Claudia Cojocar - Mentor & Trainer
I have great respect for Justine as a teacher, trainer, rider and most of all as a good person.
I have been involved as her mentor for about ten years. I have watched her grow from a rookie into a well respected successful professional. (She always was a good person!)
Justine is a forever student of the sport always wanting to learn and improve. She is careful and thoughtful with her horses and clients and puts their needs ahead of everything else. She is totally ethical and honest. I am proud to be associated with her.
Natalie Hewson & Lorin
I started training with Justine in 2008 when I was 14 years old. Throughout these years, I have bought two horses with Justine, Winston and Lorin. My two geldings have immensely shaped my riding career, and this definitely wouldn’t be the case if I didn’t have Justine by my side every step of the way. Riding underneath her has taken me from the 2’0” ring all the way to the 3’6” (with plans to keep going up).
Justine was the first person who truly taught me the fundamentals of riding, and the importance of having clear conversations with your equine teammate – her passion for horses was evident from the moment I met her. What I find most unique about Justine’s program is that rather than teach her students how to ride their horses, she teaches her students how to train their horses. By taking this holistic and well-rounded approach, she ensures that both horse and rider are equipped for any situation thrown at them, whether it be training at home or competing in the show ring. Justine also always puts the welfare of the horses first; nothing goes untouched when it comes to equine health care and management. I truly believe that through these approaches, Justine enforces the importance of relationship building between horse and rider, and that this sport is very much a two-way street between teammates. My horses and I have benefited immensely from working with Justine. Without her patience, knowledge, and kindness, we wouldn’t have found the success that we have without her. On a personal note, I also consider Justine a great mentor and look forward to many more years of working together with her.
Jenn Long & Weetska PR & HOIBALIA
Justine is not only an exceptional coach but also a wonderful person. Since joining her program in 2012 I’ve had the pleasure of having three horses in training with her. Justine has provided knowledgeable guidance with helping me buy horses overseas, sell horses, as well as develop my young horses. Her coaching and riding expertise combined with her calm and supportive demeanor has given me the confidence and skills required to grow as a rider as well as enjoy my time with my horses in the show ring as well as at home. Justine understands that every rider and every horse is different and therefore adapts her lesson plans accordingly; Justine works individually with each rider/horse to help them achieve their desired goals. Justine and her Sperabo team ensure a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for all horses and students. The facilities are always clean and well kept. The level of horse care is unparalleled!
Carolien Geiger & Madison:
It has been a real pleasure coaching with Justine these past few years. Very professional and hardworking, while at the same time extremely accommodating to an amateur with a busy career. She found me my dream horse and has helped me reach my goals in the jumper ring. She has also fostered a great team environment amongst her students who continue to be supportive of one another.
Nicky Gillam & Dantes Peak
Justine is not only an outstanding coach but a truly talented rider and someone I am honoured to call a friend.
Justine made it possible for me to return to competitions with my dream horse after leaving the sport for many years. She recognized my strengths and the areas I needed to work on, and has successfully helped me improve in all areas of the sport. I haven't always made it easy for her but she has never given up on me, my horse, or my goals. Her horsemanship skills are exceptional, her work ethic is something I am in awe of, and her kind heart mixed with her determination makes her one of the best coaches I been able to ride with. I look forward to riding with Sperabo for years to come.
Chase McDonald & Quidans du Ruisseau Z
I had the pleasure of joining Justine and the Sperabo Stables family in 2016. I was fascinated by Justine’s natural ability to connect with both horse and rider at a very organic level. She has a infectious passion for her sport and genuinely cares deeply about development, growth and well-being of both the horse and rider as a team. Justine has done a marvellous job developing my horse and I to jump the 1.10m’s confidently within a year. She has prepared us both well to easily move up to the 1.15m’s this upcoming 2018 show season. I am incredibly grateful to have Justine as my trainer. Her approach to training has brought my riding to a place I never thought it could be. I’m excited for the future and all of it’s possibilities under Justine’s amazing guidance.
Stella Forbes & Ellipsis
I first started training with Justine in 2013 when I was 14 years old. Over the past four years she has helped me grow and advance as a rider. Justine’s training program is perfectly tailored to each rider and horse combination. She brings into account the relationship you have with your horse to help you with your individual riding program. With every lesson I feel myself advancing and improving my technique under her help and guidance. She has the ability to pinpoint a problem that you might have not known is there, and create a program to help you work through it with positivity and confidence. Justine helped me go from a recreational rider to a competitive and ambitious rider. If it wasn’t for her I would have never had the opportunity to compete and place in multiple CET Mini Medals. As well, I would have never found my first horse, Ellipsis. I think one of Justine’s biggest gifts is that she creates a safe environment, not only at home, but at every horse show. This environment she creates, in turn creates a close bond between the team members.
If it wasn’t for Justine’s combination of love and care for horses, communication skills, and tailored training program, I would never be where I am today. I am truly lucky to have a trainer like her.
Shelley Lawder - Professional dressage rider & trainer
High performance jumping and dressage can be very compatible and mutually beneficial. Over the years, Justine and I have formed such a partnership, and I‘m happy to consider Justine a close friend as well. I'm a big believer in cross training for dressage horses, especially for strength, dexterity, and fitness. I’ve collaborated closely with Justine on many horses, and students, and even benefitted greatly from her expertise with taking jumping lessons myself. Justine is empathetic with her students, gifted with the horses, a fearless heart based rider, and a wonderful human.
Izzy & Ellie - team mascots
No barn is complete without a team mascots. Sperabo Stables is lucky enough to have two. Izzy and Ellie have been pulling their weight as the dedicated Sperabo groupies since 2013.