testimonials

Our first riding lesson with Stephanie marked the beginning of a new level of riding for myself and my two daughters. Within a matter of hours, we witnessed each of our individual horses transform from stressed and uncooperative mounts into happy, willing and engaged equine partners. From that moment on, there was no turning back!

Stephanie took the time to assess the temperament of each of our horses and the personalities of each rider to ensure that her coaching format was individualized to complement both.

As riders, Stephanie has made us aware of how each subtle nuance of our body effects the performance of our horse. We have learned to carry ourselves in a more balanced way and to be more effective with our aids. To use an analogy, we are striving towards changing the body language of our riding from a perpetual shouting match to a ongoing gentle conversation.

Her training methods encourage the horse to willingly give of itself to the rider as opposed to methods of coercion. This creates an atmosphere of true harmony between horse and rider. As Stephanie, herself, is an extremely accomplished rider she is able to encourage each horse to reach it’s full potential. We have seen more scope in our horses, than we ever thought possible, both physically and mentally. Our horses are quite simply happier, more willing and eager to learn!

With Stephanie as our coach, we have not only gained an exceptional riding instructor, we have also gained insight and wisdom in all aspects of horsemanship, from proper nutrition and care, to practical advice on stable management.

Through Stephanie’s commitment and passion for horses combined with her easy going nature, goals we thought were unattainable for ourselves, have suddenly become within our grasp!

Karen Goranson

I have being involved in the Equine industry for many years. I have known about Stephanie Jensen as a rider for several years, but I have personally come to know Ms Jensen over the past 3 years. I contacted Stephanie, after several recommendations were given to me, to begin some under saddle training on a young FEI prospect I own.

I found her to be very dedicated and honest in her assessment of my horse. She was very clear in her explanations of her training process and programs and I find her honesty is very refreshing.

She has dedicated her life to her horses. The quality of her care and the welfare of my horse is always foremost. She appears to makes it effortless to keep me happy as her client. I am always informed and my options are valued at the same time. Shortcuts are never accepted. She treats every horse and client as an individual.

Knowing and understanding her devotion towards her horses and her profession in the equine industry, I know she gives 110%. I truly believe she has the ability to take her goals and dreams and turn them into reality.

It has been my privilege to know Stephanie and to see her make her dreams and goals happen!

Respectfully,

Linda Todd

THE HALL FAMILY OF PROSPECT EQUINE FARMS

In February of 2006, the Hall family, comprising mom Maureen and sons Mitchell and Stephen began to develop competitively in the sport of eventing.

In order to hone their skills in the discipline of dressage, the search began for a specialized dressage coach that would be able to compliment their eventing coach’s training.

This search lead to local FEI rider Stephanie Jensen.

THE HALL BOYS
With patience and thorough consistent training, Stephanie has taken Mitchell and Stephen from beginner riders to accomplished dressage riders with a firm understanding of dressage basics and more advanced riding. Their rider development has now advanced to the stage of training that has allowed them to excel in eventing and dressage.

The boys have such a great time in their lessons with Stephanie and are learning so much while having a great time. Stephanie’s consistent training encompasses teaching both rider and mount. Her guidance has taught the boys to be accomplished horsemen, both in and out of the saddle.

MITCHELL HALL

Mitchell Hall, 18, has been riding under the guidance of Stephanie since spring of 2006. With Stephanie’s help he has taken his mare - Prospect's Ebony - from a green horse in 2006 to a winning event horse capturing two events in 2007 and participating and completing in the Ontario Horse Trials 2007 Championships. In 2008 Ebony and Mitchell placed 3rd at Checkmate with the top junior dressage score, 1st at Grandview, placing at other events and again participated in the championships.

At the end of the 2008 Mitchell and Stephanie started the training of his next up and coming mount, a 6 year old 17hh Belgian/TB Mare - Asper of Prospect. Asper has already been introduced to eventing and at the last event of the 2008 season - Grandview, placed 6th in Entry out of 14 entrants. Her dressage marks were very impressive and bode well for the upcoming season.

STEPHEN HALL

When Stephen, age 15, started riding with Stephanie in 2006, his pony, Prospect's Oasis, was a green pony that was a bit of a challenge for the new rider. Through great patience and consistent instruction from Stephanie, the pair developed into a wonderful team. Sadly, in the spring of 2007 it was realized that Stephen had outgrown Oasis and Stephen needed a new mount.

Along came Prospect's Petronus - a 14.3hh 6 yr old gelding that was being used by his brother Mitchell as a games pony. "Pete" as he is affectionately known, became Stephen's best buddy in 2007. While still used by Mitchell for Games during 2007, Stephen, with Stephanie's assistance was able to foster great confidence in this pony to produce an awesome small gelding with expressive dressage abilities culminating with a 4th place at Grandview in October 2008.

As boys tend to continue growing, so too did Stephen outgrow Pete and the search was on for a new mount. As luck would have it, since Mitchell moved to a new mount Prospect's Ebony no longer had a rider.

Tentative at first, Stephen began riding his brother's previous mount Prospect’s Ebony and they have now established a great bond that is sure to produce fantastic results in 2009. Stephen has been able to advance Ebony’s training with Stephanie as their coach and they are beginning to work on more advanced dressage movements. This partnership is sure to go to great heights.

MAUREEN HALL

Mom, Maureen Hall is actually a re-rider, returning to the sport after almost 20 years out of the saddle. Like the boys, she returned to riding in 2004 in preparation of the Dude Ranch vacation, and caught the bug again.

In 2005 she purchased a 17 hh 5 year old Clyde/Hackney Gelding she named Prodomus of Prospect. Prody, as he is affectionately called, was actually trained to drive as a Commercial Horse, but at age 4 ½ it was decided that he was too big for his team and his riding career commenced.

By the end of 2005 Maureen decided that in addition to eventing with Prody, she really wanted to advance her dressage and the addition of Stephanie Jensen to the training fold provided the perfect opportunity to do so.

Through the 2006/2007 winter dressage began to take a greater focus in training with Prody and Maureen – they seemed to really enjoy and excel in the training. An unfortunate accident at the beginning of the 2007 season at their first event, where Maureen broke her leg, was the beginning of the end for eventing for this pair. However it also became the beginning of more dedicated dressage training once back in the saddle.

In 2008 Maureen and Prody competed in several National “Gold” Dressage Shows with Stephanie’s guidance, culminating in a 5th at Cornerstone and the CNE Classic in Level 1. This team is now working on advancing to Level 2 and beyond.

Stephanie also provides guidance in starting some of the upcoming youngsters the Halls are currently breeding and raising.

Stephanie’s patience, knowledge and exuberant personality together with her unwavering concern for the welfare of her student’s mounts is well reflected in the success the Hall family has obtained in the discipline of dressage, eventing and all the family’s riding. It is also displayed in the health and well being of their horses.

“Stephanie is so much more than a coach to us – she is part of the family. She knows all of our horses, how to get the best out of them and their riders and takes a great personal interest in their well being. Whenever we have any concerns or questions about our horses, she is always there to help. Finding Stephanie for a dressage coach was the best thing we could have done.”

Maureen Hall