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September 2023
I have been a committed, educated amateur rider for nearly 30 years and a professional in the equine health industry for nearly 20. Teresa Ball is one of the best riding instructors and horsewomen I’ve ever worked with, and I’m so grateful my horse and I are part of her program!
Teresa’s unique background combines natural horsemanship/equine psychology knowledge with extensive experience in the H/J and dressage arenas, and her innate talent in the saddle. As we all know, many professionals can ride well but can’t teach, but Teresa is also a gifted instructor. Wise beyond her years, she understands how to tailor her teaching approach to each individual rider.
I started riding with Teresa after my long time equine partner had three years off, and she has improved our confidence, fitness, and level of skill. I finally love riding again after some previous burnout and loss of confidence. I lesson with Teresa weekly, and also have my horse in weekly training rides, and we both show him. I trust few people with this very special horse, but Teresa truly treats him as one of her own.
As a longtime professional in the equine veterinary and nutrition space, I’ve also been impressed by Teresa’s level of horse health knowledge, and by just how much she cares about her student and training horses. Her approach to training and horse care is conservative and kind, and the horses love her.
Whether you ride Hunters/Jumpers, Dressage, Western Dressage, or don’t compete and are just looking to improve your safety, relationship, and communication with your horse, or you have a young horse that needs starting, you truly can’t find a better instructor or horse trainer in Bozeman, Montana area!
-Jessica
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October 2020
Teresa is incredibly talented! She has a wonderful way with horses, great knowledge to help bring the best out in each horse and rider. She is fantastic with our 12 year old daughter. Our daughter has learned more with Teresa in the last two months than she did in last 1 year riding elsewhere. She has a great way of instructing and connecting with the rider. In addition, she teaches all of the extremely important aspects of being a responsible equestrian- tack care, stall management, grooming tips, and more. She has also helped me dust of my cobwebs and begin to learn things from the ground up the right way. Thanks to her efforts we found two horses that we love. Teresa is incredibly supportive and has created a great environment around the barn.
-Christy
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November 2020
Teresa is one of the most talented, skilled and educated trainers and instructors that I’ve ever met in the equestrian world. She is not only hard working, compassionate and genuine, she is knowledgeable beyond her years when it comes to horses and their riders. Her natural horsemanship approach shows in the horses she not only trains but also owns. Being able to learn from her has been one of the best experiences and she has a plethora of knowledge and the experience to back it up. She has put her heart and soul into building her business and it’s flourishing. She’s very humble for someone of her caliber and it’s endearing to see such a talented person treat you as an equal instead of someone who is “beneath” her. I would trust her with any horse and I trust her completely as a rider. Her passion for educating shows in everything she does.
-Amanda
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I think every discipline of rider needs a trainer like Teresa in their corner. If you’re lucky enough to have her as your dressage, sport horse or hunter/jumper trainer, you’re certain to elevate your competitive abilities and skills. She’s an exceptional rider with deep mastery and experience, but what sets her apart is her ability to translate it all creatively and effectively to her students. Teresa has a way with words that helps riders visualize more clearly what they need to doing and feeling in the moment. It’s a very special talent and one that delivers results because she empowers the student to achieve the posture or position with language and descriptions that result in lots of “ah-hah moments”. My improvement curve is dramatic with Teresa because I can take her carefully crafted analogies home in my mind and improve between and during lessons.
-Bridget
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September 2021
Highly recommend Teresa with Arete Equestrian! She has worked wonders with my young horse, and has helped me knock some serious dust off of my skills after 25 years away from riding. Teresa is an awesome trainer for riders of all disciplines and skill levels, and makes riding fun for both the students and the horses. The entire experience of working with her has been fantastic!
-Christine
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June 2018
I finally jumped in with both feet and purchased my first horse! A 10yo OTTB. I found myself struggling for the first few months with his management and training on my own. I got by for a season and became aware I needed help! I had met Teresa Ball a year or two prior and started following her showing/riding/ and OTTB makeover achievements on facebook with admiration. I sought out her advice this past fall and shortly after reconnecting I had my first consultation. I became immediately impressed at how skilled, passionate and knowledgable she is. We shook hands and since then I have been in her training program. For a newbie to the industry, Teresa Ball has given me hope that I will reach my goal of bringing my OTTB into the hunter jumper arena! From her excellent lessons on the finer points of horse management and horsemanship to her hands on training, I can say Arete Equestrian will soon become a notorious name.
-Anne
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2019
We have a 9-year-old daughter, Evelyn, who has been riding with Teresa Ball for 18 months. Upon first meeting Teresa it became very apparent how much she loves horses and mentoring youth rides. Teresa’s hands on approach to training are both thoughtful and safe. She not only helps build relations with rider and horse but she is also very thoughtful at building the relationship between instructor and rider. She has worked hard at building a solid foundation of horse knowledge and safety for our young rider. We have loved watching our daughters love for riding blossom under Teresa’s careful instruction. I would vouch for her being a responsible, safe and intuitive trainer as well as instructor
-Lainey
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“Teresa is an extremely knowledgable and talented horsewoman! She understands how to communicate with horse and rider to foster success in many different riding disciplines. She has helped me and my green horse grow immensely since we have started training with her!”
— Tara
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It’s been almost 10 years since I’ve competed and about 5 years since I have taken consistent riding lessons. This year I decided to get back into the saddle again, and Teresa has been an amazing trainer in helping me with the process. She is very understanding and easy to talk to. I’ve been seriously impressed with her knowledge in sports physiology for both the horse and rider! I highly recommend her for any equestrian who is looking to improve their horsemanship skills and getting their confidence back to start showing again.
-Diane