Testimonials

I just want to thank Dana for the incredible clinic she put on at the 320 Ranch in Big Sky, MT. It was fun and we learned so much! My 14 yr old daughter participated in the clinic with her seasoned show mare and also her 2yr old colt. Dana was working on a specific exercise that we had used numerous times on this colt with no results at home. We were sure this exercise was just not going to work on him. Dana watched my daughter and then made some adjustments in her hands, direction of pull, and some other minor changes. The results were amazing! It really changed the way he was loping. We were not seeing results before because we were not doing the exercise correctly . Having Dana there to show her , and make the changes ,made all the difference. Dana also gave Codi some exercises  to "tune up" her show mare! I am excited to say she won the Youth Pleasure and numerous other classes including the  AQHA Region 2 Youth All Around Championship last weekend!   We are looking forward to the next clinic Dana gives at the 320 Ranch! - Penny Uecher - September 2011
 

 
In May of 2011 I went to a Dana Hokana clinic with my appaloosa gelding.  We had been very successful showing him as a three year old in our area but were encountering problems with a sore back, and him not using his hind end at the jog and lope.  Therefore we were getting more knee, him popping up in the front, and various other problems.  So I decided to take him to the clinic and couldn’t believe how much better he was riding by the end of the weekend.  Dana just lead us back to the horses fundamentals to help Hunter move better!
About 6 weeks after I was able to start working with Dana more.  I have been learning from her and trying her techniques on my appaloosa.  He is no longer sore in his back, moves consistently at the job with a 1-2 beat, and has started driving up and loping with a much more consistant top line.  Going back to the fundamentals has made him more sound in body and mind.  He is definitely a happier horse and I am a happier owner! - Theresa Brown - June 2011

 

     All I can say is “WOW”!  Dana’s Clinic’s have not only changed my riding style but has also changed my relationship with my horse!  What a phenomenal experience to have personal instruction from one of the best!!!  I have watched and memorized all of Dana’s videos, but to have the opportunity to actually ride and receive one-on-one instruction …. is a dream come true!!!  She is truly the leader in the industry!!  Thanks again Dana!!!! -Deborah Morton - Merced, CA

     Knowing I was coming to Dana’s clinic as her new apprentice, I wanted to make sure that I was going to be able to prove myself!  I knew that entering the clinic would give me an excellent jump start to my new job!  Dana made things so incredible for me and everyone else!  She has a way with people like I’ve never seen!  It was such an awesome opportunity to get personal help from such a professional in the pleasure horse industry!  The changes that Dana made with me and everyone in the clinic was incredible!   The environment was friendly, comfortable, and it made things easy for leaning!  Dana gave me confidence that I could do it!  It was awesome! - Jessica Reilly - Wautoma, WI

     I have been passionate about western pleasure since showing in Youth classes as a child. When my kids were small I did my best to stay involved by producing the “Hottest Pleasure Stallion” videos and several western pleasure training video series. I sat at the Congress and World for hours on end intently watching classes and studying movement. In all my studying I had become pretty book smart. But in turning from producer to trainer I wasn’t always sure what things were supposed to feel like under saddle. It took attending Dana’s clinic to get the hands on experience I needed to truly understand what I was training and start immediately achieving better results. 

     I came home and combined what I learned at the clinic with other techniques I have learned through the years and my horses have improved dramatically in just a few short weeks.

     As they say the proof is in the results, and for us it was the 4 blue ribbons from the horse show last weekend one of my students won! I highly recommend Dana’s clinics to anyone who is ready to breakthrough and bring their riding to a new level no matter what level they are on today. Thanks Dana for making us all feel so welcome and comfortable, for not holding back and sharing your years of expertise and knowledge and in doing so paving the way for more beautiful, flowing, correct moving western pleasure horses! - Jen Rohlen - Alpharetta, GA

 

     Participating in the clinic with Dana as my instructor was an incredible experience! I learned so much while I was there at the ranch. Everything that I learned impacted me and has managed to help my horse and I be better at our jobs, making us a better team than ever before. -Chelsea Smith - Ballground, GA