Author: Liz

I came to willow brook in the fall of my sophomore year of high school (2016). I met Liz once and knew the barn would be a perfect fit! I took lessons on school horses through out the year, learning more about huntseat equitation and horsemanship. Liz was super helpful driving me to and from the barn as I was at boarding school just down the road (Kimball Union). The following year Liz established an IEA team just for me, so that I could gain more experience showing in the equation world. She was an amazing coach, we learned the IEA format together through out the year and with her help I advanced to Zone finals in my first year on the team! Also in my junior year of high school Liz walked me through the purchase of my first horse, Crow’s Nest. I got him on Christmas in 2017. Liz was an enormous help making sure I had all of the right and well fitting gear, and also helping me get all of his paperwork and vet work in order. I also happened to be on crutches at that time and Liz made sure Crow was very well taken care of! As well as helping get back in the saddle early that spring. In just three months time Crow and I were competing in a many local jumper shows around the area. The following year we were consistently coming in 1st at every show up through the 3’6” level! Through out my junior and senior years at KUA Liz continued to coach me through hunt seat equitation, taught me how to bring up some of her younger horses, and helped me lay the foundation with Crow to advance in eventing. Over my three years there Liz alps taught me many other things for example how to pull a trailer and the workings of the horses skeletal system. Leaving Willow Brook was hard, Liz had welcomed me with open arms and had given so much time, energy and love to me and Crow and lended so much help to the progression of my riding career. Leaving willow brook, I went to the college of Charleston where I signed on to their NCAA division one hunt seat equitation team. Simultaneously I was training with Crow in eventing through out the year. Currently I am working and riding for Phillip Dutton (6x Olympic eventer), and training with him, hoping to get a leg up in eventing this summer before I make my way back down to South Carolina for the next school year. A lot of my success in the past to years can be attributed to Liz and all she has taught me about the foundations of riding and horseman ship, and might I add she is one of the kindest and most caring trainers I have ever had the privilege to work with! 

New England Classical Academy students ranging from grade 4 to grade 12 were able to spend several days at Willow
Brook Farms, learning about horses, performing service projects (cleaning stalls, fences and dressage
rink) and having outdoor school lessons (like art, drama, science, and poetry). Liz and her staff were very professional and
accommodating to our needs. We enjoyed working with them.  Liz’s knowledge of horsemanship is vast, and she teaches it in an easy-to-understand, straight-forward manner for the children. This has been one of our most anticipated PE programs, especially by the students. Their only complaint not having enough time riding the horses, but when do kids ever think they get “enough” time doing something they enjoy? This has been a great addition to our curriculum and would be a great addition to any school program.

Liz Guaraldi isn’t simply a riding coach, she is a dedicated mentor who takes a holistic approach to her students. Liz’s passion for horses is effervescent, and such enthusiasm is electric. She is serious about safety, and faithful to each student’s particular anxieties and passions. I’ve had the pleasure of watching my son become the best version of himself at Willow Brook, a process I attribute directly to Liz’s mentorship sensibility.  She has truly created a sanctuary for riders of all ages and capabilities. Liz has become more than my son’s mentor – she’s now family!

Kim Burwick