Caroline and Spider, November 2008
Reading all the testimonials below you cannot help but think you already know the story: a not-so-confident horse lover comes to the yard to help out for rides, she falls in love with a horse, she buys it, she keeps it at the yard, she improves no end and they live happily ever after… sounds like a fairy tale? Well it is not a fairy tale!

It is everyday life at Sam’s yard. Whether you would like to buy a nice cob, whatever your ambitions, or maybe you would like to be around horses and nice, like-minded people, regain your confidence, or you are looking for a special place for your four legged friend, or you just want a nice cuppa and a chat… Look no further, you will find it at Sam’s yard. Spider She will do her best to match you with a suitable horse and will tell you if she thinks the horse is not suitable (believe me, she won’t hesitate), she will make you feel welcome if you want to come and help out whenever you can, she will give you riding lessons with YOU and YOUR goals in mind not the Olympics if it is not what you want, she will take care of your horse as if it was her own, and if you bring the biscuits she will make the tea.

With 2 children under 3 at the time I wasn’t looking for a horse when I started helping out at the yard, I just wanted to be around horses and although I had to drive 45mn one way at the best of times 3 times a week it felt like the right thing to do and I am so glad I did. You guess it I ended up buying a horse there. I am extremely pleased with Spider as he is such a star. With her years of experience Sam has an eye to match horse and rider and she can tell you how your horse will develop and give you useful advice how to ride and train him. I don’t know how she does it but with her everything seems possible and achievable. I loved every minute I spent at the yard.

Actually the only thing I don’t like about Sam’s yard is that it is just too far away from where I live. I unfortunately had to leave the yard in September and move Spider to a yard closer to home. If you are not looking for your dream horse, if you do not want to meet lovely people, if you do not want to smile and have fun while riding, then DO NOT give Sam a call… if you DO want all that…the kettle is on! You have been warned!

Gemma and Bob. October 2008
This is my Bob. Isn't he great? I joined Sam's team of helpers last November and Bob and Gerry arrived at the yard a few weeks after I started. I can't say that it was love at first sight as I was very wary of all the horses having very little experience of working with them. Normally Sam keeps the horses that arrive in training for weeks or even months before putting them up for sale, but Bob's such a reliable horse he was up for sale in January which put me in a bit of a quandary.

I had been looking for a first horse for over 6 months and first met Sam when I came to look at another of her cobs. My original plan had been to buy a horse to keep on working livery at the riding stable where I was learning to ride. Sadly this did not work out as it became apparent that the horse they were looking for was very different from the one I needed. Bob I had almost given up when I remembered Sam and her sound advice on choosing “a horse that suited me, not everyone else” I thought it would do no harm to improve my knowledge by spending time at her yard, it was the best decision I ever have made.

I did not want to appear to be jumping at the first horse that came along, but going through my checklist for a suitable first horse Bob ticked all the boxes, and I knew that Sam would let me know if she felt he wasn’t suitable. So I took the plunge and bought Bob, and even though I live quite a distance away I knew I would have the best chance of success if I kept him at Sam’s yard. It was such a scary thing to do if, like me, you have never owned a horse but the support I have received from the offset is incredible. Everyone at the yard is so supportive and they take care of me whenever we are out and about. To begin with I was terrified of all road work even going round the block (a few quiet lanes with virtually no traffic) took large doses of Rescue Remedy. Every small success was celebrated and things weren’t going right Sam was always on hand to talk it through. Sam’s lessons are fun and she sets us little goals which we work towards.

You’re never pushed into anything you don’t want to do but you do get plenty of encouragement and praise. The first time we went out alone, (not totally alone my husband walked with us) everyone cheered. I am so chuffed by how much we have achieved this summer we did cross country (we actually walked around the jumps not over them) but even then Sam made sure we negotiated the ditches and banks to boost our confidence. Last weekend we did the sponsored ride, Bob was a star, and I had such a terrific day, there were no sign of the crippling nerves that plagued me in the early days. I think if you are honest about your ability and expectations you can rely on Sam to find you the right horse. She is always at the end of the phone to help you through any hiccups you encounter, and if it’s too daunting to go it alone keep your horse on livery with Sam for the very best support and advice.

