What our clients say…
Victorian Showjumping Stables have provided a wonderful experience and education for both my daughter & myself while we agisted our young dressage mare under saddle.
We agisted our mare there for just over a year and we recieved fantastic support with clear and calm direction under the watchful eye of Russell Johnstone.
Russell is an amazing horseman in many disciplines and while we were there we observed him help so many horses and their riders learn and understand what is being asked of them with the horses health and wellbeing always paramount.
My daughter attended several of VSS’s 2-day clinics, which were a fabulous introduction for a young horse to work with a small group in a calm, controlled environment. These clinics were not just for showjumpers but a holistic approach to good horsemanship.
VSS have provided a great start for our young mare and have offered sound, proffessional and personal advise which combined to offer a wonderful environment for improving our horsemanship.
Devon & Bobby Rankin
Thank you for all the wonderful care that you have given my young mare while she has been with you. Thank you Russell for your expert riding & tuition, the mare’s progress has been a pleasure to watch. She obviously enjoys her work and its great testiomony to your expertise.
I could not be more pleased with her progress, while she has been with you!
Elspeth Noxon
In March 2012 I moved Rosie to the Victorian Showjumping Stables and it was at that point where everything changed. Her lameness issues resolved and we started having lessons with Russell. To say that he has been an amazing influence is an understatement. Over the last 3 years he has taken us from being scared of a 60cm jump to competing at 95cm! I want to thank everyone at VSS for looking after Rosie for the last 3 years, it has been an absolute pleasure to agist there, and I am looking forward to many more years to come! While most horses at Rosie’s age (19) are in their twilight years, I see the next couple of years being better than ever! Bring on 2015!
Kathryn Tolo
I was lucky enough to come across VSS’s Russell and Melanie Johnstone by a friend referring me to Russell’s Two Day Ultimate Show Jumping Clinic. As a novice show jumper, the course was very intense but well worth it. Plus, it was winter and the indoor arena was very appealing!!
I had owned my horse Juliette for nearly a year, she has just turned 6. With winter upon us and after speaking with my friend who had originally referred Russell and Melanie she told me about their other services, including training and furthering education. Juliette is a well trained polo cross horse having played A,B & C grade. While she was very agile and athletic, she generally worked along without much direction. Seeing the progress of my friend’s OTT after he visited VSS, I thought it would be great for my mare. With me not having the skills to improve her in such a way, I felt it was the perfect step to better her.
The difference I have seen in my horse in her short time at VSS is outstanding, both physically and in movement. She moves with direction now and is so soft in my hands, I couldn’t be happier! While we were both amateurs at our first show jumping clinic, she is now full of confidence with jumping! Whether she’s short or long coming into a jump (due to rider error!) she just sails on over it! She is full of confidence, which fills me with confidence!
Russell has provided me with many lessons, he is clear in his delivery of instruction and also explains why you should do something in a certain way. His soft and gentle personality matched my sometimes stubborn chestnut mare perfectly. While Melanie ensures their ground manners keep in check. Now I can’t wait to start competing! I will continue to go back to VSS for lessons once a month. One thing I do know is that Juliette will be going back for a refresher again next winter!
Shona Dreschler