| Promoting and Preserving the Versatile Western Performance Horse |
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| Content copyright 2011. Amanda Johnson. All rights reserved. |
" The hardest thing about riding a horse is meeting the ground. Everyone knows there
are moments that it will be desirable or necessary to leave the saddle in a hurry and
without formality. And that is the way I met Amanda Johnson. My beautiful horse (my
child) Nugget and I parted ways one afternoon, and I broke my ankle and "tush". I
couldn't ride for quite a while and Amanda spent some time reminding Ms. Nugget
that just because Mom was not riding, that it meant she could forget her manners. This
young lady is not only one of the best riders I have seen, but she is calm, pleasant and
has a connection with the horse when she rides. Unfortunately there is very little time
someone "much" older than Amanda, I can still take great tips and suggestions from her
with no reservations. She makes horseback riding look easy...yet Amanda will remind
us that if you don't keep your horses attention, one can get a feeling of security, a false
one. When I watch Amanda ride, it is clear that when the horse leaves the barn from
their time spent in training with her, they will be better ride for anyone! "
-Debbie Brannon "Nugget's Mom"
are moments that it will be desirable or necessary to leave the saddle in a hurry and
without formality. And that is the way I met Amanda Johnson. My beautiful horse (my
child) Nugget and I parted ways one afternoon, and I broke my ankle and "tush". I
couldn't ride for quite a while and Amanda spent some time reminding Ms. Nugget
that just because Mom was not riding, that it meant she could forget her manners. This
young lady is not only one of the best riders I have seen, but she is calm, pleasant and
has a connection with the horse when she rides. Unfortunately there is very little time
someone "much" older than Amanda, I can still take great tips and suggestions from her
with no reservations. She makes horseback riding look easy...yet Amanda will remind
us that if you don't keep your horses attention, one can get a feeling of security, a false
one. When I watch Amanda ride, it is clear that when the horse leaves the barn from
their time spent in training with her, they will be better ride for anyone! "
-Debbie Brannon "Nugget's Mom"
| Pat & Hank |
" Amanda did a great job training Hank. He is a 4 year old and didn't know anything.
He was a challenge but she got the job done. Thanks Amanda! "
- Pat Whatley
He was a challenge but she got the job done. Thanks Amanda! "
- Pat Whatley
| Terita & Star |
| Diane & TED-D |
I had the pleasure of meeting Amanda Johnson a few months ago to help me with a few
little issues with my horse. She has been wonderful with my horse Ted D. She waits on the
horse and is very kind but firm always giving the release the horse is looking for. She has
been able to do amazing things with him. She sees each horse as an individual, and works
with there personalty getting the most out of them. Amanda is a wonderful trainer that is
definitely going places. I am so glad I've had the pleasure of meeting her. She has helped
my horse but mostly helped me to become a better rider. Thank you Amanda
Signed
Diane Reimers
little issues with my horse. She has been wonderful with my horse Ted D. She waits on the
horse and is very kind but firm always giving the release the horse is looking for. She has
been able to do amazing things with him. She sees each horse as an individual, and works
with there personalty getting the most out of them. Amanda is a wonderful trainer that is
definitely going places. I am so glad I've had the pleasure of meeting her. She has helped
my horse but mostly helped me to become a better rider. Thank you Amanda
Signed
Diane Reimers
| Maren & Scarlet |
After searching for quite some time for the ideal trainer I finally found you through your
website and met you shortly after at Vessell Farms. The decision was easy for me, you met
all the criteria I was looking for! Now my two young horses, Gambler and Scarlet (4 and 3
years old), have completed the 60 day training with you; and throughout the training I could
already tell that I would be satisfied with your method. You have been using intelligent
horsemanship, the horses were willing trainees with you and have received a great start! It's
been two month now that I have been riding them, mostly alone and sometimes in company
with other horses. I use them for trail riding and they have been doing great! I can't express
how happy I am with the training you have given them! They turned out exactly the way I
hoped!
Thank you so much for your hard work, you have done a great job!!
Maren Augero
Villa Rica, GA
website and met you shortly after at Vessell Farms. The decision was easy for me, you met
all the criteria I was looking for! Now my two young horses, Gambler and Scarlet (4 and 3
years old), have completed the 60 day training with you; and throughout the training I could
already tell that I would be satisfied with your method. You have been using intelligent
horsemanship, the horses were willing trainees with you and have received a great start! It's
been two month now that I have been riding them, mostly alone and sometimes in company
with other horses. I use them for trail riding and they have been doing great! I can't express
how happy I am with the training you have given them! They turned out exactly the way I
hoped!
