TESTIMONIALS
Discover your competitive edge through superior horsemanship

Hi Leon and Alex, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your clinic in Strathmore, AB. in April/08.I was very unsure about going to a clinic with someone of your caliber teaching it, but it was very much more than I could have hoped for. You are a very gifted teacher and seem to be able to understand what each person needs to succeed. I have always loved cutting horses and think that they are the ultimate in what a cowhorse should be. Thanks for encouraging me and helping me with my self-doubts about my abilities to show in this sport. My husband tells me that I came home with much enthusiasm and I need to follow through and go to some shows this year. I think I will need more than one clinic to bolster my confidence but I am so far ahead of where I used to be. Thanks again for all your help and encouragement. I hope to see you again in the near future-maybe in August in AB. Thanks again for your kind and thoughtful ways of teaching and encouraging.

Hope to see you soon,
~Linda Davies Lloydminster, AB.

Leon is honestly the most effective, and kind trainer I have ever had the pleasure of learning from. Working with him for several months straight has put me way ahead of the competition and I have been able to get a behind the scenes look at the man Leon truly is. His honesty, practicality and genuine concern for the horse and rider allows him to match riders with the right horses that not only take the cutter to the pay window, but also keeps the horse sound, happy, and healthy. Working in his barn was such a pleasure because I got to see horses and riders become partners before my very eyes, and then go off to bring home checks at the shows.

Leon matched me with my first show horse, completely within all the specifications I asked for and more specifically, she was within my budget. Leon always has integrity and is attentive to your needs as a rider. I since have sold my mare and I am looking to move up, obviously having Leon help me find another good match. I wouldn't dream of working with anyone else.

~ Jenna Otto
Wyoming
 

Allan and "True"

"I couldn't have done it without all the training and knowledge I got from Leon while I was with the team. I would never have dreamed of trying to do it on my own. Any success we had this past year is a real testament to what a great teacher Leon is. I really value the time I had with him. In the end it was time for me to move on, but I will always be thankful for the time I got to spend with him as a student."  

~Allan Due, Bloomfield, NM

Ken and Bodee

"I had the pleasure and opportunity to take a clinic from Leon last year in 2007. I received it as a gift from my wife. I talked my buddy into joining me. As said prior, and in other testimonials, you will not find a better instructor in the industry. After taking the first clinic, we had the time of our life improving our riding skills, and just having great fun. After the first clinic, we left there like leaving an Amway convention – high on life and ready to conquer the world, or the cutting horse industry anyway. We were so hooked that we went back in June for another dose. Then we had Leon come to Canada to do a clinic at our place just outside of Calgary. The amount of knowledge that Leon passes on is absolutely amazing and words cannot express how you feel. Leon has the ability to take each person, no matter what level of rider, and progress to where you have a great understanding of cutting horsemanship skills. Cutting takes a lot of dedication and commitment. If you’re looking to gain more experience in a short time, I highly recommend spending some time with Leon."

~Ken Mix
K&K Livestock
Calgary, Alberta

John Beman and "Joe's Last Lena"

"I just got back from a week at Leon’s and Alex’s new place in Springtown, Texas. It is a great cutting horse facility in a wonderful cutting horse community. Having been to several of Leon’s clinics in Texas, Colorado, Arizona, California, and Oregon, I can truthfully say from personal experience that the one common denominator in all of these that has given me the confidence and ability to compete in the cutting horse arena is Leon’s expertise in training both horse and rider producing a competitive team. His constant positive attitude and encouragement is exceeded only by his skill and knowledge of the cutting horse industry. When I came to a clinic without a horse he was able to match me with one of his horses to fit my ability level and riding style. If I brought my horse, he trained both me and my horse raising our performance level as a team."  

