Testimonials

Click on the names below to view that person's testimony about Rene's service.

• Lisa Groothedde

  Renee Baker's barn offers a friendly environment for riders of all skill levels. Renee runs a first-class training facility, complete with colorful flowers in spring, cheerful holiday decorations in winter and clean, pleasant surroundings year-round. I'm happy to have my horse with Renee and, more importantly, my horse is happy to be with her too!

• Martha Burroughs Hogan

  I am Renee's oldest client in terms of age, and also in terms of tenure. I have been with Renee since she started her business more than 20 years ago - first with the renowned mare Docs Relight (now retired and living with Renee's sister), and presently with the large grey mare Miss Grays in Town and the small roan gelding Julias Elegant Star, both of which compete in AQHA trail and in PCHA trail. Following are some of the reasons for my long tenure with Renee:

  • Horses are my passion.
  • Renee constantly looks out for the welfare of my horses, providing daily care, daily exercise, with vet care and shoeing as needed. The horses are fit and beautiful and well-trained. In their different ways they are a pleasure to ride.
  • Renee constantly looks out for my welfare, making sure at each lesson that I am safe and that I am improving my riding skills.
  • Renee is fun to be with. She has charisma.
  • The barn is full of people that I like. It is my second home and I am always happy to be there.
  • I admire Renee for the fact that she treats all horses in her care, whether show horses or not, with warmth and respect, and treats all clients, the old, the young, the experienced rider and the new rider, with warmth and respect.
  • My horses love Renee, and so do I.

• Barbara Joffe

  As hard as I try I cannot figure out if Renee Baker is better with horses or people. As a newcomer to horses, through my children, I found Renee under difficult circumstances with my 15-year-old son's first horse. He babysat, worked at a camp for children with special needs and did household repairs for friends and neighbors to earn enough money to buy a horse. The gentle quarter horse he initially chose was sold out from under him, and the horse he purchased eventually became violent and dangerous to ride. We met Renee directly after my son bought his horse, but before we knew there was a problem.

  She agreed to train my son, and our relationship began. Within the first few days of knowing Renee, my son's horse ran blind in the arena with him on her! They were both mildly injured, but it could have been tragic. That day Renee told me that she would not allow my son to ride his mare, even after they both healed. I was relieved, but concerned about my son's emotional well-being. Renee took over in the most nurturing way. She had him get right back on another horse in her wonderful barn. She kept him riding and while he rode, she talked to him about horses, life and the way a relationship between a boy and a horse should be. Through their conversations, over the weeks his horse healed, he was able to accept the loss. I thought we were going to have to put the mare down because she became more violent, and we could not find a place that would take her. I knew my son could not bear this, given that the mare had poor care for much of her life and it was not her fault that she could not be ridden. As we realized there was no other solution, I made arrangements for the mare to be put down. We said goodbye to our horse and went home. That evening Renee called to tell us that she found a meadow for the mare. The very next day she was taken by a family that needed horses to keep their land manageable. My son's first horse will live out her life scampering in a meadow munching grass.

  All of this would have been more than enough caring and time for a trainer to give to a teenage boy she just met and his unridable horse. But Renee offered to continue to train my son and look for another horse for him. Many people in her barn called Renee to offer to let my son ride their horses until he got a horse of his own. When we went to the barn I was touched by everyone's sensitivity, compassion and kindness. They shared their stories with my son and told him that it will get better. They created a circle of protection around him that buffered him from the shock of what happened, his fear and his grief. They just did it, without missing a beat. And that is when I realized that Renee Baker has gifts that go beyond her special communication with horses.

  Renee builds community for the horses and the people in her barn. It is no wonder that her horses are so successful. Her expertise is supported by her love of the animals and the people who own the horses. Her gentle ways and appreciation of the unique qualities of each horse and each person are inspiring. All of us – horses and people alike - work hard because it is a joy to do so. The camaraderie and connection Renee skillfully builds form the foundation of Renee Baker Performance Horses. I am proud to be a part of this welcoming equestrian community. I can think of nothing healthier for my two horse-loving children, who now have two horses in the barn and a magnificent role model in Renee. Everywhere we go, we are asked who is training the kids. When I tell people it is Renee Baker, one hundred percent of the time, the response is, "You have the best trainer in Southern California." We wholeheartedly agree.

• Shannon Meyer

  I've had such good experiences having my horses at Renee Baker Performance Horse barn. Not only does Renee get wonderful results in the show ring, but she keeps the horses happy and content. I've seen trainers move horses along too quickly, or treat them harshly, and end up with a cranky competitor with a very short-lived show career. I've also seen trainers take advantage of new or absent clients with horses that are never worked and never seem to progress. You won't see any of that at Renee's. The horse's well fair comes first, and you can see it in their willing attitudes and desire to try.

  Walk down the barn isles and you will see perfectly groomed, healthy, fit horses, with their ears forward. You will also see happy, contented owners, who are treated well, and encouraged to learn and grow in their riding and in the show ring. The atmosphere at Renee's is one of camaraderie and friendship, it's fun going there.

• Randy S. Osherow

  Renee loves all of the horses as if they were her own and cares for them with complete respect. What impresses me most is her approach to training. She sees each horse as an individual and encourages their development and style as such. For her, developing a horse is the result of a relationship and ongoing assessment of their performance and attitude. Attitude is extremely important to me, all of her horses are content, challenged, rewarded and nurtured. I feel very privileged to be in Renee's barn. Showing with her is fun and challenging. I never thought showing could be absent of stress. After more than 25 years in the horse industry and showing, being with Renee over the last three years has restored my enthusiasm and I believe that it helped me develop to the next level in my riding. She is incredible.

• Fiona Field

  After about 20 years away from serious riding, I decided it was time to work horses back in to my life. Horses have always been my "outlet" for physical and emotional stress and I deeply looked forward to having that connection back. I expected to have a steep learning curve, to meet some new people, and hopefully reestablish a bond with these incredible animals.

  What I did not expect was to meet and find such a spectacular person and trainer. Renee is one of a kind; an amazing combination of brilliant horsewoman and people person. Renee treats all creatures with respect, kindness, warmth and encouragement. Renee's barn is a great place to be; the clients are always enjoying themselves and wonderfully supportive of one another. And, if there is such a thing as horse paradise, our horses certainly live in it. Little did I know my decision to pursue riding again would be of such value. I now have two wonderful horses, a whole batch of extraordinary new friends and a substantial improvement in my physical and mental health. I am grateful to Renee for all the gifts she brings to each of us. I can not imagine riding without her.