Epona Inspired Personal Growth | Sanctuary for personal growth and inner balance

Testimonials

Below you will find several testimonials from some of the past participants of Epona Ridge retreats. Many more have written beautiful letters and words of great inspiration but are not all represented here... each one is powerfully personal on many levels and all have filled my heart. Our hope is that these testimonials will convey a sense of the experience for participants that come here. It is for those that have not had a chance to feel the magic and deep connection that you find here at Epona Ridge so that they will get a glimpse of what others have experienced along their inner journey with the way of the horse.
In gratitude, Barbara

Experiences at Epona Ridge

Sandra Sherrill

Sandra has been a part of Epona Ridge since her first experience in an Epona Approach^TM workshop in 2004. She has had a deep passion for animals and a special connection with them throughout her life.

Sandra's compassion extends beyond the animals in her professional life with her own species...

She has a Bachelor's degree in Social Work; and a Master of Arts in Education specializing in Counseling.

Her training, and 20 years experience in counseling includes an emphasis on women's issues, and the use of experiential arts for self-expression and personal awareness.

Sandra is currently studying The Art of Healing and is part of a 3-year Training Program. This work specializes in energetic healing of the mind/body/spirit.

"I am convinced of the healing power of both the horses who share their wisdom and grace, and of the sacred space that is always here waiting at Epona Ridge."
Sandra Sherrill

This workshop has enhanced my awareness of our connection with all beings to a level I have never felt before. It has oppened doors to emotional issues and allowed me to release the resistance. I am ever in gratitude for what you and the horses have done for us all. Thank you.

Diane G.

Waynesville, NC

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I completely loved the workshop. I loved the safe and gentle space you created so that each of us can honestly be ourselves and reach for more. I loved how you designed the flow of exercises, rituals, and experiences and I felt so supported by you and the horses to live in my heart. I loved the joy of connecting and sharing each morning. I love how you created an energetic field of strength and beauty to resonate with. You are so gentle and powerful in your presence and as a guide/teacher/healer and facilitator. It was such a beautiful opportunity to take my spirituality and live and experience it in a different dimension with the horses. I know energetically I have been changed profoundly.

I loved loved loved how you stood with me as witness for my first real experience (in the round pen). Knowing you were there really allowed me to let go and open to such an amazing and beautiful experience. And to have you validate what I truly believe happened and was happening allowed me to take it deeper and make it more real.

Your workshop (Sacred Choices and Choosing Joy) truly allows for individuals to experience and understand what is really important… to make the choice of what really matters to them. I think in a lot of ways you help to give voice to those who may not be as in touch with that, while for others it is an opportunity to take that (Mattering) deeper and allow it to be more far reaching. I just loved all the time and experiences with the horses. Formal or informal by myself I was touched and changed every time.

Denise Clements

Mamaroneck, NY

You wouldn't understand unless you've been to one.

Barbara made it easy for me to push the testosterone aside and expose feelings and emotions that most men dare tread, especially in front of all women! Her material had good flow and was presented with no time lines for each module. I would highly recommend her for future workshops.

I really had no idea the level of sensitivity and boundaries one truly has especially the horse. I am sold on this concept of making oneself aware through equine reflective work, the horse is immediate feedback.

These types of workshops may prevent divorces, abuse, and cruelty. For what it's worth I think most men would benefit greatly if you can get them to take off there armor plating at the door.

Don Dallas

Atlanta, GA

Barbara is a high, a shining example of all she teaches. She gives enough guidance, direction, input and feedback so as to truly create a sacred space. Each personal journey is their own unique and individual with their own cadence. Barbara creates an environment and structure within which each person can feel safe and free. She is a beacon.

The full range of emotions that was experienced by the weather and the fluidity with which the different techniques and sharing times moved into each other was wonderful. Barbara’s picture should be in the dictionary next to the word :facilitator:…warm, genuine, inclusive, respectful, knowledgeable- all these words are part of who Barbara is but she is so much more… an alchemical synergistic experiential of this and more… an inspiration ... not necessarily to be like her but to reach to be more of who YOU are. To be the more of you.

The experiences with the horses is and was more then I can say ... truly beyond words. They can take you to a place of peace, healing, dreaming, forgiveness and joy… emotional release that is life altering and live changing. All it takes is a bit of willingness, asking and magic. The group of women were so supportive, respectful, interesting and fun…spiritual, mystical, willing... a transcendent time for me.

Barbra McPike

Orlando, FL

Sacred Choices…. For me, choosing the authentic, the truer self and allowing the false self to be smaller, less real. The process and spiral of these experiences allowed new vistas and horizons of possibilities to blossom and expand. It was beautiful... more than I could have ever imagined...– the environment, the space…

It wasn't until after I left your workshop and readjusted to my life that I realiized just how much of an impact it had on me. It awakened the child and the spirit inside of me, and I don't think there is any stopping her now. I also did not realize how dark inside of me it was. I feel lighter, brighter, and aware. I am approaching life much differently these days and only look forward to it getting better. I have found myself in yoga, reike, and continue to read constantly about spirituality. I am committed to helping other people, especially women, realize the potential within themselves. It seems so easily lost with all our nurturing and caring for others.

Thank you so much for facilitating a new begining for me. May all the blessings you pass out return to you in magnitude.

Colleen Ries, PA

While there, I left behind my old ideas and felt the peace of knowing that I will be instrumental in changing the thinking and way of interacting with our magnificent equine--one student at a time, through the Way of the Horse. How my God has blessed me! Everything has changed - in my teaching, the horses, my students (their lives and relationships because of what they are learning from the horses), my family, my faith, and myself.

Amy-Leigh Kubicki
Raleigh, North Carolina

I have come to know that no two of your workshops will ever be in any way similar. It reminds me of the preparation of food; the end result is based on the ingredients and their intensities are never the same. It is so valuable that YOU honor the moment. It has been my experience that some meaningful thoughts can only be expressed sometimes at a seemingly unthreatening moment. Some words left unspoken may never have sound. And expressing is contagious! Thanks for creating that space!

Ann L. Asheville, NC

Trying to remain open to all possibilities, I packed myself up and drove to Asheville. Would these be a bunch of loony people I would have nothing in common with? Would I understand anything they were about? Questions raced through my head as I drove the 6 hours to get there. However, as I drove into Epona Ridge, I was immediately struck with a peaceful, majestic feeling of another time and place and it felt good. Barbara’s handsome Zorro gazed out of the Picadoro at me knowingly as if to say, “you’ve come to the right place.”

As it unfolded and I relaxed, this workshop became truly magical for me. I was able to be entirely present to witness the beautiful rhythm of Barbara building the safest sacred space of possibility and authentic community I have yet to experience. The possibilities were infinite in this group and absolutely incredible things happened. It became clear that everyone felt safe, even the animals as a hummingbird hovered near my ear in our circle, bringing me great joy and affirmation. Horses lay down with us and dreamed in true connection and affirmation of our truths and emotions. Even Mother Nature joined our connection as she swiftly whipped up some swirling winds and dark clouds in response to our emotions and just as quickly cleared the skies and warmed us with the sun as we worked through it all. And, Barbaras’s singing crystal bowls brought all of our vibrations into synchronicity with the group and the Universe. Needless to say, I left there reeling and vibrating with the Universe in pure connected ecstasy for months. And I can still go there easily.

Barbara is extremely gifted in the soft and magical dance she has taken up with her horses and with the Universe and to all who reach out a hand. Any who may be privileged enough to experience her magic will be forever grateful as I will always find myself. It TRULY changed my life!

Tammy Wilbur

Birmingham, AL