In October, 2022 I found a white Andalusian horse. He lived in a tiny box stall with no covering behind a chain-link fence- with not an animal or human around. When I asked what the horses name was, the owner told me 'I don't remember’. You could see in this horses eyes, life had not treated him well. He didn't want anyone close to him. He reared and charged and I was constantly greeted with ears pinned back ready for a fight. I was devastated and so sad. This horse and I could not find a way to connect.

I tried working with a few trainers but they all wanted to do the same thing- force him into submission- until I met Wendy Lee Thomson. Wendy had a total different way of working with horses. She had a gift of hearing what they needed. Instead of forcing my horse to do what she wanted, she worked with him to give him what he needed. We began a regime consisting of good nutrition, body work, daily turnouts, playtime to be with other horses, shorter time in the ring to build his confidence and trail rides to ease his mind back to nature. 

Slowly but surely the Power of Patience started to transform this horse. When at one time you could not lay a hand on this animal without risk of getting hurt, he now has a soft eye, moves forward happily in the ring, has gotten stronger and stronger in his mind and body and allows me to hold his face close to mine and receive love.

People, including myself, thought this horse was defiant, dangerous and a trouble-maker. Wendy helped me understand and realize he was hurt and in pain, mentally, physically and emotionally. He had been beaten down in life and left alone as he wasn’t needed anymore.

I cannot express in words how grateful I am to have witnessed this magnificent animal come back to life. I’m so excited to see how his future will unfold with Wendy at our helm.

— Kate Whitney & Valentine

“After my Mare had a career ending injury to her show jumping career. I wanted to do everything I could for her to have a chance at still having a “purpose” so I sent her to a very expensive rehab. During intake, the onsite vet looked at the MRI and gave me suggestions for therapies, I spoke with the owner of the rehab and we chose a program appropriate for my Mare. 

After 3 months the vet called with bad news. She was not improving and suggested to turn her out to pasture and retire her. I asked the rehab to start that process and like most full time show horses she did not do well, there were no hands on, no grooming, no therapies and she got very stressed out and depressed. I brought her home and sent her to Wendy Lee Thompson and her team in Rancho Santa Fe.

I knew Wendy and new her unique, complete, and tailor made care for all horses under her care and had faith she could help my horse. After only 3 months with  Wendy and her team, my Mare could walk sound. We are now riding her and she is sound! Wendy’s team is second-to-none they may not have a fancy water treadmill, but her team walked my horse three times a day, groomed her and treated her with their Laser blankets and class IV laser which was a game changer.  When I would go to see her she was happy and relaxed and I could tell she was in GREAT hands.

My horse that was given a career ending diagnoses is now under saddle enjoying getting fit again for her next job, and she has purpose, all thanks to the very specialized care of Wendy and her team.”

— Stephanie Baxter

“I have been a horse owner and competitor for a very long time. I have my own small farm and I am a very hands-on owner. I have never felt comfortable enough to completely hand over any of my horses to a trainer in the past. Until I met Wendy. For the first time in my equestrian life I am able to let go of everything in regard to the day to day decisions regarding the care and training of my horses.

Wendy’s approach to training is truly unique. She has developed a program based on Patience. One that allows each horse to show us what they need to succeed and Wendy listens.”

— Leslie B. D.

“Wendy Lee Thompson started with me a little older, showing a feel for horse that was unique. She had a connection on and off of the horses which was rare. She is my horse MYSTIC! She rides with a wonderful softness on her hunters...Precise and accurate on her jumpers. Her horses trust her which makes her and fantastic rider. Inside she is the same, a soft, determined beautiful young woman. One that I love and am extremely proud of!! Love you Wendy!”

— Caroline Bonham

“Wendy is first of all a great person, honest, caring and generous. And professionally is a great rider that rides with a lot of feeling and finesse, she knows how to program and progress with the work of her horses and students, and she is a super horsewoman which is very rare to find. Her horses and her students are lucky to have Wendy… she is what everybody must be in the horse sport.”

— Mauro Atzeri

“I've been riding with Wendy for over 2 years now and am so glad to have found her and Coastline Training. When I found Wendy, I had only done trail riding as a child and had never even touched an English saddle. I am now proficient in posting, cantering, and ground work. While I have not started jumping, I know that Wendy is the right person to train me if I choose to add that to my training. Wendy is not only an excellent and patient trainer, but she loves each of the horses in her care as if they were her own. She is very in tune with their needs and has access to the best vet and shoeing. I randomly found Wendy through an ad about a horse needing leasing, and I am so glad that I answered that ad. Wendy is kind, caring, professional, and a joy to be around.”