Alison and Edgar. September 2008
My story starts in September 2007 when I phoned Sam regarding a horse I liked on her website. Although I have been taking care of my veteran horse for many years I hadn't been regularly riding, so to say I am a nervous nelly is an understatement! We had a lovely chat about what I wanted in a horse and we arranged an assessment. The horse I phoned about had a deposit on him, but I went along one Saturday absolutely petrified that I was going to make a fool of myself! Well, Sam put me at ease straight away and introduced me to all the four legged friends on the yard and I had my assessment in the school and had a little hack around the block.

I had so much fun and I realised that perhaps jumping in the deep end straight away wasn’t the best thing for me, so Sam suggested that for some help on a Saturday morning she would give me lessons/hacks out to get me riding different horses to get a feel what would be right for me. Quite frankly, at the time if I stayed on I felt it was a bonus!

EdgarSo I helped out for some months getting on different horses, and handling different horses and really enjoyed myself. The yard itself is such a lovely environment and the horses seem to settle as soon as they walk off the lorry.Now to say I had a soft spot for Edgar would be an understatement! He has the funniest nature and such a loving temperament. I had the opportunity to hack him and have a few lessons on him, as he was in the training page at the time. But I felt that my confidence on taking a young horse to my yard wasn’t enough so I didn’t say how much I adored him to Sam. Well a couple more months went by and Charlotte bought Joey and Gemma bought Bob and were staying on as liveries, so I got thinking that perhaps I could do the same. I plucked up the courage and asked Sam if she thought I would be suitable for Edgar and thankfully she thought we were getting on really well and thought we would make a nice pair!

So now I am the very proud owner of Edgar and also at livery with Sam for the last 6 months. Although I have stables at home, I just feel that the community at the yard is so good and fun that I don’t want to leave! We have regular lessons and hacks out; we recently went on a sponsored ride which was great! I was very nervous and Edgar wasn’t too sure on all these horses rushing past us but Sam just coached me through it, and bearing in mind this was his first big outing he behaved fantastically! We even went out to the local cross country course to have a potter and I even did a jump! Bearing in mind that 3 months ago I was scared to canter…we are coming on leaps and bounds!

I cannot rave enough about Sam’s commitment to match rider and horse and the knowledge and experience is astounding…She is the Cilla Black in the Equine World! And being at her yard is a lorra lorra laffs!

Thank you so much Sam

Sarah and Rocky - May 2008

I am the very proud new owner of Rocky, and my search for my perfect partner has been a long one!

I lost my wonderful seven year old horse a couple of years ago, and started my search for a new horse last year.I wanted a very calm, cuddly horse that I could safely hack out on the New Forest, where we have herds of wild ponies bombing around, cattle and donkeys hiding behind gorse bushes, wide open spaces, horse drawn carriages, cyclists, loads of dog walkers, kite fliers…….quite a lot for any horse to get used to! I also have terrible joint problems, so a very comfortable ride was essential, not an easy box to tick, as many cobs have a lovely extravagant action which most people love, but which is agony for me.

I contacted Sam to let her know what I was looking for, but while I was waiting, I also looked elsewhere. I literally spent hours on the internet every day, phoning people up, and then driving for hours to see horses that were nothing like their description – I honestly thought I would never find a suitable horse. Then Sam rang to say she had one in that might be suitable, so I went up, had a wonderful hack on him, but we both decided that he wasn’t quite right – it was hard to walk away as he was such a lovely boy.

Several months went by, I had pretty much given up hope, then Sam emailed some pictures of her newest recruit, and it was literally love at first sight. I had to wait a few weeks while Sam assessed him, and finally I was allowed to go up and meet him. I groomed him in his stable and he was so quiet and friendly and even more handsome in the flesh! I tacked him up, and we set off for a hack in a howling gale. We rode down a really busy main road with busses, lorries etc, and he didn’t react at all. Then we got to the big open fields, and we were just going round the edge when two very flighty Thoroughbreds came cantering towards us, just about slowed to a trot, then galloped off immediately behind us – I was convinced that would set our two boys off, but they didn’t do anything! We had a trot, then a canter, Rocky was brilliant, he was calm, but willing, I cantered behind, alongside and in front and he was perfect, when we came back to walk I had a HUGE grin across my face! As we continued round the field, the two horses from earlier galloped right past us again, which I thought was pretty inconsiderate, thank goodness our boys were so sensible. We got back to the yard, and Sam very kindly allowed my daughter to hop on Rocky, and she rode him in the school, and even popped him over a small jump. Well, what can I say – I adored Rocky, he was not just exactly as Sam had described, but even better, so I said “Yes please”!

