Testimonials

To Whom It May Concern,

This letter is intended to serve as a letter of reference for Denise Finch, owner and operator of Hunters Edge Farm in Las Vegas, Nevada. I have had the privilege to work with Denise and her clients on a number of different consultative projects over the past four and a half years. Denise has always exhibited the highest degree of professionalism, care and responsibility for the interests of her clients and integrity in business dealings.

In my line of work, I am exposed to the “underbelly” of the equine world and see the best and the worst. I work with trainers on high dollar transactions of horses and unfortunately they sometimes lose sight of the best interest of their clients when potential for significant commission is introduced into the picture. In all of my dealings with Denise she has maintained first and foremost, safety and suitability of the horse for her client, pre-determined budget while taking into professional consideration factors such as veterinary recommendations or other key sale factors.

During the devastating wildfires of 2007, Denise and clients had just finished vetting a horse for purchase through my company and were intending upon hauling back to Las Vegas when the fires reached a crisis situation. With my business connections and contacts, I found myself in the position of being an informal “command center” for evacuation of horses from barns throughout San Diego county. Denise and Rob drove their 3 horse and 6 horse rigs all over San Diego – literally at my beck and call to evacuate horses from barns ranging from backyard horses to Hap Hansen’s show jumpers and Michelle Parker’s Grand Prix stallion. They did this without compensation and in many cases without even seeing the people that they were helping. This is the mark of a true horseman.

I am proud to not only have a strong business relationship with Denise but am pleased to count her among my friends. She has the qualities one should look for in a trainer – honesty, ethics, talent, a strong commitment to the horse, the ability to be fair but firm with her riders and to make all of it fun at the end of the day.

Sincerely,

Kim Yuskiewicz

SoCalHunterJumpers

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Hunter's Edge has been an absolute pleasure to be at from day 1. With the friendly, family-like atmosphere, the meticulously maintained property and skilled and dedicated staff, every horse and rider can expect only the highest quality of training, facilities, care, and maintenance. The matching tack trunks in front of each stall, blankets, halters and sheets give HEF the expensive high end show barn look, without the price tag! The tack rooms have tack CLOSETS for each rider, which I can't even imagine being without anymore. Denise takes every measure to keep the high costs associated with horses to a minimum, while still maintaining the highest standards of quality and care for all the horses.

Lessons are always interesting and challenging, no matter what the horse and rider's ability, but Denise is always mindful of her horses and students' limitations so as not to scare either one. There is nothing worse than a trainer who pushes height over heart, and while Denise will push you, she does so safely. Her thorough approach to teaching and training is the reason her students are competitive at any level.

One of the many things I particularly love about HEF is how well organized every aspect of it is. From a news bulletin board, to a training schedule for each horse, and frequent email updates from Denise, just to name a few, every rider is always in "the loop" about what's going on. Rarely have I seen as big a facility as HEF be as impeccably organized.

If you are on the fence about where to bring your horse, where to ride, or where to bring your kids to learn to ride in a safe, fun, and friendly environment, don't be. I searched thoroughly before I brought my horse, even considering barns as far away as 1.5 hours, and none of them could hold a candle to Denise and Hunter's Edge. Take it from somebody who is EXTREMELY particular about her horse's care!

~ Jasmin V.
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We moved to the Las Vegas area from Maryland the end of April 2011. We immediately looked for a riding place for my 6 year old daughter to continue her lessons. Someone told me about Hunters Edge. So we went there and really liked the facility and the lesson ponies. Everyone at the barn is friendly. Denise Finch, the owner, Alana and Taylor the instructors, the other riders, parents and the rest of the staff that work at the barn are great. We drive 35 minutes 2 times a week just to go there for my daughters lesson.

Taylor is her instructor. She is good with children and timid riders, like my daughter. Since we have been there my daughter has gained so much confidence; and not just riding on the ponies. I appreciate how kind and patient Taylor is and how she goes about training my daughter the rules of horse back riding and horsemanship.

You just don't learn how to ride the pony/horse, you learn how to take care of the beautiful animals.

~ Mary L.

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When I first met my horse Blake almost two years ago he was skinny, out of shape, and did not even know how to eat a carrot out my hand. I had just started riding with Denise and I had not been riding very long. Somehow Denise could tell that Blake and I would be the perfect match. When I see Blake today it is hard to believe Blake has come so far in such a short time. Denise put Blake on her training program and today Blake is a totally different horse. Training with Denise has given me the confidence and skills to compete. I have learned so much with Denise and I am so grateful that I found Denise and Hunters Edge Farm when I did!

~ Katie H. a 12yr old student at HEF

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I came to Hunters Edge Farm almost a year as
 an adult "green" rider with a young "green"
 horse. Needless to say Denise Finch, the 
head trainer at Hunters Edge had her hands 
full with us. I found her to be extremely 
patient with us but at the same time really 
pushed me to be a better, stronger, more 
confident rider for my equine partner. I must say 
my experience has been excellent! I would 
definitely recommend Hunters for anyone, at any 
riding level. If you want to ride in a happy, positive,
supportive, no drama atmosphere Hunters Edge 
is the place. The staff here has taken very 
good care of my horse and he looks better than 
ever and to top it all off, the facility is beautiful 
and clean with shade trees, grass and full of the 
best lesson horses and ponies in town.  

- M. Aquino

My daughter has been riding for a short time and thus the world of horses is very new to us. We have visited a few places, trained with a few instructors and learn this: a healthy horse is critically important, as is a strict coach. HEF offers quite a selection of horses and quite amazing trainers.

