Hi Greg and Diana,
We would like to thank you so much for the work you did on Tommy for us, if it wasnt for the work you did with him I would doubt he would still be here today.
When Tommy arrived at our place he was a 13.2hh 5yr old self opinionated pony, he could walk and trot well, but his ground manners were terrible and his canter was just not happening. The first few weeks we owned him he knocked our son over twice in the paddock, was hard to cover, uncover and handle, this finally came right but the canter under saddle didn't.

He was brought for our daughter and she rode him 3 times to be bucked off 3 times, the last time she quit riding and we had to decide whether to keep him or shoot him! We decided to keep trying and over time his walk, trot and manners became much better, but he still couldn't canter a full circle, canter up hill or canter in a straight line without having a full-on bucking fit... so after much thought we decided to give him a last chance and send him away for training. We decided on Chester Farm as it is farm based and we knew he would get a variety of work and be well cared for.
This was the best decision we have ever made, over the 2 months he was there he became a pony who was very user friendly. When we went to pick Tommy up we were pleasantly surprised to find his ground manners were now really great. He then went into the round pen and cantered under saddle on each rein without any problem and had been out all around the farm so we knew we could continue.
When he came home I was slightly worried if he could possibly continue to be so good, but he has been! My son rides him and has shown him to win ribbons in good company in Open Pony and Paced and Mannered classes. My daughter who gave up riding is now on another pony and will go onto Tommy next season and she is now cantering him and jumping him no problems at all. I can now even put total novices on him and he just plods along at their level - I am so pleased! Tommy was so close to departing us as we had tried to get him right for 7 months. He's been home now for 3 months and he's now a pony that I can now send my kids on for a ride around the farm by themselves, cantering and having fun, knowing they are safe.
To anyone who has a horse that they need help with and don't know what to do with it, I would totally recommend Greg and Diana to help out. They also gave me great advice on what to do with him when I got him home and we have continued with their advice, plus I also know if I have a problem with him anytime I can phone up and get help.
Karen Eagle
Katikati
January 2011

"Hi Greg and Diana,
Just thought I would send you a quick update on Teddy's progress over the last week. He settled back in very happily and has been working quietly and well, not a hoof out of place. Yesterday I took him to the Equestrian Centre with my other horse. He loaded straight up but was a bit tense. At the centre I put him in a yard, then tacked him up for a lunge and look round. He was brave, working at his 900mph level, but no major issues, brilliant considering he was in the middle of a wide open space and everything was new. He was happy to wander round and look at all the scarey fences and ditches.

Loading up he went straight in and stood quietly while we put his mate in, so a big improvement there. When we unloaded at this end he was cool, calm and (deservedly) very pleased with himself. Will go back again in a few days. In three weeks time there is a small dressage show and I thought I would take him to that just for a look see as by then the grounds will be familiar to him. I am really pleased with him.
You are most welcome to refer anyone to me who wants to speak to someone who has experienced the Chester Farm methods. I would certainly give you a glowing reference as apart from doing a great job you also take an interest in what is planned for the horse, and offer ongoing back up.
Once again a huge thank you to you both."
Alison Peacock
Taupo
July 2010

"Hi guys,
Just wanted to drop you a line to let you know that Raine is being such a great pony to ride. Today a group of us went for a ride across a farm down onto Hahei beach, we even had a canter for half the length of the beach, and went straight back to a long rein & low head carriage. I am so very pleased with her and would like to thankyou again for the great work you did with her. (Daughter) Grace also went for a long ride last Friday on her with 1 of her friends, with me just walking along with a loose rope connecting us, never causing a problem. Hope all is well."
Kaye Jackson
21/07/10

"Hi again, Grace had a lovely ride on Raine round the paddock yesterday, they went really well together. Pretty good for only 4 weeks under saddle. Cheers!"
Kaye Jackson
Whitianga
July 2010

"I had the pleasure of dealing with Diana and Greg when I sent my 3 year old warmblood gelding to them to be started under saddle. The care he received was excellent, they treated him like he was one of their own. They took the time with him to make sure that he understood and that he was happy before progressing on. Since he has been home he has not put a foot wrong both on the ground and under saddle. I would not hesitate to recommend Diana and Greg to start or train any horse."
Laurie Arnold
Nelson
May 2010

• 3 year old Warmblood Gelding (by Furst Jupp) from Auckland
9 weeks stay at Chester Farm for Starting Under Saddle

