braecreststables.com - Bridging the Gap between Breeders and the Show Ring

"I had spent a lot of time looking for a home for a two year old colt and had a great deal of trouble finding a suitable, safe, knowledgeable boarding facility (particularly for a colt) within a reasonable drive from Toronto. When I came across Claire's I had hoped that I had found the right place. After a few weeks, I realized that I had found a long-term home for the colt and an absolutely wonderful place for both horses and people. Claire's extensive knowledge, meticulous attention to details, and her passion for young horses and providing a quality environment for horses learn and flourish is priceless. If ever I am reincarnated as an animal I hope that I get to live at Braecrest under Claire's care. All the people at the farm make up such a great team and together make it such a wonderful place. Claire and her family are the heart of Braecrest and are such fantastic people. I could write a novel about all the great qualities that Braecrest offers and I would very quickly recommend Braecrest with the highest regards to anyone." Sarah Bates

"I’m not sure who would buy a completely untouched and wild horse, but somehow I did. It became very apparently that I was in far over my head as I could not even get within 10 feet of my horse. I couldn’t have been more impressed with the progress my horse made while at Braecrest in only a month. She came home with all the necessary tools in her box. Everyone was stunned by the results London had made in such a short period of time. I had no idea who would want to take on such a project, but Claire was eager to help me out and went above and beyond what she was required to do. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the horse I now own. Thanks so much Claire!"  -Laura Wall

"I have had the pleasure of knowing Clare Hunter for 3 years. During this time I have had the opportunity to watch Clare interaction with many kinds of horses from all different age groups. She has looked after my only homebred horse, Eddie, who is very close to my family’s heart. It was comforting to know that Eddie was under Clare’s care. I knew that he was looked after as if he was her own. Clare is extremely competent, and has an excellent rapport with people and horses."
-Melissa Brown, B.A. M.Sc. Member of the CET (2001 & 2002)

Kate MacDonald
"Claire, I can’t thank you enough. When I inquired regarding the sales ad you had posted online, I was delighted to receive a very prompt response, complete with photographs of Gerry which made my jaw drop. She had me at hello!"

“I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Braecrest for the efforts and the preparation that lead to the sale of the three year old Ulando gelding, “Solitaire”, this January to Amy Savoie of Acton, Ontario.  In the last few months of this process, I have come to learn about Claire Hunter’s ability as a professional horsewoman.  She has developed her own unique methodology that complements the scope of her skills to work and to communicate effectively with the equine species.   Claire conducts herself in an extremely ethical manner and her character reflects that she has deep caring for both humans and animals. My experiences at Braecrest continue to be extremely rewarding and have left me confident that Claire is the trainer of choice for all of my young horses.”   -Marj O’Donnell

"Claire herself is truly a very professional horsewoman and I can't say enough about her way with horses and her training program. She has a very calm, quiet manner and is sensitive to each individual horse's needs. I could have spent every day, all day watching her work with the youngsters. I have also never seen anyone work with long lines like she does. To watch my horse happily doing figure eights on the long lines around Claire was just amazing."  -Sharon Garrett

I recently bought a young Canadian Warmblood gelding from Claire Hunter, who I am hoping to show in the Hunter divisions. After many months of searching for the right horse and many not so nice experiences along the way, I was really pleased with Claire's professional approach combined with a desire to match the buyer to the horse. It was such a nice change to arrive to see well groom, well mannered and fabulously started youngsters. I would highly recommend Claire to anyone.       –Amy Savoie

"Dear Claire, 
Many thanks for all you help with my mare, Fallin. I was very pleased with her progress under your care and training. In just a few short weeks there was a noticeable and positive improvement in her demeanour. It was evident she was enjoying her new job as a hunter. Most important of all I want to thank you for finding her such a wonderful home. It certainly didn't take long after her picture and description appeared on your website - the calls just started rolling in!   In closing I'd like to add that your quiet confidence and professional manner made our stay at Braecrest a very satisfying experience. Thank you, again."

