Elixyr and Melinda
Damaris Smyth is the best trainer I’ve ever had. I met her at the gym, scheduled my first lesson that day, and I have been riding with her ever since. I’m the typical 50-something woman who rode throughout childhood, then gave it up in my twenties to do the usual adult things. I had always wanted to return to riding but finding a good trainer can be so difficult. Meeting Damaris came at the right time in my life and becoming a rider again has given me my soul back. I grew up as a hunter jumper, and dressage has opened my eyes to the academic side of riding. I love all that there is to learn! Damaris’s education and experience informs her training every step of the way. She takes the time to listen to her students, is patient with their anxiety and concerns, and only pushes when needed. Damaris is also extremely sensitive to her clients’ budgets. She wants everyone to be able to enjoy the sport, not just the elite. When looking for a horse of my own, she helped me find the perfect forever horse and he was well within my price range.
As a trainer, Damaris respects the horse and works hard to create a positive relationship between the horse and rider. My horse has gained so much confidence and skill by working with Damaris. When he came to us, he was just coming off several months of stall rest and very unbalanced. We put the time in to bring him up slowly in order to correct his imbalances and help him build his strength and fitness. Now, he is working on his second and third level dressage skills, looks fantastic, and he’s very happy! As a teacher myself, I really appreciate the time Damaris spends continuing her own education. She attends and rides in clinics and is constantly reading and sharing things she’s learned in scientific horse journals. I trust my horse is getting the absolute best care and training under Damaris. I know that I am becoming a better rider now than I ever was before. I highly recommend Damaris for anyone interested in a trainer who is committed to giving riders and horses a strong foundation in order for them to reach their highest potential.
Too Tall and Tamara
To this
I met Damaris when I moved to Charaz in May of 2019 with my 3 horses Too Tall, Boomer and Knight. Immediately, I felt such a positive and enthusiastic vibe from Damaris and I have appreciated and respected her as a trainer ever since. Fast forward 3 years later and I cannot put into words how much Damaris has done for my horses and I - she is not only an amazing person who puts the well-being of the horse first, but she educates and trains in a manner that is customized to each horse and rider.
I have been around horses all my life thanks to my mom who put me on a horse when I was just able to walk. Throughout the years I competed in vaulting and later on some hunter/ jumper. Training with Damaris has been such an amazing journey and adventure, especially when she introduced me to the world of dressage. Since my horses are in their 20s I would have never imagined to compete with any of them again, but with Damaris’ training and guidance, Too Tall has developed into an amazing show horse. I personally love how Damaris adjusts her lessons and training to each individual rider and horse, and she ends every lesson with a “gold-star” moment for both of them. It is obvious that her priority is the horses being sound and happy, all while challenging her students and horses.
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Besides being an amazing trainer to Too Tall, she has been the best “auntie” to my other two boys Boomer and Knight. Boomer is a lesson horse in her training program, and my old guy Knight gets her special extra attention and care that a 28-year-old senior needs. I am forever thankful to Damaris knowing that whenever I cannot be at the barn they are in the best care with her.
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I truly respect how Damaris also continues her own educations - she does a lot of reading, researching, takes lessons herself and attends clinics and shows. She loves to share her knowledge to help her students learn and understand the ‘why’ we do things a certain way. What I absolutely love about Damaris and her training is that she does not approach all horses the same way - she evaluates each horse’s needs, abilities and responses to different training techniques. That became very apparent to me when she started riding and training Too Tall who is my ‘sensitive guy’. Damaris’ approach to his training is with a lot of sensitivity in return, but also pushing him to new levels, backing off when it becomes overwhelming for him, letting him learn in baby steps and celebrating him when he understands and succeeds. This has given Too Tall so much confidence, and it amazes me how great he looks and moves at 22 years old.
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In 2021 we made plans to dabble in some dressage shows. Unfortunately, an injury left me not being able to ride for a full 7 months. During that time, Damaris continued Too Tall’s training and kept him fit and conditioned. Once fully healed and thanks to Damaris, Too Tall and I were able to continue where we left off, and we achieved our goal to participate in our 1st recognized Dressage Show with scores of 68.448% and 69.655% at Training Level.
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2022 - Damaris encouraged us to take it a step further and enter at 1st Level. If you would have ask me a year ago about this, you would’ve seen me shake my head in disbelieve and laugh it off (I think Damaris actually got to see it). Once again, Damaris proved me wrong and with her continued support she made me a believer in what has been the most amazing year for Too Tall and I, and with achievements that I would have never imagined were possible. We set some goals and I am beyond excited about how far we have exceeded them - we successfully competed at 1st Level recognized shows at Devonwood and Donida with scores between 62.222% and 66.552%, and achieved our 1st Level scores for the Bronze Medal.
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I am so grateful to Damaris and her never-ending support in our journey. As a trainer she makes what feels like unattainable goals a possibility. She pours her own passion for horses in each horse and rider around her, and makes her training a fun and successful experience at every level.