Thank you so much for your hard work, you have done a great job!!
Maren Augero
Villa Rica, GA
| Promoting and Preserving the Versatile Western Performance Horse |
Amanda is a top-notch trainer. She began working with Star and Skip and within a few
days she was riding both. She took the time to get to know their personalities and
would kindly inform me of their progress along with pros and cons of both. She works
joyfully trying to achieve what both she and owner wants from the horse. She also has
great patience when working with the horse and owner to get the best riding results. If
problems occur she is quick to help work with you and the horse to solve it. I am proud
to say that Amanda Johnson has trained my horses and will be on the way to our first
show in June. I am still learning from Amanda thanks to AJ Performance Horses!
-Terita Matula-Guthrie
days she was riding both. She took the time to get to know their personalities and
would kindly inform me of their progress along with pros and cons of both. She works
joyfully trying to achieve what both she and owner wants from the horse. She also has
great patience when working with the horse and owner to get the best riding results. If
problems occur she is quick to help work with you and the horse to solve it. I am proud
to say that Amanda Johnson has trained my horses and will be on the way to our first
show in June. I am still learning from Amanda thanks to AJ Performance Horses!
-Terita Matula-Guthrie
| Rebecca and Luke |
I have found Amanda to be even-tempered, calm, and patient, very light handed, and
supremely knowledgeable in training horses of any discipline. Amanda’s training
methods were exactly what my spoiled ADHD boy needed. I bought him when he was
two, and did not start riding him until he was four. Needless to say, I spoiled him
rotten! It became quickly evident that I was way out of my league with his training. He
is a very big, powerful, pushy boy, with a big motor. Amanda’s training made a
tremendous difference in his attitude in a short period of time. He became more
relaxed, focused, responsive, willing, patient, and seemed to finally enjoy having a job
to do. He has become a beautiful mover and full of so much potential, all because of
Amanda. If you desire your horse to become a better companion or magnificent in the
show ring, then I would recommend you hire Amanda Johnson!
-Rebecca Jackson
supremely knowledgeable in training horses of any discipline. Amanda’s training
methods were exactly what my spoiled ADHD boy needed. I bought him when he was
two, and did not start riding him until he was four. Needless to say, I spoiled him
rotten! It became quickly evident that I was way out of my league with his training. He
is a very big, powerful, pushy boy, with a big motor. Amanda’s training made a
tremendous difference in his attitude in a short period of time. He became more
relaxed, focused, responsive, willing, patient, and seemed to finally enjoy having a job
to do. He has become a beautiful mover and full of so much potential, all because of
Amanda. If you desire your horse to become a better companion or magnificent in the
show ring, then I would recommend you hire Amanda Johnson!
-Rebecca Jackson
| Debbie and Nugget |
Michele and Sallee Sue
Within the first couple of weeks, the trainer I had sent my mustang to said SalleeSue had
some bucking issues and was not happy with her progress. At 30 days he suggested I
send her to another trainer. I am thrilled he suggested you, Amanda. You patiently
worked with her in a natural-no-nonsense way and within a couple of weeks SalleeSue
was totally relaxed and you had her out on the trails. You’ve told me she progressed at a
level that you were satifisfied with. She was completely changed in a matter of a few
weeks. She crossed bridges, tarps and was not spooky at all. After 60 days with you, I
was ready to do my first trail ride with SalleeSue. I have now done 2 and been on the road
in traffic. She is fine and I could not be happier with her progress. SalleSue will make
me a wonderful trail mount. I was truly amazed at what an awesome job you’ve done
with her. It was a blessing to have met you and have you work with my little girl. I am
excited to be bringing her home after 90 days training. As a novice rider, I feel confident
in riding SalleeSue alone. Amanda you have an amazing gift with these animals. I thank
you from the bottom of my heart for the work you’ve put into the her. I will highly
recommend you for anyone that may have horse training needs.
