Testimonials
Its mane in the wind,
Its tail starts to fly
And when it turns around
and looks at me
my heart leaps off the earth,
to see the Friesian.
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M.C., Redding, CT
"I'm so glad I discovered Gray Friesian Farm. I've been riding for many years, and have worked with lots of trainers, but I've learned so much from Kirsten. She's brilliant at solving the problems that I've developed over the years, with meaningful instruction and illustration. I feel like my riding's improved tremendously!"
--K. R., Shelton, CT
As a child, I rode competitively for years and learned everything I could about winning - but nothing about the horse. I was never taught "horsemanship" or the psychology of the horse. I had started riding as a kid because I loved my horse, but quit because that relationship was never nurtured and the sport became meaningless. When my husband and I rescued several PMU foals, Kirsten's patient training, keen eye, and thoughtful approach to us both (horses and humans) rekindled what was so exciting to me as a child: the amazing bond between horse and rider. She has helped us get our wild yearlings under saddle, taught our entire family (grown ups and children) to ride with confidence and respect, and enriched our lives by opening our world to a life with horses again!
We love Gray Friesian Farm!
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The D. Family.
Fairfield, CT
A Friesian.
Across the ring comes a burning fire
A pretty blanket
Who excels at Dressage
Magnificent thunder gleams in the sun
At night, it blends with the stars and plays with the moon
No other creature could soar like a Friesian
It gallops to X and canters to A
The black mane flies with the wind
Idsy. . .Tammie. . .Jannus. . .Jorrit. . .Hidde
A dark dancer
Who loves the music at Gray Friesian Farm
A simple wonder
Just a normal day with Friesians.
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J.C., Redding, CT
One quote - "If it's not a Friesian, it's just a horse."
I have been riding for over 17 years....thus having experience with A LOT of trainers. When I look for a good trainer I have a long list of expectations and Kirsten meets them all! What I love most about Gray Friesian Farm is the family aspect. Every horse and rider are treated with tender love and care. Gray Friesian Farm is a wonderful learning center with the basis of improving communication between horse and rider. It is an a privilege to be apart of such a fantastic environment!
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A.G., Norwalk, CT
I was referred to Kirsten after a major riding accident on my young filly, to help me decide whether or not we were a fit. Kirsten has been one of the most therapeutic people in my life, allowing me to conquer my sudden developed fear of my filly, and give me back the love of horses, that was in question. The most important thing was I was able to feel safe, and gain proper control through the use of proper aides. Beroe, my filly was 4 when we began working together, and it was truly Kirsten's spirit and belief in the horse that persuaded me to keep the faith and work under her, over two years now. Kirsten teaches dressage which basically means movement, correct safe movement, which I now believe is essential for anyone mounting a horse. She teaches with a firm balance of the proper riding technique, fundamentally keeping her riders safe, and horses happy. She has an amazing teaching style, and can drive her point across with a multitude of techniques. As long as I own a horse, I will always be involved with Kirsten, for she is the quintessential riding instructor, who always puts safety first, and with myself becoming a new mom, is important to me. I am looking forward for my daughter to take a few steps, and then mount a horse under her.
--L. T., Newtown, CT
"Before the girls first started riding at GFF, they were riding at another barn every other weekend. We started riding at GFF on the free weekends. After two rides at GFF, the girls refused to go back to the other barn. They would rather have no riding lesson that weekend than have to go anywhere but GFF."
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J.C., Redding, CT
I am a senior citizen who is passionate about horses but never had the opportunity to ride earlier in my life. I am so happy to have found a place that is oriented to safe riding and handling of horses. Kirsten Gray of Gray Friesian Farm is an expert horse trainer. Kirsten regularly rides and trains her horses to assure that they are willing to “listen” to their riders. At the farm riders are expertly trained by Kirsten and other instructors in kinesthetic “aids”. These aids are signals through which your body speaks to the horse. Amazingly the horses understand and respond to these tiny movements. If you have ever dreamt of forming a relationship with these magnificent animals I highly recommend Gray Friesian Farm.
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J.E., Newtown, CT
"We came for the beautiful horses but stay for the wonderful people.
There is much to like about GFF. The Grays are friendly and down-to-earth, the teaching is supportive and well explained, the riding style is balanced and subtle, the location is beautiful, the facilities are excellent, and the horses are gorgeous and treated like pets."
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The C. Family, Redding, CT
If you want to learn how to ride a horse or if you already ride but want to improve your riding skills you couldn’t do better than having Kirsten Gray give you dressage lessons. She gives her complete attention to every lesson focusing on any problems you may be having and then telling you what needs to be done to correct them. Her daughter Jannike is also a wonderful teacher and is The Connecticut Dressage Association blue ribbon winner 2007.
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B. E., Newtown, CT
"I've always liked riding but did not take up lessons until recently; I clearly was a beginner. I didn't know anything about dressage, nor have I ever owned or leased a horse. I had heard about GFF and wanted to explore their approach to working with my style. I was also curious about dressage.
The whole experience - dressage lessons, horse maintenance, camaraderie with the staff and other riders, etc. - has been quite enjoyable. The GFF culture is inviting and relaxed. It strikes the right balance between structure and discipline on the one hand, and fun on the other. Kirsten uses her considerable skills to connect with the rider and flexes her teaching style to make the most out of the lesson. She's patient, creative at problem solving, and terrific at building confidence by focusing on the mental part of riding . She constantly stresses entering into a "dialogue" with the horse and the point resonates with me. There's no question my riding improves when it happens.
GFF has turned out to be a good fit for me. I can see why it is said that dressage helps all riding and I'm invigorated by the progress. I'm also inspired by their passion for horse care and well-being. It's helping me figure out the type of horse owner I want to be."
