We bought Pippa, a KWPN mare, from the Avonmill. To travel from Cornwall to Scotland we were confident from emails, calls and video she was what we looking for and we were not disappointed. Since bringing her home she has exceeded our expectations. Pippa is in her first season BE eventing and has quickly progressed to Novice level winning points. She is now being produced with an advanced career in mind. I would certainly recommend Joanne and Andy.
Update—Pippa won at her first BD show had her photo in Horse & Hound!
Further update—She won at her second BD show as well and another picture in H&H! Further update—Pippa wins both Elementaries. 59 BD pts from 11 classes!
Further Update—Pippa clear XC in her first BE Intermediate
Further Update—Pippa clear xc in the time and in top third Blair 1*
Sarah-Jane Brown, Cornwall— www.shoestringeventing.co.uk
After reading many glowing reports from your previous clients I'm so glad I approached you when looking for a new horse. I was really impressed by the way you listened to what I was looking for and matched me to the ideal horse, how you gave me plenty of time to try her out and how you assured me I had first refusal until I was sure. I never felt pressured. Darko is everything you stated she would be and exactly what I needed. We've been having so much fun schooling in the ménage; hacking round the local roads, parks and woods and more recently cross country schooling. She is a joy to be around and take places. Her calm nature never fails to surprise me; it is nice to have a horse that just gets on with her work and who I can rely on. We have started to do some dressage competition and in only two outings she has received 1 x 1st, 2 x 2nd and a 5th place. Thanks again for letting me buy her and if ever I do need another horse I know where to come!
Nicola Brown, Huddersfield
I purchased our 16.1 bay gelding Cruise through Avonmill in December 2010. I knew Joanne and Andy through some contacts and after lots of conversations and videos I made the decision to fly from Reading in Berkshire to Scotland. As we sat on the tarmac in a plane grounded due to snow I wondered if we had done the right thing, after all haven’t we all often when buying horses travelled for hours only to find they were nothing like described despite doing our homework? However I need not have worried Cruise was exactly as Joanne had said and suited our needs perfectly and we purchased him there and then.
Sadly I cannot yet give a competition update as he injured himself in the field in a freak accident, but we will be providing lots of future reports I’m sure. I have already recommended friends to Avonmill who have also made successful purchases and I will continue to do so,. I’m always happy to provide a reference because I know what you see is indeed what you get!
Nicki Honey, District Commissioner, South Berkshire Pony Club
A Very Happy Customer! I bought Clover 7 weeks ago from Joanne and Andy. She is 100% as described (perhaps even better than described!) There was absolutely no pressure when making enquiries about her and the during the whole process the onus was always on us being suitable as a long term partnership. Time was taken to keep me updated on what Clover was doing and even to chat to my other half, who at the time wasn't sure about the process of buying a horse and very sceptical about everything!
Now Clover is very much a loved member of the family, my other half who was scared of horses, will now "do" Clover for me, and says of her "She's beautiful, she's the gentlest horse I have ever met" Its clear from being around and handling Clover that during her time spent with Jo and Andy, she was treated like gold dust - these are not your average producer, Jo and Andy take real pride and care in producing a horse for a long term home with the right owner. I know I can always approach them for help and a chat and they take a genuine interest in what we're doing and I know will be proud as punch when Clover picks up her first rosette!
I would not hesitate to recommend Jo and Andy at Avonmill to anyone looking for a quality competition horse or in my case - best friend and I'm sure once my other half gets the riding bug, we'll be back again!!
Jenna Watts, South Wales
I met Joanne and Andy when I was just beginning the search for a new horse. I travelled down to their yard to meet and try a young mare they had brought over from Ireland. What a great day I had. Joanne and Andy were so welcoming and made me feel at home when I was trying out Ripley. They couldn't have been more honest and open about Ripley and what she had done to date. About a month later she came home and she has been everything they'd said she'd be and more! I couldn't be happier with her. I can't recommend them enough, their eye for a horse, honest and friendly nature made them a pleasure to do business with. Also with Andy's quiet and effective riding I knew that Ripley had had a positive start to her jumping career. If I'm ever in the market for another horse I know that Joanne will be my first port of call.
UPDATE—It's been almost a year since Ripley stepped off the lorry and we began our journey together. She has been such a pleasure to bring along and she has taken to showjumping like a duck to water. Over the year we've taken it slowly bringing her up the ranks and starting her BSJA career. She is now jumping British Novice and the other weekend jumped her first Discovery class, which she jumped clear! Ripley is definitely a credit to Joanne and Andy who started her over fences and put down the ground work that I could then build on.
The attached photo is of Ripley and I receiving her first prize money placing 5th in a large 90cm amateur class.
Further Update — Ripley was 2nd in the British Novice on Saturday and won on Sunday!
Jen Perrin, Aberdeen
We have now had Sam with us for just over 4 weeks. I cannot believe what a star this little horse has been. Although he is young I have had countless comments about his calm and sensible nature. This is a huge relief to me as I had some reservations at buying a youngster for my 15 year old daughter. It is early days but all indications point towards this being a fantastic horse for Lucy to bring on. He arrived on our yard in the dark. It was windy and had started snowing. He never looked sideways! Walked straight into his stable as if he'd always been there! We have taken him out to pony club and have hacked him all round the countryside and as yet nothing has fazed him. Jo and Andy have done a fantastic job with him and have therefore made my daughters transition from ponies to horses quite uneventful. I can't thank them enough for their honesty and for making us feel so welcome. They turned the whole horse buying procedure into a pain free process!
