It has taken me some time to distill the essence of this testimonial for Carlos, not because its difficult to find great things to say about Carlos – hardly – but because for me what he achieved with our Arabian Pony Belle speaks right to the heart of what it means to have Carlos help us all understand ourselves and our horses better.

Belle is the smartest horse in our paddock. She is 3 years old and has a somewhat challenging personality, exacerbated by earlier mishandling making her both an exasperating and humbling pony to deal with. That said, I have always known there was a bold, dynamic but brilliant kids pony below all the ‘static’ – as well hidden as it was!!

On a recent trip to Maleny I had asked Carlos to do a little groundwork with Belle and with his typical understated but direct approach he decided he might as well take her to the next level and ‘hop on’. Despite having witnessed Carlos work many times I was still astounded at the ease with which he handled Belle and the ease with which she accepted it, indeed she looked altogether quite proud of herself. Carlos revealed to us the pony I always knew she could be – calm, relaxed, capable and connected.

My 12 year old son Jake was with us. Belle is really his pony but to date he had largely avoided her as she intimidates and tends to bully him. Carlos told Jake he was up next. While Jake was not at all confident about this Carlos asked that he trust him and with total conviction boosted Jake onto Belle’s back. The smile on my son’s face says it all – it doesn’t get any better than this!!!

Thank-you Carlos for allowing us to see the pony within. This is the one we will continue to foster and nurture and with your continued guidance we will help her become that bold, dynamic and brilliant kids pony she only occasionally allowed a glimpse of before. In the wrong hands she could have been lost to us forever.