My best to you, Michele Baker, Ranburne, Alabama, September 2010
some bucking issues and was not happy with her progress. At 30 days he suggested I
send her to another trainer. I am thrilled he suggested you, Amanda. You patiently
worked with her in a natural-no-nonsense way and within a couple of weeks SalleeSue
was totally relaxed and you had her out on the trails. You’ve told me she progressed at a
level that you were satifisfied with. She was completely changed in a matter of a few
weeks. She crossed bridges, tarps and was not spooky at all. After 60 days with you, I
was ready to do my first trail ride with SalleeSue. I have now done 2 and been on the road
in traffic. She is fine and I could not be happier with her progress. SalleSue will make
me a wonderful trail mount. I was truly amazed at what an awesome job you’ve done
with her. It was a blessing to have met you and have you work with my little girl. I am
excited to be bringing her home after 90 days training. As a novice rider, I feel confident
in riding SalleeSue alone. Amanda you have an amazing gift with these animals. I thank
you from the bottom of my heart for the work you’ve put into the her. I will highly
recommend you for anyone that may have horse training needs.
My best to you, Michele Baker, Ranburne, Alabama, September 2010
I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you and all the hard work you have
done for me and my horses. Out of all the trainers in Tennessee (Mustang Makeover), you
stood out for your horsemanship, riding ability and overall concern for the welfare of ALL
the horses at the event. It is hard to find a talented trainer that does not take shortcuts and
sacrifice the horse for a event or their own ego. You really proved that this weekend. I am
very proud of you and even prouder to call you my trainer and friend. Every rider and
horse that you have worked with is better off. Thanks for all YOU do!!!
Christina, Grover and Thunder
done for me and my horses. Out of all the trainers in Tennessee (Mustang Makeover), you
stood out for your horsemanship, riding ability and overall concern for the welfare of ALL
the horses at the event. It is hard to find a talented trainer that does not take shortcuts and
sacrifice the horse for a event or their own ego. You really proved that this weekend. I am
very proud of you and even prouder to call you my trainer and friend. Every rider and
horse that you have worked with is better off. Thanks for all YOU do!!!
Christina, Grover and Thunder
| Christina and Grover |
Being an “older” rider came with a unique set of challenges. Arthritis in my knees and twenty
five plus years of not riding, made getting back in the saddle difficult. I had done competitive
trail riding and had been a competent rider. I always thought that I would ride again, but
physically and mentally I was not prepared for the Arabian gelding that I impulsively
adopted. Jazz was as insecure as I was, and we were not the best match for each other. Then
the inevitable happened; Jazz spooked, and I found myself on the ground, checking myself for
scrapes and bruises or worse! It was at that moment that I knew that for this relationship to
work we would need help! I made the decision to call Amanda the next day. Amanda was
quick to access my capabilities as well as determine what Jazz would need to help him
overcome his fears. An abused horse needs a very confident rider, and I would need to
become that if this was going to work. I won’t pretend that it was easy, but Amanda was
willing to work with me until I was confident riding Jazz. Inspired by my confidence, Jazz
and I developed a trust that enabled us to bond. Jazz is awesome on the trails, confidently
going where I ask him, over bridges, through water, bicycles, barking dogs, or whatever we
might encounter. Jazz is the horse that I wanted and I am the rider that I aspired to
be…………thanks to Amanda’s honesty, skills, and willingness to work with both of us to
ensure our success.
five plus years of not riding, made getting back in the saddle difficult. I had done competitive
trail riding and had been a competent rider. I always thought that I would ride again, but
physically and mentally I was not prepared for the Arabian gelding that I impulsively
adopted. Jazz was as insecure as I was, and we were not the best match for each other. Then
the inevitable happened; Jazz spooked, and I found myself on the ground, checking myself for
scrapes and bruises or worse! It was at that moment that I knew that for this relationship to
work we would need help! I made the decision to call Amanda the next day. Amanda was
quick to access my capabilities as well as determine what Jazz would need to help him
overcome his fears. An abused horse needs a very confident rider, and I would need to
become that if this was going to work. I won’t pretend that it was easy, but Amanda was
willing to work with me until I was confident riding Jazz. Inspired by my confidence, Jazz
and I developed a trust that enabled us to bond. Jazz is awesome on the trails, confidently
going where I ask him, over bridges, through water, bicycles, barking dogs, or whatever we
might encounter. Jazz is the horse that I wanted and I am the rider that I aspired to
be…………thanks to Amanda’s honesty, skills, and willingness to work with both of us to
ensure our success.
| Gloria and Jazz |