Testimonials

I came from 20 years in eventing world over to Caspian eQuest knowing I wanted to focus on my dressage and stadium jumping skill set. I have a young horse and finally wanted to “do it right” and not just push through the levels with gaps and missing elements in the training. Shahram has understood my goals from day one and he has the patience, knowledge and commitment to communicate effectively to make a superb equine athlete. I have gone from mid- range scores and some eliminations to winning the dressage phase with no rails in just a year. He understands the bond between rider and horse and works to make this a beautiful partnership for life.

Thank you so much Shahram!                                                                                                        E.Wages

 

I spent my first year of riding with Shahram and after a long eight years, I circled back to him in early 2014. Within only a few lessons, I came to realize that this was the best decision I could have made for myself. Within only a few lessons I found myself learning and grasping onto new concepts that previously had escaped me. Lessons are not about making a ride look pretty, but riding effectively and looking good while doing it.
Only months ago Shahram helped me purchase my very green OTTB Jana and with his guidance, we have come along in ways I never would have imagined. We came out of the ring after every round at our first show as a team to a trainer who was all smiles and there is nothing that makes a rider feel better than knowing they’ve made their trainer proud.
I have learned, grown, and smiled more with Shahram and the riders at Caspian eQuest in this last year than in all of my years combined and I look forward to many more ahead of us.

Thank you, Shahram.

H. Gerling

 

We have been truly blessed through our experience with Caspian Equest.

Impressive..Trustworthy…Respected…these are the words that describe Shahram. His extensive knowledge in horse behavior and years of training combined with a calm assertiveness make him a true horse whisperer. Horse’s respond to Shahram, not out of fear but out of respect. I love that. I bought a green broke, 3 yr old Polish Arabian for my 14 yr old daughter (probably not the brightest idea). I put Angelo in full training with Shahram. after 90 days, our Arabian was desensitized to various sounds/objects and trained up to first level Dressage. We then took Angelo to his first show. Shahram rode him and received a score of 69.469. They won first place in both classes.

Shahram’s lessons are exemplary. He’s very attentive, focused, patient and understanding. Shahram has taught my daughter and I so much about classical riding and  natural horsemanship. I would recommend him to everyone.

D. Kenneson

 

 

Having ridden with many different H/J instructors and dressage instructors over the last 10 years, I was getting very frustrated that my horse and I were not improving. For years, we had been stuck going to schooling shows and never advancing beyond Puddle Jumpers. I was tired of paying a lot of money for lessons every week while dealing with the same unresolved issues with my TB at each and every lesson.

I first saw Shahram at a local barn where I schooled my horse. He was giving a lesson to a woman and got on her horse to demonstrate something to her. That was when I *REALLY* noticed him…his riding style and ability were so correct and classical, he simply melted into the horse’s back and this horse just started floating across the arena like he was of Olympic level Grand Prix caliber! The transformation was amazing to watch! As soon as he finished up the woman’s lesson I marched up and asked him if he would ride my horse. He did…right then and there… and once again, as I watched, it was now my horse that was transformed into this relaxed, forward-moving, beautiful animal!

Shahram developed a training plan that really worked for us. Since my horse had acquired some bad habits over the years (with me on-board naturally), Shahram would ride him in one lesson and then I would ride him in the next lesson. As I watched my horse being worked, Shahram would explain what he was doing and why. My horse began getting much more responsive to my aids and my riding skills improved tremendously.  Now our training has progressed to the point where Shahram only occasionally rides my horse, as I am now able to keep him from falling into those old bad habits of his.  Now we are competing in the “A” rated shows and placing in the ribbons (sometimes even winning) in the Low Adult division.

The Caspian Equest is a high-quality facility for any hunter, jumper or dressage rider. Another plus is the friendly and social atmosphere at their barn (it’s not a “snooty” barn). I have become good friends with several other students and we often trailer our horses to nearby Lake Lavon for trail-riding.

To summarize: Shahram is not only an amazingly effective teacher for all ages of riders but also a highly skilled horse trainer. It is rare to find an instructor that excels at both these talents. I know that the reason for the rapid improvement in my riding abilities and the positive results in my horse is due to Shahram’s unique training style!

C. Benator

 

 

My experience with Caspian Equest has been fantastic! Shahram has been working with my thoroughbred mare Belize since January, and I can truly say I’ve seen a tremendous improvement in her. From desensitizing her to everything around her to the finer points; improving control.

I’m excited, and yearning to receive much needed hands-on experience by learning to work in sync with my horse and continuing training and lessons with Shahram. I know that in the end, I’ll get back far more from the experience than the effort I put into it.

C. Jones

 

My horse and I have been together a long time, but hadn’t had much in the way of training (green horse, green rider).   Several years ago I broke my wrist in a fall while riding; since then I’ve had a lack of confidence in myself, and a lack of trust in my horse.   Shahram is helping us grow back together .  He has incredible patience, and comes up with lots of creative ideas for my lessons.  He pushes me just a little out of my comfort zone each time, so that I’m always learning.  (Of course, my horse is the quicker learner, but I’m getting there.)

With time and effort, I know that my horse and I can “become one” – and Sharam is the one guiding us toward that goal.  Thank you, Shahram.

J. Glahn

 

2 Comments
  1. Hunter Gerling

    I spent my first year of riding with Shahram and after a long eight years, I circled back to him in early 2014. Within only a few lessons, I came to realize that this was the best decision I could have made for myself. Within only a few lessons I found myself learning and grasping onto new concepts that previously had escaped me. Lessons are not about making a ride look pretty, but riding effectively and looking good while doing it.
    Only months ago Shahram helped me purchase my very green OTTB Jana and with his guidance, we have come along in ways I never would have imagined. We came out of the ring after every round at our first show as a team to a trainer who was all smiles and there is nothing that makes a rider feel better than knowing they’ve made their trainer proud.
    I have learned, grown, and smiled more with Shahram and the riders at Caspian eQuest in this last year than in all of my years combined and I look forward to many more ahead of us.
    Thank you, Shahram.

  2. Erin Wages

    I came from 20 years in eventing world over to Caspian eQuest knowing I wanted to focus on my dressage and stadium jumping skill set. I have a young horse and finally wanted to “do it right” and not just push through the levels with gaps and missing elements in the training. Shahram has understood my goals from day one and he has the patience, knowledge and commitment to communicate effectively to make a superb equine athlete. I have gone from mid- range scores and some eliminations to winning the dressage phase with no rails in just a year. He understands the bond between rider and horse and works to make this a beautiful partnership for life. Thank you so much Shahram!

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