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As an international dressage rider and trainer, I have competed in
Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games and World Cups. Because of my experiences, I am always meeting other aspiring
riders and trainers. I had the opportunity to work with Ms. Helen cast as she organized a series of successful clinics
for me in her area. Ms. Cast was a pleasure to deal with. She is competent and professional in both her interactions
with clients as well as with her riding.
Best Regards
Dr. Cesar Parra
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A student & friend, first
introduced me to Cesar at a private clinic in CT many years ago, at the time I was training & competing Nautical
at PSG & IONE. Since then, I have participated & organized some clinics for
Cesar & was also, lucky enough to be invited to the Equine Affair, as a demo rider for him, with my new mount
at the time Fig Newton, showing the beginnings of Piaffe through half steps. Newton was schooling 3rd
level, he was fabulous with the crowd, so unassuming at first & then showing his worth through the work. He truly
held his own with the other giant horses in the small arena to include Cesar's then Olympic Mount ridden by his head
trainer Katie. This was the first opportunity Cesar had to work with Newton, so he wasn't sure what he was going to
get from us with the atmosphere at the Equine Affiar. He commented to the crowd, " I wasn't sure about this horse ,
I didn't like his warm up this morning (Newton is electric & can be tight to start..), but I can see now, he has
a really good basic foundation from Helen's training". He just keeps getting better, I really like this horse".
What I have gained from Cesar is, showmanship & the encouragement to believe in myself as a trainer & competitor......
Helen Cast
Check out the video clips of Newton on Cesar's
Web Site!
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I have known Helen Cast for several
years. She has taken lessons from me, I have coached her at shows, and been to her facility to give demonstrations and
lessons. Helen is a very good rider and competitor. She has been very successful on the horses she has competed
through FEI. When I taught her students, they were very receptive and had a good foundation of knowledge.
She is pleasant and positive and keeps that atmosphere in the barn. She takes very good care of the horses, with health
and well being at the foremost.
Sincerely,
Pamela Goodrich
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| NEDA FALL |
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| Coaching from Pam |
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I first met Pam when I took Nautical
to her facility in NH - Fostermeadow. I had at that time,shown him PSG & was having difficulties. Pam
had not seen us before & it only took us getting half way down the long side, before she said in that wonderful voice
her hers "can I get on?' From that moment, I fell in love with Pam's training. Nautical was a particularly
strong, very forward & oversensitive type, Pam new exactly what we needed. The next time I got to work
with Pam (after she gave me extensive homework!; was at Neda Fall. Over the next few days she coached me at the show
& I attribute our good scores to Pam, I was competing IONE, against a huge class of 18 all excellent riders to include
Cesar - we managed third place, right behind Cesar (he was happy & proud for us) as was Pam.. Since then Pam
has helped me prepare Newton & coached us at our last GP win at UNH. For me Pam, is the salt of the earth -
she is direct, honest & generous, she has a great eye & has been there for me when I needed her, at shows, clinics
whatever the venue, she is reliable... I always look forward to my sessions with Pam.
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After a traumatic
riding accident, I left my jumping instructor and came to Helen with a horse entirely new to dressage and also a deep latent
fear of riding. With incredible expertise and patience, Helen undertook the task of training both my
horse and I. Despite my dislike of dressage at the time, after a few months of training with Helen, I begun to develop
a deep passion and love for the discipline and precision of the sport.
My own dressage ability soon surpassed that of my horses's
and Helen was gracious enough to find me the perfect horse to continue my studies on. Over the years, Helen's firm,
understanding and insightful instruction has brought me to a level of dressage ability that I could not have hoped to obtain
under any other instructor. Her capacity to stretch my limits to just outside of, but never too far past, my comfort
zone have challenged my mental and physical ability, resulting in an enjoyable and rewarding riding experience.
It has been an honor to work with Helen Cast.
She has increased my love and skill in the sport of dressage and overall horsemanship in a way that I will
maintain throughtout my life.
