To Whom It May Concern,

 

I have been taking lessons from Cindi Scoleri at Allison Acres in Galt for almost 2 years.  Being an inexperienced rider and someone new to horsemanship, I have been able to build confidence and what I feel to be a solid beginning to riding and horse ownership.  This has been possible through the safe environment at Allison Acres and Cindi's patient way of teaching.  She takes excellent care of her horses and has always been open, honest, and caring.  I have such trust in Cindi and her horses that I have started my 4-year old son in lessons as well.

 

In his lessons, my son has had the opportunity to ride on several of Cindi's lesson horses.  His favorite has been Kimba, a black tobiano pony.  During these lessons, my son participates in leading, grooming, saddling, and then riding.  Due to his age and capabilities, his riding has been on leadline and I have been close by at all times to assist in balance if needed.  Being close to my son during lessons has allowed me to observe the behavior of the lesson horses, including Kimba.

 

What I observed of Kimba's behavior was nothing less than impressive.  He always followed on the lead rope without hesitation and showed patience when being groomed and saddled.  This alone is amazing when considering a 4-year old boy is somewhat erratic with their movements and methods and can be annoying to horses and ponies.  Yet Kimba never showed irritation or frustration with my son.  Kimba willingly allowed my son to groom and ride him without any signs of nipping or bucking.  My son and I developed such affection for Kimba that when Cindi offered him for sale, I seriously considered buying him.  The only reason that I did not was because of timing.  If my son had been farther along in his training and if I had not just recently purchased a horse for myself, I would have no reservation about buying Kimba for my son.

 

However, because I have purchased a horse just several months prior and began boarding him at Allison Acres, I have spent a considerable amount of time on the property.  During this time I have been able to observe Kimba's behavior outside of lessons.  I have seen him in pasture and in the stall.  I have also seen him being ridden both under saddle and bareback by some of the young ladies that work for Cindi.  I have never seen any bad behaviors.  Kimba has been consistent in his tolerance.  In fact, one afternoon Kimba was being ridden bareback along a dirt road when his rider directed him over a small steep hill of dirt.  The rider became unbalanced and fell, yet Kimba remained calm and willingly attempted the hill several more times after the rider remounted.  

I attribute Kimba's deamor a great deal to the care and training provided by Cindi.  The health and well being of her horses has always been a priority, yet she has always stressed that human safety comes first.  Cindi has proven over and over that she is a trustworthy individual and I have come to depend on her expertise and guidance.  Her horses seem to have the same attitude and respect as well.

 

Sincerely,

Michelle McLean