UPDATE: "We are extremely satisfied with Willie's training methods-our horses have improved their attitudes and skills by leaps and bounds under her guidance and are much more confident and willing under saddle. Both of us are green riders who had never owned horses before, and Willie has not only trained our horses, but has also taught us and helped us become more confident, balanced riders. Her knowledge, skills and patience (specially patience with my husband Bill) have helped both the horses and us grow and improve our own skills. We have found Bar W to be a truly special place, and can not recommend it enough. The facilities are spacious, clean and well-kept, and the indoor and outdoor arenas are very large and well-maintained. Willie and Kenny are true horse people, who take care of all boarded horses the same way they take care of their own. We highly recommend the Bar W for all your boarding and training needs-your horses will thank you too! Bill & Ana Compston, Owners of Dawn (APHA mare) & Whiskey (AQHA gelding)2008

Since my horse Baxter has been with Willie I have noticed a tremendous difference in his attitude, he is now more respectful and willing. Not only has his attitude changed, but so has his performance. Willie does a great job at training the horse as well as the rider. It's comforting knowing I can trust her and trust that my horse is being taken care of. Both Willie and Kenny have great personalities and are always fun to be around! Thanks Willie!!! ~Devan Miller Troy, OH

Dear Ken & Willie, Thank you so much for the excellent care you are giving our horse Gumbo. Since purchasing Gumbo for our daughter Natalie, we have been unable to find a barn that we trusted enough to rent a stall. My husband and daughter were searching for a place where the owners loved and cared for all animals like they were their own. Therefore, we feel fortunate to have found that with you and Ken. To have you so close to where we live is an additional bonus.,p. Gumbo is happy and well adjusted now so we know that he is getting excellent care. Having you and Ken means we can go to sleep at night without worrying about Gumbo and it means we can take vacation without worrying about him. We don’t worry about Gumbo needing medical attention and not getting it because you notice every thing and notify us immediately. Taking care of horses is back breaking work so our family wants to take this opportunity to say----------------you and Ken are the best! May the New Year bring you excellent health and much success in your business because both of you deserve it. Sincerely, ~Judy Schiller, Christiansburg, Ohio

At Bar W Equestrian Center, Willie teaches the beginning foundations of riding as well as the advanced principals of riding, showing, and training. Her students learn that the experience of horseback riding begins with learning how a horse moves their body and the judges insight to what makes that particular animal superior to another. Furthermore, I enjoyed the insight into the judging and training aspect of my learning at Bar W. Willie coached me through each challenge and helped me see the purpose of why and how the rider is able to communicate to the horse through body position, weight, feel, body movement, and timing and how to ask for the desired result. Every lesson has been an immense success! Knowing Willie Matthews is a privilege. She works harder than anyone I've ever met and inspires me with her tenacity, dedication, and her passion for training horses. She shows the utmost professionalism, high attention to detail, dedication, and excitement to teach lessons and train high quality horses. Her training philosophy goes far beyond the horse and extends into helping the rider and horse to be a team and to become the best they can be. She pushes hard, yet always looks for the good and the positive within each person, animal, and situation. I consider myself lucky to have found a trainer with this amount of compassion, honesty, and consideration. After seeing the results of how Willie worked with her show horse and how she works with the horse and rider both individually and as a team, I knew I had found the right match for me and my horse. Willie’s training practices yield exceptional results in a timely manner. I would not hesitate to recommend Willie Matthews and Bar W Equestrian Center to any dedicated hard working equestrian who seeks the right training and to make an investment in their horse! She has gone above and beyond what I have ever experienced before in a trainer. Willie prides herself in working not only to train my horse, but to teach me how to ask for the results that I desire as well. Even as a seasoned rider, I feel that her work with my paint mare has taken us to a whole new level to be able to begin my dream of showing again. Her instruction has further built my confidence that I needed to accomplish that dream. I can not say “Thank you” enough!`Katie Thobe-Maria Stein, Ohio, 2007

No other trainers would even consider training my mare, so if it weren’t for Willie, my mare would’ve never been trained! But because Willie has trained my mare, I can now successfully work with and ride her. I also had a couple lessons with Willie and learned quite a bit of things that will help me with my mare. Thanks for everything you’ve done! ~Brittany Daniels, Botkins, Ohio 2007

