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Shakespeare Farm Welcomes Knabstrupper Stallion, Pyxis av Drömmarna

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 21:05:23 GMT

Shakespeare Farm is Proud

to Welcome Knabstrupper Stallion, Pyxis av Drömmarna

We are thrilled to share that the exceptional KNN-licensed Knabstrupper stallion, Pyxis av Drömmarna , has officially joined the Shakespeare Farm family in California.

This exciting transition was made possible through the shared dedication of Kristi Stilwagon, his longtime owner, who recognized Pyxis’ promise from the start, and Meagan Maloney of Tiara Equine, who brought that vision to life through years of skilled training and top-level competition.

Pyxis has enjoyed a respectable career in both eventing and dressage, earning recognition for his athleticism, versatility, and striking presence.

In addition to his performance success, he has also proven himself as a quality sire, producing outstanding offspring that reflect his exceptional temperament and athletic ability.

He will now continue his development under Kimberly Ramirez of Shakespeare Farm and will stand to select mares.

We are incredibly honored to welcome Pyxis av Drömmarna to the West Coast and look forward to this exciting new chapter.

A Quiet Horse Versus A Horse That’s Been Quieted

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 20:20:56 GMT

A Quiet Horse Versus

A Horse That’s Been Quieted

There’s a difference between a quiet horse and a horse that’s been quieted.

True horsemen and horsewomen always give the horse a voice — the freedom to say no.

When a horse says no, it’s not defiance — it’s information. It’s our cue to pause, listen, and revisit how we’ve prepared them. A true partnership starts there.

A quieted horse has been flooded. Its voice taken away, its sensitivity dulled, its trust replaced with tension. It no longer speaks through feel — and real communication is lost.

So ask yourself:

Do you want your horse to dance for you —

or to dance with you?

KFPS Ster Stallion Dante (Wicher334)

Philippe Karl on the Problems of Modern Dressage and the Essence of French Classical Riding

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 20:02:54 GMT

Philippe Karl on the Problems of Modern Dressage and the Essence of French Classical Riding

This is a wonderful interview of Philippe Karl and a powerful reflection on how far modern dressage has drifted from its classical roots—and what it truly means to ride with the horse instead of against it. His perspective mirrors much of what we teach and practice at Shakespeare Farm. Worth every minute of listening!

My Journey with the Masterson Method

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:38:41 GMT

My Journey with

the Masterson Method

By Kimberly Ramirez, MMCP

I was first introduced to Jim Masterson’s work over a decade ago, around the same time I began exploring the teachings of Manolo Mendez. Both had a profound impact on how I viewed the horse’s body, tension, and communication. I became deeply curious and began integrating their ideas into my daily routines—watching, experimenting, participating in clinics, and learning wherever I could.

In 2018, I decided to pursue the Masterson Method® more seriously, and I completed the Masterson program. I'm now a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP®). I use this work daily in every aspect of my training and coaching. Watching a horse move—free, on the lunge, or under saddle—I see patterns of tension and restriction emerge, often telling the story of their past experiences.

I believe horses are born into this world like a beautifully designed computer—with a clean, perfectly formatted hard drive. Their movement, balance, and communication are pure and aligned with nature. But as prey animals, they are biologically wired to survive above all else. So when humans begin interacting with them—through training, handling, or riding—the horse adapts. These adaptations often include physical and emotional compensation, even if those patterns aren’t ideal. They do what works. If it doesn’t cause harm, if they stay alive and functional, the horse will continue using those patterns—over and over—until they become imprinted into their neural pathways.

These are not always caused by trauma. Sometimes they’re created simply by repetition. For example, when excessive tension is repeatedly placed on the inside rein, I can clearly see the brace that develops and the block that shows up in the right hind’s ability to come through. Even once the rein is released, the horse often continues to move in the same guarded way—because it has become the default.

Years ago, I began observing that you cannot simply overwrite these types of dysfunctional patterns with new ones. The horse doesn’t just switch from a “bad” pattern to a “good” one. You have to alleviate the original pattern first—create the space—before a new, healthier way of going can emerge. About two years ago, I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Steve Peters, a neuroscientist and co-author of Evidence-Based Horsemanship, while attending one of his clinics. We had a long conversation about this very concept. What I was observing in horses—the way they clung to old patterns even when conditions changed—mirrored what he explained from a neurological perspective: that old neural pathways must be interrupted or erased before new ones can effectively form. That conversation deeply validated everything I had been feeling and seeing for years in my work with horses.

This is where the Masterson Method® is such a powerful tool. It works with the horse’s nervous system to reveal and release those embedded patterns—those outdated lines of code that no longer serve. Once the tension is released, the body begins to move differently. The mind opens. And slowly, you start to see the horse choose new ways of being. Not because we’ve imposed it, but because it feels better. Because it works.

