Let me introduce us.  Me Sharyne – non horsey Mum but prepared to get my hands dirty.
Lauryn – our 14 yo daughter at this time.  Horse crazy since 6 yo.

We are not a horsey family, apart from our daughter.  After 8 years of riding lessons we purchased her a horse.  We had him on trial for 10 days and had help and guidance from the riding school.  He was perfect for our precious daughter so we bought him.  He was not cheap!

Then approx. 2 weeks later we saw him spook and bolt.  He proceeded to take our daughter over 8 jumps in the jump arena.  What caused that????   We had no idea.  Then these started to increase.  Instructors advised Lauryn was gripping with her leg and had to relax.  We worked on that.  We went to Pony club, with only minor spooks.  We had way more good days than bad, but occasionally he would spook and bolt.  Amazingly she stayed on all the time.

Then 6 months after we purchased him Lauryn attended a dressage training day at SEC.  It was windy and trees were losing branches.  Lauryn entered arena,  they went half way around and Tom (our horse)   tripped over his own foot, frightened himself and took off, from A and by X Lauryn had pulled him up.  I thought no great drama, he does this stuff all the time.   BUT, big drama.  What I did not realise is that Toms bolt set of horse doing test in neighbouring arena.  That horse left the arena,  bolted into warmup area scattering all the horses and then took his rider over the fence and deposited her on the other side.  Resulting in a few warmup riders coming off their horse.

Fortunately apart from bruising no major injuries.

Lauryn was then advised by the instructor, that Tom was a dangerous horse and was banned from any open areas of the SEC, until she and he mastered the ‘one rein stop’.

As I am not horsey I asked if instructor could teach Lauryn ‘one rein stop’ and was told ‘NO’ she is banned from here now so can’t teach her!

Can you imagine the emotions going through my pubescent daughters head?  She was both mortified and embarrassed and I could see since being told Tom was dangerous she was losing confidence day by day.  I had to do something and FAST!

Hello Google!  I searched for trainers as her riding school had said they did not know how to do ‘one rein stop’ as they never needed it.  Asked Pony Club and they ‘don’t believe in it???????.  So I sent off a number of enquiries also stating what the challenge was.  ONLY ONE got back to me.  Karen White of Mohegan.  Not only did she get back to me,   she knew Tom and his previous owner!  She knew exactly what the problem was.  Well no brainer we were there on Saturday!

Wow after just one session, Lauryn came away a changed girl!  Karen knew first she had to get Lauryn feeling confident before and while addressing Mr Tom and his sensitive nature.  I will let Karen tell you about the training and development.  However,  Karen not only works the horse actually she first starts with the rider.   Lauryns personal development as a result of her training with Karen has significantly improved her self confidence!  She is a different girl.   The other amazing part is Karen taught Lauryn that she needs to keep her emotions in check.  This has been an enormous benefit as I am now ill with cancer and Lauryn is challenged but coping with it very well.  18 months ago Lauryn was a normal emotive teenager.  Now I have a very balanced girl who is coping with all our family challenges and helping me enormously.

Karens training has gone far beyond the horse and has helped our entire family.  Due to Karen’s encouragement and training I now ride regularly too,  able to share experiences with Lauryn.