Rocky has been with us for a few months now, he settled in immediately, he has accepted all the strange things on the Forest without question, he is a joy to handle, to ride, to school, my instructress says he is the most willing and rewarding horse she has ever worked with. So, I have found the horse of my dreams, and it is all thanks to Sam.

Nikki and Gerry - April 2008

I originally met Sam in the summer of 2007 when I came to her yard to ride in return for helping at her yard.

Sam made me feel very welcome and gave me a fantastic opportunity to not only take horses to local shows (I even had my photo published in an equine magazine riding the lovely Dougal) but improve my confidence by riding different horses, all of which I fell in love with and wanted to buy but Sam was very insistent I wait until ‘the one’ came along…..‘The one’ came in the shape of a cheeky little coloured Irish Cob called ‘Gerry’. I rode him several times, including hacking him out, cantering in an open space and riding him at a local show – he was shy but so honest, I knew he needed a mummy…me!!!!

I moved to Wales and a week later Gerry joined me, he travelled like a dream and arrived on a dark, windy, cold night – took one look at the driving rain, one look at me (as if to say…..are you mad!!!) I expected any horse to dance around like a loony in this awful weather, not Gerry; he tottered off the lorry into his new snug stable and ate his tea with a bemused look on his face! Since that awful night we have enjoyed lovely hacks and even joined a local riding club – he is a super star with such a nosey character you can’t help but laugh. Sam is always on the end of the phone, even for me to boast about our new ‘adventures’!

I am very grateful to Sam for making me wait and giving me guidance/support in choosing my new horse, but I believe he chose me!

Charlotte and Joey. February 2008

I am delighted to have bought Joey from Horseelite and I hope my story provides any interested buyer the reassurance of how genuine and honest Sam is and to restore confidence in the buying process. I am also lucky enough to keep Joey in livery with Sam so I also have first hand experience of the quality of horses she trains and sells on and the treatment they receive.

I got in touch with Sam at the beginning of November to make very initial enquiries having been an avid watcher of her website. We arranged to meet up to have a chat which gave me an opportunity to meet some of the horses. During our conversations, it became clear that I wasn't really sure whether the timing was right to buy another horse so Sam suggested that I come along, when I could, to help out in exchange for a ride.

I jumped at the chance as it would give me an insight into the type of horse Sam buys in and to see the training programme she puts the horses through. It was obvious from the outset that Sam has nothing to hide and already has a couple of other ladies helping out regularly.

Sam suggested that I have an assessment and lesson to gauge my riding ability. When I arrived, I was made very welcome and Sam explained that I would be having my lesson on Joey. It wasn't long before I realised that Joey was just perfect. He was everything I wanted in a horse and more. After my lesson, Sam explained that Joey was almost certainly sold as someone had already viewed him three times and was intending to arrange a vetting. My husband arrived to collect me and I said how much I had enjoyed my lesson and conveyed my disappointment about Joey being sold. I then whispered to Sam that should the situation change (unlikely), to give me a call. I received that call a few days later. Joey had become re-available through no fault of his own so there I was in a real predicament! I arranged another ride which I really enjoyed and then decided to take it a step further. After lots of deliberation and a few more rides, I decided not to pass up on the opportunity as he ticked all the boxes and more! I am now the proud owner of Joey and haven't looked back. I have received ongoing support and guidance from Sam who is genuinely interested in our progress. I am truly grateful to Sam for her professionalism, encouragement, support and guidance.

The yard itself is very laid back and calm. All the horses are extremely well mannered in and out of the stable. They are well looked after and have regular exercise/work and training. I found Sam's approach during the buying process very refreshing. She is completely non-pushy and has a genuine concern for matching rider to horse. If you read the above with interest and think you may venture down the route of buying a horse, please give Sam a call as she won't let you down.

Claire and Alf, September 2007

I am Well...Sam do I have news for you!

