Client Testimonials
Jana was an integral part of getting Reno, my Morgan buckskin more comfortable with walk, trot and canter. He was pretty fussy with the bit and had the tendancy to throw a bit of a tantrum when asked to do something he did not want to do. Jana had a keen sense of what steps were needed to help him feel secure. She also knew exactly when to apply those steps so that Reno could relax and be comfortable with what I was asking him to do. Jana has a very thorough understanding of basic through advanced dressage principles that she uses in conjunction with her natural intuitive abilities. She was able to sense when Reno was on "overload" and needed some time to relax and process what he was learning. Having Jana as a teacher was so reassuring for me because she not only had my best interests at heart, she was also very aware and observant of Reno's state of mind and body. Jana truly considers the partnership between horse and rider which is such a unique gift in the horse world. My work with Jana has helped me to create a great partnership with Reno.
Trish & Reno
After suffering a serious riding accident nearly two years ago, I wanted to return to Dressage lessons this past summer. I had a new, young horse (Maverick), and I had some lingering fear, along with some postural/position issues resulting from my injuries that I needed to work through. Jana has been very patient with me in adjusting my riding position. The changes she has helped me make have significantly reduced the back pain I was experiencing from my time in the saddle, and I’ve noticed better performance from my horse. The work that Jana has done with Maverick has been phenomenal. Her focus is making sure he understands what is being asked, and helping him work through issues that can cause bracing and tension. We don’t move on to the next thing until he’s ready. I appreciate that Jana doesn’t use lots of “gear” in her approach to training. There are no martingales, side reins or draw reins. Instead, there is attention to soft contact and helping him learn to work correctly on his own. All of this is done with kindness and patience and an eye to the long term. I also appreciate that Jana mentors with not just one, but several notable professionals to continue her own education. I think this gives her valuable perspective in different approaches that can work for various horses and riders, so there not a “one size fits all” approach. Jana is happy to take the time that it takes, and I’m grateful for that. I think Maverick is grateful, too. I’ve watched his self-confidence grow, both in the arena and out on the trails. Thanks to Jana’s help, I have been able to overcome my fear, and Maverick and I are building a strong bond based on partnership and trust. Most importantly, we are having fun and enjoying our time together. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Jana to fellow riders who are looking for this type of work.
Therese & Maverick
Jana is a great trainer she has helped me train my horse, Zerena, through a combination of dressage and horsemanship training. She has a lot of knowledge upon what and how a young horse should be trained. She knows how to tie in exercises from the ground that will benefit the horse when the rider is doing exercises in the saddle. Jana not only knows how to train the horse but helps the rider with their riding position with different methods and ways about how to help the rider to relax into the correct seat position. She can tell if it is the rider that is causing the horse's frame to be in a certain way or if there is something that can be done for the horse. She has a range of methods and ideas that can help the horse become a better dressage horse whether it is ground work, stretching the horse to release tension, to help the rider obtain a relaxed position or helping the horse elongate its back through different exercises. Overall, Jana is an exceptionally talented trainer that I would strongly recommend to anyone who wants insight on training a horse in dressage.
Candice and Zerena
Jana has worked with Tedd as his only trainer and he has become a horse who can move correctly in all 3 gaits. She trains Tedd always putting him first. I have become a much better rider and a better partner as well. All of this Tedd has learned in a very correct and classical dressage way. Jana is a very gentle soul and this gentleness transmits to her training the horse and rider. Tedd loves Jana and always wants to try hard for her because she is fair and communicates in his language. Tedd and I have become better partners with each other.
Jana is committed to her own development and attends clinics throughout the year. She passes along the new information obtained from those clinics to her students, modifying the information for the student and the horse. I couldn’t be more pleased with my professional relationship with Jana. I can and do recommend her to my other horse friends.
Dawn & Tedd
Jana has been working with me and my 3 horses for 6 months now and we have overcome my Arab rescue mare's hard past so that she is now a calm, trusting mount. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with someone who shares my philosophy about building a partnership, taking the time we need to take and thoroughly enjoying our being together. Most importantly, our work with my 2 year old filly has been invaluable in getting us to a place where boundaries are clear while building a strong, trust based relationship.
