While I’d known Molly for many years, I didn’t take the opportunity to train with her until 2010. At that time, I, an Adult Amateur and my Arab-Warmblood cross were said to be “topped out” at second level. But Molly knew better. While maybe I was “topped out” my horse clearly was not – and she proved it.
Over the next five years, Molly carefully brought the two of us up the levels to Prix St. George/I-1. She believed in both of us and was willing and able to show us the path to the FEI levels. It was not easy and there were many times I really wondered if it would happen but she never lost faith and never let me lose faith either. She was demanding when she needed to be – she was very encouraging when I needed her to be. It was as close to a perfect fit as it could have been.
In addition to being the absolute right trainer and teacher for the two of us, she is also a great horsewoman. I never, never had to worry about my horse’s care or health which was very important since I was out of the country several times a year. In fact, she was more-often-than-not the one who found that something just wasn’t quite right – and she’d be correct every time.
Molly is also a great competitor and actively encourages her students to compete and then helps them do their best at the show. She was always there to help me get ready, to cheer me on and to graciously critique my ride so that the next one would be better.
Lastly, Molly and Rossi (her FEI horse) became our trail companions when we needed that break from work. Those trail rides were very special to me and whether they were just a relaxing ride or a schooling ride on a trail, she and Rossi just made it fun.
As I moved away from Woodinville in 2017, my time with Molly and Rossi has ended but not our relationship. I look forward to seeing them at the shows and look forward to her critique of my ride. While the formal trainer relationship may have ended, it has just entered a new phase. That’s just the kind of person she is.