I pair this bodywork with classical training techniques to help both horse and rider step into a new dynamic based on feel, clarity, and mutual understanding. When the horse begins to realize that the pressure, the old code, the source of discomfort is gone, something powerful happens. You see it in the eyes, the breath, the stillness—the horse begins to process. Then, almost naturally, they begin to hunt for balance. And when they find it, it’s not artificial. It’s theirs.

Tom Dorrance once told me that we must set up the equation and let the horse come through. That’s what I strive to do—guide the horse back to its own natural alignment. When the body is in balance, the mind follows. And when the mind is in balance, learning can happen, communication flows, and connection thrives.

Everything I do today is rooted in what the horse tells me—and the Masterson Method® has given me a clearer, quieter, and more powerful way to listen.

How's That Working for You?

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:01:43 GMT

How's That Working for You?

By Kimberly Ramirez, A Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP)

It’s one of my favorite questions to ask—not just in life, but especially in horse training. Dr. Phil may have coined it decades ago, but it’s a question that cuts through the noise and gets right to the heart of things.

In the horse world today, we’re flooded with methods, programs, online gurus, and advice. Some of it is valuable. Some of it just… isn’t. And sometimes, something resonates because it sounds easier or more convenient—not necessarily because it’s right for you or your horse.

That’s why I often ask my clients: “How’s that working for you?” Is the method you’re using producing the results you’re after? Is your horse improving—really improving? Not just doing what it’s told, but moving better? Thinking better? Sound in body and mind? Is your horse willing, curious, and relaxed?

Aspiration is important. But application is everything. It’s easy to like an idea. It’s harder to implement it in a way that’s fair to both you and your horse. And if something isn’t working—consistently and across time—it’s worth stepping back and reevaluating.

That might mean finding a trainer you trust—not just someone who talks a good game, but someone whose horses tell the truth.

Do they appear content? Are they progressing in their training, even slowly but steadily? Do they willingly come to work? Are they healthy and sound? Is the barn full of relaxed, thriving horses—or is it a place where injury and burnout seem common?

Or maybe it’s checking in with yourself after watching another online tutorial that didn’t quite come together. If you’re left feeling unsure, unsafe, or like your horse is starting to lose trust—stop.

Ask yourself that simple question.

Because real progress takes timing, tact, and support. No method is one-size-fits-all. And not every “tool” belongs in your toolbox.

So the next time something feels off—or even when it feels just fine—pause and ask: How’s that working for you?

It’s a small question. But it can lead to big changes.

My Time With Tom Dorrance

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 17:14:56 GMT

My Time With Tom Dorrance

By Kimberly Ramirez

Tom Dorrance

(May 11, 1910 – June 11, 2003)

Tom and his brother Bill are considered among the founders of the modern natural horsemanship movement. Born and raised on an Oregon cattle ranch with a background in the Great Basin " Buckaroo " tradition, they promoted natural, gentle methods of horse training , emphasizing "feel" of the horse and observation of its responses to the handler.

The Dorrance brothers' influence travelled widely throughout the United States, particularly amongst cattlemen and cowboys who worked with horses every day. Having a relationship to their horses was far more important than winning awards or accolades in the show ring, and so horsemanship, the relationship between equine and human, was more important than the colour of their ribbon. It has often been said that the Dorrances could see what a horse was thinking before the horse even thought it.

"Tom imprinted something into me—into my bones, into my conscience—a quiet, steady way of being with horses."

Before I ever met Tom Dorrance, I was already chasing something I couldn’t name.

I was the youngest of four daughters in a loud, chaotic household. There was always movement, always noise, always someone needing something. It was easy to get lost in the mix. From an early age, I found refuge in animals. They were my sanctuary—the one place I felt heard, even without speaking. Horses, especially, offered me a sense of peace I couldn’t find anywhere else. My father, who always believed in my spirit, bought me my very first horse, and everything changed after that.

What I did have was a childhood spent in the mountains—riding endurance horses across the western United States. A local endurance family had taken me under their wing, and I rode for miles through rugged terrain, learning about balance, stamina, and most importantly, trust. Out there, there was no one to give me step-by-step instruction. It was a sink-or-swim education built on instinct, survival, and a partnership with the horse that was entirely earned. Those early years forged a bond between me and the horse that no formal education could replicate.

By my late teens, I had begun rehoming off-track Thoroughbreds and teaching lessons, working with whatever horses came my way. I had no business calling myself a colt-starter yet, but I didn’t know that then. When I was offered a two-year-old Thoroughbred filly with absolutely no handling, I said yes—believing that my heart and experience would be enough. I pulled into the ranch to pick her up and was met with five ranch hands roping her head, legs, and neck, trying to wrestle her toward my trailer. The scene was chaotic, panicked, and heartbreaking. She was soaked in sweat, thrashing in fear, and I was flooded with emotion—sadness, compassion, fear. But I couldn’t leave her.