Warmest regards,
Ann Maguire

Earlier this year, Trish purchased one of our OTTB's...."Forrest is doing really well. We have spent a long time getting to know one another and are now getting down to work!

"Claire - how can I ever thank you for the achievement of my dream!? The Royal!  To make it there...was one thing, but to bring home a ribbon.....wow!"

After having had such a bad experience sending Houston out, and that was to a "friend" to be backed, I was so worried to send our "sensitive" Kierra to anyone.  Claire, went above and beyond to see that she was not rushed in any way and that she became confident in what was expected of her.

"When I first brought my horse to Claire, Diva had a lot of trust issues, and was shutting down at shows, refusing to go over jumps or even move forward. Claire helped both Diva and I to work through those issues so that we could trust each other.

"It is no easy task to take a horse who raced, let alone a horse who raced at that level and success who was highly competitive and turn him into a horse that can watch other horses fly past him at mock speed without wanting to run after them!"

 

 "I purchased a horse through Claire Hunter. I found her to be extremely professional and approachable.

She went beyond the norm in insuring a good transition for the horse to the new home. I can give the highest recommendation to anyone who is both thinking of selling or buying a horse through Braecrest Stables."

Sincerely, Nancy Bogart-Franzen

 

Earlier this year, Trish purchased one of our OTTB's...."Forrest is doing really well. We have spent a long time getting to know one another and are now getting down to work!

"Claire Hunter is an amazing and caring trainer with natural ability that allows her to work and communicate with some very challenging horses. She also understands the complexities of stallions and her undersaddle work with our guys has been great.

Claire also understands the process and relationship between breeder and trainer. Her attention to detail and her ability to communicate with owners makes her an excellent trainer and horsewomen."

 

"Being a first time horse owner, the thought of sending my horse away was daunting and unnerving to say the least. It was very important to me to have my gelding started properly; after all, he was going to be with me forever." "After many questions and inquires to my equine friends, a number of recommendations came in for Claire. I decided to check out Braecrest Stable for myself and I’m sure glad I did. "

"If someone is looking for a real hands on, do it the right way first training experience for their young (or ever older) horse, Claire Hunter at Braecrest Stables has my strongest recommendation. "

"Claire, I want to take this time to tell you just how much I really appreciated the great work you did with my filly Haute Couture.  It wasn’t easy for me to not only have someone else start her, but having her so far away where I couldn’t “keep watch”  I thought would be hard. 

One year ago, I started investigating a facility to send my three year old mare for initial breaking. Claire had newly constructed her arena and thus I sent "Rosie" to Claire's to begin her training.

It was a very good decision. I was totally happy with the service provided to me at Braecrest Stables. Very close attention to detail was provided to my filly. Individual issues that arose with her were dealt with in a direct and timely fashion. A lot of extra effort was put into the training, care, and sales exposure of my mare during her stay.

Claire at Braecrest Stables has been fantastic with my filly. I bought Winnie as a weanling and threw her out in a field to grow-up, which was easy. However, when it came time to back her I realized I had no idea what I was doing, having always had made horses before her. Thankfully a good friend of mine had bought a horse from Claire a few years earlier introducing me to her work.

"I bought Luke from Claire about a year and a half ago. I bought him originally as a sales project but he has turned out to be willing, easy to train and overall a great horse, and I am not selling anymore!

Claire marketed Luke as a potential eventing horse and he has certainly lived up to it. He was second at his first event this year and has been consistant and in the ribbons at every show. He has moved up a level and just keeps getting better and better. He definitely has the attitude for eventing, level headed, brave, and honest. Not to mention he keeps everyone entertained with his goofball antics. "

"Claire,

I am so impressed with the results of the training you did with Wiesen. Not only did he come home working calmly and confidently but was able to jump consistantly and is showing real talent over the larger jumps. He looked so good when I came to pick him up that I knew you had provided optimum care. I also really liked the way you kept the lines of communication open, which was so important for me living so far away. I look forward to bringing him back to you in the spring.

Thank you for being an honest and trustworthy trainer. It was much appreciated."

