If you want a trainer who will always communicate as to how you and your horse are doing and guide both of you on to greater skills, then Grace is for you. However, if you always need to hear that you and your horse are doing great, find someone who will accommodate. Grace consistently observes and reaches for improvement with supportive training guides. Just remember that good trainers will always focus on you as you are the one in charge and through you, your horse is in constant training. I'm not one to support the silliness many trainers use. If I had a good day, then I know it. If I had a mediocre or off day, I'll know that as well. Telling me anything else just makes me not trust and cranky.
Grace Hixon is a talented, skilled, and thoughtful horse trainer and coach. Her years of experience working with all levels of dressage horses, and other disciplines allows her to understand the horses strengths and weaknesses, along with their rider's skill. She approaches each ride with a clear goal in mind, and the language and understanding to communicate that to horse and rider. My mare and I made great strides together while riding with her, and we always had so much fun. She is a gem. I cannot recommend her more highly.
As a new horse owner and new to horse riding in general, I was in need of someone who could be patient with both myself and my love, my former polo pony (gelding). Grace was that person while we were living in CA. She took the time to understand both my personality and my boy's, before figuring how to get us to work on our needs as individuals and as a team to make our riding experience good for everyone. Grace answered all my nit-picky questions and didn't make me feel judged/nervous (as other trainers have done). I was able to achieve what I wanted as a beginner rider and feel like my boy is in much better mental and physical shape after working with Grace. I'd work with her again.
We have owned horses for over fifteen years and my daughter and I have taken lessons on and off from Virginia to California as we relocated via military service. With that we have our own in depth knowledge and experience with instructors in the equestrian community. We met Grace at our last boarding facility in San Diego, Ca where she was one of the in house instructors. We were absolutely delighted with the level of instruction and care she exhibited in providing both my daughter and I lessons. We would highly recommend Grace as a riding instructor, trainer and or care taker for absolutely any age, discipline or horse situation. Grace has in-depth knowledge and keen instincts in horsemanship and is one of the most beautiful riders I have ever seen. She has a patient, innate intuition in understanding horses and a strong ability to communicate goals for the rider and horse. Grace is always punctual, thoroughly diligent and detail oriented when interacting with the horse and rider and her calm and clear communication provides for an enjoyable learning experience. Again, we highly recommend Grace as a refreshingly honest, informative, caring and supportive riding instructor that builds relationships with both the human and horse.