~ John Beman, Evansville, IN

Terry Randall and "Cat's Curly Kitty"

"Working with Leon Harrel the past few years has been one of the best experiences of my life. Leon is a great teacher and his personality and teaching style have made learning a pleasure. His positive attitude and upbeat personality shine through in the way he teaches and in the way he treats people in general. My riding skills, cutting skills and general horsemanship have improved dramatically since I hooked up with Leon. I have been fortunate to be able to spend several days working one on one with Leon. Those days of personal attention and concentrated learning were a huge help in my development. The skills, knowledge and confidence I have gained have allowed me to become very competitive on a very talented horse. I have gone from a “club cutter” to qualifying for the NCHA World Finals in three classes. No matter how laid back or competitive someone wants to be, they can learn and have fun doing it with Leon."

~ Terry Randall

"I had the honor and privilege of attending a clinic with my lifelong hero Leon Harrel recently, and I have to say, that he is a magician extraordinaire! I never dreamed that anyone could so completely transform my life in such a short time. My beautiful and very expensive new mare and I were doing pretty good, but we just weren’t quite as “in sync” as I wanted to be. The trainer I bought her from simply didn’t have the time for us, and I searched and searched for someone who could put the “finishing touches” on us. Then I happened upon Leon’s website through the NCHA’s cutting clinics page, and was amazed to find that he was right in my own backyard! There are no coincidences and I feel truly blessed to have the “Master” himself so accessible to help me make my dreams come true! Thank you Leon for giving me everything I always dreamed of, finally!"

~Amy Bowman
Aledo, TX

April 30, 2008

"I attended Leon's Intensive two-day Seminar on March 1-2, 2008 and learned more about Professionalism, Horsemanship, Compassion and a True Understanding for Horses and Cattle than I had previously learned in the past twenty years. Leon, Alex and their entire staff were awesome and made my out-of-state commute and stay a breeze!

As an added bonus to all of the great wisdom that Leon imparts to you regarding the Art of Cutting, you get to listen to Leon tell some of the best stories about a few of the Horse Industry Legends. Hopefully, some of those legends, who are still with us, are also telling some stories about the Legend who's seminar I attended. Leon is truly a gentleman!

I highly recommend a trip to Leon's wonderful facility in Springtown!!!"

~ Lance Ivey, Palm Beach, FL

"Hi Alex,
I've attached a couple photos.
One is Mark on our stallion ~ Smart Chicaway ~ last summer. the second is me on our mare ~ Sweet Sugar Boon. Both Mark & I took Leon's clinic ~ Mark in Pagosa Springs summer of 2006 and I joined in October 2006 in Temecula. We both took the clinic before we started showing cutters and boy did it make a difference! Our first season we both got our achievement buckles and both won several classes in Non Pro, 2000 limit rider, 10,000 and 50,000 amateur. We are heading to Ogden tomorrow for the Western National Finals. We both qualified for the 2000 limit rider. Our stud made the finals in the 10,000 novice horse open. He shows again today. Check out our website at  www.freshhorsesfarm.com. We look forward to seeing you soon. Oh, tell Leon that we had a Peptoboonsmal baby this year out of our Smart Little Lena mare. Her name is Boonalicious!"

~ Patti Blackwell

Leon,

You are a wonderful communicator and teacher. Your skills are immeasurable. I bought my mare 3 weeks ago and I was amazed at how much I need to learn to really be able to
connect with her. What you have taught me will not only help me with her but any other horse I have in the future. Teaching me to use that herd side leg more seems to really have made a difference when needed. The horsemanship technique you have instilled in me will
be used every time I get on my mare. What you taught me regarding the mental prep and mind set that I need to have to be competitive in this sport was the best thing I learned. How true it is to have this mental focus. How walking into the herd with, instead of the concept of, “I am going to win”, but rather the thought of, “ I am going to show her to the best of my ability”, seems to take a lot of the pressure off. Now knowing when to start
her into the turns, has made a world of difference. The amazing thing is, you taught me this in only 3 hours. I have been going to trainers for 4 months and didn't receive as much in the entire 4 months as I did with you in that 3 hours!

By pointing out so many ways for my mare and I to continue to build our relationship and partnership was such a benefit. Although you make your living helping horses with people problems, you clearly love what you do and what a pleasure it is to be around such a positive and motivating person who respects and admires these amazing animals.

