Testimonial

I was looking for a trainer to start my three year old filly. I wanted this to be a horse for life so I was taking careful consideration as to whom I chose and wanted her to have the best start possible. A friend recommended Drew and after going for a visit to meet him and asking around I felt that she would be in good hands with him. The progress he made with her was remarkable. She went from being almost wild to being the most responsive, honest and willing horse I have ever had. Drew has such a way with horses that is not found often. He is patient and kind but at the same time teaches the horse respect and obedience. He also has always been patient with me. Taking the time to explain and show me techniques and answer my questions. I would recommend Drew as a trainer for any horse, from starting to correcting problem horses.

I only use the word “horseman” for a very few souls, and Drew is one of them. Drew has all of the qualities that are inherent of a true “horseman”. He is patient, intuitive, knowledgeable, caring and hardworking. I have seen Drew turn extremely difficult horses into winners. In my many years in this business, I have seldom come across a more talented rider or trainer. Drew has the elusive “feel” for the horse. I highly recommend him."

Ever so often you come across an individual who is so skilled at his craft that you can't help but stand there and admire the artist at work. That's Drew Olsen and that's exactly what I found myself doing over and over again as I watched him work with my horse CJ. What I find to be absolutely mind-blowing is his ability to work with riders in exactly the same manner! Both CJ and I were having quite a bit of difficulty in trusting each other to "let go" and develop the balance that was so needed in order for us to obtain true partnership. Drew helped both of us develop that balance and trust in a relatively short amount of time. I will forever be grateful to this horseman for the confidence he gave to both of us!!

I have been riding and showing horses in hunters, jumpers, eventing, and dressage for over 10 years. So when I came across a horse I could not start myself, I was very surprised. My horse is a 4 year old Hanoverian gelding. "Cooper" as he is known around the barn, was not only high strung, but also nervous and flighty. He was definitely the horse that would turn heads (not in a good way). Initially, when Cooper was 3 ½ years old, I took him to a "Certified Monty Roberts Trainer" in hopes that a calm methodical training system would be just what he needed to soothe his nerves. After a brief stay, I was told that Cooper was too emotionally immature to undergo any under saddle training, and I should take him home. I was hesitant to take this advice because Cooper was already becoming a dangerous horse to handle and he definitely wasn't getting any smaller. Instead, I gave Cooper a couple of months off while I searched for another trainer that would undertake such a challenge. Finally, I located a trainer in McDonough. This trainer specialized in "problem horses" so I was enthusiastic that Cooper would finally have a trainer who could handle his tenacious behavior. After 3 months the trainer had made excellent progress with his ground work, Cooper was finally shaping up into the horse I knew he could be. Then it seemed as though Cooper came to a stand still in his training. Several months went by and still no under saddle work had been completed. After 6 months of groundwork and no under saddle training, I finally elected to bring Cooper home. Frustrated, I now had a horse that was over 4 years old that could not be ridden. Depressed and Desperate don't even begin to describe how I felt...utterly HOPELESS. Finally, I decided I would not send Cooper far off for training again. I wanted him somewhere close where I could monitor his progress and give suggestions. One day while driving home from Douglasville, I remembered that Leslie O'Neal Olsen lived in Villa Rica. I thought, "she must know someone who starts sport horses, after all she is a well known and accomplished dressage judge". When I walked up, there was Drew, just a young cowboy in jeans and tennis shoes. Initially, he did not tell me Leslie was his mother. I felt silly asking for his credentials when I later discovered who he learned to ride from! So, after speaking with Drew and checking some references, I decided to go one step further and have Drew work with Cooper before I committed to yet another trainer. Drew came out and worked with Cooper and right away I thought this time would be different. Cooper usually kept a nasty look on his face and overall didn't enjoy his training sessions in the past. But with Drew, Cooper just seemed to accept his work. After viewing Cooper's session with Drew, we made arrangements and trailered him up. In 2 days Drew had a horse that you could not move fast around and that flinched at EVERYTHING, accepting ropes around his legs, blankets being tossed on him, and bull whips cracking. I was shocked! I honestly thought that Cooper's flinching and flightiness was something I would have to just get used to. After 4 days Drew was riding Cooper. Drew was like the miracle Cooper and I had been waiting for. Drew has a fantastic ability to read the horse, assess the situation and react in a way which not only gets great results, but also keeps the horse relaxed and most importantly happy. Drew is an exceptional horseman whose knowledge far exceeds his years. Because Cooper was doing so well, I left him in Drew's charge for 4 months. Throughout Cooper's stay, Drew made sure to explain the training principles he was using and taught me how to implement them. Another aspect of working with Drew that I found amazing was how flexible his hours were. He would ride nights, weekends, and even Sundays. Not many trainers will change their riding schedule so the owner can watch, but Drew did. He was by far the easiest and most accommodating trainer I have ever encountered. I brought Drew a whirlwind of a horse and he gave me back a confident, correctly schooled, well adjusted dressage horse. Thank you for everything Drew, you're the BEST!"

