I bought Blue when he was five. The girl who had trained him had done a good job; he’d learnt the basics, and was a reasonable ride, but thanks partly to his character, and partly to being treated as a pet for the formative part of his life, he had discovered that he was far stronger than me. 

Consequently he frequently took advantage, both on the ground and when ridden. I coped for a couple of years, but it was a struggle, as he was capable of surprising me at any time. After being surprised and taking off with me I thought I was going to have to give up riding. A friend, hearing my tale of woe, recommended Val Alemanno, so I called her, arranged a training session, and our education began. Val introduced me to a whole new methodology. Blue and I learnt together, a process that took time, but was more far-reaching than any instruction I’d been given in over forty years of riding. We even entered a couple of dressage competitions, and came about half way up the class – not bad for a cob ridden by a bundle of nerves! Even better, with three friends we tackled the Mary Townley loop, and Blue behaved perfectly.  That holiday with Blue was one of the highlights of my life, and I shall never forget it.  I can honestly say that for the last few years, thanks to Val, we have been best buddies. I am in control and I have excellent brakes. Once he’s fit after having the winter months off, Blue gives a nice imitation of a little Spanish stallion, well rounded and working from the back, his paces pretty level and straight. In a way it’s a shame I have no ambitions to do more with him, as he’s capable of a lot more than hacking, but I have a horse who is a pleasure to ride, not like the misunderstood bully he was before Val sorted us both out. Many many thanks, Val, without you I would have given up years ago!

Paddy was an 8 year old horse with big issues caused by his previous owners. 

His agoraphobia led him to not wanting to leave the yard, rearing constantly, bolt and do anything to get him away from his fear of everything. His mental state was as bad as his physical state. Physically his muscle structure was discomforting him to the point of not wanting to work.Through her work with him Val enabled him to compete successfully in all disciplines, his mind and body were both relaxed, and he became a happier horse from one who was near to a breakdown.

Val has trained both girls since they were very young and is very proud of their commitment and compassion to their horses. 

When they were ready to go up to something bigger Val helped the decide on a bay mare they had been to see: Rosie. She was just the build and mentality that they were looking for but was very distant... expressing no personality. Amy rode her on this particular day and the mare had a real aversion to any contact with her mouth, throwing her head high and trotting out in a rushed manner showing previously bad riding techniques in her history. Val took her headcollar and put it over the bridle attaching the reins to it. Amy then rode her again ...the mare calmed quickly. Once home and working pretty well for a few months Val realised that her top line wasn't advancing as it should so suspected kissing spine syndrome (also can develop through previous poor riding techniques)..after an x-ray confirmed it...three months of specific, long and low work brought this mare to a whole new level. With Val’s support and training turned a very distant personality ,and an uncomfortable mare into one of the most loving horses she has had the pleasure in having dealings with the girls competing her in both dressage and show jumping. The girls are still both in the horse world competing and still showing the compassion that Val has passed down to the next generation. 

I have known Val for many years. In that time she has helped me with many of my horses. About 18 years ago I had a beautiful Irish Cob/Heavy Hunter type mare called Molly-Anna. She was absolutely lovely and together we took part in dressage, show jumping, cross country and hunted locally. She was a strong willed horse but loved to please, so was a real character. One day after hunting she decided that going into her trailer just wasn’t her 'thing' anymore and just refused to go in. I had to ride her home. I had a show the next week and there was just no way she was going in. I couldn’t understand why so I called Val and she came to my yard. Within 30 minutes Molly was walking in and out of her trailer. I never had any problems with loading again. I had an amazing young thoroughbred called Pulsings Roberto. We 'broke him in' together. Val’s experience helped me no end, her understanding and knowledge were invaluable. The art of patience learned from Val in this process has always stayed with me and was a lesson well learned .I have had an array of other horses with which Val has been my trainer. I now have an ex-racehorse called Special Perk and a Seller Francais called Kador de Jeandith. Whenever I need a helping hand or am in need of discussion or training I call on Val. Kador does have issues’ and Spesh is a real mare! I always feel confident in Val’s understanding of me and my horses, to go forward with training in a way that is amazing for horse, rider and trainer. People forget that we as riders often have aches and pains, well so do horses. Val has an eye for spotting such problems and knows just what to do. I compete with both Spesh and Kador. Val will be training me this year again and we are both excited about what we may achieve in the year to come. Horses are like people, we are all different. We need trainers like Val who care about the horses and about the way they are ridden. Life is not ‘by the book’ and neither is Val’s training and understanding, it comes from within!

If you want someone to help you get the most out of your relationship with your horse then Val is the one for you. No matter what challenges and issues I have had over the years with Xanadu, Val has always been there for us. 

Returning to riding after many years...by brushing up on my early knowledge at a riding school then decided  on a loan pony with the name of ‘Megan’. A friend  of mine then introduced me to Val in around 2012, just shy of 10 years ago.

Val began to train Megan and I to get beyond the riding school 'ability and habits'. She trained us for a good year and we achieved some fantastic results in dressage tests. I was told by the owner and previous people who had Meg' on loan , that we’d never have her working with a correct  'outline' but with Val’s equine training and my perseverance we did it!   Megan actually went into a natural outline as she learnt to work from the back to the front. 

I remember feeling I needed, to pick up the owners jaw off the ground, when we got first place in dressage! It’s a feeling I’ll never forget! 

In 2014 I was on the look out for my own horse, one that I didn’t have to share and was able to train our way with no restraints. Months passed looking at some, none ticked the boxes and due to personal circumstances, for a while,  the search came to a halt. 

We then met Shadow, my hero and our shining light. He was underweight, threadbare , ribs baring out, and lacking in his own confidence, a 16hh TB. I thought what on earth am I doing? But I loved him. He felt like a comfy pair of slippers. Val came and checked him over, watched us ride and knew then that she could turn him around both physically and mentally. From 2015 to now her patience has been tested, she’s given me the strength, not only for Shadow, but for me too. We had to re-train Shadow to understand we don’t want to pull him in the mouth, nor kick him senseless!  Through the blood, sweat and tears in my recent past life to the point that I developed a fear of riding Shadow.... Val has been our rock and saviour and has brought round and we would NOT be where we are today without her. 

Apart from the psychology side of her work, Val trains the horse to work forwards from the back to the front and to accept the contact by using the horse's steady rythum.  

It’s all natural without the  need for these silly ropes and strings that some use to obtain an ‘outline’.  She helps find the horses natural form and action and for rider, helps with their natural balance on top. We don’t lean on the horse's mouth to ride a contact, we ask the horse to work towards the bit from behind... to take and accept the contact. 

Shadow is/can be a highly strung horse. He is easily fed off fear, due to a bad life before. Val has taught us to be calm to keep him calm. It’s worked, it’s helped and he’s a much happier horse. He can still have his moments but they are extremely rare and  can be handled far better. 

We owe all our smiles and happiness to Val. No problem is too big or small for her and she’s always at the other end of the phone for comfort or advice if you’ve had a bad day.