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From Melissa T. - CSU Freshman: I am largely a self-taught rider, so when I moved to Colorado, taking lessons was an intimidating prospect. I worried I’d be looked down upon by better riders and that I wouldn’t end up learning much. As I began to look for a place to ride, Lynchland Stables immediately drew me in with the promise of, “No snobby people allowed, ever!” As I hoped, I found Lynchland is truly a place where everyone is respectful of one another. The environment here allows for learning without the fear of criticism. Lynchland riders don’t need to be competitive with one another. It’s about doing our personal best and remaining a tight-knit community of horse people. Now I’m learning something new every lesson and I have a great group of people standing behind me. I wouldn’t leave for the world!
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From Elizabeth H:
"As Jackie has put it, I am a unique boarder in that I have been riding at Lynchland through a variety of levels; I started out taking lessons, then I half-leased Edge, then I bought Edge, and now I work off part of my board here at the barn and still take lessons when I can. I have volunteered/worked at 4 other boarding facilities in Fort Collins and have yet to find a barn superior to Lynchland in any way! I've also had the experience of keeping my horse in my backyard, and while I learned a lot during that time, when I came back to Lynchland it was a weight off my shoulders...I could sleep in, I could travel, I don't have to worry about his safety. Lynchland is like my home away from home. The people I have met here are some of the nicest, warmest and most welcoming people I've ever met (which is rare in the horse world)! You couldn't pay me to leave!:)
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From Katie O......
I came to Lynchland in my Freshman year at CSU with my 10 year old Quarter horse Poco, and immediately began working with Jackie in the lesson program to build our partnership. Jackie helped fine tune our rides and we were soon flying around the jumper courses! I unfortunately outgrew Poco, and he now spends his days teaching beginners to ride. He is an absolute favorite in the lesson program, and I still get to see him every day. In the fall of 2007, Jackie rescued Felix, an off the track TB from a local slaughter yard. I had entrusted Poco to Lynchland while I was in New Zealand for a semester, and in addition to Poco updates, I kept hearing about Felix. In the spring of this 2008, Felix became mine, and we are now working on a new partnership, and are making progress with every ride! I loved working with Jackie and riding at Lynchland! It is such a relaxed environment and everyone is so friendly, and I know that my horse is always being looked after. The people at Lynchland are like my second family. In 2009, I graduated from CSU, and bought my current horse "Twilight". Although I no longer live in Fort Collins, I will always think of Lynchland as "my barn", and keep in touch with all of the friends I made there.
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Kristen T.
** Update - in this last year back at Lynchland, Kristen has been a busy girl! In addition to bringing home and breeding her beloved "Isis", Kristen purchased "Dante", a Swedish Warmblood gelding, and "Ting-Ting", a super cute QH gelding!
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From Kira M...
I have been riding at Lynchland for over two years. I began riding with Susan; she is a wonderful instructor, and her lessons were fun and upbeat. I started riding with Jackie the last 6 months and appreciate her attention to detail in my lessons. I have been riding for 10-12 years off and on and have ridden at my share of barns. I haven’t been to another barn that offers so much in the way of quantity and quality in the arenas and people! I have made some of my best friends at this barn, where at many other barns it was impossible to make friends because no one socialized! There is a real sense of community here. The other thing I have found unique to Lynchland is the quality and diversity of horses. There are horses for every level—not just beginners or intermediate riders! That’s so rare in my experience. I can’t imagine ever moving if for no other reason then trying to find a barn half as fabulous as Lynchland!
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From Kate K...
I came to Lynchland Stables my freshman year with two horses, a western saddle, and a desire to learn more. I began taking jumping lessons from Jackie, and quickly found myself hooked. Fast-forward to my senior year, when I was introduced to "Flash", a somewhat zany thoroughbred that Jackie had rescued from a CSU auction. Jackie was convinced that he was my perfect match - turns out, he was! I found myself spending every possible moment at the barn, working off my board, working with some of the rescue horses, and soaking in the knowledge that I gleaned from my horses, Cloudy, Dakota and Flash, and from Jackie and my fellow boarders, who had become my closest friends. Never have I seen another barn like Lynchland, where everybody is so warmly welcomed into the fold. Even though I have since graduated, I will be forever grateful for the amazing experiences I had during my four years at Lynchland stables.
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After 3 years, we're sorry to see Michelle and Rocket leave us. We know you had to graduate Michelle, but we'll miss you both!
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From Jenna B...........
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My family moved back to Colorado from Texas in 2008, and I wanted to continue my riding. I found a ton of places online, including Lynchland. I tried many of the other places out, and they weren't a great fit. I loved Lynchland from the first lesson. Everyone was so inviting and made me feel at home. After 6 months of private lessons, I started taking group lessons with Jackie. Riding in groups helped me learn so much more, and I've made so many friends! When I look back on my riding in Texas, I can see huge improvements in my posture and riding in general. The lessons that Jackie and Becca teach are so fun, and we learn something each time we ride! Jackie and Becca have taught me so much about riding and horses, and I'm so grateful for it, too. This summer, I started half-leasing a newer lesson horse, Zsa-Zsa, who is the sweetest thing ever. My relationship with her grows everyday I'm down here. We are like one big family here at Lynchland- you couldn't get me to leave!