Testimonials
We always love to get updates from people who have bought horses from Rancho Sonado and recently Stacey Smith sent us a great picture of Bridget and Coldplay Kid +//! Known to his friends and family as Kirby, he became part of the Smith family in December of 2014, and yes, Kirby was a surprise Christmas present for Bridget.
Bridget met Kirby while she and her Arabian mare, Kharlottaa were in training with Jill Mitchell, and Kirby was in training there as well. When the opportunity came up to show Kirby at Youth Nationals in 2014, Bridget jumped at the chance and came home with a National Top Ten in Hunter Pleasure JTR 13 & Under with Kirby and a Top Ten with Kharlotta in Sport Horse Mares In Hand JTH. Kirby showed his affinity with young riders by also taking another of Jill’s riders, Allison Edwards to a Top Ten in the 14-18 division.
While the Smith’s never intended to be a “two horse family” when the opportunity came to make Kirby a part of their family, they did! Much to the delighted surprise of Bridget, whom they somehow managed to surprise with Kirby with ribbons on Christmas day.
Since that time Bridget and Kirby now train with Jill’s daughter, Kirsten McKillop and have earned many awards including masses of ribbons and trophies from Regionals and Scottsdale, and three more trips to Youth Nationals. Say’s Stacey, “Their last trip to Youth Nationals in 2019, they had the show of their life. They placed first on a card in the finals and were third place overall in their Championship. I’m not sure I have ever seen anyone cry so hard over a third place and the tears were all happy tears—from both Bridget and Kirsten. Kirby gave his all and so did Bridget and it was a show full of beautiful rides.”
While Kirby and Bridget haven’t retired from competition, they have decided to focus less on National level competition and add recreational riding to Kirby’s repertoire! Uber-show horse Coldplay Kid has become known around the barn as the “Big Marshmallow”. “Everyone who meets him loves him. He will lick you to death, tug at your clothes, pull of your hat and win your heart. He would rather be with people than anywhere else. Bridget and Kirby are riding the trails and wide open hills of Mt. Diablo learning about cows, rivers and scary boulders”.
Thank you so much to Nan and Dick Walden for allowing us to own him. He stole our heart and we love him so much!
Stacey Smith
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“Rancho Soñado provides my horses and I with a truly caring staff, and impeccably clean facility. Happy horses live here!”
Catherine C. Ferandelli
“Rancho Soñado is a wonderful place! The facilities are top notch, spic and span clean, welcoming and built around the safety of both horse and client alike. As I drive through the gate, I so look forward to seeing happy and healthy horses turned out for the day. Courtney and Sarah are very knowledgeable, gracious, and customer service friendly. The Walden’s love of horses and in particular, their nurturance and lifelong commitment to the Arab breed, is inspiring and exemplary.”
Frances Causey
“I can’t begin to tell you how delighted we are with Jake. After 2 months we have yet to find a flaw in his behavior or temperament. I have never seen a 4 year old horse with the confidence and security this wonderful gelding has. His breeding and your methods of starting him have proved to produce a horse that is so secure that the world is not a scary place-an amazing feat for a member of an animal family know for fright & flight.
April and I were commenting yesterday on how well he has adjusted he is and how hard he works. She said he is just very intelligent. But I notice that unlike so many highly intelligent horses who often only want to use that intelligent to test and try their rider, Jake does not. April said that she feels he just wants to “learn more” and it is willing to do what it takes to do that. I agree!”
Deebee Cooke