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"Doug is so good on a bad horse, one wonders what he can do on a good horse. He's gotten a reputation so people are bringing him horses that other trainers aren't successful with. I don't want to see him getting stuck there. He has the potential to go as far as a good horse can take him."
Jim Wofford - 3 time Olympian, internationally recognized coach, NBC Sports commentator and author.
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"Doug never rushes a horse to do too much too soon, a training approach that isn't seen often enough. He is kind, straightforward and methodical. Doug thinks long-term and waits for results."
Heather Mason - 'S' Dressage Judge and Grand Prix Dressage Rider and Trainer.
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Dear Doug,
When I originally brought Charm to you the goal was to figure out if he could be anything other than a pasture pal and now we have something really special thanks to your talent and willingness to take a chance on something unusual Charm has turned into such a solid citizen with the heart for eventing that we wish all our horses have. You have done an outstanding job to give him the confidence and opportunity to be a very competitive horse. I never thought we would come to the juncture where we have arrived needing to find Charm a new person, but you have helped me make that decision with professionalism and sensitivity that I could not have imagined possible. Through your great skill you were able to demonstrate to me the reasons Charm is a great horse with a bright future, but not with me. Having seen it for myself has made one of the most difficult decisions of my life bearable. I am looking forward to finding the person who will take Charm to his full potential and appreciate him for the Charm that we all know he is. I cant thank you enough for that.
I also wanted to thank you for the miraculous transformation of Bumbi. It boggles my mind to think that in less than one hour you took a hot, crazed unrideable horse and turned her back into the joy she used to be in my life. I am looking forward to many happy hours ahead of us, once again thanks to your immeasurable talent as a rider and a human being.
Best wishes in your continued success,
Sincerely,
Cindy Strate
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Denny Emerson - World Championship team gold medalist who was recently inducted into the USEA Eventing hall of Fame.
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Our daughter, Leah, worked very hard over the last
few years to save toward her own horse. We want to thank you for
selling us Vinny. He is an absolute sweet heart! We knew when Leah
saw him it was love at first sight! It was like Vinny chose Leah.
We are sure Vinny's disposition is a combination of his being an
orphan and your TLC for the last year. He has fabulous manners,
tremendous potential, and now a girl that loves him like crazy!
The best part will be watching them grow together. Thank you for
helping to make the sale both pleasurable and easy. We appreciate
your straightforward honesty and patience. Please feel free to use
us as a reference anytime and if you are ever in Mendham, please
feel free to come by and see us. Much continued success to you and
your horses.
Sincerely,
Barbara Borkan
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Doug,
I just want to thank you for the wonderful job you did with my mare Lexi. It's amazing to me how much progress was made in such a short period of time. She's so much easier for me to ride now! Wendy also commented on how much she improved under your tutelage.
It's really a pleasure to work with people who enjoy their job as much as you do.
I wish you the best of luck and hope to see you soon. Thanks again,
Joanne
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I just wanted to say a BIG THANKS!!! You did great with Plenty, but everyone told me you would. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week.
Geneva
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I cant tell you how happy I am with Sunny. He is such a pleasure to ride and tries so hard at everything he does; he is one of the most athletic horses Ive ever ridden and Im confident hell be able to take me to the next level (and then some!) in my riding career. He loves to jump and were having a blast getting to know each other. Im looking forward to our first show together, hopefully in the spring after a winter of finishing touches.
As important with how happy I am with Sunny, is how impressed I was with how you handled the transaction. You were extremely honest, professional and ethical, something many other professionals in this industry should take a lesson from.
Best,
Tracey & Sunny
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I just wanted to express how happy I was to find your site. I've had back problems that have kept me out of the saddle for some time; I miss all of it, but I really miss cross country. The helmet-cam of the cross country ride...how wonderful, how delightful it was to watch. How kind of you to make that available for people to view.
Thank you,
Galadriel Billington
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Thanks for the wonderful job you did with Cosmo. I had a great ride yesterday, he was exactly the horse I wanted. I'm so glad he went to you last month, you took good care of him and showed me the potential he has.
Thanks again,
Betty Sellers
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Best Regards,
Joyce
· 1st Horse Park of NJ -2-1, Andamento 70.000%
· 1st Horse Park of NJ -2nd Level Champion, Andamento
· 5th Horse Park of NJ -1-4, Andamento 68.000%
· 1st Bucks County Horse Park III - 1-4, Andamento 75.789%
· 1st Bucks County Horse Park III - 2-1, Andamento 72.368%
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"Doug has far exceeded our expectations by developing and competing Rocket, and continues to do so. We purchased Rocket and formed a partnership with Doug to see how far he can take this wonderful Danish Warmblood. Rocket was previously difficult to ride even for the most seasoned professional. Rocket was classified as a 'problem' show jumper because he was not careful enough over 5' jumps and was at times called "crazy" because of his strong attitude and personality. Within a few months Doug kindly developed and trained this horse and qualified him for the National Championships within 2 preliminary eventing competitions. In addition, he recently won a gamblers choice show jumping event with over 50 competitors at the Virginia Horse Trials. Because of Doug's training, Rocket is now also showing great dressage promise. He has conditioned, and developed a relationship with Rocket that is truly exceptional. Rocket respects and likes Doug and is now so happy with his new job as an eventing horse. We have great hopes for the two of them to continue to progress to the highest levels of eventing and dressage."