Drew is amazing! He is an incredibly naturally talented horseman. For nearly two years now, I continue, daily, to observe and learn from him as he correctly starts and trains horse after horse to be calm, willing, and obedient for their owners.
In May of 2005 I took a major fall off of my newly purchased, just started (at nearly 8 years of age),very green, Andalusian/Lipizzan cross gelding. He bolted with more power then I’ve ever felt, and left me on the ground with four fractures in three lumbar vertebrae in my spine. Two weeks later, he again bolted and unseated my British Horse Society Certified trainer and friend, that had done his initial training. She also hit the ground hard and recommended that I find a younger trainer that could really stay with his powerful bolts – before it became a habit! A friend recommended Leslie O’Neal Olsen, a local Grand Prix Silver and Bronze Medalist and United States Dressage Federation Level R Judge. I had taken a couple dozen lessons at her training facility about eight years earlier and had fond memories of the time spent there. Leslie highly recommended her son Drew to ride my horse, Rico. I took Rico to Willowbrook Equestrian Center in February of 2006 for Drew’s training and had enjoyed the entire experience so much that Rico is still being boarded there. Drew worked with Rico for three months…at my request, for I was still getting over the injury of my back. After two sessions of ground work Drew was up on Rico’s back getting a taste of his powerful bolting. After just two more days under saddle Rico’s bolting issues ceased…and he has never bolted since. Problem solved!!! Drew greatly improved all nervous, tense, and spooky behaviors that Rico had obtained at the previous boarding facility, by establishing trust, confidence, and respect. On my first ride on him after Drew’s first month of training I felt as if I was on an entirely different horse…calm, quiet, responsive to the lightest of aids, and so willing to do anything that I asked of him…a joy to ride! I can’t tell you how pleased I was. I knew Rico was well on his way to being the horse I’ve always dreamed of owning. Lately, Rico and I had a few issues to work out (my riding faults) and I asked Drew to help me out. The positive results I felt on Rico after just three rides under Drew were truly impressive. Issues solved!!! As I have said, I observe Drew working with horses on a daily basis. I’ve seen many breeds, different temperament types, and many different training issues come in through the barn doors for the first time and I am constantly amazed of the fantastic day to day results of all the horses he trains. He treats each one individually and seems to work out all initial problems. He is fair, kind, and consistent to the horses. He has them all moving off of the lightest of aids. He takes excellent care of each and every horse twenty-four hours a day (he lives in the upstairs apartment of the barn). The amount of time he spends with each horse every day goes beyond the call of duty. He is always determined to do his best for both the horse and owner. Drew is a beautiful, quiet, solid rider and continues daily to improve his high level skills under his mother’s guidance. I call him the dressage cowboy. Watching and seeing his long term training results of Leslie’s and his own horses have proved his high level training skills. Drew is one of the most friendly, kind, responsible, talented, mature young adults that I have ever met. Rico is now my new showing partner as well as my trusty trail horse and my daughters new jumping mount. Every day when I get on his back I am forever thankful for what Drew has done for Rico, my daughter Emily, and I. THANKS DREW!!!!! "

As a mom, the most important job is keeping your child safe. When my son discovered his love of horses I was very happy, but also very nervous. I have not grown up around horses and had no idea how to teach my son to be safe, much less a great rider! Jamie took lessons from a few trainers, but they always seemed more willing to tell me about how great they ride themselves, and lessons involved listening to a litany of their accomplishments while Jamie rode around in a circle. I was not impressed. I heard about Drew and gave him a call. I was surprised by his friendliness and eagerness to meet with Jamie. Once we met Drew, I was also surprised by his age! Then I saw him ride can it was obvious he was incredibly experienced and talented. Instead of shouting commands and condemnations, Drew became someone my son looked up to and respected. The difference in his riding skills is amazing, and thanks to Drew’s help I know trust Jamie on almost any horse. Now that we are a horse family, my own horse needs touch up training after having a foal. There is nowhere else I’d consider sending her, and I plan on taking lessons too! I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before my husband learns from Drew as well!