We have bought 5 year old Aoife (formerly Lemon) from Joanne, a 15hh mare. Joanne provided excellent advice, as usual, and came up with a perfect match for my daughter Jessica. Since we brought her home, Lemon has settled in really well, she is calm and perfectly behaved, so sweet and gentle. Jessica can't wait to start working with her and bringing her on! Huge thanks to Joanne and her Avonmill team, we can't recommend them enough to anyone looking for a horse or pony.
Update—Aoife was 2nd at her first show
Joanna Stevenson, Larbert
I had been looking, cautiously, for a second horse and had an extensive list of attributes I wanted in my new companion. If I'm honest, I didn't believe I would find my Miss/Mr Right so easily without there being compromises somewhere on the list.
Jo very quickly worked me out....type of horse I was looking for, my riding style, and in particular, my confidence issues. As a result I am now really excited about beginning my new partnership with Ruby - she has such a sweet nature and is so much more than I had hoped to find.
Nothing has been too much trouble for the Avonmill Team and it has been a pleasure meeting them all. Thank you.
Alison Anderson, Kilsyth
The process of buying horses is so difficult, so when I was looking for my next horse I wanted to have the confidence of knowing what I was buying. Through a very good friend I was pointed to Avonmill Equestrian. I was looking on their website and a nice stamp of horse appeared, so after viewing photos/videos I got in contact with Joanne Fairbrother. We had lots of chats and she instilled with me with confidence, enough to travel over 600miles to visit Avonmill Equestrian. I was warmly welcomed by the whole family. Joanne was very honest and accurate about the horse for sale. After viewing the horse in the stable and then seeing the horse being ridden, it was my test ride. WOW everything Joanne had described (and more) and the ride was prefect for me so we bought Stirling.
I would highly recommend Avonmill Equestrian to find a horse. Joanne listened to my requirements and ensured that her horse matched my requirements and ability. So I am so grateful for all their help and advice and really looking forward to my partnership with Stirling. I will be staying in contact with Joanne and can recommend her services.
Update—Stirling has settled in beautifully and has been ridden by a Para dressage rider, impressing both her and my trainer. I have to pinch myself as I am so lucky.
Further Update
Hi Avonmill, I just thought I would give you an update on Stirling who we brought at beginning of June.
He has settled well into life in Gloucestershire and being such a dude. We are slowing bring him on and everything we have asked of him he has done with style and is now firm favourite at stables. We are keeping everything low key for a 4yrs old. Every time I ride him I can feel his potential.
Last night’s training session was so enlightening, as we were starting on the basics to show jumping. He was so amazing to ride, so keen to learn and taking everything on board and improving. At the end of session he was giving me that feeling of looking for next ground pole, whilst keeping a good rhythm.. so like my old boy (yeap, I did cry on way home about that one!) I really can feel the potential to event..So thank you Jo at Avonmill for matching us up together and I'm still have to keep pinch myself that we brought him.
This weekend challenge for Stirling will be RC Camp at Stoner (BE venue). Fingers crossed I will be able to send you some photographic evidence so you can see him developing.... xxxx"
Further Update
Stirling wins two 2nds at his first show in big classes!
Sue Ravenhill-Handley, Gloucestershire
Hi Joanne, Just wanted to give you a quick update on Boo's settling in. She is really enjoying all the fuss and attention and is already well liked by everyone else on the yard. My instructor came out today to have a look at her and give us our first lesson. She was really impressed with her attitude and outlook to work, despite today's heat. Our minor teething issues are now resolved, at least temporarily, as we have a saddle to use at the moment which fits well and she has now settled in the French link although I have purchased the team up bit in case we may need it at some point. She has been calm and patient with me despite my new pony nerves and today she felt just as relaxed as the day I tried her at your farm- not bad considering she has only been with us for just under a fortnight! I have never met a pony who rolls so much and she is a real character and very loveable. Having purchased a lovely pony in the past, who was not right for me, I am so appreciative of your accurate and honest description of Boo as I already feel relaxed and confident around her. Thank you! X
Update Boo is completely settled in and we continue to have great fun together. Our schooling is coming on a treat with weekly dressage lessons, we are hacking out past a variety of scary things and have had a successful outing to a local indoor arena for a schooling session. Boo is a much loved part of our family and has a home for life with us. Thanks again for letting us have her—we feel very lucky.
Sarah Cameron, Stonehaven
I first met Ollie last Summer when I accompanied my friend to view him at Avonmill. Right from the word go Joanne and Andy made us both feel very welcome in their yard and even provided lunch! As my friend was travelling quite a distance to view him and I was nearer, they allowed me to come back and ride Ollie anytime later that week before my friend made any decision. Having ridden him in torrential rain and soaked through to the skin it was clear, even then, that Ollie was a rather special chap.
My friend purchased Ollie and he went home to start his education as he was young and green but had a very willing attitude. Ollie spent the winter perfecting his flatwork and was very successful in all his dressage outings. Having no horse to event this season due to injury of my own, my friend asked if Ollie could come to me to further his education and start his hooves on the BE ladder. Who was I to refuse?
So 8 weeks ago Ollie came to me and operation “Convert Dressage Diva to E-ven-tor” commenced. Ollie took everything in his stride as he settled in very quickly with the rest of the team and lapped up any of the new challenges he was given as he was a very busy boy being taken out to dressage, XC schooling and show jumping lessons in preparation for his BE debut. In 8 weeks we have won the Riding Club’s Summer Dressage League and have completed 2 80t’s, both clear cross country, with Ollie having not experienced anything like it before. No rosettes this season but I am looking forward to starting out next season with him as he is the most willing youngster that I have had the pleasure of producing and he learns so quickly and nothing puts him up nor down.
I want to thank Joanne for finding him and describing him to a T, even if he has come to me indirectly, as he makes me smile with his willingness, attitude and his neighs that greet me when I walk into the yard even if he is rather demanding in his polo mint consumption! Joanne always takes an interest on how we are getting on and I feel that any horse she sells it is like her extended family and she likes to know how everyone is doing. I am lucky that my own injured boy will be coming back to work over the winter and that he and Ollie will be out competing together next year but I know when the time comes and I need to start looking for the next special chap, my first stop will be Avonmill.
Eilidh Cameron, Larbert
Leo and Sophie are doing very well and we are looking forward to taking him out and about.
Update– Thought you might like to know that 4yo Leo has been out with Sophie two weekends running and has been a star. He was fab in the busy warm up arena, tied up to the trailer like a pro, is enjoying our great hacking strolling through open stubble fields and has had his first clip. He is really coming out of his shell and showing his character and busiosity and we are really enjoying him.
Amanda Namey, Stirling
Belle (formerly Panda) has settled in really well to her new home. She is a pleasure to be around and work with—she is very affectionate!
Leona Stewart, Fife
Ben has settled in really well and was very good in Alisha’s first lesson with him.
Alison Murray, Pitlochry
Sam, by Kiltealy Kingdom out of a Ghareeb mare who is a full sister to international eventers, behaved impeccably at his recent lesson.
Sophie Minikin, Yorkshire
I thought I’d send you a quick update on Freddie. He has been an absolute delight and has settled in so well. Since we’ve had him Sophie has only missed a couple of days riding and he’s consistently good mannered and easy to handle.
Elizabeth McMillan, Crieff