Gillian Strachan. Aberdeen
Joanne e-mailed me with information and pictures of this lovely irish sport horse she had found and thought he would be just perfect for me!! Rising five years old, he is a lovely mover, calm with a laid back attitude to life and work and yet he has plenty of quality to show and BD dressage. He is already proving to be very willing and straightforward with a good brain and attitude and I am delighted with him! I have had horses for many years and he is the best I have had. Thank you so much for finding him for me.
Loretta Henderson, Bridge of Allan
I bought Rosie from Joanne in February 2011 and she couldn’t have found me a more perfect horse. I was extremely pleased with the professionalism of her business allowing me plenty of time to try out Rosie and more importantly answer all the questions I had on her background. Joanne has a talent of finding the perfect horse to suit the rider’s level and ability and in my case I feel like Rosie and I have formed a real partnership in the 5 months I’ve had her. I can't thank Joanne enough for finding her for me.
Anna Mackay, Dunblane
Update Rosie My Superstar!
I cannot believe it’s been two years since I bought Rosie from Avonmill Equestrian and what an amazing journey we have been on together! I initially bought Rosie with dressage in mind and her willing nature, lovely paces and successful track record made her the ideal horse for this discipline. Over the past two years she has given me the confidence and riding ability to do things I never thought in a million years I would be doing and we are often out having fun on the XC course!! With her incredible ‘been there, done that’ attitude she is happy to turn her hoof to anything I ask all in the laid back, can do manner I love about her. Rosie is very much a loved member of my family and I just can’t thank Joanne and Andy enough for finding her for me!
Anna Mackay, Dunblane
Hi there. Just a quick update. We have had Frankie for only three months but he behaves like he has been with us forever. He is happy to turn his hoof to anything I ask all in the laid back, can do manner we love about him.
He has been out and about in the trailer for some lessons and has taken everything in his stride. His work is coming on well. My instructors Caroline Powell and Les Smith are very positive about him and feel he is a very quick learner and responds very well to praise...of which there is lots! We hope to start some local competitions next Spring, but for now we are working on building our relationship so that when he does go out it is a nice relaxing adventure for us both! I am very excited about 2012 and many years to come for Frankie and I. Hope everyone at Avonmill has a lovely Christmas and Happy New Year.
Catriona and Frankie
After a bad experience buying a horse privately, I saw the time and effort Jo and Andy put into finding and producing talented horses, and the only place I trusted to get my next horse was Avonmill.
There aren’t enough superlatives to describe the horse Jo found for me! I had the opportunity to try her many times, and experience her laid-back and happy nature before buying her. She takes everything in her stride, with Jo and Andy continuing to be a great support in our journey together. I didn’t think it was possible to find a horse with so much talent, but with such a kind nature!
A huge thanks to Jo and Andy for their hard work finding Clover and their continued support, she’s genuinely worth her weight in gold!
Update - The more I ask of Clover the more she gives!
Further Update— Clover 7th BE90 at Belsay on her 7th birthday!
Jodie Fulton, Stirling
Hollyhock Blaithin (Class 1 Connemara) has settled in well and everyone in the yard loves her! She is just what you said she was and has a special place with us. The photo is of the first time she has ever been sat on and she took it all in her stride. We are aiming for her first show under saddle in January and will keep in touch. Thanks again!
Update - Holly is such a star! Had her first ever hack out yesterday and wasn’t bothered by anything. 2nd hack today, she lead 11 other horses all the way, walked through puddles, past cars, bikes, dogs and people and didn’t flinch. Such a good girl and only 3yrs old! So much love for this pony!
Further update - Holly won on her first two showing outings!
Sophie Webster, Derby
Eilidh has had Bella (Elem Ridge) for six months now and we are delighted with her. There was an anxious moment when she cut herself in the field after we had her five weeks and had to spend time in the Dick Vet Hospital, but she has made a full recovery. She was brought back into work slowly and is now out competing with success. They have been placed in show jumping, dressage and mini express eventing competitions.
We would like to thank Joanne and Andy for allowing us to buy Bella. They were friendly and professional when we went to view Bella and the purchase went very smoothly. We would have no hesitation in recommending Avonmill to future clients.
Update — Bella and Eilidh were 3rd in their first BE event and have qualified for the Pony Club Championships!
Further Update — Qualified for RC Horse Trials Championships ‘13!
Further Update — Bella wins PE ODE around BE100 track
Eilidh and Susan Whiteford, North Berwick
Jo and Andy couldn't have made the trip from Surrey up to Scotland easier for us, greeting us at the airport and nothing seemed too much. I was spoilt to a great trial and Sienna was just what was described if not a better temperament than I could have expected. Sienna arrived just over 2 weeks ago and has settled in unbelievably well for a horse that had some pretty lengthy journeys round the UK in the past two months! She really is one very laid back and cuddly five year old - just takes everything in her stride and couldn't be a nicer person to look after. We have started schooling her and she is incredibly willing and keen to learn while also proving to be very exciting prospect. We have ventured out hacking and she is so mature, hacking by herself and totally bombproof in open spaces - I even think that my mother will take back up riding! We have even been to a local arena which had a lot of spooky jumps and things going on and she took it all in her stride. She definitely has a growing fan club already down in Surrey - the saddler and vet both want her! We are all very excited about her and planning a few quiet months and winter training before 2013! Thank you Jo and Andy, I can't recommend you highly enough!
Update - Sienna is double clear in both classes at her first BS show!
Further Update— She is such a special horse, we feel so lucky to have her. We cannot recommend you highly enough to anyone looking!
Further Update—Sienna goes DC in her first BE event
LK, Surrey