Sincerley,
Danah Hashem
Dressage Student
IN HELEN'S WORDS
The horse Danah referres to gaining her confidence on & her new found love
of dressage is FIG NEWTON:)
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The mark of a true professional is the desire
to improve oneself thru continuing education, and challenging ones accomplishments. I have been privileged to attend
many clinics and horse shows that Helen has participated in. She is meticulous and confident in the presentation of
herself and her horses. She is very hard working and dedicated to her profession.
I look forward to continuing to work with
Helen Cast. She is always reliable and willing to assist in any situation.
Sincerely,
Cheryl Kodzis
Teacher & Student
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I am a novice rider and hired Helen Cast last winter to help me improve my skills in dressage and basic horsemanship. I had
only been riding for less than two years, did not own a horse and was training at the lowest levels of dressage.
Initially I was concerned that, given Helen's level of
personal traning (Grand Prix), she would be out of my league. She was not only delighted to "take me on," but she demonstrated
patience and offered a direct but supportive style that was pefect for my level of training. From the minute I stepped
into her arena to the last second of our lesson, Helen was instructing, training, coaching and encouraging. Her depth
of knowledge is immediately apparent and, as a student, I felt 100 percent trusting of her instruction. She is expert
at balancing being supportive and pushing her students to raise the bar on their training.
I recommend Helen without hesitation.
Annie Stevens
Student
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Until just recently , and for over a year,
my daughter, Katelyn, has been a working student under the tutelage of Helen Cast, learning the tasks of barn management,
the care and feeding of horses, and the advanced skills of dressage riding.
Helen has become a valued friend not only
to Katelyn, but also to my wife and I. We have a deep respect for Helen as an instructor and as a friend. She
possesses all the knowledge and interpersonal skills to deliver an any task she has the opportunity to undertake. Helen
is very trustworthy and sets an excellent expample to those around her.
Sincerely,
Roy Kok VP
IN HELEN'S WORDS
Katie is a pleasure to teach. Aa a
talented rider, with such a great personality & work ethic, Katie will continue to do well. Right now
Katie is working with Pam Goodrich. GO KATIE..
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My name is Julie I am 11 years old,
Helen is my Step Mom! She is my first trainer & taught me to walk, trot & canter. Sometimes she lets me
double up on Newton & we piaffe & canter... She treats me like one of her horses sometimes, but I don't think
that's a bad thing. Neigh
Julie L
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I 've known helen for 7 or 8 years and
work with her whenever I can. I first met Helen when she was offering a training lease on Nautical, her Grand Prix horse
of that time. For several months I took three lessons per week, with occasional practice rides on my own as
my skills improved. The lessons were intense, varied, demanding and fun. As an instructor, Helen is very knowledgeable
and direct. her eye is excellent, and her critique is always fair - whether it's good news or bad! I have seen
her work with beginners as well as more advanced riders, and she always teaches within the context of each rider's goals and
past experience. She encourages students to develop their feel and understand the process behind each aid and correction.
Recently I've taken some lessons on ther curent Grand Prix horse; Helens' insights and instruction are very detailed, yet
also require me to be a thinking rider and use the information proactively. Ultimately, her goal is to foster the rider's
competence and independence.
I have seen Helen work with horses and ponies of every
age, breed and description. As a trainer, she has a real talent to develop whatever potential is there, and she truly
enjoys each horse on its own merits. She has the confidence and feel to push the horse when necessary, and always supports
these demands with proper physical conditioning. She is watchful and flexible in her approach, and has a very good instinct
for building the horse's mental condition and work ethic. She demands obedience, but not at the expense of expression.
When I ride the horses that Helen has worked with - Friesians, Thoroughbreds, Quarter horses, Warmbloods, Welsh ponies - they
are uniformly attentive, forward, thoughtful and lively. They are fun to ride!
Sincerely,
Ann Fleisher
Ma Licensed Instructor
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| Training at Hayward Farms |
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