Student Testimonials

Diego,
There are very few people who actually find their purpose in life and even fewer who are able to have that “purpose” as their job. You are certainly one of them. Your calling is to train and teach. Many trainers have the ability to understand horses but there aren’t many who possess the natural ability to communicate with horses AND humans. Again, you are one of them.
It is amazing to me what you can “pull out” of your students. Not only do you teach but you listen in return. I have come home with a newfound joy, a feeling of a new beginning of sorts. Maybe it is a new way to look at the horses. I have to thank you so much for your time, sharing with others your love for the breed, taking the time to educate.
It is my hope that I will be able to return in October to continue the lessons. I really wanted to ride the other horses!
Thanks so much for your patience, understanding and love of these wonderful Pasos!
Sincerely,
Gwyn Wright
Hazel Green, Alabama
**********************************************************************************************************************************
 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Diego Bravo and the staff of Ocala School of Equestrian Arts for all the support and encouragement I have received over the last
five years. Early in 2004 my husband convinced me that horseback riding was a wonderful activity that we could enjoy together. Even though deep down inside I was afraid of horses, I said OK. My sister-in-law had recently acquired a Paso Fino and I thought to myself, if I fell from that horse, I could survive. Much to my dismay, my husband found a mare for me right away. I did not do too well under his tutelage, but I kept trying. By May I decided that I needed help. I had read quite a bit of information about the Paso breed and I knew that the rough ride I was getting was probably my fault. When I got on the internet and did a search for Paso Fino riding schools, I found the Ocala School of Equestrian Arts. That was a very lucky day!

In June of 2004 I took my first lessons with Diego. It is a long way to Ocala from Troy, Alabama, so, I took advantage of the immersion class option. I rode for several hours each day for seven days. You can imagine my horror when Diego threw the bareback pad on Mystica for me, I had enough trouble in a saddle. After several days I finally graduated to a saddle. By this time I had fallen in love with horses and had lost most of my fear of them. Diego’s teaching skills, his positive attitude, and his enthusiasm gives you the desire to succeed. If not for Diego’s teaching abilities, I do not think I would be riding today.

Since that time, I have visited the school for lessons many times and I look forward to my next visit. In addition, I have participated in Diego’s clinics and can’t wait for the next one.
Diego has taught me how to relate to my horses and how to
work with them day-to-day. I cannot thank him enough for
his guidance. Diego helped to instill in me an “I can do it” attitude. I have shown one of my horses and plan to show others. My life is much richer because of the horses that I share it with.

With gratitude,
Kay Reeves
**********************************************************************************************************************************
In late 2007 I was looking for someone to teach my oldest grandson (who was 5 years old) how to ride. I had mentioned to several people my quest and had been given names of several establishments, I duly visited each one and was not finding what I was looking for. My grandson had ADD and concentration was hard for him even on medication.

One day a chance comment to my blacksmith led me to Diego Bravo. I researched a little on the internet and found him to have an excellent reputation for his knowledge and training abilities with the Paso Fino horse breed. Upon visiting his farm, I was greeted by a very courteous and gentle man who truly knew his job. His communication with my grandson was excellent, and no matter how bad my grandson’s concentration was on a given day, he found something to praise the child for. Within the first few lessons my grandson was concentrating more than I had seen him in any activity we had tried. Diego always full of praise for a job well done fast became my grandson’s favorite person, always asking when his next lesson would be and asking how many more days on a daily basis.

In December 2008 my other grandson began lessons also at just 5 years old. He most enjoys having Diego all to himself for the duration of the lesson and loves to just talk and talk whilst they ride together. In December this year (2009), my other granddaughter will start with Diego. She already is eager to begin having been out to the farm on several occasions with her brother. For her we hope to boost her self-confidence. For those thinking of riding lessons, be ready to see benefits in your child beyond their ability to ride a horse, that is just the beginning.

Jennifer Bowden