Bonnie is a skittish mare and will not let anyone but me near her to catch her, and I even have a hard time catching her too. I have had Bonnie for four years and she has improved dramatically, I never thought she could improve any more. Kari started working with her part-time. After the first few lessons I can catch her with no issues and Kari can catch with no issues too. Two weeks and imagine my shock to see Kari cinching a saddle on Bonnie, and she is standing on a loose line...just watching Kari. I don't have any words but...WOW, how did you do that..!!!! Kari proved to me that day that I will NEVER use another trainer as long as Kari is around! Kari is quiet, calm and so easy with the horses, and she gets results FAST!!   We love you Kari!
-Maria Pasco, Elizabeth, CO


I am a middle aged man with some brief prior episodes of riding experience, but not much. I had signed up for a one week riding trip in Northern Montana that was to start in about six weeks. Many of my companions have been riding, English and Western, for years. I found Kari on the Internet and started an intensive program of lessons with her twice a week to prepare. Her breadth and depth of experience gave me the major leg up I had sought. She taught me how to find a stable seat. Good balance and body position. How to communicate with the horse, on the saddle, and off, through body language, gesture, and demeanor. How to direct the horse with my legs and my voice. Trotting, with and without posting, and cantering. How the horse reads my emotions and behavior, and how the horse sees me and the world. How to deal with the horse's emotions, and how to make an emergency dismount.
When I got to Montana, the wranglers evaluated all the riders, and I was privileged to join the advanced group that took an overnight pack trip. I owe that opportunity, and all the enjoyment and confidence of my riding under the Big Sky, to Kari.
Larry M., Connecticut

As a pleasure rider for the past 27 years I have had many riding instructors. For the last six months I have been extremely fortunate to be one of Kari Crawford's students. My lessons with her have been a wonderful riding experience for me, and I have learned so much from her because she has an intuitive sense of what the rider needs to improve his or her horsemanship. Kari has a calming presence for the horse as well as its rider. Thanks to Kari, I have become a more confident rider. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Kari is a very lucky horse enthusiast.
Madelon Hall, Connecticut

I'm an older rider with the goals of becoming a good rider by understanding equine behavior, riding mechanics from the horses perspective, the basic mechanics of riding and riding awareness. Kari does an outstanding job of instructing me in me in all of these disciplines. Kari is incredibly patient with riders and helps you overcome fear with various balance exercises on the horse and conditioning a rider to respond to equine behavior, in a walk, trot or whatever the gait. She teaches the mechanics of riding and balance in a clear logical manner. She could be a great physics teacher. I mean that as praise and not to frighten a prospective student. Her clear thinking and simple solutions to riding problems are great assets for the student.
Lessons in the arena are wonderful, but to become really aware of a horses behavior go on trail rides with Kari. You learn to watch your surroundings and to become proactive regarding signals from your horse. You learn some simple but very effective techniques when sharing the trail with hiker, dogs and mountain bikers who could potential startle your horse.  Most of all she is a very very kind and the horses love and respect her. It is wonderful to witness that bond she has with these magnificent creatures. They (she and the horse) understand each other.
Linda A-Reed -Newtown, CT