Testimonials

January 26th, 2010

"James has a natural ease and confidence around horses that along with his experience makes for a very rewarding lesson experience.  My confidence with my horse, Bucky, had grown immensely since I started working the groundwork exercises that James has shown us.  I highly recommend  his natural horsemanship methods to anyone who wants to improve their relationship with their horse!"   

Marla Whitt,  Stokesdale, NC 

January 14th, 2010

Dear James and Kate,

I just wanted to thank you very much for allowing me to come to your beautiful facility and work with you this fall.  I can’t even begin to tell you how beneficial your instruction of Cooler Horsemanship has helped me with my horses and also personally.  I came to you not really riding much at all because of being thrown from a horse.  I felt afraid and insecure around my horses.   I returned home with a beginning foundation of groundplay, which I was not at all familiar.  You helped me gain an understanding of equipment, focus areas, skills, and pressure areas. Even though I had no experience in these areas, you made me feel very comfortable explaining everything in detail.   You worked with me at a level I could understand and progressed as I felt comfortable.  You gave me knowledge of safety and being safe. 

Watching you with the horses was simply amazing.  Kate was so supportive and encouraging it was truly a wonderful experience.    Your knowledge and your skilled horsemanship is something every horse person should experience.   I have gained confidence both personally and around my horses to the point that I have purchased a new horse and work diligently with all of my horses.  I feel comfortable riding again (I even ride the horse that threw me!) and it brings so much joy to my life, when at one point I thought I would no longer ride.  I look forward to spending as much time as possible to continue learning more of Cooler Horsemanship.  Thank you again and I look forward to working with you on a continuing basis. 

Christy Radkin- SC

January 12th, 2010 

We are first time horse owners with absolutely no previous experience except for riding lessons.  We were experiencing trust and spooking issues with our beautiful quarterhorse.  My daughter thought she would never be able to jump with her horse.  James has been a blessing.  My daughter is now confident on her horse and her horse is now happy going over poles and actually attempting jumps.  The relationship between our horse and us is a beautiful thing.  James helped us from the "ground" up.  I would strongly suggest James to any new or old horse owner. 

Sylvia and Natasha Stypa - Summerfield, NC

Published Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Horse Trainer proposes to sweetie during recent equestrian event

The most exciting thing happened at Rose Dhu Creek on April 25. James Cooler rode gallantly up to Kate Finnerty, James' cohort in his horse ventures, jumped off of his steed, got down on his knee and proposed to her, to the delight of all.   Kate looked as though she was in total shock and after a brief moment said yes. They are an adorable couple and we all wish them much happiness!

 Babie Guscio

On The Town, The Bluffton Packet

December 23, 2007

Letter to the editor

Horse show should become annual event

Many thanks to James Cooler for his wonderful presentation of horses at Rose Dhu Friday night.  The Christmas music was uplifting and the horses were magnificent.  Although there were a couple of minor "glitches" in the performance (not surprising when working with animals), Cooler's humility, humor and passion for his work with horses shone through.

Especially heartwarming was Cooler's obvious love of family- he introduced his mother who had just arrived from Montana for the event; he spoke about his father's untimely death from cancer in 2004 (and pledged a percentage of his income to the American Cancer Society); and it was so sweet to watch him and his girlfriend, Kate Finnerty, hold hands as they rode horses side by side.

It was a lovely evening and by the looks of the crowd that turned out I think we all would love for this to become an annual Bluffton event.

Denise McAllister, Sun City

December 11, 2007

 Hi James,

I will try to make a long story short. I was over for dinner at a friends this past Sunday. This friend is starting a web site for selling saddles, and he asked me if I knew this particular person in Lewistown that was doing his website. At any rate it was your mother, and I asked about your dad because I had taken one of his clinics. I am really sorry to hear that your dad passed away. 

I just wanted to tell you that in my opinion your dad was the best clinician that I have ever experienced and his principles of ATRUM are the most applicable to horsemanship, and I have seen Parelli, Lyons, Anderson and the rest. The clinic I took was in Glasgow, MT in about 1996 and it was the first time in my life that I felt I was given some kind of true understanding about working with horses. I really hope I am able to attend one of your clinics sometime and wish you all the best in continuing your dad's legacy.

God Bless, Dee

November 13, 2007

James and Kate,

I don’t even know where to start . . . this past weekend was the absolute best medicine for both me and my horses. I left this weekend with the motivation and incentive to come back home and really take advantage of the wonderful horses that I have.  

 . . . the weekend overall was just great. I would love to plan ahead and have another clinic sometimes in the spring.  I am sure that it won’t take long before you are booked solid, as other people have the opportunity to experience your patience and understanding of what makes each horse tick.  To me, that’s the “thing” that makes a real horseman – understanding that each horse is individual and unique and being willing to find the tool and the niche to bring out the best in that horse.  You have a real gift. 

Jan Carter, President
SC Awareness and Rescue for Equines, Inc.
www.scequinerescue.org

Hi! 

I just want to take time to say "Thank You".  Enjoyed meeting both you and Kate.  The clinic was so enlightening and informative.  I hope to bring one of my guys to the next clinic.  Please keep us posted as to where the next one will be.  Thanks again for such a good weekend. 

Pam Runnels

The clinic this past weekend was terrific.  James Cooler is a gifted horse handler and an excellent teacher.  Since I was hosting the event, I regrettably didn't get to watch as much of the clinic as I wanted to. His explanations for what he did and how the horses responded was clear and made sense.  He was not  pretentious, but very down to earth. If he ever has a clinic near you I would highly recommend at least auditing his clinic.

Elizabeth Wood