Testimonials
I first met Ian Benson in September 2002 when I came on work experience at his horse facility in Waipu from London, and was struck immediately by the warm and personable environment he has created here. Ian is 100% people-centric, with a totally selfless dedication to the development of others, be it on a horsemanship, emotional or spiritual level.On countless occasions, I have witnessed first-hand the incredible impact Ian and his horses can have on an individual’s life, including my own, from increasing the self-confidence of a shy and nervous child, to highlighting the control dramas and insecurities of a successful businesswoman.
He is inclusive, non-judgmental, with the patience of a saint and has the unerring ability of touching everyone he meets, identifying their issues or problems in a completely unobtrusive manner and guiding them towards a solution.
Ian has truly struck gold here in Waipu and his commitment to using this for the greater good of his local community is unwavering. Here is an enormously talented man, with an infectious love of life, who is totally focused on his vision. I, for one, truly believe this talent can not only prove itself invaluable to the local community, but to New Zealand as a whole.
I count myself blessed to have met Ian Benson, as others around the globe would no doubt agree.
- Jo Isaacs, Marketing Account Director, London
Having the opportunity to learn from Ian was an amazing privilege. I arrived at North River expecting to learn more about horses and I left knowing a lot more about myself. Ian is an excellent teacher and offers his wisdom and expertise with clarity and understanding, reaching the student at their level. Through his program the horses enabled me to identify my fears and Ian helped me to face them.
"With his guidance and the horses' help I achieved inner healing, better focus, self worth, confidence and trust".
After North River my relationship with my own horse reached a new level, as I learned that he responded not only to what I did, but to who I was. Because Ian focuses his lessons more on concepts than techniques, I was able to apply what I learned to any situation I found my horse and myself in. I can communicate with him much easier and issues that we used to have were quickly resolved.
"What I learned from Ian not only improved my horsemanship, but influenced how I live life".
Upon my return home, friends remarked on the difference they observed in who I was.
- Marie Shelli, Youth Counselor, Trinity Teen Solutions. Powell, WY, USA
Here I was at the Otara Spinal Unit learning to walk all over again. I’m between the parallel bars and I’ve got my physiotherapist right beside me telling me what to do and I can not believe she is serious.
“How can I do this, I have no feeling in my feet and no strength in my lower body”.
Something caught my eye at the end of the gym, it was just a chair but suddenly I found myself focusing on that chair with an intensity I have never found in myself before and taking my first shaky steps. Hmmm Ian’s voice came to me,
“Focus” he was saying, “Get determined” and that's what I did.
Three months later I’m still saying these words every day as I work harder and harder to rehabilitate.
The first day my daughters and I went to Ian’s to learn to horse ride, he said to us. “Not only will you learn to horse ride, but you will learn life skills such as… Yep you got it Focus, Determination and a host of other characteristics. My story above is testimonial to this. It’s not until you find yourself in a dire situation that you fully notice how much you use these skills but once you start thinking about it, you realise that you use them everyday.
I have Ian and his Clydie, Kimmi to thank for further developing these skills.
Thanks
Kirsten Collins, Auckland
He is inclusive, non-judgmental, with the patience of a saint and has the unerring ability of touching everyone he meets, identifying their issues or problems in a completely unobtrusive manner and guiding them towards a solution.
Ian has truly struck gold here in Waipu and his commitment to using this for the greater good of his local community is unwavering. Here is an enormously talented man, with an infectious love of life, who is totally focused on his vision. I, for one, truly believe this talent can not only prove itself invaluable to the local community, but to New Zealand as a whole.
I count myself blessed to have met Ian Benson, as others around the globe would no doubt agree.
- Jo Isaacs, Marketing Account Director, London
Having the opportunity to learn from Ian was an amazing privilege. I arrived at North River expecting to learn more about horses and I left knowing a lot more about myself. Ian is an excellent teacher and offers his wisdom and expertise with clarity and understanding, reaching the student at their level. Through his program the horses enabled me to identify my fears and Ian helped me to face them.
"With his guidance and the horses' help I achieved inner healing, better focus, self worth, confidence and trust".
After North River my relationship with my own horse reached a new level, as I learned that he responded not only to what I did, but to who I was. Because Ian focuses his lessons more on concepts than techniques, I was able to apply what I learned to any situation I found my horse and myself in. I can communicate with him much easier and issues that we used to have were quickly resolved.
"What I learned from Ian not only improved my horsemanship, but influenced how I live life".
Upon my return home, friends remarked on the difference they observed in who I was.
- Marie Shelli, Youth Counselor, Trinity Teen Solutions. Powell, WY, USA
Here I was at the Otara Spinal Unit learning to walk all over again. I’m between the parallel bars and I’ve got my physiotherapist right beside me telling me what to do and I can not believe she is serious.
“How can I do this, I have no feeling in my feet and no strength in my lower body”.
Something caught my eye at the end of the gym, it was just a chair but suddenly I found myself focusing on that chair with an intensity I have never found in myself before and taking my first shaky steps. Hmmm Ian’s voice came to me,
“Focus” he was saying, “Get determined” and that's what I did.
Three months later I’m still saying these words every day as I work harder and harder to rehabilitate.
The first day my daughters and I went to Ian’s to learn to horse ride, he said to us. “Not only will you learn to horse ride, but you will learn life skills such as… Yep you got it Focus, Determination and a host of other characteristics. My story above is testimonial to this. It’s not until you find yourself in a dire situation that you fully notice how much you use these skills but once you start thinking about it, you realise that you use them everyday.
I have Ian and his Clydie, Kimmi to thank for further developing these skills.
Thanks
Kirsten Collins, Auckland