Testimonials

Comments from a Client:

My horse Sam was diagnosed with Kissing Spines after he’d thrown me and I sustained a back injury. After having Sam treated for several months with back injections, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments, my vet recommended Cari to me for training, and to bring Sam back into work. Cari has been very patient with Sam, and started off working a lot on the ground with him before trying him under saddle. She's carefully built up his back muscles, which is essential for a horse with kissing spines. The ground work has paid off, and now he has more respect for people on the ground and under saddle and is going better than he was before he developed kissing spines When it was time for me to ride again after my injury, Cari carefully guided me through all of the scary first rides back on horses, as she knew what it was like to come back from a bad injury. She was very supportive, and able to build my confidence and help me to trust Sam again. In addition to rehab’ing Sam physically, and mentally bringing me back, Cari’s training of Sam has brought him to a new level.

Casey
December 16, 2007

RUDY
Comments from the Buyer:

I wanted to write to you to tell you how much fun I am having with Rudy! We have come so far just a few weeks. I love him more every day! I wish you could see him, he is so perfect! My mom loves him too (especially his temperment). He has taught me so much and I havn't even had him for very long and we already have a strong bond.
Thank you soooooo much for matching me with Rudy!

Alyssa
May 23, 2007

SMOKING GUN
Comments from the Buyer:

Thank you very much to Cari Swanson for helping me find my new horse Smokin I owned a very tall warmblood for 5 years prior who proved very challenging to say the least. I put many years of training and riding into him, but he just was not happy with his job as a dressage horse. I finally made the decision that I had to part with him and look for a horse more suitable for me. It was a very difficult decision. I found my horse a good home where he does some fox hunting and trail riding and I purchased Smokin. Cari was wonderful to work with. She knew Smokin would be suited for dressage and for me. I rode Smokin several times before purchasing him as I wanted to make sure we were a good match. Cari made herself and the horse available to me at any time, even in the freezing cold. Cari could see that we were a good match and she encouraged the relationship. Cari has a good eye for pairing up horse and rider and she is very kind to the horses. She will only place a horse with a rider that will provide a good home. She is very professional and knows her horses. I would highly recommend her to assist anyone in purchasing a new horse.

Jill
March 9, 2007

FABIUS
Comments from the Buyer:

Recently Cari Swanson’s genius for matching horses and riders turned a potentially traumatic experience into a truly pleasureable one for me. Late in 2006 I lost my wonderful 18 year old thoroughbred to EPM and found myself not only devastated, but reluctant to even think of finding another horse that would be the kind of soul mate he had been. So, it was with some trepidation that I asked my friend/coach to look for prospects, and with even greater qualms that I agreed to ride a horse that Cari felt might be a good “fit” for me. My criteria for the right horse were: One that would keep me safe, but not be a plodder (I’m 68 years old and don’t need a “foolish” horse); a good sized horse with big gaits (I’m 5’10”); and a horse I could learn from. After several visits to Cari’s farm and 2 rides on Fabius, a 17 hand warmblood with wonderful gaits and a truly sweet temperament, I was confident she had found the right horse for me. Cari made the whole experience from our first conversation through delivering Fabius to our barn pleasant and easy, letting me weep when I needed to and making me laugh when that was called for. For anyone looking for the experience of purchasing a horse to be much more than the experience of buying a vehicle, I would recommend working with Cari.

Jane Magee
February 20, 2007

SHADOW DANCER
Comments from the Buyer:

After trying unsuccessfully for some time to sell my daughters pony Shadow Dancer we were contacted by Cari Swanson asking us if we would let her take Shadow for a client to try. I had no idea what to do! I had never met Cari and knew nothing about her or her barn. She was very patient with me and suggested that I check out her web site and contact some references. We did this and decided to take a chance.

After seeing Cari very gently and patiently leading our pony onto her trailer I knew that we had make the right decision. The entire time our pony was with Cari she kept in touch with us through e-mails and phone conversations. We were encouraged to visit Wind Rock Farm to see for ourselves how Shadow was doing. Upon our first visit we discovered a beautiful farm where all of the horses were receiving excellent care. My daughter was not only able to see and ride her pony but Cari took the time out of her busy schedule to spend time with my daughter and to even let her ride some of her own horses.

When Cari sold our pony we were confident that it was a good match and would be a wonderful loving home for Shadow. With out this assurance we would never have been able to let her go to a new home.

