significant about my horse and myself. Kirsten will always end a lesson on a high note even if it means the lesson runs overtime.

As a trainer, Kirsten utilizes natural horsemanship techniques with amazing results. Her approach to training displays the understanding that only the best trainers have. Kirsten can take the most frightened horse and help it find the confidence of a seasoned veteran in a remarkably short time. Her horses are calm, sensible and willing.

Because of her attitude, professionalism, knowledge and abilities, I have highly recommended Kirsten to my friends and would not hesitate to recommend her again.

I am a “born again” rider at the age of 51, and suffice it to say It has been about 15+years (OK, maybe 18 years) since I had been in the saddle. As a birthday gift my husband surprised me with lessons. Kirsten Lee was one of my first instructors and one of the most intuitive instructors I have ever met. Not only does she seem to have a “sixth sense” when in comes to understanding the needs of riders and their horses, but she has the ability to tune in to the teaching style that works best for each of her students. Kirsten is so highly trained I wasn’t sure that she would enjoy teaching a “beginner” like me, and I was almost embarrassed to get on my horse our first lesson. After all, why would somebody as educated, and experienced as Kirsten want to waste their time with me, I’m not interested in showing my horse, I certainly don’t intend to do competitive dressage or eventing. I just wanted to learn good safe riding techniques.

Well, let me tell you, I have never been more wrong about anything in my life. Kirsten thrives on teaching anyone who is willing and eager to learn, regardless of their level or ability (how lucky was I). From our first lesson, it was obvious to me that Kirsten was extremely knowledgeable with her teaching techniques, she could hone in on my needs and how I learned best, and she makes sure that a lesson always ends on a positive note for both me and my horse. She doesn’t “talk down” to you, but instead she gives clear, concise instructions. Sometimes I would have to ask her to explain something over and over, and she always did so with a smile, and she would always make sure you understood what she was teaching before moving on to the next lesson, even if it took extra time.

Kirsten will never make you feel bad about asking questions. Quite the contrary, she encourages you to ask questions if there are terms/directions that are not understood by the rider. Kirsten treats you and your horse as a “team” and I love that. Kirsten is a gentle soul with a great teaching technique, excellent credentials, and a love for horses and horsemanship………..If you are looking for a GREAT instructor…..Look no further. You’ve found her.

I have known Kirsten since she joined pony club at about age 12. She shared ownership with another member of “Shokee”- a hardheaded appaloosa. She came to my summer camp for years and while in college she began teaching at the camp- and still does after 15 years! During that time she has developed as a teacher and a trainer, using her keen intelligence and creativity and her eclectic nature to broaden her own training and to integrate it all into what is her unique way of training horses and riders.

After attaining her Pony Club A rating, Kirsten has especially pursued Centered Riding, ARICP certification and natural horsemanship, which have led her into the heart of the basics of horsemanship: professionalism in teaching, how horses learn and respond, and the intricate ways people and horses affect each other.

Kirsten finds good horse prospects and retrains them for resale, hoping that a good horse with good basics will then get the good home and future he deserves. She is an excellent person to start a young horse, before he has been messed with and developed the wrong expectations of life with humans.She will also retrain an older horse, helping him develop a new attitude toward learning and working with his owners.

Please keep visiting this website! And keep Kirsten in mind for training and purchases.

After the 2006 Summer Clinic:As usual your stay here was a high spot for me. Your skills and professionalism continue to amaze me, especially your understanding of horses, kids and riding- all at once!