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Thank-you so much for giving me very detailed instructions. I learned sooo much in such a short time. The lessons were very interesting, unlike any other barn that I have ever been to. I learned so much more about horses in a whole new direction and view point. I gained so much more horsey knowledge. In the past, I had never even thought about some of the new things that I learned from you, and now that I think about it, I wonder why I never thought about it. I really appreciated your lessons. Tell Freckles that I said thank-you! I hope to see you again when I get better, hopefully soon. I'll keep in touch!

Galloping through an open field on the back of a huge animal with the wind blowing through my hair - this had been my dream since I was five. At the age of ten my parents finally gave into my begging and started me with horseback riding lessons at a near by stable. I stayed at thsi stable for five years, but then switched to another, smaller stable with a new instructor. After a year here, I had a falling out with my instructor and went to the barn I am riding with now. This search took much longer than expected, but after about three months of looking I found a new barn. My current instructor, Mark, has opened my eyes to a different view of riding and learning. Although many think that horseback riding is very difficult, as long as one has a good instructor it is quite easy.

In school, usually how much I will get out of a class depends on how good a teacher I have. In saying a good teacher I don't mean the kind I can walk all over and convince to never give me homework. I mean the kind of teacher that if I ask a question it will be explained to me thoroughly and repeatedly until I understand. When finding a horseback riding instructor the criteria should remain the same. I know from experience that sometimes doing this can take years. My previous instructors would just tell me to do something and not explain why I was doing it. If I tell Mark that I don't understand something he will explain in as many different ways as it takes for me to fully understand what he's trying to tell me. A good instructor will describe how, by having my body placed in certain ways I may be helping or hindering my horse's movement. When I'm riding, the horse and I are a team. I need to keep myself balanced to keep them sure of what I'm asking them to do.

Almost as important as how good an instructor I have, is the quality of the horse I'm riding. The best training and good bloodlines make up the perfect horse; much the same as a good instructor and good horses make up the perfect rider. It was very hard for me to learn how to do things correctly when I was on horses that were not sure of themselves. When I started taking lessons at my new barn I realized how good the horses were there, and it really helped me to learn and understand concepts more quickly. Currently I'm riding a very well trained horse. The horse I ride is a seven year old that was born at the farm. She is the most talented horse that I have ever ridden. She is not only talented but was trained very well and this is the reason that she is such an amazing horse. She is good quality not only because she does what I ask, but also because she won't do what I ask if I don't ask her correctly. She is a beautiful mover and because of this when I do something right it's almost like a reward, I finally feel what I've been trying to understand. After about three months of riding at this stable, I was trying a new exercise with Timer, the horse I've been riding, and I was finally able t totally relax. She felt how relaxed I was and this amazing surge of energy went through her. Timer began to swing her legs and extend her stride, I was no longer restricting her, it was the most powerful feeling!

As with most things, I can only get as much out of horseback riding as I am willing to put into it. When I began to advance in riding I knew it was because I wanted to and was putting in the effort. The more I put into riding the quicker I would catch onto things. At a recent lesson, everything just clicked and I completely comprehended what Mark had been trying to explain to me. With my legs and arms relaxed, I was able to feel all of Timer's movements as though we were one. I've put many hours and countless amounts of energy into riding, and I've really been improving.

Horseback riding was something that I put alot of time and energy into to get to the point at which I'm at today. Despite a few set backs, mostly bad habits developed from my previous barns, I've gotten to a point at which I'm happy. Every lesson I learn so much and a huge part of that is my instructor and the great horses that I am able to ride. The hroses that I ride are able to teach me just as much as my instructors do, but they do it in their own language, a silent one. Riding is an easy concept to understand as long as you are willing to put the time forth to find the right instructor who will teach you on quality horses.

The above is a school paper written by 17 year old lesson student, Laura Kenny.

In July of 2000 I bought a Belgian/Thoroughbred gelding called Zeke, who looked like he had a lot of promise. My work at that time allowed me to spend time working with him. He had lost a lot of weight as the result of some prior neglect that he was starting to recover form when purchased him. He spent much of the next 6 months regaining his condition and slowly getting into work he could sustain. My work environment changed and I found I was not able to devote the amount of time required for him to continue to progress and I resorted to leasing him out to several riders. That too became too inconsistent so I started thinking about selling him. He was at that time still a very hard ride, boring into the hands, not balanced, sometimes racing at the canter with his head up. You spent most of your time carrying him around, not the reverse. Those who came to see him were usually not a match for his strength, often lacking the tools to provide him with the schooling he required.

It was at this time that I heard about Sunrise Farms and Mark Matyzsyk from one of Zeke's riders. Sot he course was set to see if Mark could turn him around and provide Zeke with a life worthy of this sweet and honest guy. With in a month the changes had begun. He wasn't the bully he tried to be in the isle anymore. His manner had changed and he was clearly happy. Working around him on the ground was a pleasure and it would not be long before he could be tacked up standing free of cross-ties, bringing his head down to the bit and bridle. His work under saddle had also shown some changes and while Mark had clearly seen a need to take him back to basics for a variety of reasons, his way of going had improved dramatically. Over the next few months, employing draw reins, reshoeing, dealing with some issues with his teeth and gently working him towards gaining control of his balance without fear of the bit or hand he changed. His physical appearance had changed through muscle developement in his kneck, chest and hind end. His paces were varied and controlled. His canter no longer changed behind and the drag that was once evident at all gaits in his hind feet was replaced with a lifting, reaching step. His elasticity had been turned to advantage his balance and his immense stride had not been sacrificed for his balance but incorporated as his natural way of going. It is a wonderful thing to see such a transformation.

Zeke still has a great deal to learn but he has shown me that he has a good mind and athletic ability, willing and capable of bending them to the tasks required of him. Mark posesses a deep respect for the horse and what it can do. That respect along with a deep professional knowledge of how to move it towards greater balance and comfort with its work and his love of the challenges in "difficult horses" have provided Zeke with an opportunity to be much more than he was only 5 months previously. He has moved him back to a normal baseline from which he may progress. I was finally able to sell him to someone whom I could trust to develop what I believe I had first seen in him. Mark will be showing Zeke this year.

SEGAR, my Arabian horse, has been a part of our family for years. He has had a wild streak in him until recently, when I placed him in the capable hands of SUNRISE FARMS, upon the sudden death of my father, his caretaker, in March of this year. I mulled over the idea of selling SEGAR, but there remained the memory of my Dad taking care of him, and I decided upon the option of having him trained properly. SEGAR, who was trained by the former owner was never taught to relax. MARK of SUNRISE FARMS had my horse just a week when I saw a big change in him. No longer tense and ready to run, he started to show an immense improvement in his manner. I thought I knew alot about horses, as SEGAR was my second horse, but after seeing how he is responding to the wonderful and gentle training he is receiving, I know I hae a great deal to learn. I am overjoyed at the change in SEGAR, and can compliment SUNRISE FARMS and MARK for the vast improvement in my beloved SEGAR.

Now, I feel confident that SEGAR will be the gentle animal he should be when my young daughter starts her riding lessons.

I just wanted to say that I visited Sunrise Farm years ago, and was VERY impressed, I was all ready to begin lessons there, when my mother got cancer and my car died, and I had not the time or money.

I have moved and am now paying ridiculous rent and living in Arlington MA, so it is most likely not feasible for me to even think about lessons again, as I spend most of the money I do manage to scrape up on my ballet studies, considerably cheaper than riding. I miss it, especially come spring, when I have to avoid horse farms, my resistance is so low :)

I have never forgotten how nice that barn was, and how friendly and impressive Mark was in showing me the program. You are right in all you say.