Bianca Church, RHN, RNCP
North Bay

"Having never done it myself, I was looking for someone to start my newly acquired 10 year old horse, Taboo, under saddle. A friend recommended Claire Hunter at Braecrest Stables. What a stroke of fortune that was! Claire was a true find. She is skilled, knowledgeable, unflappable, kind, and firm. Boo couldn’t have had an easier transition to his new work, and his good start has resulted in a confident and willing horse. Of course, this made my life so much easier when I started riding Boo. Claire has been generous and helpful whenever I have asked for advice. I recommend her highly."

-Pippy

After many efforts, I am sitting down to tell the tale of Willie.
My testimonial to Claire is a little bit different than the others. Mine is a story of what Claire has done for me…

When it came time to have my two year old BravadoFF started under saddle , Claire was the obvious choice.

Claire and "Willie" already had a good relationship. She had handled him at breeders shows and had also taught him to behave nicely during braiding, clipping etc. Willie was a good "student" and after only six short weeks I got the Christmas present of a lifetime as promised.

Christmas Eve I took my boy for a ride for the first time, an experience I will never forget! His training shone through in his quiet and confident demeanor, his ease of handling and his willingness to learn.

Braecrest offers a very friendly and proffessional atmosphere where any horse can excel.
I would highly recommend Claire to anyone!!
Willie will be back in the spring to continue his training.

Thanks Claire!

"Braecrest Stables offers a professional, yet comfortable atmosphere that allows youngsters to successfully bridge the gap from promising babies to flourishing sport horses.

After having being introduced to Claire's confident and caring approach to breaking young horses with our first youngster, Volera K, there was no doubt in my mind that we would be sending Silver Lining to join Claire's excellent program for the 2006 season.

Without a doubt there is only one person to send a young horse to be started and that is Claire Hunter."

-Nicky Wilson

Claire Hunter of Braecrest Stables was highly recommended to me as someone I could absolutely trust to take good care of my horse.
Claire more than exceeded my expectations both in the wonderful care she has provided to my horse and the patient, quiet, consistent training given to an off the track race horse with serious "issues". Not the least of which was not allowing anyone on his back!

Claire came highly recommended to me by several people. I wanted a trainer that would take their time with my boy.

Diesel was a 3 year old Trakehner that was a sweet guy but had never been anywhere or seen anything. He really needed to develop some confidence that he could do things on his own.

Claire took the time to work with him at a slow pace until he trusted her and the other people at the farm. After 90 days, he has blossomed into a wonderful, mature, quiet horse. He has an excellent work ethic and loves to be with people, I attribute this to not being rushed into something that he wasn't comfortable with or ready for.

He is a joy to ride!

Thanks Claire

“Claire, I can't tell you how happy I was with the progress that George made while in training with you.

The difference it made on his ground manners and his acceptance of the norm was phenomenal.

As you know, he had never had any outside contact for the first 3 years of his life other than one other horse and his elderly owners who did not do much with him, so to see him come along so well with you was gratifying. I felt that the long lining was of the utmost importance and it appeared to me that working with him on the lines was a very important part of his progress. While he is still a little cautious of things, he gained an excellent work ethic and an obvious understanding of verbal commands.

Your training skills turned George into a willing partner, which was quite contrary to how he came into your care. I want to thank you for your hard work and efforts to guide George along with only good experiences.”

“On the recommendation of several people, I sent my 4 year old CSH mare to Claire Hunter to be started. Two months later I brought home a happy well started little mare eager to get on with the next step in her training.

Since then, I have sent my 7 year old Holsteiner mare to Claire to start her new career as a hunter. Again, she has been happy in her work and has progressed very nicely in a short period of time.

Although not close by, I have felt very good about leaving my horses in Claire’s care as they always appear happy and comfortable in their environment when I’ve come by to see them. If I have not been able to see them for a period of time, Claire keeps me posted by email of their progress which gives me great peace of mind. Thanks Claire for the great work you do with our “special” friends!"