Cindy + Randy Clover
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Hi Doug,
Just wanted to let you know what a wonderful job I think you are doing with my mare, Lily. As you know, she had several issues, including sucking back and throwing in a buck or two when asked to go forward. I had 2 other trainers come to look at her, and neither one of then wanted to get on her.
Since you starting schooling her in May, she is making so much progress. She is so much more willing to go forward and also has become a wonderful trail companion. Riding her has become a pleasure. You even have her jumping and doing flying lead changes! Very impressive!
Susan & Lily
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"Thanks for directing me towards The Federalist. I thought I knew what I wanted when I started searching for a horse. You gently steered me in a much better direction and I am glad I finally I took your advice. The Federalist and I are a perfect match. I am thrilled with my new horse. Thanks for your time, energy, commitment and patience."
Tamara + Roo
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What can I say? Doug Payne embodies the one quality
I have always found to be the most important in a horseperson: he
has the ability to get the results he wants without you ever seeing
him do it. By this I mean that he is one of those rare people who
is wonderfully quiet and soft in his strength with subtlety and
great patience. You will never see him flap his arms or kick the
horse in his sides or pull on his mouth so that the horse can no
longer pay attention to what was originally asked of him. I have
always felt that horses respond much better to this way of training.
He is completely natural. He never causes them to "worry"
which I feel results in the horse remembering his lessons better
in the long run.
It has certainly worked well on my little horse "Mr. Bliss".
He is a welsh cob / percheron cross who I bought last summer simply
because I fell in love with him the moment I saw him. (yes, I am
a woman) He was young and green and already "worried".
(The first time I turned on the hose he was gone so fast I didn't
even see his tail leave the barn, but I suppose the two inch layer
of mud on him should have clued me in to that one... ) I'm not sure
I would have bought him so fast if I didn't already know Doug. I
was sure he could get him to be "perfect" no matter what
and nine months later he is more than well on his way. His stress
level is almost gone.
Doug is also just as patient with his clients as he is with the horses. Trust me, I am always bothering him- "what did you do just now?" "which leg did you use?" "how did you do that?" etc.etc.etc....he just smiles and answers all of my questions and keeps coming back every week. What more could anyone ask for?
-Melanie Archer and "Mr. Bliss"
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Just want to drop you a quick line to let you know that CB is settling into his new home and training program really well. Thank you for doing such a great job with him. You gave him a solid foundation which challenged him without over facing him and prepared him for a successful future. I appreciate how patient you were and how you worked with his learning style. I can't tell you how grateful I am for the start you gave my horse. Since moving about 10 days ago CB has received so many compliments on his education. (I'm telling EVERYONE to send their horse to you!) People are amazed at how far along he is for having just 4 months of training. When he first arrived from Florida, where he was enjoying his retirement from racing, he didn't have any muscle or know left from right. After spending a short time with you, he has definition, a neck that is becoming round, shoulders and a hind end! Charlie can now walk, trot, canter and jump because of you. He is well on his way to entering the hunter/jumper world! I'm so happy I had the opportunity to start CB with you, thanks again for everything!
- Gina + Charlie Blues
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Hey Doug, you rode my horse Petey last week and gave me a
lesson on him and I just wanted to let you know that today for the first time
ever I rode him with the guys cutting the lawn right next to the ring....and
survived! Normally I would've been trying to slow him to try and work him
with the guys around but inside I just pushed him forward and anytime he tried
to do something silly I just dug my inside leg into him. It was amazing, I
even jumped him. He's already picking up the left lead without a problem after
the fences with the jumping exercise that you gave us to do. I can't believe
the change that I've seen in him after only 1 lesson. I def. want to do one
again sometime soon so just let me know when would be good for you, Monday
or Tuesday afternoons are best for me.
Thanks!
Meredith
Below you will find comments
and
suggestions from both industry
icons as well as past and present
clients.
"We were having trouble with a young off
the
track thoroughbred we had bought.
Farley was extremely athletic
and had a bold,
confident attitude. He was doing well with his flat
work and was showing exceptional talent through
the gymnastic exercises.
However, cantering over
fences, his bucking and playing antics were
regularly
unseating his riders. While pondering what to do we
came across an article
called 'The Go To Guy For Problem
Horses'. We called Doug and were
very impressed with his
Shanon Baker-Day
Stephen Day
President, Dover Saddlery
