Testimonials

Sally just doesn't get the job done, she applies the polish correctly too! She did a beautiful
job breaking my 3yr old Thoroughbred.
--Susi Epps

I CANNOT recommend Sally Shirley highly enough. We have been sending horses to Sally for almost 20 years.
Sally has the highest integrity of most all folks I know. She works the horses herself, she does excellent evaluations, makes good recommendations and she sugar-coats nothing. If Sally says something, you can take that to the bank. I have always been thrilled with Sally's work!
-Kate Byron MFH
New Market Middletown Hounds
Windward Farm, WV

I have sent several horses over the years to Sally for training. She is excellent with the young horses. She is patient and quiet in her approach and develops in her horses sense of confidence. Sally is a natural rider who is athletic and brave. She would be my choice to send another youngster to.
--Sally Cousins
USEA LEADING LADY RIDER 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

I have known Sally for at least 25 years when she helped our Shenandoah Valley Pony Club. I have depended on her for her for horse care, training, buying and selling for many years and seldom make an important horse decision without her input. She treats my horses as if they were her own, and I leave them with her without any reservation. I have learned a great deal from her and value her friendship, sense of humor, and broad experience with horses which have enriched my own lifetime of as a horse owner.
--Nancy H Isaacson
Former DC of Shenandoah Valley Pony Club

I have been riding with Sally for years and I have never had a better instructor. She has an incredible ability to break things down so I understand now only how to accomplish the movement or task, but understand the why and how behind everything I am doing.

One of my favorite aspects about taking lessons with Sally is she plans and thinks about my needs and objectives in advance and comes prepared with a lesson plan to help me accomplish my goals. Every lesson builds upon the last.

As an amateur rider, there are certain times I cannot get my body be perfectly correct. Previous trainers just say tum your toe in, don't twist, your locking your hip,
etc ... Sally finds the root of the problem allowing􀂪 to fix the external demostration of the problem, creates excercises to train my body correctly, and tools to help my awareness allowing me to fix things on my own.
--Jill Davis

I have known and worked with Sally over many years. During these years I have realized she has many of the same philosophies as I do. Treat each horse as an individual. Evaluate their strengths and weakness's. Determine what environment they have been raised and trained in and then customize a program to maximize their talent and well being. I don't think you can ask more from a trainer.
--Richard Rader

I have known Sally for most of my life, as her parents were my 4-H leaders. She helped lay the groundwork for becoming the horsewoman I am today. Over the years I have one back to her, to help me with my daughters horses. he is especially good at attitude adjustments! In June of 2010, I made the decision to sell my dressage horse, a difficult decision, but due to some health issue the right one. Having owned him since he was 2, we had watched
him over the years jump cross country fences solo out in the field. So, I decided to send him to her to learn to jump with a rider and to eventually be sold. She did a terrific job building on what he knew and retraining areas that he was weak in. Plus, he loved jumping, she guided him through many courses, schooling, non-recognized and recognized events to build his confidence. Shed handled the advertising, showing him and ultimately his sale. I didn't want to be involved, as my heart wasn't ready to see him go. But, he is very happy being an eventer. I would use her services again and send folks her way often. Thanks for all you did for me and my family.
--Jennifer Tingley
Cedar Creek Farm
New Windsor, MD

Sally is a wonderful instructor who knows ponies and understands kids who ride them. I was introduced to Sally a few years ago when my daughter, a D2 in pony club, was having serious confidence issues riding her sometimes very forward and "opinionated" pony. Sally tuned right in to what the issues were. She was so encouraging at every lesson, she listened to my daughter's concerns, and was careful not to push beyond what was comfortable for the rider and the ability of the pony. Each lesson was tailored to just what my daughter and her pony needed. After a very short time, a sincere trust developed between the student and the instructor, and a significant improvement was seen in my daughter's confidence and in the pony's attitude. Sally's knowledge of horses and teaching skills, coupled with kindness, patience, and a wonderful sense of humor, have helped make my daughter the rider she is today, a C2 in pony club who is confidently eventing her new horse.
--Flora Shive, Mother of Christa Shive

Sally Shirley has found and trained two horses for me, both were a perfect  match! I sent a prospect straight off the track to her and after two days she recommended I buy him. I purchased him without ever sitting on him, and he turned out to be an amazing Whipper-In horse and Team Penner, a safe beginner lesson horse, and fantastic companion. I would trust Sally Shirley with my life, and idolize her equine knowledge and ability.
--Amanda Dell