Testimonials

Hi, my name is Sami. I’m 10-years-old and I do eventing. I really love GLEC because it feels like a big family and everyone is welcome. Erika is a great teacher because she’s serious but we still have a lot of fun! Eventing is exciting and a little bit scary, but I know I can trust Erika. She pushes us but never past our ability. Horses have always been my favorite animal and two years ago my parents bought me one. We moved her to GLEC and I soon was taking lessons with Erika. I loved it! I competed on one of Erika’s thoroughbreds this year and I‘m really looking forward to next year.

~Sami Barefield~

I have owned and been showing horses most of my life. After suffering a rather serious injury 2 years ago, I needed that someone to help me to regain not only my confidence, but to also help me to improve my overall balance under saddle. Erika has and continues to help me excel and become a better partner with my horses. She has also helped me to further my skills in natural horsemanship which I had recently studied. I can say, without a doubt, that the partnership between my horse and myself has, and will continue to improve. Our very successful show season together is proof positive! Thank you, Erika!

~Kendalyne Overway~

Though I have had horses many years, I never focused on my equitation. I began taking lessons to become a more balanced rider and improve my confidence. During our first conversation I explained to Kim what my focus areas were. She tailored my lessons to the areas I wanted to improve, incorporating what I already knew, while working on my overall skills at the same time. Kim is an excellent instructor - she not only tells you what to do, but how to do it, and most importantly the "why to do it" - imperative to putting the whole picture together. I feel I have made giant strides in my abilities as a rider, and look forward to continuing under Kim's tutelage.

~Amanda Pitsch~

A couple of years ago, after not riding for about 30 years, I became re-involved with horses when my wife and I bought our daughter her first horse. Though I’d had horses off and on while growing up, I’d never been a disciplined rider and, when we began boarding our daughter’s horse at Great Lakes Equestrian Center, I decided to take lessons. I had my first lesson with Erika in November 2006. Two years later, both my daughter and I continue working with her and it‘s been a great experience. It amazes me that Erika can work so well with a 10-year-old girl and a 63-year-old man. She never condescends to her young riders and has unending patience with riders like me trying to overcome years of bad habits. She knows horses and she knows people and I enthusiastically recommend Erika to anyone wanting to improve their riding and horsemanship skills.

~Frank Barefield~

I started taking lessons with Kimberly just four months ago, and she has already helped my horse and I become a real team. Kimberly has an uncanny ability to help my horse and I find a mutual understanding and respect. She has helped me become an effective and relaxed rider- two things I know my horse appreciates! And she has taught me how to ride pain free; what a boost that has been for my 48 year old body! I look forward to working with Kimberly for many years to come.

~Liane Holliday Willey~


In March, our daughter, Lexi, started riding with Kimberly. This has been such as amazing process to watch Lexi develop a passion and true love for horses and riding. She has learned not only to enjoy riding but how to really appreciate all aspects of the sport because of Kimberly's ability, patience and knowledge. Her dad and I are so thankful for Kimberly and everyone at REC. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Kim for many more years to come. Thanks Kim and keep up the great work!!

~The Springfields~


Kimberly has been a joy to work with! I used to ride, take lessons and show when I was a kid, but haven't ridden seriously in 25 years. Kimberly understands where I'm coming from, how to gently break my old, bad habits and teach me to relax and have fun riding again. I can't believe how much we've accomplished in just a few months!

~Gina Bovee~


Kimberly is an instructor for both my 10 year old daughter and me, and does an equally excellent job with both age groups. She is persistent, but amazingly patient. My daughter and I are having a great time sharing this activity together!

~Diane Arcidiacono~

My daughter started expressing an interest in taking riding lessons in the spring of this year (2009).  At this time I started looking around the area at different places offering lessons.  I know there are many places where you can go that will teach riding to all ages, but for me, safety and proper technique were the deciding factors that impressed me and ultimately made me choose to come to Great Lakes Equestrian Center for my daughter's riding lessons. My little girl, Emily started taking lessons from Kimberly in June of 2009 and fell in love with it immediately.  Kimberly is kind and does an incredible job relating to children and explaining things in a way that they can understand them.  Most importantly, Emily is safe.  Kimberly  does not rush her through the learning process and makes sure she is ready to move on before learning new things, she also teaches her the safe way to handle horses in different situations.  She is also teaching her the proper techniques necessary to become an excellent rider.  It is very valuable to learn to ride properly from the start and have a foundation of good riding habits out of the gates instead of having someone less knowledgeable teach her and have to correct bad riding habits later on.  I would recommend this facility to anyone seeking lessons for their child or themselves.

~ Jesseca Underwood~