My daughter and I have been taking lessons from Nicole for a little over a year now. We have both made amazing progress in that time. Nicole is patient, supportive and encouraging. We have made so much progress partially because Nicole gives us the freedom to apply the skills and tools we have learned on our own and to figure out for ourselves the rewards of applying those things on our own determinism and in that way they have become truly ours. She is also adept at modifying her teaching methods to suit her students so that they don’t become frustrated and they can then get results and make progress in what seems like a very natural way. She challenges you but yet in ways and at times when she knows you are ready for it. I have also seen her work with younger children and she has a wonderful way with them making them feel like they are on top of the world when they are working with and riding a horse. I appreciate Nicole’s knowledge about all aspects of horsemanship and her ability to impart it to others in an easy to understand manner. She is very much about understanding the nature of the horse and how to work best with them to get the best possible result. She is a pleasure to work with!
BE;Stephentown, NY
BE;Stephentown, NY
I met Nicole about three years ago. I have been around horses my whole life, but had gotten away from lessons for a few years. I researched online and found her website. We scheduled a trial lesson and since then she's been my trainer and friend. She has a ton amount of information and knowledge on any discipline. She is extremely easy to talk to and train with. She knows how to make her students understand everything easily and works with each person individually for the best learning environment. She is always very conscious of the safety element in everything, making sure both human and horse won't get hurt in any way. I progressed much further and faster with her than any other trainer I've been with. I would recommend her in a heartbeat to anyone, at any level of riding.
AN; Hawley, MA
AN; Hawley, MA
My daughter has been riding with Nicole for just over 3 years. Nicole is the whole package and then some. She is an amazing trainer and coach. She continually helps my daughter progress as a rider while keeping her personality in mind while doing it. Nicole knows horses and teenage girls! She cheers her riders on in many aspects of their lives. My daughter has benefited in more ways than as a rider from being coached by Nicole.
PC; Pittsfield, MA
PC; Pittsfield, MA
Riding lessons with Nicole have been an incredibly positive experience for our daughter. Her riding skill and self-confidence have increased dramatically since beginning lessons 8 months ago. Nicole is an extremely knowledgeable horsewoman and a skillful, intuitive instructor. Our daughter is not only learning to ride, but is learning a great deal about the care and responsibility required in all aspects of life with horses. She has made many friends at the barn and there have been ample opportunities to participate in horse shows and other events. The actual lesson aspect is really only a small part of the experience our daughter enjoys. I'm amazed that my 15 year old would rather get up at the crack of dawn and volunteer to help muck out stalls than sleep in! The barn is truly her happy place and we are so thankful that Nicole not only teaches her well, but allows her to be a "barn girl".
SR; Cheshire, MA
Just a note to say thank for you making the riding lessons for my grandson Daniel such a positive experience, he looks forward to his lesson all week.
Your patience, knowledge, sense of humor and calm demeanor are traits that every riding coach and trainer should possess, especially if they are working with children.
Daniel enjoys every minute with you and Butters. You are a gem !
ML; Williamstown, MA
Nicole has a knack for taking “broken” people and/or “broken” horses and figuring out a way of making them successful.
Sometimes it’s a matter of adjusting expectations. Sometimes it’s diagnosing a physical ailment that has been overlooked or ignored. Sometimes it’s just infusing a dose of confidence.
Her awareness and knowledge of body mechanics, both human and equine, puts her head and shoulders above other local trainers. She is well versed in an extensive range of modalities, and has a large national network of colleagues to consult with.
As a retired professional groom, I feel very fortunate to have found a trainer in Berkshire County who has the skills to be making a name for herself in much larger market but who has chosen to settle here. Her unique philosophy toward our relationship with horses is a welcome, refreshing addition to the horse industry in Western Mass.
KR; Pittsfield, MA
Sometimes it’s a matter of adjusting expectations. Sometimes it’s diagnosing a physical ailment that has been overlooked or ignored. Sometimes it’s just infusing a dose of confidence.
Her awareness and knowledge of body mechanics, both human and equine, puts her head and shoulders above other local trainers. She is well versed in an extensive range of modalities, and has a large national network of colleagues to consult with.
