Testimonials

Hello Fiona, I thought I'd give you a wee message to tell you how Kat and Kestrel are getting on now after just finding your web site :)

Kat has turned out to be a fantastic horse, she has such a big personality and likes being the boss! She loves going out for hacks and doing flat work but hates jumping although she has a cracking jump! She recently was in-hand champion in our stables show and overall champion at out annual island show. Hard to believe we bought her 7 years ago in march.

Kestrel Is a cheeky wee chap, he loves attention and loads of food! He has turned out to be a brilliant jumper, hardly ever stopping and clearing heights that have amazed people for his size! He also has become a stunner in the showing as well, taking first and seconds every time.

Thank you for these stunning horses, they really are part of the family now :)

Roshine & Margie MacSween x

Hi Fiona

A belated Happy New Year to you ! Thought i'd drop you a line to let you know how Murphy is doing . At last we have started to hack out after all the snow and ice ! He has been a wee star really enjoying going out and he likes to keep up with Ben one of the big horses on the yard ,so good for building up his fitness ! He is such a character and I just love him to bits . Have been doing a fair bit of work with him on the ground and he is learning not to invade your space. Clipped him last weekend and he had a wee snooze during it ! Hope to do some pleasure rides later on in the year but meantime lots of hacking out . he loves coming in at night which is great now that everything has turned to mud ! Pop by anytime to see him . Thank you again for such a fab horse .

Hi there Fiona thought I would send you pictures of Ben and Caren, he has really

settled in and is coming on great. They have really bonded now and is he has such a great nature. Caren has gained a lot more confidence with him and she loves the fact that he follows her around the field like a lost sheep. Sorry took so long to get back in touch but we have moved to Orkney now.

I got Jerry as a Games pony, but he lived up to much more than that. I had him for about 4months and in that time we got a really close bond. I got him as a Christmas present which was an amazing surprise after being told that there wasn’t a chance that I was going to be getting him. When we first started training for games he was really sensitive whenever I tried to vault onto him but after a little work he got used to it and in the end I had him galloping beside me as I leapt on. I also did a couple of shows on him and he was a star catching the judges eye all the time and going out and performing a clear workers round every time without any problems. Jerry had a huge amount of trust in me and I had the same with him. We have sold him on now but for the time I had him he was a dude and always gave 110%.

Hi Fiona

Finally we have managed to get a photo of louie!
We are really enjoying having him

All doing fine, hope the same with you

Fiona Duncan and Megan

Hi Fiona,

Just thought I'd send you a pic of Dublin and I. He has settled very well in his new home and seems to be very happy.
We are spending most of our time hacking and he is loving it! Thanks for finding him for me, he is cracking!

Hi Fiona & Colin, Just a note to say we still have JoJo and she is turning out to be a little dressage star, her canter is still needing work but we are getting there. Really enjoying her, she really has taught me so much. I think she must have tried every trick in the book of testing your owner to the limit. Photo is of Janie doing her first dressage to music as the nightmare before Christmas.
Thanks Eileen

Morning Fiona,

Thought I would update my testimonial about George.

Since buying George we have been competing regularly over the summer as a Small Riding Horse and d

oing rather well. We were 5th at Blair, 4th at the NESSC and getting through to an Evening Performance and Champion Riding Horse at Ladyleys Summer Show, as well as many other wins. This year I am hoping to compete at the Royal Highland, Ingliston Grand Slams and Blair. Also hoping to get him out doing some Working Huner too this year. Thanks again for a horse in a million.

Photos from NESSC 2008.

Thanks again Jackie

I have known Fiona for many years as a business contact and during that time I have bought some amazing horses and ponies from her. Also during that period I have been lucky enough to obtain others ponies through Fiona’s contacts and recommendations. Fiona caters for all requirements, from safe childrens ponies, happy hackers, riding school, pony club/ riding club, endurance, show cobs to quality competition horses who have made it to Horse Of The Year Show.

The ponies I have bought have all been extremely reliable and of a high standard, as a owner of Horsin’ Around stables in Caithness it is vital that all the horses I use are of a certain standard and meet the correct requirements. I have recommended Fiona’s services to my clients and to anyone considering using her services. Fiona offers a friendly service and will find your perfect equine partner.

