"Everyday I give thanks to having been referred to Michele Ulrech. She is a breath of fresh air. Michelle is patient, kind, sensitive, loving, honest, truthful and understanding. She is good with both horses and people of all ages. Being a client is like becoming a part of her family. Michelle always has words of encouragement to keep you going and hugs when you want them.

I hadn’t had my horse long when he scared me on the trail and then shortly after that he injured his foot. After 2+ years of recuperation he was finally ready to be ridden and put into shape, however, I knew it wouldn’t be by me. I brought my 11 year old gelding to Michelle. She has been working with him, finding his holes, as she puts it, which have been numerous. She suggested that he be looked at by a chiropractor. After 2 alignments, his behavior and the way he travels has greatly improved. Others may have just labeled him as a bad seed, but not her.

He is at a point that it is now my turn to learn. Not just learn to ride, but learn how to ride him. I am grateful Michelle has not given up on me or my horse. I have had 4 lessons on him and today I actually found myself grinning from ear to ear with pure delight. I was actually riding my horse! With her help I know I will have many years of riding enjoyment."
- Joyce Begley

"As a horse professional, I am often asked to recommend someone for horse training and/or riding lessons. My answer is always the same: Michele Ulrech! I am very impressed with Michele's gentle and no-nonsense approach to horses. She has an uncanny way of earning the horse's respect, trust, and cooperation right off the bat. Her lessons for children are outstanding, beginning with basic horsemanship skills on the ground, and progressing to proper use of seat, legs, and hands while riding. Her lesson horse Rosie is an absolute treasure. Together they provide a positive, fun, and upbeat introduction to riding for children.

After watching Michele work a few colts, I thought I'd see how she did with my own young horse. I have been riding my whole life and didn't think my boy would be much different with Michele aboard than he was with me. Boy was I wrong! It was painfully obvious that she knew how to get the best out of him and I didn't. After swallowing my pride, I signed up for lessons. I am thrilled with the progress my horse and I are making. Every lesson results in an improvement in my riding and a deeper partnership with my horse. I had never felt comfortable leaving my horse at a trainer's facility until I met Michele. I always worried about the "behind the barn" stuff. The devotion that all the horses show to Michele makes it clear that their progress cannot be due in any part to rough handling. This trust and happy cooperation can only be a result of her talent, knowledge, and patience. If you are looking for a trainer or a riding instructor, you won't find better than Michele Ulrech. I know she will not let you down!"
- Barbara McKellar, Professional Farrier Service, 925-202-9877

"We brought our filly “Izzy” to Michele in the fall of 2004, when Izzy was 2-1/2. She was a bit of a "wild child", but Michele was able to take her in hand and settle down her right away. Everything was going well, Michele was even able to start riding her before Izzy developed Pigeon Fever, which she had contracted at her previous boarding facility. We were to battle this insidious disease off and on several times over the next few months. Izzy would get better, and then have a reoccurrence of the disease and Michele would have to stop training. Finally, following a full course of antibiotics, Izzy made a full recovery and she was re-started under saddle.

Izzy has now progressed to the point where both of us are riding her easily and she is going to make a wonderful mount. Michele has given Izzy confidence in the ring and out on the trails. One of the things that have impressed us about Michele’s training methods is that she exposes horses to real life situations, rides them outside the ring, through bushes, and over “scary things” to help desenatize them. She rides with a light touch using just enough persuasion to get her point across to the horse. Michele has also provides excellent training for the rider as well. She believes the relationship between horse and rider requires the rider to “ride their horse” not just be a passenger. To the end she teaches the rider how to ask for a desired response. She has made us better riders! Throughout all of Izzy’s illness, we were impressed with the caring that Michele showed, but she is just that sort of person. Everything she touches turns to “gold”, so to speak. Her love of animals is readily apparent, in looking at all her well cared for critters! We thought we were only bringing our young horse to a trainer to be started and instead, we have found a wonderfully warm and caring woman who we are proud to call our friend."