Four Star Farm Riders

Amber

Short Term Goal: Buy a new horse and be competitive at Training Level by the end of the year. Long Term Goal: Be competitive at Young Riders in 2-3 years. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I joined Four Star Farm in January 2010. Since then I have improved not only my riding, but also my general knowledge of horses and eventing. I have gained many new friends who are very supportive on and off my horse. I also have learned that clean and tidy is good. I look forward to all the things I will learn and accomplish in the future with Four Star Farm.

Anya

Short Term Goal: To compete at a recognized horse trials. Long Term Goal: The Olympics! How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I had only taken dressage lessons when I started riding with Natalie. Other students at Four Star Farm were jumping, and I wanted to also! Natalie knows how to get you started safely with jumping, and I was hooked on three-day eventing after a cross-country schooling trip! I enjoy the other riders here and how supportive they are.

Barbra

How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Natalie has a fabulous eye and knows how to teach a beginner to experienced rider. She is patient, precise, and a very nice person. I love riding with her at her beautiful ranch in Bodega. It is a slice of heaven being at her ranch.

Camille

Short Term Goal: Continue competing at Prelimary Level. Long Term Goal: I would love to keep riding forever! If I dream big enough I would love to go to Kentucky Rolex and even the Olympics! I want to continue learning new skills as a rider and keep going forward. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I started riding at Four Star Farm when I was a shy high school sophomore. Five years later, I am competing at the Preliminary Level, and I have a lot more confidence as a person and rider. Every lesson I have, I learn something valuable. Whether it be how to half-pass, or what kind of grain my horse should be eating. My lessons teach me more than how to ride, and I apply the skills I learn to my personal life. Four Star Farm is like a family to me, and Natalie is the best mom we could ask for! I look forward to going to competitions, being worked hard and enjoying the rewards. I will continue riding with Four Star Farm for as long as I possibly can, as I can't see myself anywhere else and being this successful! Thank you Natalie and Four Star Farm!!

Cynthia

How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I've always had a passion for horses but I had limited access to riding as a child. Because of my passion, I wanted my children to have exposure to riding. I began taking lessons as an adult with my teenage daughter. Shortly thereafter, I had a minor riding accident which put fear and reservation in me. It wasn't until I met Linda with Four Star Farm that I began to find a partner who would work on my riding confidence. My goal is to increase my confidence, lower my fears and follow my passions.

Debra

Short Term Goal: Earn a USEA medal on my pony, Cinnamon, at Beginner Novice. Long Term Goal: Move up to Novice Level. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I rode endurance several decades ago and took up learning three-day eventing several years ago in my late forties. Natalie has been ever patient and supportive throughout my equestrian journey, and I appreciate her intelligent approach to riding and horsemanship. At competitions, the FSF team is helpful and encouraging. I am having a blast and feel so fortunate to be a part of FSF!

Destiny

Short Term Goal: To compete consistently, move up to Training Level and win. Show at second-level dressage. Long Term Goal: To reach the FEI levels in eventing and dressage, continue breeding Trakehners with Natalie and Susan, become a successful instructor and assisstant for Natalie. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: What I personally like about Four Star Farm is that there is never competing against each other. We are like a big happy family and support each other with not only compliments but with advice and words of wisdom.

Eleanor

Short Term Goal: My goals over the next few months are to begin cantering off the lunge-line and to ride the introductory level dressage test without mistakes. Long Term Goal: I'd like to teach young riders and establish my own farm. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Being a part of Four Star Farm has helped me build self-confidence. I've met new friends, and it is fun to be part of a team!

Gretchen

Short Term Goal:To represent USEA Area VI at the NAJYRC this summer at the one-star level with my horse Carasi. Long Term Goal: To compete at Rolex Kentucky, hopefully with my current horse, Carasi! How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I came to Natalie in August 2011. My horse had just come back from a minor injury, and I needed to get with a different training program than I had before. I wanted something more professional and a trainer I knew would be supportive and make good decisions for both me and my horse. After the first lesson, I knew Natalie could help me achieve all that I had hoped for, and more! I have already noticed such an improvement in my riding and the way my horse is going. I am very thankful for the help that I receive from Natalie and I am so lucky to call her my trainer. Everyone at Four Star Farm has welcomed me graciously and I think that this truly reflects how Natalie is herself.

Janice

Short Term Goal: Elbows in, eyes up, sit up straight, don't lean, shoulders back, relax my arms, breathe! Long Term Goal: To be a truly effective rider, no matter what horse I am riding. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I started riding with Natalie in May 2009. I had owned horses off and on all my life, and as I looked forward into retirement I wanted to learn more as a rider from a teacher with well-trained school horses. Boy did I get my wish! The fabulous Pluto was a dream come true for me. At last I knew if I did it right, I'd get what I was asking for. Natalie and Linda have both given me encouragement and constructive critcism as I strive toward my goals—both short and long term. They listen to my questions and concerns and push my boundaries appropriately. Riding has continued to be a joy (even when I struggle) and that's the most important thing.