We took Alf to a show yesterday and thought it would just be sensible to enter for a fancy dress. Georgia didnt' fancy doing anything else and we were really there to keep Bridgets' horse company. Anyway, Georgia dressed up as Cruella D'Ville, Lily (my 3 year old) was dressed as a dalmation and Alf of course, was one big dalmation! We paraded around with little shetlands dressed up as god knows what, by people that looked as if they entered these year on year!

The judge and the secretary of the Solent Riding Club pulled us over and asked why they hadn't seen us enter anything before in the Children's Ring. I said, we didn't think it was really worth it, Alf was just Alf and we were really just filling in time. They both said they couldn't believe we hadn't entered him in the Coloured Cobs Class and proceeded to tell me I had a very nicely marked cob, with a fantastic temperament and what a fine specimen I had and I should really think about showing him! Ha - I felt SO proud. Anyway, we were then all pulled in (you know like they do) and I wasn't sure where we had been placed (if at all), but to my complete surprise, we were placed FIRST - ha - imagine dear old Alf - first!!! I know it was ONLY fancy dress, but I was so proud of him and my two girls - we paraded around that ring in front of the crowds, laughing (well I was crying- naturally) and waving - it was a moment I will never forget!

We then decided to enter him into Handsomest Gelding - now in my eyes, Alf is not handsome - something appealing about him, but not handsome! There were about 10 in the class and it was almost the last class of the day, so many proud owners had waited for their chance - to my utter amazement, we got pulled in SECOND - ha ha ha - Alf was second in Handsomest Gelding-we just laughed and laughed!

was then proposed to join the Solent Riding Club ( you have to be proposed and seconded) and we may well join.

So my dear Sam, yet another piece of enjoyment comes our way. Not only do I now canter through the woods on my own, almost thinking about jumping some logs (not quite yet), but now we are a local star at the Show and proud owners of some rather large rosettes. Did you do me a favour or what and Alf continues to bring us all huge enjoyment. I have just brought a kiddies saddle for Lily to start riding and so I think we may have the next Thelwell girl in the making.

When they asked me what his show name was - I just said andAlfand - it just makes me chuckle - dear old Alf! Hope things are good for you Sam- if you are ever passing, please do stop off!

 

Jane and Levi, July 2007.

Sam Osborne genuinely seeks to match the right horse with the rider. From my experience she takes time and trouble to find the best solution for your needs and I would not hesitate to recommend Sam to anyone looking to purchase a horse. .After more than 20 years of breeding my own horses and months of searching, she not only found me the perfect match by considering options that I had not thought of, but also made the experience so pleasurable.

Claire and Alf, June 2007

How are you? We took Alf to a Show on Sunday - he was a dream, didn't even flinch at all the horses,didn't get excited, was just perfect. He looked so shiny and squeaky clean, it was wonderful. Georgia didn't get placed, but there are too many SHOW ponies at these cliquey shows and so it didn't really matter - we only really went to see how Alf got on and he was a true dream. I don't think we'll go again, its not really my thing, but we had a good day.

God we love Alf to bits- he is just so lovely. I dont' think I would ever want to part with him and he is my little piece of heaven. I now go out through the woods on my own, and its great!

The groom has brought him on well, he gets in a good outline (apparently) and is getting to be quite responsive and doing a few somersaults, turning on his toes and jumping- or whatever these professional people do... not my cup of tea, as long as he is a happy hacker, that's all I want. I went out for a ride with her this week and she told me to pull his head in, do this do that. I said 'Hey, as long as I keep my heels down and toes up, stay in the saddle, that's all I want!and Its quite funny, but all working out just fine.

Hope business good with you and life keeping you well and happy. Maybe one day our paths will cross again, you never know. I certainly would have no hesitation recommending you to anyone - you sure did sell me the right horse and I truly thank you for that. Take care Sam, will keep you posted with Alf's progress.

Julia Hardy - Proprietor, Ridgway Stables, May 2007

I would have no hesitation in recommending Sam Osborne. She is a dedicated and caring professional who has extensive knowledge and experience working, producing and showing horses.