Thought I would give you a quick update re. Ace - he's doing absolutely brilliantly. He's still doing RDA classes - 2 rides on a Monday, 1 on a Wednesday and 1 on a Thursday with a mix of physically disabled and Autistic riders - all his riders love him, particularly the autistic rider who seems to dote on him and call him 'my Ace' and me 'my Margery' - it's so good to be able to make a bit of a difference in these childrens' lives.
We've working on lunging to get him going in a more steady pace and working consistently, we do some Parelli and various other natural horsemanship techniques and Ace responds really well - he is a very clever boy!
If you respond to this e-mail I will send you a recent picture of him to let you see just how handsome a boy he is! (once I've figured out how to compress jpeg images as the photos I have seem to be huge files) - I may be a bit biased here but I think he makes 'star material'.
Anyway, he is doing great and is still living as naturally as possible - there is Ace and 3 ponies in the field and they have formed a nice relaxed herd.

I would like to say a huge thank you for the great start you gave Aathos when you backed hi

m earlier this year. He is now hacking out alone and in company and has taken everything in his stride. His relaxed and happy attitude to his work is undoubtedly due in great part to him having been backed in such a sympathetic and patient manner. I am extremely grateful for all the time you spent, not only educating Aathos, but also giving me invaluable advice and guidance on dealing with a young horse.

hi Fionaa i thought you would like to know how shandy is coming along,he had his first show

yesterday(pictures enclosed) and was perfectly behaved ,and did really well he got 2nd in open horse (they thought his conformation was excellent)and second in best mane and tail, he was his usual calm contented self all morning ,fiona mckinnon is working on him for us and we ride him ourselfs in between,he jumps and hacks out with his teenage rider and plods around slowly with his mum!!!(like a real gentleman)

Hi Fiona finally a wee catch-up bout "Robbie" and his progress since coming home.

I could not have asked nor wished for a more honest and genuine boy, Robbie has exceeded all my expectations of such a young horse. Unfortunately due to ill health I have not been riding him for a few months, but hey, he has not been idol I have given the ride of him to, Bryony, and what a fantastic time they are both having.

He has been at P.C and also attended camp where he was admired by all. He took the 3days in his stride and in the words of his instructor "cherish him he is going to be a superstar". He has also been out showjumping at Coilliemore and what a pleasure it is to watch them. Hopefully it wont be too long before I can get back on board, but till then I will watch with admiration and enjoy my wee man go from strength to strength.

Dear Fiona

Just to let you know that Millie is settling in well here.
Rosie loves her to bits, and is slowly getting to know her.
The weather has been truly awful since she arrived, and though she
had the first couple of days off to settle in, she has since been
ridden most days in howling gales, snow and rain. Though takes it all
in her stride !!
When Rosie whistles to her at the gate, she always comes up. She is
always hovering at the gate to come in too, by 5pm.
I think she'll become a real character, once we get to know her and
visa versa.
Many thanks, and we'll keep you posted of her progress, and see you
at the shows.
Best wishes Emma

We bought Mac (Ballyquintin ) from Fiona as a four year old. He is a
pure bred Irish Draught by the famous stallion Grey Macha. He has had a
very successful career with many championships including Overall
Champion at Faraway winning the Mole Cup, Champion at Wartle champion
at Grampain Riding Club and a championchip at Turriff Show to name but
a few. We have now retired from showing, as he is now 15. He has truly
been a lovely horse to own. Everyone who knows him loves him. He is a

big horse with a big heart. Thank you Fiona for finding me a great
friend!

Jackie Paterson
Kemplemyres
Alvah
Banff

''I bought Braveheart in March 2007.He's a joy to own, gorgeous, kind temperament, with a willingness to learn and please, a real family friend.''

hi fiona its isla mackenzie from stornoway who bought smartie in May.
I came over with Catherine, Eva and Helen.

I purchased George from Fiona back in March 2007 after having a hard time with my previous horse. George has exceeded my expectations in the short time I have had him. He has come on leaps and bounds with his flatwork and we have just starting competing in a local riding club Dressage League which is a first for me. He has such a lovely nature and tries so hard to do what you are asking of him. We have also done a couple of Shows including Turriff Show where he came 3rd in a large class.

I'm hoping next year is going to get even better for us both, with George going to back to Fiona's for her to take him out to some larger things including the Royal Highland Show.

Our much loved and admired grey Irish draught cross thoroughbred mare who was purchased from Fiona 5 years ago. Megan is a very well mannered horse good in all respects a pleasure to work with both at home and at competitions.

I have known Fiona for 8 years and consider her to be an invaluable friend and business contact.
Fiona has provided me with several wonderful horses and ponies all specifically chosen to meet my varied needs at Gairloch Trekking Centre and Riding School.

Fiona has also provided several horses and ponies to my livery customers, meeting their needs a

nd satisfaction.

In my experience Fiona always operates to a very high and professional standard and I would gladly recommend her services to anyone.