Kiera

Short Term Goal: I just got a brand new horse, barn name "Hanna" (purchase date Feb. 14, 2012)! We're hoping to move up the levels quickly to be competing Training Level successfully and go to Montana for the Rebecca Farm half=-star this summer. Long Term Goal: Young Rider's 1* 2013 and Young Rider's 2** 2014. Then of course 3*** and Rolex!! How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I have become much more knowledgeable about Trakehners and with my own experience realized they truly are the best sport horse out there! Not just my riding, but my overall experience has sky rocketed. Natalie is a fantastic person, an impeccable trainer who couldn't have found me a better horse! FSF is just a lovely atmosphere and we all feel like family!

Lauren

Short Term Goal: My short-term goal is to make the NAYRC Young Rider team with my horse Backstage Pass this year for the one-star and compete for Area VI there. Long Term Goal: My long-term goal is to take Pippa to a CCI3* and eventually complete a four-star and be on the U.S. team, and represent Four Star Farm throughout my whole journey. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I met Natalie when I was on an off-the-track thoroughbred. And I can't even begin to express the wonders she has taught me. Ranging from patience, to how to ride upper-level dressage movements and to consistently have a quiet jump, Four Star Farm has made me the rider that I am today. In addition, Natalie found my horse, Pippa.

Laurie

How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I began riding with Linda Betts, of Four Star Farm, after my daughter started group lessons. I was so impressed with Linda's patient style of instruction, I decided to sign up for lessons. That was two years ago. Although I have no desire to compete, Linda continues to teach new skills and refine old ones. Our weekly lessons are a highlight of my week. Linda is encouraging and supportive. I love that she challenges me to push my limits. The horses at Four Star Farm are wonderful. To date, I have ridden Pluto, Captain and Ozzie.

Leah

Short Term Goal: Compete my recently acquired horse at Training Level. Long Term Goal: Compete through Preliminary Level. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I have been riding with Natalie for nearly five years. During that time I have noticed a huge improvement in both my own riding and of those around me. Natalie fosters an environment of goal-directed learning in which everyone seems to flourish. Her emphasis on dressage and the basics is evident and enables her clients to easily move up the levels. Four Star Farm is a great environment for riders from the greenest newbie to more seasoned riders.

Lily

Short Term Goal: To be able to canter and jump. Long Term Goal: To compete in my first three-day event. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Everyone has been kind to me and it's so much fun to ride and be at the barn. I like that I can vault and ride. We do a lot of fun stuff!

Maxine

Short Term Goal: I hope to compete with my new horse at the Novice and Training levels this year. Long Term Goal: I would love to be able to try out and compete in Young Riders in about 2-3 years, and to earn a riding scholarship. Then to continue riding, and go to Rolex Kentucky and make the U.S. Olympic riding team. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Natalie has taught me so much in such a short time. I started riding with Four Star Farm at the end of 2011 and it is amazing. Natalie is by far the most professional, unbelievable trainer I have ever trained with. I have nothing but good things to say about Four Star Farm. I can't wait to start the 2012 show season!

Samantha

Short Term Goal: Complete my Pony Club D-3 rating and C-1 rating for horse management. Long Term Goal: Complete my C-3 Pony Club rating in knowledge and dressage, C-1 or C-2 in jumping and cross country by the end of high school. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I've met lots of new people I really like. I've also gotten a lot of riding experience that I've never had before, like pony club meetings and cross country riding.

Sheila

Short Term Goal: Compete in my first horse trials. Long Term Goal: Compete on my own horse at Training/Preliminary Level. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: I graduated from college in 2008 and moved to Napa knowing no one. Feeling lonely, I decided to Google "horses and Napa" and Four Star Farm came up. Natalie invited me out to be a working student and my life has never been the same. Not only has my riding improved tremendously and my knowledge of horse care flourished but also Four Star Farm has given me the family I needed to become comfortable here. I hope to continue working with Four Star Farm and welcome others into our happy family!

Sophie

Short Term Goal: To canter on my own and jump! Long Term Goal: To own my own horse farm and to compete in three-day eventing. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Four Star Farm has taught me how to ride efficiently, and it feels like home to me. I really like it here and I love all the horses!

Sylvia

Short Term Goal: To improve my dressage. Long Term Goal: To jump four feet. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: Four Star Farm has made me into a better leader, taught me how to overcome my fears and improved my riding immensely.

Tracy

Short Term Goal: To be more confident in myself as a rider and to relax and enjoy the moment! Long Term Goal: To continue to learn the basics of dressage and improve upon my skills. How Four Star Farm has benefited me: When I made the decision to start riding as an adult, I was looking for a trainer who would make me feel comfortable and capable in a relaxed and supportive environment. Natalie and Linda have provided just that, and have given me encouragement to succeed. I have gained much more confidence in myself not only as a rider but also in dealing with life's challenges. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with the horses and simply being out in nature at the beautiful Napa facility.