— Melissa Gottschalk, Owner of “Valqueria”

“I have been a client of Wendy Lee Thompson for almost 4 years.  Wendy is an exceptional person in every way. Her training abilities are above and beyond and she always does what is best for the horse. Her caring nature extends not only to the horses but to her clients.  She always wants the best for them even if it requires more of her time and energy. Wendy is the most ethical and moral trainer I have  met and has become a very dear and special friend.

Wendy has taken my horse from his first jumps and flying changes to competing in the 6 year old Young jumpers and now moving into Hunters and the Hunter Derbies. 

I am amazed and excited at Channing’s transition and his future under Wendy”s training! Many thanks Wendy!”

— Mary Ann Allgire, Owner of “WT Channing”

“I have ridden with Wendy since 2015. She took me to my first rated horse shows, I purchased my first horse from her, and now work for her. The longevity of our relationship and her instrumental role in my development as a rider, horsewoman, and young professional are a testament to her training program and personality. Wendy cares for each horse in her program as if it were her own and is very dedicated to her role as a rider and trainer. In her program vet bills are minuscule, horses are happy, and riders are successful.”

— Mikayla Vosseller, Owner of “Start the Music 33”

“Wendy is an amazing trainer! She is an intuitive coach who’s able to bring out the best in the rider and the horse. Her many years of riding and showing helps riders and horses at all levels achieve their goals. She’s also an awesome person.

Thank you for everything Wendy!”

— Alan Smith, Owner of “Euro Blue” and “Jaguar”

“I started riding with Coastline one year ago. I found out about Wendy through her website and Instagram. Wendy takes such pride in providing excellent care for her horses and her training is top quality. Wendy has given me such confidence in my riding and helped me grow not only as a rider but also as a person. Wendy always looks out for the horse’s needs as well as the riders, creating a happy and stable riding environment.

In Wendy’s expert training, I have been able to grow from the 2’6 Hunters all the way to the Low Children's Jumpers in just one year!”

— Viveka, Owner of “Zaretina B”

“I have been riding with Wendy for 3 years. She took me on while I was severely injured, and needed help with my horses. I had seen her progress with her own horse ‘Simpatica 33’ at the shows, and knew she would be the right trainer for me and my horses. Wendy is an amazing trainer and role model to me. She has shown so much patience and understanding with my injury, and has helped me find a way to continue riding. She is always kind, and does what is best for her horses and riders. She takes a natural approach to caring for her horses, using herbal products and many healthy alternatives for top level management and care.”

— Tanna Seltzer, Owner of “Headlines”, “Geeze Louise”, “Erasmus”, and “Santiago”

“About six months prior to training with Wendy my horse “Affrettando” suffered a suspensory injury. At the time I had no trainer and was completely stuck. As summer approached Wendy offered me a working student spot at Coastline. We discussed my goals and the situation of my horse. Wendy agreed to help and with that we moved “Affrettando” to Coastline. Over the summer we worked on rehabbing Tando, but he still wasn’t ready to get back in the show ring. Wanting to show, Wendy and her client Melissa gave me the opportunity to ride “Valqueria”. My mom and dad agreed, and just like that I had the opportunity of a lifetime. We started training with “Valqueria” right away. During this training we spent many hours on basics, building my foundation and confidence in every exercise. It took time and patience as “Valqueria” is a very sensitive mare and everything you do means something to her. Very quickly our training began to be more and more consistent. At this time Wendy had helped me so much with training and Melissa with letting me ride “Valqueria”. I knew I had to make my week at Thermal mean something and take nothing for granted. “Valqueria” being older hadn’t shown in a while and I only have shown in a couple county shows. This being my first real show on a horse I had trained on for about a month, my nerves were a little crazy. Wendy however along with my parents gave me the reassurance I needed. I entered the show ring confident and left it successful. All my hard work had paid off, none of this would’ve been possible without Wendy, Melissa, my parents, and others. My childhood dreams came true and I’ve noticed so much growth in myself as a rider and as a person. I can’t thank everyone enough for all they have done and can’t wait for what is to come in the future with Coastline.”

— Makena Price, Owner of “Affrettando”

“Wendy is a beautiful rider and listens to each horse as if it were her own. She is patient and kind to each horse she works with.”

— Christina Shrigley