

| Michelle (Doyen) Kostrzewa has owned and shown horses all of her life. She started showing in 4-H and open when she was 6. She spent a year living with and apprenticing with Carole Gauger-Jessup. Carole specialized in Lipizzans and Warmbloods and starting out the young horse in Saddle Seat, Western, Hunt Seat and Dressage. Michelle has also studied the Natural Horsemanship techniques under various "Horse Whisperers" and has taken lessons from many great "Classical" instructors including Frank Grello from Portugal. Michelle understands the value of starting a horse out right and making sure that balance, drive, sound mind and sensitivity are the basic foundation and after that everything will follow suit. Michelle currently shows Class A, open and EMAA. She has shown in every seat (Western, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat and Dressage up to 2nd Level). She also coaches the Freeland Equestrian Team in the fall. All of her training includes weekly lessons so that the rider can learn as the horse learns and get the same results that she does. She wants all of her horses light in the hands and sensitive to leg and weight; supple and balanced in all seats, perfect for the "lady rider". She guarantees that the horses in training get their time by providing a documented log. Her training sessions are open for anyone to watch. Her techniques are gentle and quiet but her results are always willingness and respect from the horse. Come experience the difference with a trainer whose priority is the well-being of the horse and rider. Your horse will be happier and so will you. |
| Only the most patient and gentle techniques are used on your horse. We focus on getting your horse to move forward freely, giving to the bit and yielding to your leg. All training is documented and logged and includes lessons so that you can have your horse looking as nicely as I can. |



| Royal T Mahogany and Trameekr Mahogany, Gotta love those Padrons Mahogany geldings!!! |

| 2006 National AHA ACS Sport Horse Performance High Point Winner |



From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a horse," or, "that's a lot of money for just a horse". They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a horse." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a horse." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a horse," but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a horse," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a horse" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day. If you think it's "just a horse," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a horse" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a horse" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of "just a horse" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a horse" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a horse" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a horse" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a woman." Anonymous |
| Just A Horse |
| Qualified for Region 18 Championships |