The facility is amazing - not just clean and well designed, but more… you can feel the love coming from the way the horses and stables are kept. From the first day, the mothers greeted us with a welcoming smile and introduction. We felt very comfortable even thought we did not really know what we were doing! The staff is friendly, fun and crazy but strict and demanding when required. The horses are simply special. They cuddle and want to perform for you. I have felt so comfortable there, I asked to take lessons and have been pleasantly surprised by the fun I am having. We ride for the joy of it and for the gift it gives my daughter and I -- to share this experience together. We have truly enjoyed discovering HEF and all it has to offer. We feel very lucky. Someday we will have a horse or two and we will be honored to have this staff help us care for them and learn to ride!

Isabella (8 years old) says - HEF is good because they take very good care of the horses and they teach cool things like how to love and care for the horses, to be strong when you are riding and to never give up.

~ Amy and Isabella

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After about 15 years out of the saddle, I went back to the sport I love. I had been looking for a barn in Las Vegas and a friend recommended her barn, Hunters Edge Farm. It turned out to be a great fit for me!
The trainer, horses and facilities are wonderful. HEF has horses and ponies for all levels of riders. Since I was a returning rider this was important to me. Denise is great. She is supportive, encouraging all while pushing you to do your best.
The other riders at the barn are friendly and fun. It is like a family and everyone is always supporting each other. It is a great place for everyone from beginner to advanced riders as well as pleasure riders to show riders!

~ Shelly H.

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Hunters Edge provides expert training in Hunter/Jumper, and Equitation. I have been riding at their beautiful facility for two years. I started riding only once a week,and now go there three times. Its amazing how much progress I have made, due to the expert instruction, and caring attitudes, which always make you feel like a winner. I will be doing my first horse show in Thermal California this March,and I know I will have the best horse, and instructors to see me through it.

Sincerely,
Rick Crockett

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My 5 year old daughter Keely and I started 
riding with HEF 7 months ago.  It has been 
a wonderful experience for us both.  HEF is 
a professional, safe environment for riders 
of all ages and levels.  Denise and her staff
 work hard to make HEF something special.  
We are one big family and have as much fun 
off the horses as we do on!!!
 
~ Kathy Brooks

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Hunter’s Edge Farm is a beautiful equestrian facility located in the heart of Las Vegas. While you are Hunter’s Edge Farm, you escape the glamor and glitz of the city, into a farm that has beautiful trees, greenery, riding rings and some of the most beautiful horses in the city!
I had been off the saddle for a little over ten years, and like most horse people, I needed to get back into it. I had moved from the Philadelphia area about five years ago, and I wanted to get back into the sport I loved. I did a Google search for English Riding Stables and Hunter’s Edge Farm popped right up. I visited the barn and instantly fell in love with the horses and facility; especially after I had my first lesson with Denise.
Denise is one of the best trainers I have had in my riding career. Not only does she push you do your very best, but encourages and nurtures you while you grow as a rider. Her knowledge of the sport and horses is unbeatable. Denise is great about working with your schedule. This is a huge plus for me because my schedule changes almost every week with of my career.
The riders, the parents of the riders, and trainers at HEF are like a family to me. Anyone who walks through that gate can be assured that you will be welcomed with open arms. Arriving early and staying well after your lesson is almost always a given because once you’re at HEF, it’s hard to leave. My husband always says, “Barn time is not the same as actual time.” The saying is true; time flies when you’re having fun or more so, riding!

~Laura G. Fernandez

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After being out of the horse world for about 8 years, I decided in 2009 to start riding again. I visited Denise at Hunter's Edge Farm and knew immediately that this was the place for me. The facility is wonderful, the horses are exquisitely cared for, and all staff is friendly and helpful. Denise is very knowledgeable and provides excellent attention to all students, whether or not they are horse owners or part of the riding school. In short, I cannot say enough positive things about Hunter's Edge Farm and I highly recommend HEF for any level or age of student.

~ Hillery Leslie

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My passion for riding started when I turned three, I knew that I wanted to ride and Denise Finch at Hunter’s Edge Farm has made my dream a reality. I started with Denise about two years ago and have seen a new rider emerge! After learning how to ride on some of Denise’s amazing lesson horses it was soon time to get my very own horse. We decided to head down to Southern California the next week to try horses, it was my first trip down and I feel in love with an eight-year-old TB gelding named Charlie. Charlie was a little rough around the edges and needed some work, he was thin, slow, and a little stand offish. But, as soon as he came to our barn he was a new horse! Charlie thrived at Denise’s, as did I we were inseparable and made an awesome team. Charlie also changed; he gained weight, became one of the friendliest horses in the barn and enjoyed being ridden. His training excelled and we soon were able to jump bigger fences. But, sadly Charlie had helped me grow and build my confidence so much that I needed a horse that could take me to the next level and really help me learn even more, this is where Buddha came into play. It had been a month later and we had decided to go on another trip to Southern California to look for a new horse. We tried many horses and I was quite exhausted, but right when I saw him I knew he was the one. I tried a horse named Buddha and fell in love. Buddha became mine and he was soon shipped down to Las Vegas. All of the girls at the barn including Denise, my mom, and myself stayed up waiting for him to come in and finally at 10:30 he did. Buddha has settled into his home very nicely and absolutely loves it here! He has such great care here and I wouldn’t change anything about it. He gets ridden, grain, always fresh bedding, Bermuda hay and alfalfa, and treats, what more could a horse want? Denise has done wonders with both the riders and the horses here at Hunter’s Edge Farm and we really are one big happy family.

~ Julia Hanssen

14 year old student at HEF