Jo and Fred, March 2007

This is MY Fred. I would describe him as my tin of Ronseal - does exactly what it says on the tin.I cannot describe how pleased I am with him and how grateful I am to Sam for recommending him to me. I actually rang Sam to enquire about another horse (who was much more expensive) and after a very long conversation she recommended that I meet Fred. Now, I am a nervous rider, not a novice, but a scared-i-cat, and as I had already travelled the length of the country I was very sceptical when I went to meet him. Sam was reassuring but not pushy and encouraged me to take my time. Fred was a complete gentleman in the stable and in the school and I then asked if I could hack him out. We encountered all kinds of traffic in rush hour (which we were both very confident in) and then we got to 'the field'.

Now this horse had been hunted and I am not ashamed to say that I was terrified, Sam was encouraging me to have a canter and I all could imagine was Fred galloping off across the field trying to find the hounds. But once again Sam encouraged me to take my time and when we got a nice open stretch I asked Fred to canter. I felt his hocks come up underneath him and he leapt into a very comfortable, very controllable canter. He wasn't a slug and he felt like he would have cantered all day, and I had a HUGE smile across my face.

Now this is best bit - I shouted andgood boyand (in a soothing tone) and gave him a pat and he went down a gear. I instantly felt my confidence rise and although I had others lined up to see that day decided that Fred really had to come home with me. Now I had the vet lined up before I had left the yard so really Sam didn't need to do anything else. BUT she encouraged me to come and see him again before I made up my mind to make sure he really was the one for me. Now six months later Fred is called Saint Fred as he is so fabulous. He is willing in the school, has fabulous paces for a cob (massive overtrack), great fun out hacking and a complete gentleman in the stable.
I recommend Sam for her honesty, patience (she was obviously not out to make a quick buck) and the fact that she genuinely wants to match the right horse with the right owner.

Many thanks Sam and good luck with everything.

Nadine and Travis, March 2007

I first met Sam when I purchased a horse from her in August 2004 and since then I have been back to her to purchase three more! My first horse Jester, a 14.2hh coloured gelding was an absolute saint. When I got him I hadn’t ridden for 8 years due to children and work commitments but my confidence grew, thanks to Jester. Despite being young, he was the most genuine, kind natured and honest horse I had ever ridden. He gave me confidence to move my riding onto another level and then came Splash, a 15hh black cob.

Shortly after purchasing Splash, I took my sister-in-law out for a ride, she rode Splash and I rode Jester. Splash was the spitting image of her old horse that she had recently lost and she completely fell in love with him.
Travis

Within weeks I agreed to loan him for a short while until she found another special horse that she could trust. A short while turned into six months until I agreed to sell her Splash.
I then asked Sam to find me another horse. She found Huey, a brilliant 15hh schoolmaster who gave me the confidence to go show jumping on my own. I started at 2ft and soon went on to 2'9and courses, jumping consistently clear. Huey was an absolute pleasure to own, very easy to do and a dream to hack out. Once again, Sam found me exactly what I was looking for. Prior to owning Huey I didn’t think I would have the confidence to go jumping, hunting and to shows.

As I was enjoying competing, I decided that I wanted a bigger horse, who was bold enough to go hunting, cross country and show jumping but sensible enough to hack out on his own. So guess who I called……….Sam. A few months later, Sam called to tell me she had found what I was looking for....Travis. I tried Travis a couple of times, rode him in the school, hacked him out in company and on his own, although to be honest I fell in love with him from the first moment I sat on him.

Jacquie Walley , February 2007

Having managed large riding schools and livery yards in London and currently managing an “equi-share” business, one of the hardest tasks is finding suitable riding school horses and ponies.The horses are asked to do all manner of jobs – lunge lessons with novice riders in the school, jump a small course of fences with a teenager, hack in open spaces with a nervous rider or give an experienced rider a fun, enjoyable ride. As with any business, the key to a successful riding school is a happy customer and that means having good quality horses.

Over the years, Sam has sourced numerous horses for us – we always know that they will have had “a good start in life” and have a mannerly, genuine outlook. We also value her honest appraisal of the horses that she sources. For example if they are a little green in the school or a little wary of the blacksmith and so we know straight away if there are any areas that we need to work on going forward. Obviously, once in our care it is our responsibility to keep them as sweet as when they arrived, as we all know that hours of tedious 20m circles will eventually bore any horse!

Many of the people that learnt to ride with us took the next logical step and purchased a horse of their own. Again Sam was invaluable in finding riding club horses and schoolmaster competition horses.