advocate
Valparaiso,#2Author of original report
Sat, June 25, 2011
I am glad that you shared your experience at the Cambridge Training Stable. However, I stand by my original report and can happily provide a list of references that can provide evidence and support for my claims. You have been away at school and I suggest that if you do not know what my experiences were because you were not there, then perhaps you should not pretend to know what happened. Ed did indeed speak badly of me after I left and I have two witnesses that will state it. Just because he did not speak badly about me to YOU doesn't mean he never did. The barn hand can testify to the rocks in the stalls and so can other boarders. Perhaps you have had a good experience at Cambridge (sounds like you have) and that's wonderful. However, since you have not been involved in my experiences nor do you understand anything about the situation involving the purchase of the Quarter horse mare-DON'T offer your ignorant opinions on what happened. The Quarter horse mare did turn into a nightmare and it had nothing to do with her defending herself in the pasture (considering she was put back in a stall later). You HAVE NOT seen this mare since she's been purchased nor do you know what environment she's in. Your opinions on that matter are flawed and without foundation. Also, your additional ignorant statement,
"As for the former student, the problem was not the horses, or Ed, the problem is that a stubborn rider who does not take criticism well, is likely to voice information based on self frustration. Upon seeing recent riding videos of this former student, in my opinion her biggest mistake was leaving Eds expertise of how to ride."
is again without proper information, without a first hand account of my experience and absolutely without basis. Ed hardly ever criticized me in lessons or regarding riding style. In fact, he probably should have offered more constructive criticism during lessons so I knew what needed improvement. Once again, since YOU WERE NOT in my lesson, you have no idea what transpired. Speak on your own behalf, not on mine! Your speculations and hearsay comments regarding my friend, the quarter horse mare and my experiences are garbage. If you are going to attempt to insult and invalidate my claims by attempting to critique my riding videos you have made a serious mistake. You are not a licensed judge or professional trainer or rider. Your opinion on my riding carries NO weight what-so-ever NOR are you qualified to even make such a statement. I could say things about your riding and your pictures as well, but I don't care enough to do so, nor is it appropriate. I wrote the original report based on MY FIRST HAND ENCOUNTERS AND WITH REFERENCES AND EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT MY CLAIMS. If you disagree, that is fine. We all have an opinion and I won't insult yours. However, do not insult me or my friend or assume you know what happened when you WERE NOT THERE.
Satisfied Customer
Savannah,#3Consumer Comment
Thu, June 09, 2011
As a student and boarder at the Cambridge Training Stable, I am shocked at these accusations against Ed. He is not only a wonderful caring person, he is also the best trainer I have ever had. I started riding when I was eight years old and trained at four other stables in DuPage and Kane county before going to The Cambridge Training Stable. Under Eds coaching I have won countless championships for equitation and my horse for hunter on the NIHJA Circuit. I have trained with Ed for eight years, and if anyone knows Ed the best, it is my family and I.
That former student said the lessons only consisted of the same thing. This is confusing to me because Ed always teaches of variety of important skills, leg yielding, half halts, how to perfect lead changes, and how to always be an effective rider. Ed is an extremely carful trainer, he ALWAYS puts SAFTEY first! He will never have a student do any skills they, or their horse are not ready for. For NIHJA shows, I spent a year doing 20 23 and 26 jumps. This was so I could confidently perfect each level without rushing anything, and understand how to control and guide the horse over the proper fence heights. Ed always considers equitation to be a number one priority, like I stated, Ive done extremely well in competitions.
Every student, no matter the barn or situation should always be expected to clean tack properly. I have ridden at several barns before The Cambridge Training Stable, and this task is ABSOLUTELY STANDARD. If you live two hours away, that student should have prioritized their time, that was not Eds problem. That student also claimed that Ed never checked for suitable tack. When I was buying saddles, I was allowed to bring four different saddles from the tack shop and try them on my horse for size, before buying one. Ed helped me realize which saddle was the right fit for both my horse and my body. I cant speak for the other student, but knowing Ed, he was always willing to help find the right tack, he had different sized saddles for his variety of students. He also DID USE, and continues using different saddles of different sizes for his school horses, a smaller quarter horse, and a 16 hand warmblood.