We feel that we have made a friend in Cari Swanson and hope to keep our daughter connected to Cari for some time to come. If we ever have the need to sell or purchase another horse the first thing that we will do is to contact Cari Swanson.

Kimberly Sigsbee
Marh 17, 2006

CARRAGH [CALIENTE]
Comments from the Buyer:

We recently completed the purchase of my daughter Lindsey's first horse using Cari and Windrock Farm and are happy to share our experience.

After three trials and vetting, trying to purchase a horse on our own through a private sale was unsuccessful and full of frustration and expenses. We came across Cari's website which was full of information and contacted her. From our first discussions with her through the delivery of Carragh, Cari served us as a true professional. Being novices at buying a horse, we could have easily been taken advantage of, but Cari quickly assured us of her desire to find my daughter a horse that would allow her to compete as she wanted. Cari and Lindsey spoke at length about her riding ability, training, and where she desired to go.

After a lesson at Windrock, where Cari evaluated her abilities, she made suggestions explaining Carragh's strengths and weaknesses, as well as what it would take to meet our expectations. She also spoke at length with Lindsey's trainer, Alison Eastman-Lawler, to make sure we were all on the same page.

After three months, Lindsey and Caliente (Carragh) are progressing as Cari had thought they would. Since buying Caliente, Cari has emailed and called regularly to check up on their progress as well as to see how everything is going. We would not hesitate to recommend Cari and Windrock Farm to perspective buyers, whether first time buyers or experienced horsemen and women. If the opportunity comes along in the future, we would certainly deal with her again.

Our sincere thanks,
Tom and Lindsey Walker
Brookline, New Hampshire
February 14, 2006

BONNIE
Comments from the Buyer:

I was introduced to Cari Swanson by a mutual friend who had purchased a horse from Cari and couldn't say enough positive things about her whole experience. My daughter had owned a large pony for several years and had come to the point where she'd outgrown the pony, both physically and ability-wise. We were in the market for a challenging horse that would take her to the next level of riding.

Before meeting Cari in person, we talked at length on the phone about my daughters riding abilities and what type of horse we were looking for. Cari said she had 3 horses that were possibilities so we went to try them out. The entire experience was exemplary. You immediately feel comfortable with Cari and her staff. After seeing my daughter ride, Cari told us which horses she felt were a good match and which weren't. Bonnie was the last horse that my daughter rode and you could see how well they clicked. It was a perfect match. We went back two more times and rode Bonnie to make sure, but it was evident that this was the horse for her. Each time that my daughter rode she was given Cari's undivided attention and instruction, so that my daughter would better understand her mount. It was obvious that Cari knew everything about each of her horses, the good, the bad, their needs and their limits. Cari just doesn't want to sell you a horse; she wants the best match that suits both the rider and the horse.

In addition to buying Bonnie from Cari, she also helped us sell our pony. She did this in 2 weeks, something that we'd been trying to do ourselves for over a year. Our pony now has a new young owner who adores her and we know she's in a nice new home and being well taken care of, something that we all considered a must when negotiating the sale of our pony. Once again, Cari was able to find the perfect match for both horse and rider.

My experience with Cari and Windrock Farm, as both a buyer and seller, was excellent and I would recommend them to anyone. We've owned Bonnie for three months now and she's already won two championships! The horse and rider is a perfect match.

Robin, Washington, Connecticut, March 2005

GINGER
Comments from the Buyer:

I found Cari Swanson's web site through dreamhorse .com. I knew this was a contact I had to make, after unsuccessfully searching for that perfect match for my daughter for almost two years. I called Cari and I knew she was a professional person with a soft spoken voice that meant what she said...we match horse and rider.

My daughter did go to Windrock Farm and Cari knew there wasn't a match. So, Cari explained she had an Irish Sport Horse coming in from Virginia in about a week. We received the call from Cari and went back. My daughter rode him and loved him, when I saw the SMILE on her face, I told Cari,you found the right one. She went back again and loved everything about him. Thanks to you Cari, she has a fantastic horse, they have bonded and will grow together.

Kathy Burns, October 2004

KALI
Comments from the Buyer:

My experience with Cari Swanson and Windrock Farm has been 100% stellar. From the moment I arrived at Cari Swanson's barn and was greeted with a warm hello from her, I knew I was in the right hands. I was in a very difficult position at the time. I was currently dealing with my horse whom I love but am not a good match for, and I was going to see Cari to try a horse that she had for sale.