As a retired professional groom, I feel very fortunate to have found a trainer in Berkshire County who has the skills to be making a name for herself in much larger market but who has chosen to settle here. Her unique philosophy toward our relationship with horses is a welcome, refreshing addition to the horse industry in Western Mass.
KR; Pittsfield, MA
Nicole has been teaching my daughter to ride since March of 2011. My daughter had been riding for 18 months prior to meeting Nicole. In the 5 months she has been riding with Nicole she has made more progress than she had made in 18 months elsewhere. Nicole has a very natural and kind way of reading and training the rider and the horse. Lessons with Nicole are fun, rigorous and personal.
PC; Pittsfield, MA
PC; Pittsfield, MA
I have known Nicole since 2005, as a supervisor, trainer, instructor, and friend. The emphasis she places on the well-being of both horse and rider in every lesson is unique and special. She has an immense amount of knowledge about riding and horsemanship, and her years of experience really show through in her teaching. She identifies problem areas in the communication between a horse and rider extremely quickly, and gives concise and appropriate instruction, yielding fast and effective improvements. Above all, her dedication to the happiness of horse and rider is clear, and this keeps her clients, both young and adult, coming back for more! Her calm and sensible approach to horse behavior has proved itself over and over, as she can help any horse overcome fear and unconfidence, both on the ground and in the saddle. She is a talented rider and trainer, and has the compassion and love for the horse that makes her stand out among her colleagues. I trust few people to care for my horse, and Nicole has adopted him into her herd for the past two years and he has never been happier! I would highly recommend Nicole to anyone as a trainer, instructor, or as a knowledgeable companion to take horse shopping, as matching horses and riders is another area which she is extremely passionate about.
NB; Boston, MA
NB; Boston, MA
I have been riding for about 3 and a half years, since fourth grade, and riding with Nicole for a little over a year. My experience with Nicole has been one hundred times better than my experiences elsewhere. Not only is Nicole an excellent trainer, but she is also a true horse women who knows exactly what both the horse and rider need. She has taught me how to do so much on horseback which I only ever dreamed of doing. She is truly an amazing trainer and a great friend!
KC, Pittsfield, MA
KC, Pittsfield, MA
When I started riding with Nicole I had only known her a little while but after watching only one of her lessons, I had to take a lesson with her. Nicole has such an intense connection with all of the horses she owns and works with, that connection really brings out both the best in the horse and the rider. I have been riding for a long time and for a little while lost interest and that passion that I had for riding, Nicole brought all of that back for me. She made riding fun and challenging again along with bringing the passion I had for riding back out! Every lesson I took I was learning so much and I felt myself improving after every lesson and could really feel it afterwards. Nicole is a trainer who does not just focus on teaching her clients how to ride, Nicole teaches her clients about every aspect of the horse in which you are riding and working with. She really made me understand there is a lot more to riding than just tacking up your horse and doing ring work. As an adult I have ridden with many different trainers, all of them fantastic in their own ways, but with Nicole I really feel like I get the entire package. I even love watching her teach lessons almost as much as I enjoy taking them. The way Nicole works with people of all ages amazes me, she has all the patience in the world when it comes to the younger children and all the knowledge and expertise when teaching her advanced older clients. Nicole has always been very level headed and she always puts her horse’s needs in front of her own. In my opinion she it was you would call an all around true horse person and a person who gets a real joy out of life by teaching horsemanship to others.
RL; Pittsfield, MA
RL; Pittsfield, MA
Nicole is a true horsewoman. The way she works with her horses ensures not only the safety of the horse, but of her riders as well, which is unfortunately becoming a thing of the past in our area. She will never match a rider with a horse that she isn't 100 percent sure her client will feel comfortable on.
Nicole also does an incredible job dealing with the horses that other people deem "unrideable" or "problem" horses. I have seen many horses come to her for a few months and leave completely new animals. She has an uncanny ability to really connect with all of her horses.
She is incredibly committed to all of her horses and riders, and I highly recommend her as a trainer.
AM; Lee, MA
Nicole also does an incredible job dealing with the horses that other people deem "unrideable" or "problem" horses. I have seen many horses come to her for a few months and leave completely new animals. She has an uncanny ability to really connect with all of her horses.
She is incredibly committed to all of her horses and riders, and I highly recommend her as a trainer.
AM; Lee, MA