"I really want to say what a great job I think you've done with Joseph. He settled straight away - absolutely no nonsense and very happy. He has continued in that way and has been a pleasure to handle, lunge and ride. I have not put any pressure on him and done very small amounts with him, as instructed!, but I really think he enjoys doing stuff on a reasonably regular basis. I have taken him out in the truck to our local pony club a good few times and he has just been great. The first few times, just to stand and eat hay at the truck, then I lunged him there, and just yesterday, I rode him around. Absolutely no problems and takes everything in his (very BIG) stride. I feel very confident with him, both on the ground and when riding him, so thank you - I'm very happy!! I will keep in touch."
Hazel Thompson
Auckland
April 2010

So I went on the internet and looked up professional schooling for horses and came across a couple of closer ones to my town, but unfortunately they did not ask the right questions for me. Then I found Chester Farm in Paeroa. It's 6 hours from my hometown but I thought 'no harm in ringing and getting the feel of this'. Well, what can I say, it's been the best decision I ever made!!
Rain had only been up there for 2 weeks when I first visited and I couldn't believe the difference in her already - she had been doing lots of groundwork, lunging and basic schooling under saddle and Greg had her responding so nicely to his legs and hands. She was learning how to properly respond to the hand and leg aids which would help her to understand and go forward when asked in different situations.
Rain was at Chester Farm for 6 weeks in total and it is really amazing how far she has come. I couldn't believe how well balanced and responsive she was in the round pen and to see her working properly from her hindquarters was amazing, and she wasn't even opening her mouth to evade the bit! After seeing all this I asked Greg if he could give me some lessons and he was more than happy to, for I felt it was all very well educating the horse but as the rider I needed to be educated as well so that when Rain and I went home we would both be on the same wavelength. I spent a few days riding Rain with Greg's help and I couldnt believe how well Rain and I did together. Our biggest achievement ever was getting out for a ride around Chester Farm by ourselves and taking her away from the other horses without any big dramas!! But best of all was when she wanted to shy at something I only had to put my legs on her and cluck her up and she would keep going forward!! That was also one of the coolest moments! Yay!! Greg educated her well!!
To conclude, Greg has put so much confidence into me and my horse, at home now we are getting out and about on our own, not everything is perfect and Rain still has some other issues that I need to address, but what I like about Chester Farm is that I can ring them anytime for advice. Overall as long as I do my part as a rider and work her most days on the ground and under saddle like Greg showed me, she is mostly a well behaved young horse that I now enjoy getting out and about on. I highly recommend Chester Farm for anyone who has young, problem horses, or for breaking in and schooling etc."
Cheers
Tina and Rain
Wanganui
April 2010

"To whom it may concern;
I sent my young 4 year old horse "Astek Giovanni" up to Chester Farm in Spring 2009 for 6-8 weeks of training. Gio had been backed in March 2009, then was turned out over winter. I wanted Gio to be trained to a level where he was confidently hacking out, on his own and with others, and going forward and relaxed in walk, trot and canter both in an arena and in the open.
I decided to send Gio up to Chester Farm from where I live on the Kapiti Coast, as I had dealt with Diana Fowler since I purchased Gio from Astek Stud as a weanling and found her to be professional and trustworthy. I could not find a similar factility for a young horse in my area. Greg and Diana have done a wonderful job with training Gio. During his 7 1/2 week stay at Chester Farm I was given weekly updates and photos, and spoke with them on the phone a number of times. Since I could not get to Chester Farm myself to ride Gio before he returned home, I was sent a DVD of Gio in training, which has been very helpful.
Gio came back home from Chester Farm looking fantastic! He was beautifully muscled, with a gleaming coat and tail and was a very relaxed and happy horse. I have been very impressed with his level of ground work and training since he has returned home. He is wonderful to ride out on the roads and has loved going out on farm rides which include crossing a stream numerous times. He is a pleasure to handle at the stable. I am looking forward to starting his dressage career in the next few months.
Diana and Greg have also been helpful (via email or phone) since Gio has been home, with suggestions on any typical 'young' horse issues I have had. I highly recommend Chester Farm for the breaking and early training of young Sports Horses and for ongoing training."
Catherine Nichols
Kapiti Coast
February 2010

**News Update May 2010**
Cath and Astek Giovanni have won and placed at their first 3 dressage training days with excellent percentages and judges comments, including winning both of their first Level 1 tests in May 2010. Congratulations!!

**News Update May 2011**
Cath sent Astek Giovanni back to Chester Farm in April/May 2011 to bring back into work after he'd had 9 months off while Cath was pregnant with her second baby. Gio came back into work very well and Diana was thrilled to have the opportunity to ride "her little boy" Gio some more, having bred him! Great to hear Cath is thoroughly enjoying riding Gio again now he is home again.