I was anxious and worried about my ability and somewhat intimidated by the situation. Cari helped to alleviate my stress and made me feel comfortable. She was warm but professional and basically gave me a lesson on the horse I was trying. I was so impressed by the feeling of the barn that I not only was able to purchase my new horse there but I also sent the horse I already owned there for rehabiltation through the Natural Horsemanship program with Ruben Morales. Because of my relationship with Cari and Ruben at Windrock farm, I have found a suitable match for my old horse and I have rediscovered my love of riding with my new horse Kali, that I purchased through Cari.

Cari does have a gentle way of guiding people and matching client to horse. I was so comfortable with Cari and at Windrock that I asked if Kali could stay there after I bought her. The care of and concern for the horses is so wonderful there. It is a calm and happy place where learning, healing, good horsemanship and joyfulness abound.

Michelle Lovelace, Dutchess County, New York
September 2004

KOUGAR

Comments from the Buyer:

If anyone believes in fate, I found Kougar on dreamhorse.com after a LONG 2 year search. I looked at Cari's web site and saw his picture and realized my search was over. I called Cari and she said that we had to come visit him. So, my husband and I went to New York. Cari was very understanding of how important Kougar was in my life. After all, I was Kougar's first owner and Cari made it possible for me to be his last! It made me feel good to know how well he had been cared for all these years. I felt like I had known Cari my whole life. She helped to get my long loved friend, Kougar, back to me at last.

Elizabeth Wilke, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
May 5, 2004

Comments from the Seller:

When circumstances in my life made it clear that I would have to sell my beloved horse, I knew that Cari was the only person I could turn to who would honor all my quirks and respect the expectations I would have for a perspective buyer. Kougar hadn’t been in real work all winter and I was delighted to watch him come to life in Cari's gentle hands. It didn’t take me long to realize how many bad habits I had developed when left on my own. (I hadn’t done any real work all winter either!)

Even though this is a very painful decision, I trust that Cari will find him the right home with the right kind of owner, that I will be able to sleep at night and Kougar will have plentiful grazing for years to come. My biggest hope now is that someone will buy Kougar and want to keep him with Cari!!

Nancy Causey, Clinton Corners, NY
April 2, 2004

LEGENDE
Comments from the Buyer:

I recently bought a Danish Warmblood from Cari for my daughter to show in the Junior Hunter division. After many months of searching for the right horse and many scary experiences along the way, we were really pleased with Cari's professional approach combined with a desire to match the buyer to the horse. We found ourselves a wonderful horse and a reliable new friend. Windrock Farm is a lovely training barn where truly the horses come first.

Nathalie Strauel, Bedford, NY
March 19, 2004

Comments from the Seller:

Cari Swanson has exceptional talent in knowing the attributes of a horse and to whom it should be sold. She has a gift in that she is very professional and has the ability to test a horse for dressage, hunter/jumpers and eventing. This was the case with my 7-year-old Danish Warmblood Legende. Although I purchased him for dressage he is very talented in the hunter ring and was successfully matched to a young rider for show in the hunter division. It was Cari who discovered his talents and in less than four months found him a wonderful home where he is thriving and loved.

Carol Cohen,Woodstock, NY
May 8, 2004

MONKEY
Comments from the Buyer:

I recently purchased my horse (Jan 04) from Cari Swanson. Since this was definitely not my first horse purchase I was quite prepared for the usual, 'This is the perfect horse no faults whatsoever' regardless of the facts. Much to my surprise and delight, I was treated to a person who cared as much about finding the right buyer as selling the horse. Cari was both honest and forthright. It was by far the most pleasurable horse buying experience I have ever had. I would highly recommend Cari to anyone looking for the right horse from a lovely person.

Linda Anderson, New York
April 2004

Comments for Cari's Judging:

I invited Cari, a USDF 'L' judge, to judge at Cricket Hill Farm's first schooling show of 2004. Though I have known Cari for years and always admired her as a rider/horseman, I had no idea what she would be like as a judge. The day could not have gone better! The riders were a real mixture ranging from 2nd level competitors on their own horses down to introductory level riders on school ponies. Each rider rode thier test, received feedback and training from Cari, then repeated the test. I watched rider after rider improve thier performance under Cari's shrewd guidance. No matter the level they were at, they all came out of the session with improved understanding and confidence. Most importantly, they enjoyed it and are enthusiastically working towards their next show. My thanks to you, Cari, for a job very well done.

Jane Rodd, Ancramdale, NY
April 2004