My name is Maggie, my family has had the honor of having Robin Hall instruct our 2 daughters for almost 4 years. Every lesson at Robin's farm is enjoyable - no matter what is going on. Robin is kind, loving, compassionate and extremely intelligent. With all of these qualities folded together it makes for a fantastic lesson. Her teaching approach is a positive one. Her horses and her students respect her and it shows. Robin Hall's facility is a first class operation. The animals are not only extremely well taken care of, they are well mannered. "Robin Hall's horses have manners. They actually listen".....A very safe environment for children of all ages. The farm is also physically beautiful. If you are having a bad day or are sad for whatever reason you NEVER leave Robin's in a bad mood!

My 10 year old daughter describes Robin: "She is fun!!" "She is very calm when she teaches" "Robin never gets mad when you do something wrong in your lesson. She just makes sure you do it the right way" "The horses are great !!"

Maggie J.

Over the past three years my daughters and I have been riding under Robin’s coaching, and instruction. As a child and through most of my young life I had ridden under many instructors in different equine disciplines, but none compared to Robin. Her love for horses, her professionalism, and her ability to relate to children, and adults alike set her apart from all the others.

She is able to meet the horse and rider were they are, and to develop them to greater levels of accomplishment. I have personally watched her work with my two daughters to help them succeed at their goals, or overcome a discouragement, or fear. She strives for excellence in her students, which is achieved with her style of teaching through positive reinforcement. She is able to impart her wide range of knowledge to her students in a way which they can understand and apply what they are learning.

Robin’s passion for riding is contagious; from the youngest child to the oldest student she motivates them to want to give their very best. My two daughters are a part of Robin’s Heels Down Riding Team. They compete with a team of fellow students throughout the show season. During this time they learn not only to become excellent equestrian’s, but also good sportsmanship, how to be encouraging to others, and to work as a team. These students are taught that it is not just winning that makes us good riders, but rather our personal development of character, abilities, and the joy of riding along the way. I believe that God has brought my daughters and myself to Shenandoah River Farm, me to renew my passion of riding, and my daughters to unfold theirs.

I would highly recommend Robin as an instructor to any student whether seasoned or beginner wishing to grow in the discipline of riding. What a great blessing it has been to me personally to be coached by such a gifted teacher.

Kim E.

Robin and Shenandoah River Farm have been a very important part of our family's life for the past seven years. Our daughter has been riding with Robin since she was five. Now at the age of twelve, she has her own horse at the Farm. Over the past years, my daughter, my husband and I have all had the opportunity to take lessons with Robin. We have even leased one of her fantastic ponies and now we board our own horse at the Farm. Throughout the years, Robin has given our daughter the guidance and support to allow her to grow as a rider. Today, the barn is her favorite place to be!

I only hope that all horse enthusiasts - young and old, have the opportunity to work with someone as special as Robin.

Kim W.

About Shenandoah River Farm and Robin

Raised in the mountains of NC, I have loved horse since I can remember and started riding everything I could at age 3, even my neighbor's cows! At age 9, I earned and saved money to purchase my first mount, Comanche, a very opinionated Shetland pinto pony, complete with a black and red saddle and bridle. We spent hours together daily and Comanche taught me about ponies! He learned to ride "tackless" and jump with me standing on his back! Comanche retired at a friend's home, living until 35 years of age. A good child's first mount is invaluable!

My first hunter lesson was at age 27. Within 3 months I competed in the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida on my gorgeous 4 y/o thoroughbred mare! I competed for years on the "A" circuit, the mare always in top ribbons in pre-green, green, and under saddle.

Breaking young horses and retraining "difficult" ones was next. With my own eclectic spin from my favorite trainers and all the wisdom that past horses and ponies have graciously bestowed on me, I have successfully started or retrained over 50 horses and ponies. (2 of which were state endurance champions in NC, and the rest "kid-safe" horses and ponies for the hunter and dressage ring.)

Our family moved from NC to the Shenandoah Valley over 7 years ago and started the family-run Shenandoah River Farm with just 2 horses and has since grown to caring for boarded 18 horses and ponies, and instructing 22 students in hunt seat, under saddle and over fences, and basic dressage. I actively combine hunt seat and dressage training to build top riders and horses, who win consistently in the hunter and dressage rings or who happily improve without the competition regimen. I train on a daily basis, young mounts, and strive to build happy, excellent, self-evaluating riders, from "ground" up, and horses who enjoy their work!

My calling is to match a person to the right mount, training rider equitation and the horse's understanding, flexibility and skills, and never giving up until the two have the best partnership in and out of the ring! The Heels Down Equestrian Team I coach at shows is a wonderful, caring, supportive group of students who celebrates the large and small victories of all! I continue my riding education also, and train with Nancy Lowey, an excellent "R" Judge from the Charlottesville area, who regularly holds clinics at our facility. I continue to work towards attaining "l" and ARIA certifications.

The most important goal I have is to bring glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to whom I want to thank for my salvation, peace, protection, joy and hope! I desire that all my students come to understand how much God loves them and their horses, one of God's most healing animals, and that He has an important plan for their lives! I want to thank God, my husband, my children and my parents for making my dream of Shenandoah River Farm come true!