Willie is an amazing trainer! I have seen such a big improvement on Nutmeg in the past two months. Her gaits really have slowed down and she is much more responsive. She listens to me so much better and I actually enjoy riding her now. ~Megan Hausler, Bellefontaine Ohio, 2007

I bought a nine year old Quarter horse gelding in January and moved him to Bar W in March, so I have recent experience with another boarding stable. Trust me If you are looking for a trainer, Stormy and I highly recommend Willie Matthews and if you are looking for a place to board your horse, check out Bar W. You won’t be disappointed! UPDATED Testimonial: I wanted to let you know how happy I am with the progress you've made with Stormy. He is just a different horse - period! I started subscribing to Horse Illustrated and this month's issue Life With Horses column has an article about horses with "a lot of personality" If that isn't Stormy. It is such a good feeling to see Stormy succeeding. You've really worked wonders with him. Sincerely, Cassie Spreher, Christiansburg, Ohio 2006

I have wanted to thank you for allowing me to board Chase during June and July. Even though I only got to take him to two shows this year, I got to accomplish some of my goals for him this year. I wanted more than anything just to be able to show him again. Thank you Willie for owning that special place for me this year. You not only helped me to provide a place to keep him so that I could get Chase in shape, but you helped me get to Urbana so that I could show him once again. And we had a great show that day. I was very happy that I was able to win our Western Pleasure class after only being on his back three times the whole year prior to the show. But whenever I was in the barn you always had a smile and a cheerful "hello" to greet me. If I ever move back up that way, and need a boarding stall, I hope that whatever horse that I have will be allowed to be stalled in your barn. Thank you again Willie! ~Laura VanSkiver, Wilmington, Ohio, 2006

We came to Bar W with very limited knowledge about horses. Willie took us under her wing and helped us lease a horse that was just right for our family. When it was time for us to purchase a horse, she assisted us in finding that perfect, family friendly horse. Willie is dedicated to her students, boarders and friends and to be any of these three is an honor and privilege. Our entire family has taken many hours of lessons given by Willie and have learned far more than we thought possible in such a short time. Our newly purchased horse has also spent time training at the Bar W facility, And we are very pleased at the results Willie has done a wonderful job not only getting our daughter ready for her first year of showing horses but also our horse. There are very few places we trust to instruct our child and horse, and we are proud that Bar W is one of them. I gotta tell you though... yours is the cleanest I have been to! Thank you Willie! David & Ingrid Snyder, Urbana, Ohio

I have known Willie for several years, and have ridden with her for most of those years. Willie has always been a wonderful rider and always up on the latest training methods in this ever fast growing equine world. Not only is she a great friend, a superb rider, and succesful buisness owner she has taught many kids the true meaning of riding. I call her quite a bit whenever I have a question about training and she always gives me her best advice on how to handle the situation, keeping my safety in mind everytime. The barn is the most beautiful barn I have come across in some time and you can see that it is well kept up between Kenny and Willie. They both do a fabulous job of making the barn a wonderful place to board your horse and a great atmosphere to work in. I would definatley recommend Bar W Equestrian Center to anyone that is hauling down that way from Wisconsin. Kudos to you guys for really making a difference in alot of people's lives! ~Jennifer Martinez, Trainer/Instructor, 2007

"When I started riding horses I didn't have a clue what I was doing. Willie showed me a lot of riding skills that I needed to know to ride a horse. Me and my horse were both beginners. She also trained the horse. I learned how to sit, control my horse, walk, trot and basically everything else I needed to know how to ride a horse. When I finally got the hang of it, I started showing. We always placed high, (at least top 3 it seemed like). By Fair time I was ready, I placed high in all my events. I even placed 2nd in a Trail Class. I won a few 2nd's and a 3rd and 5th. Willie always told me to ride as much as possible and make the horse do what I wanted it to do. It was a great way to learn how to ride. Thanks for Everything! ~Nalan, St. Paris, Ohio. 2005

But just have to say - I've learned (and continue to learn) more from you than anyone I've ever known that claims to be a horse guru. You appear to be the the only "real thing"! Also - so many great comments about your training ability ~Cassie, Christiansburg, Ohio 2007