Barbara, Lovey, Lily & Mouse
I have had the pleasure of working with Jana for the past 1.5 yrs, during which she has provided extremely valuable expertise and guidance. Specifically, with my horse Topaz, Jana was able to figure out how I could properly ride him despite previous issues with an owner who pulled on the reins (he would get very braced & defensive). Now Topaz and I are able to do all three gaits at an even tempo, without a fight. With Jana's help, his disposition has become soft and willing, and we are able to go on long trail rides. Without her, I strongly doubt we would have made so much improvement. For those reasons I can unreservedly recommend Jana for horse training services.
Anne Marie & Topaz
Jana has been, and continues to be a most valued mentor and trainer! You've all heard the saying that "A greenhorn on a green horse is soon black and blue!". Well, that describes me and my big half-draft gelding Louie. Thankfully Jana is there to keep us safe and on the path to a better horse-human relationship. I feel that I'm in good hands with Jana!
Cornelia Schneider
Having Jana teaching at our barn has been great for me. I have learned techniques for relaxing and loosening my horse (and myself) who can be bracy in an arena. I use these techniques during riding, lunging and vaulting. Plus Jana is always friendly, and easy to work with.
Peggy Justus
Jana has a wonderful way of connecting with horses. She is responsive to their bodies and their minds. Since working with her, my horse has become more confident in his body and also more supple and relaxed in his work. Jana has a great ability to adjust her work with both horse and rider to the needs of the pair and can manage a horse in a rehabilitation mode as well as a horse in full work preparing for competition.
Jana is a complete professional in her work; reliable, organized, communicative and fun to be with. Her lessons are clear, informative, tailored to the needs of horse and rider, and completely enjoyable. She understands the importance of enjoying and celebrating the small victories and moments in addition to the bigger breakthroughs.
Jana's own professional development greatly benefits her clients. She can apply techniques from advanced clinics to her (amateur) clients, improving the performance of both horse and rider.
She is the "complete package" with skills that extend beyond the arena to equine body work and massage. My horse feels better all around!
Both my horse and I love working with Jana - it feels like the three of us are a real team together and we are looking forward to continuing our great relationship. I'm thrilled with the progress we're making - she's helped us come a long way!
Amanda & Pax
During the four years that my daughter has worked with Jana, I continue to see her grow in confidence in her handling and knowledge of the horses she rides and in her riding skills. Jana’s sincere love of horses, and her respect and patience with children is truly evident every moment that Anna is with her. I feel very fortunate that we found Jana as an instructor. This safe and nurturing learning environment has resulted in a positive experience that I feel confident will be remembered for the rest of her life.
Margaret & Anna
I thought my half-Arabian, Rocco, and I had a good working relationship while I boarded him and had an arena to work in. Then I moved him home. I thought Rocco would be happy to ride in wide-open pastures. Instead, he got so tense! Numerous times he’d get wound up to where he felt like he was going to explode out from under me, and I found myself dismounting and walking him back to the barn. I didn’t know how to keep him calm and relaxed under saddle. That’s where Jana stepped in. Starting with groundwork and lots of patience, Jana worked with Rocco until he visibly relaxed, dropping his head and chewing. Each time she worked with him, he reached that relaxed state quicker and quicker. She moved to the saddle, continuing to patiently ask him to give & relax. Soon he was working in the pasture as nicely as he had worked in the arena. Then it was time for me to get back in the saddle. With continued patience, Jana was able to help me help Rocco stay relaxed. When he would start to tense up, she was quick to spot where he was holding tension in his body and give me instruction as to how to help him release that tension.
I now ride Rocco solo in my large pasture, feeling confident that I have the tools and knowledge to help Rocco release tension and stay relaxed. And I haven’t had to dismount and walk him back to the barn yet! Jennifer & Rocco