-- B.F., Westport
I had been riding casually for years prior to discovering Gray Friesian Farm; yet no other barn I encountered was able to master the comprehensive riding experience that Gray Friesian offers. The well being of every horse and rider is a main priority of Kirsten and all of the instructors, which leads to tremendous horse-rider pairings and relationships. The level of dressage training is tremendous. Each lesson is tailored to the individual rider with Kirsten’s incredible focus and keen understanding of both her horses and her riders. I have truly learned the importance of how every muscle I use influences how the horse moves. Through the warm, safe environment that Kirsten has created, I continually have nothing short of an amazingly rewarding experience at Gray Friesian Farm.
-- D.K.
I came to GFF after riding at several barns. Being new to the horse world and a new adult rider I thought the other barns were just how things were. However, at GFF I found a new standard of care, teaching and community I did not know existed. The first thing I noticed was how well everything was clean, organized and just beautiful. The facility is immaculate! They actually do turn the horses out every day in the spring in those huge open fields. The horses health and everyone’s safety comes first-even if that means postponing a lesson.
The next thing I noticed was the knowledge level of Mrs. Gray and her staff. She really knows horses, their health and how to train them. I have learned so much. Lessons were also different. I had been trained in the hunter/jumper seat but never felt balanced (which was confirmed by my 12 falls!). Mrs. Gray started with the basics and we she actually explained WHY I was doing things. I have not had one fall! Her passion for riding comes out in so many ways. I think she gets more excited when I get something right than I do at times. However, she is very kind and explains things when I need to make changes. This was very important to me since I had literally been screamed at by trainers. The community is just amazing. People are there to have fun, respect each other and the horses. I tell people there is actually no drama!
In addition, I board a horse and pony at GFF. Mrs. Gray has helped our family train the horses so they build muscle, balance, and respond to leg aids (versus smacking with a crop and kicking as I had been trained). The horses have responded by showing us their fun, silly sassy and affectionate personalities.
As a mother of two children that ride I was ecstatic at the child friendliness of the teaching and focus on safety. My girls have learned so much about horses, their care, how to ride with their seat and understand why their pony does what it does. With this kind of training my youngest who is 6, has gone to other barns for camps and everyone comments on what a great seat she has. She has learned the basics of dressage but can also apply all these skills to jumping.
I highly recommend GFF for any level of skill, any age, and for the care of their horses.
-- J.
I began riding at Gray Friesian Farm in June of 2008. After three previous years of riding as a beginner at three other barns with five different trainers who all claimed to be teaching me the principles of Dresssage I impulsively drove up to GFF unannounced to inquire about their methodology and philosophy of teaching the art of Dressage riding. My motivation for looking at GFF was total personal frustration with the status of my riding. In short, I was spending a lot of time, money and energy; instinctively I knew that I was not progressing in my riding or in my knowledge of horses. Safety had also been an issue relative to the quality of the school horses which forced me to eventually lease a horse.
It was then that I met Kirsten Gray the owner and primary trainer at GFF who very graciously explained her teaching methods and philosophy of riding. I was very impressed with her positive attitude, her knowledge and most of all her obvious love for her horses. I immediately signed up for a couple of lessons a week with a wonderful horse named Oso. I quickly learned that I knew nothing about Dressage and that I had to go back to the basics in order to develop an independent seat and the balance necessary for this sport.
Choosing GFF and their awesome high level trainers was the best decision I ever made. I purchased a beautiful five year old Morgan mare in November of 2008 and I have been training her to become a Dressage horse up to this point in time. Treasure and I are progressing well and we are becoming a real team! We never could have done it without the expertise and the love and caring of Kirsten Gray, her fellow top knotc trainer Katja Blume; in addition to the rest of the staff at GFF. I am so grateful to all of them. Treasure also loves the beautiful environment in which she lives, as well as the incredible care that she gets from all of the staff. I never have to worry about her!! Kirsten also said to me early on that she was going to make a "horsewoman" out of me and that she has done. Thank you Kirsten!
-- J. G.
In 2008, over several months’ time, I had been researching farms and riding programs for my 8-year-old daughter, and frankly I was disappointed: the farms I visited either were poorly cared for, or emphasized competition to a great degree, or were very expensive. For my daughter I was seeking three things: 1) individualized instruction, tailored to my child’s skill and comfort level; 2) an opportunity to learn both riding skills and horse-care; 3) affordability.
My first impression of Gray’s Farm was that it was a lovely facility—well run, impeccably kept—and that the horses were all personable. That told me a lot.
As I spoke to Kirsten Gray about various options, I got the sense that Kirsten adhered to standards I valued: her descriptions of her offerings had the right balance of safety, quality instruction, and fun. Kirsten suggested that we begin with the vaulting program as a first step in my daughter’s training. Vaulting? — I didn’t know anything about it, but as I was soon to learn, it is a mix of gymnastics, dance, and riding, and it is among the oldest of the equestrian sports: even the Romans practiced a form of vaulting for cavalry training. Kirsten explained to me that vaulting is particularly well established in Germany and France, where riders are often trained in vaulting before they begin to ride a horse on their own.
After just a few vaulting lessons, I could see my daughter developing balance and coordination, body awareness, strength, better posture, poise, and confidence. When my daughter tells friends and family that she does “gymnastics on a horse” and that she “stands on the horse,” they are amazed. I can tell that my daughter feels a great deal of pride in the unusual skills she is learning.
If your child is a beginner and you are looking for a way to introduce your child to horsemanship, I highly recommend beginning with the vaulting program. If you or your child is an experienced rider, I think vaulting instruction would only augment any riding skill you have. And it would be difficult to find a more appealing environment or more capable instruction than at Gray Friesian Farm.
-- D.S.