After this student left the barn, Ed never bad mouthed them, I was around riding at the barn a few times a week.
As for the horses at this barn this former student is referring to my horse with the, Terrible attitude of kicking and biting. Let me explain this situation. My horse a half thoroughbred appaloosa came to the barn the summer of 2005. He was a four year old green horse that had a bad bucking problem. My parents and I decided that this horse needed to be in full training with Ed. It is unbelievable the transformation this horse made. From a bucking bronco who intimidated his riders, Ed trained this horse in a few months to respect and respond to leg commands and totally changed his mindset to know that bucking was something bad. My horse learned that he had a job to do, and it was unacceptable to buck riders off. He turned out to be a beautiful show horse, he loves to jump and jumps courses beautifully. I wont lie that at home in the barn he is not a teddy bear type horse he does not enjoy be hugged and cuddled like some horses do, but that is just his personality. He is a show horse that has a beautiful disposition at shows. He also places in hunter classes or wins. He won Training Hunter Over Fences at lamplight out of a class of 30.
As for the rocks in the stalls, there were NEVER any rocks in my horses stall, perhaps that former student had the barn confused with another? Also, my mother works five minutes from the barn and she often checks up on my horse. He always has a clean stall, fresh hay, and a full bucket of water. This past year I have gone to college out of state, I hadnt seen my horse in a few months, when I came back to ride, he had been well cared for. As for mosquitos, yes, believe it or not they will bit you! I leave a large supply of fly spray for my horse when I cannot get out there daily to spray him, Ed sprays him as well as changing his different blankets according to the changes in the weather.
This former students friend who bought Eds school horse was the small quarter horse. This mare underwent years training of training. She was not an easy horse to ride but before I had my horse, I rode this mare in competitions and won. Another student at that time competed with this mare as well, and jumped courses, she obviously knew how to bend herself. The reason she became rude was because at Eds, she lived in a stall. When you take a small horse and all of a sudden put her in pasture board, they need to adapt to their environment. She became a beast because she quickly had to learn to defend herself against the other horses. Again, I cannot speak for the accusation of white line disease, but there is NO WAY Ed would ever keep that a secret and not treat his horses. He cares 100% about their well being.
Im also pretty sure I do not have terrible habits, from the first place ribbons I have for equitation I think that qualifies me for not pinching my knees. Ed always makes sure all bad habits are broken. His others students also have done extremely well in equitation, winning champions. Horse Shows are expensive, thats just the sport. Trainers that charge their clients for the hotel rooms and travel expenses for horse shows is normal. Like I said, at the other barns I was at, we got charged for their meals too.
It sickens me to hear that former student say Ed doesnt do anything out of the goodness of his heart. My horse unfortunately got a colic in the fall of 2006. I was at school and my parents at work. Ed tried numerous times to contact us, when we got the messages, we found out Ed had stayed at the barn, called the vet immediately and had been walking my horse for hours, which probably saved his life. Also, he got one horse abused horse from a shelter (the 16 hand warmblood). He worked with this horse for years, showing him that he could trust kindness. This horse went from being terrified of humans, to becoming the sweetest loving animal. You cant buy that kind of compassion. Ed has an absolute gift working with these horses.
I can go on and on about how excellent Ed is as a trainer. He is kind and extremely intelligent about horse care, horse training, riding skills and techniques. As for the former student, the problem was not the horses, or Ed, the problem is that a stubborn rider who does not take criticism well, is likely to voice information based on self frustration. Upon seeing recent riding videos of this former student, in my opinion her biggest mistake was leaving Eds expertise of how to ride.