True Blue Farm 630 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240

"I have struggled for almost two years to find a barn where my 13 year old daughter could learn from a kind, knowledgeable and supportive trainer. I finally found it in Shana and True Blue Farm. I am very picky about trainers for my daughter as I rode competitively in the juniors and equitation divisions growing up. Shana cares deeply for her horses and her students. She is kind but firm and always provides constructive feedback to the students. The horses are well cared for, pastured on nearly 30 acres of land, and extremely safe for beginners. The barn is always clean and neat. It's a great place!"

"I’ve been out of the saddle for 3 years and was hoping to find a barn to start riding at again. I’ve previously owned 2 horses, worked and took lessons at multiple barns with a few different trainers, and was on my college equestrian team. I took 2 lessons at true blue farm and can confidently say that I have never encountered a barn so lacking in horsemanship and etiquette. When I arrived at my first lesson I received no instruction and had to ask the mother of one of the students what to do, who told me that I needed to find, groom, and tack up the horse I would be riding, and thankfully showed me where everything was (Which I’m totally fine with, I just would have liked to know before hand and received some instruction as to where things are located). I was then put right into a group lesson, with no evaluation of my ability. Another student attempted to mount and ride a horse with a swollen wounded leg, but thankfully the assistant instructor stopped her. When I arrived to my next lesson several days later, I noted that this same horse was being ridden by a student during the lesson before mine. The assistant instructor was vaping while teaching the children’s lesson and during my lesson. During my second lesson I was in another group of people who were having loud, screaming, and offensive conversation while tacking up, which continued into the lesson. When we entered the ring, every single other student I was riding with immediately went into a trot and then canter with no stretching or warm up. The other students were screaming at each other and were rude to me as well. One student screamed “move” at me as she was passing. There was very little instruction, so I was very confused about what was going on and unfortunately was standing in the way, but the rudeness was unnecessary. As we left we noticed that there was a miniature pony standing in a paddock with blood coming out of its eye. If you care at all about good horsemanship, ethics, and want a positive learning environment, then this is not the barn for you."

"Shana purchased my sweet pony, Molly, some time back. Molly was my first horse and grew with me from such a young age. I was not going to let her go off with just anyone. Shana came along through a mutual friend, and I swear she was truly meant to be Molly’s next mama. Shana and her people care so deeply for their horses, riders, and just everyone in the community! More than 10 years later, Shana still shares constant photos and videos of Molly living her best life at summer camp with the kiddos and playing in the water (her favorite thing!). I never rode with her as my trainer (I live in GA), but I CAN speak to her character, and a simple review just doesn’t do it justice! If you’re on the hunt for your next barn, I can assure you you’ll be in great hands at True Blue."

"True Blue Farm is my home-away-from-home. As an adult rider of 30 years who has experienced a little bit of all sides of the industry during this time; as the weekly lesson kid, the intercollegiate kid, the partial-lease adult, boarder & horse owner I can’t express how much I love and appreciate what True Blue has to offer. In only 2 years of riding with Shana she has helped me improve certain areas that have plagued me for YEARS, such as twisting my body…or not staying tall enough to my fence (counting). She has also significantly helped me improve my self-confidence as a rider, something that so many adults struggle with! I love her direct, honest, and non-dramatic approach and teaching style. She’s not only a wonderful horse woman and instructor but my own “horse show mom” at the shows. All she asks is open communication in what your personal goals are (because how can she help you if she doesn’t know?) and to show up ready to try your best each time. Highly recommend this place!"