I just finished watching the video you gave me. All I can say is "AWESOME", I only wish I had watched this video before I got really focused on this sport. What things I could have done and should've done differently are numerous. But with your help I've learned how to approach this sport with confidence in myself and my horse. The light at the end of the tunnel is shining bright, thanks to you. I am looking forward to this weekend's show, so I can go apply all you taught me.

I look so forward to working with you again. You have a gift from God that so few people in this world have. I can’t thank you enough.
 

Sincerely and with great respect,

~ Andrea Bedell

6/5/08

Alex & Leon;
Even though I have many more days to be here, wanted to try & tell you how much the experience so far has exceeded every expectation I had. The expectations were great to begin with, but what I am getting out of it, plus the flat out fun each & every day was something I never guessed would be.

Talking to people at home I have used this analogy: Imagine going from Camden SC to Paris.

The challenge for all us lucky people with Leon on the podium is to step up to the plate & try not to let him down in performance. Apparently Leon is unable to say anything remotely negative & boy do I need that influence in my life at this particular time. I have worked with many many teachers, albeit English, a few of which I would consider great in all respects but, I am totally honest when I say I have never experienced anyone with the gift
& ability that Leon possess. There are people who can teach but are not at all horse savvy, some ride, some don't. Then there are those who are classic riders but are unable to impart their knowledge since most of it is sheer "feel" which they can not translate. Leon has it all. On the video I have & in person, I watch his hands which make me think of a surgeon's hands. Beautiful.

The hospitality & camaraderie is unending & I look forward to the remainder of my visit which, without any doubt is only the first in what I truly hope will be a longstanding relationship with both of you.

I won't even touch on my feelings for Flash as that would take another page & with your schedule I doubt you have any time at all for email.

Thank you, thank you,
~ Marilla Van Beuren from Wellington, FL.

June 10, 2008

I have dreamed of owning and learning how to ride a cutting horse since I was five years old. I am a city girl, and from the moment my Dad took me to see the cutting at the Calgary Stampede in the summer of my fifth year I have pursued the dream. Along the way I have been fortunate to have been around and owned a horse for most of my life. The dream of having a cutting horse and pursuing the sport was always out of reach from a financial and practical perspective. All of this changed in the spring of 2007. I attended a Leon Harrel clinic in Temecula California, and for the first time in my life, actually rode a cutting horse. In spite of riding for the better part of thirty years, I was terribly afraid of falling off. This was manifest in an attitude of great seriousness and intensity. I’m sure that Leon knew I was scared to death, but he chose to acknowledge my fear by working with my intensity. I was very grateful for his discreet and respectful approach because I certainly didn’t want anyone to know how afraid I was. I was hooked after this clinic and went home resolved to buy a finished cutter that could get me started.

There were a lot of obstacles in my way. Some were practical like trying to find out who to call to get started and especially trying to find a trainer that was interested in taking on a complete amateur who wanted to buy a cutter AND do the riding. Early on, I discovered that most trainers are very keen to talk to you if you want to send them a wonderful prospect for THEIR TRAINER to ride and show. I found it more difficult to find someone who was interested in taking on a complete amateur and teaching them the sport. There are very, very few trainers who are truly interested in bringing in new people and teaching them to do the riding and the showing. I am lucky I discovered that Leon is very interested in helping people get started.

In April of 2008 I went to Leon’s new location in Springtown. He put me on a pretty snappy horse, and I was very worried about falling off. Before we did any cutting on the first day Leon talked about many things, all woven in and around horsemanship and cutting. And then he said something that just really rocked me. He said: “You can let life touch you, or you can let it kill you. No matter what happens to you in life, you can make that decision”.

I have a long ways to go to get to a point where I am not afraid every time I get on my mare to cut, but that one comment from a man who has processed and understood life very well has taken me well down the path. So, cutting horse trainer extraordinaire? Yes. Talented teacher? Yes. Superb horseman? Yes. Compassionate respect for these beautiful creatures? Yes. But most of all and most telling of all: a profoundly wise and gentle human being.

~ Nancy Calvin
Calgary, Alberta