"I have known Kate since she was a young teenager coming up through pony club. Horses are her passion, she worked hard to get where she has to pay for her equestrian education and that is no small task. Kate is a responsible, sensitive young woman. Sensitive to the horses she works with as well as their riders, which makes her a good teacher trying her best in achieving the goals set for her lesson or set by the horse owners.
As District Commissioner of James River pony club, Kate always provided a safe environment to the kids promoting a positive atmosphere for learning as well for mounted and unmounted instruction which she has provided on a volunteer basis on several occasions.
On a personal level she has worked with my young, strong and "stallionnish" horse Chance of a Lifetime, successfully put him back in a "work” mode following the rules of a strict classical dressage education he had been trained with, as well as attending clinic with him to better her education.
She is now working with a mare in my care that requires a very sensitive rider in order to do some "rehab" work, which she is accomplishing with skills and help me riding her as well.
So whatever the needs where, training, conditioning, rehab, competition, she is right on it. It is fun to share "horse time" with Kate and I always look forward to her visit at my farm."
Danielle Goulding
Member of United States Pony Clubs (previously DC for 2 clubs and vice regional supervisor)
Horse owner in the discipline of dressage
"Kate always conducts business in a professional manner. She is on time,
efficient, and thorough. The kids in our pony club feel she treats them
with respect while encouraging them to progress in their riding. Kate is a
great asset and resource to the Old Dominion Region Pony Club."
Debbie Dickerson
DC of Outer Banks Pony Club
"My daughters and I have worked with Kate for about 1 and half years.
She is very knowledgable about horses and training. She works well
with all ages including adults! Kate has been working with my
daughters to help them prepare for their USPC ratings as well as horse
shows. She has a nice style with the students, horses and parents."
Maura Britt
"Both of my children have been taking private lessons with Kate Rhine since the beginning of 2008. Before that, we knew Kate through group Pony Club lessons. My 12 year old daughter really looks forward to her rides with Kate every week, as she and Kate work exceptionally well together. Madeline feels like Kate understands her views and respects her opinions about her horse, and then can use those opinions to create a lesson plan that serves them both well. Madeline appreciates that Kate is so easily approachable and can relate to Madeline on her level. As a parent, I love how Kate can shift gears and make my beginning 9 year old's lesson just as fun and challenging as his older sister's. Baker adores "Miss Kate" and is so eager to show her his skills and work with her to learn new ones. In addition to the personal attention and patient instruction we get from Kate, her lessons are a very good value. In the world of horses, that is quite appreciated as well! From a parent's perspective, and also that of the D.C. of James River Pony Club, I would not hesitate to recommend Kate Rhine for her professionalism,
her knowledge, her attention to safety and detail, and her ability to instruct."
Erin White
DC of James River Pony Club
"Kate and Brandon have been wonderful to work with during our first horse buying experience. Their understanding and willingness to answer all of our many, many questions and concerns gave us great peace of mind and confidence that we were making the right decision. Kate and Brandon were always polite and courteous and were in communication with us throughout the buying experience. We enjoyed working with them so much during this process that we will be going to them for riding lessons as well. We could not have picked a more professional, courteous couple to work with during this process. Thanks!"
James Gilbert
ETCM(SW)
RCLMCPO
J-Dial 7486/5047
"Kate is a responsible and ethical horse woman. In the "horse selling business" it can be difficult to know what you are getting when buying a horse. Kate conducts business "the Pony Club way." Pony Clubbers are taught to keep good records. Yet it is amazing how so many in the horse selling community do not bother keeping detailed records. It was so refreshing, after making long trips and trying out so many horses in the last few months, to finally meet someone like Kate - she had kept a detailed record of every single activity, shot, vet visit, and training session that she put into "Murphy" - the horse that we bought from her. As a lawyer and avid Pony Club mom, I was so thankful for this record book. And more importantly, I felt that Kate (along with her husband) were a good example of what we should hope our Pony Clubbers grow up to be - responsible citizens and responsible horse owners."
Linda Bryant
Norfolk Deputy Commonwealth Attorney
DarkHorse Eventing
