Letter from the Founder

I moved from Detroit to Cincinnati when I was 4 years old. On the way, I fell in love with horses. At seven I took my first lesson. By 12, I was prep riding ponies earning the money to show my own horse. My truest love was and still is Dressage but I have to say that the hunter/jumper world is where I have the most experience.

Everyone can use a good flat warm up right?

So, that’s what I did, working my way up to the amazing world of grand prix show jumping. Properly flatting, (between you and I we’ll call it dressageJ) prep riding and grooming some of the most magnificent horses you could ever want to see. Let alone ride! Here’s what I learned.

Horses are overpriced. People buy horses that they can barely afford and they make that investment because they want to win (fair enough). At the end of the day the horse, no matter how much they paid for it, is still just a horse. Good days, bad days, refusals and falls. Clients get mad at trainers, trainers no matter how phenomenal they are (and there are some really great trainers out there), can’t make a horse perfect and all of a sudden these amazing horses are failing, trapped in a no win situation. I couldn’t believe the quality athletes that were just in the wrong home, had the wrong rider, and in turn these wonderful riders that just had the bad luck of picking the wrong personality, the right capabilities but the wrong communication skill set. In my opinion, horses are as different as people. No wonder it’s so tough.

Once upon a time I might have had visions of that being me, up there competing at that elite level. Pitting wills against the best of the best. But the simple truth is I love horses. Thus my path became what the horses needed, not what I wanted. There is a need in the equine community for a place like REST. A place where broken horses can come heal. And people can come find the right partner to compete with. Where a quality horse above ones price range is actually affordable. Where the love and respect for each horse is the foundation for a lifetime of success.

REST is a haven for people who love horses, and a home for horses who need a little affirmation about people. Where you know what you’re getting (your horse will too), and are prepared to deal with it successfully.

Enjoy our competing. Love your horses. Help us help our community by donating.