The hour-and-a-half drive home was brutal. The filly squealed, kicked, and slammed herself into the sides of the trailer with every mile. I could feel her panic through the floorboards. I drove in silence, gripping the wheel, hoping I hadn’t made the biggest mistake of my life. When we arrived, I opened the trailer door and let her into a paddock. She was still shaking. So was I. I hoped that in the days to come, I might earn her trust enough to get a halter on her.

A friend had told me about a Ray Hunt colt-starting clinic in Carmel Valley. At the time, I didn’t know how big a deal that was. All I knew was I needed help. I loaded the filly again—still barely touchable—and made the trip.

When we arrived, she was screaming in the trailer, striking, pawing, shaking. I was already exhausted, already overwhelmed. There were seasoned horsemen everywhere, and I felt entirely out of place. Then Ray opened the clinic with a warning: “If you don’t have the mileage or the experience, you probably shouldn’t be starting colts. You should either go home or sit in the stands.” I knew he was talking to me.

But I stayed.

When I opened the trailer and clipped the lead rope, the filly exploded out the back. She was rearing, pawing, bolting—just trying to escape the pressure of it all. I was doing everything I could to stay upright and hold on.

That’s when I saw him.

A small, older man, walking toward me calmly and kindly. He moved like the volume of the world had just been turned down. He moved like still water—quiet, calm, utterly present. Without judgment, he offered, “Would you like me to take her for a moment?”

I was relieved and worried all at once. What I saw next changed me forever.

He didn’t overpower her. He didn’t flinch. He simply met her where she was. In moments, her energy shifted. She stopped looking outward and began to ask questions. She started to follow. She understood him. And in that moment, I understood something too. I was just like that filly—anxious, unsure, doing my best not to fall apart.

That man that met that filly right where she was and understood her was Tom Dorrance.

In those moments, I felt just like that filly—uncertain, ungrounded, filled with anticipation that something bad was about to happen. And Tom comforted me the same way he comforted her. Calm. Direct. Compassionate. He stayed with me the entire clinic—not holding my hand, but holding space. He saw something in me I didn’t yet know was there. And he let me stay. He let me make mistakes. He let me struggle. But he stayed nearby. Observing. Protecting. Teaching without teaching. He knew I had to learn it myself. I didn’t know it then, but he was crafting something quietly transformative—between me and the filly, and within me as a horsewoman.

I remember being in the round pen, just a halter and lead rope, trying to find the right moment to mount. My heart was pounding. I swung a leg over—too fast and too soon—and the filly panicked. I was on the ground before I even understood what happened.

Tom walked over, calm as ever, and said, “She wasn’t quite ready yet. Let’s try again.”

And we did.

"Tom imprinted something into me—into my bones, into my conscience. A quiet, steady way of being with horses. He never told me what to do. He let me feel it."

After that first colt-starting clinic, something in me had been forever altered. I had spent five days—eight to ten hours each day—absorbing everything I could. Whether I was watching Tom help others or quietly working with me in the background, I was being inducted into something sacred.

For five days, I worked with that filly, and Tom worked with both of us. He was crafting something—he knew we were learning together. He was letting us succeed in a way that neither of us could have done alone. And at the end of that week, he signed his book True Unity and handed it to me, along with his phone number and his address. He gave me a hug—the kind that says: “I see you.” And he told me that if I ever wanted to come down to the Merced Horsemen’s Grounds, I’d be welcome. Just give him a call.

So I did.

I would trailer down or drive and stay in local motel just to be near that energy again. At the Horsemen’s Grounds, they’d just installed a new giant metal gate that lifted when you drove in. I don’t remember the year, but I remember that moment. I remember how small I felt and how vast the path ahead of me seemed.

I remember sitting on the rails, surrounded by a handful of young men, and feeling oddly at home. I didn’t realize then how unusual it was to be a young woman in that space. Maybe it was because my father raised me to believe there was no such thing as “for boys only.” I was never told I couldn’t.

And no one ever made me feel like I didn’t belong—not Tom, not the men working under him. There was no ego, no posturing, no intimidation. That kind of space is rare. It still is.

This is why I hesitate when people ask about my time with Tom. I don’t ever want to claim more than I should. I wasn’t “trained by Tom Dorrance,” and I’m not one of his prodigies. But I was there. I was there starting colts with Tom. I was there and listened to his words. I was there and made mistakes. And I was there and soaked in every moment I could. He just kept letting me come. And in his own way, he kept showing me how to listen better—not just to horses, but to myself.

He treated me with kindness and quiet generosity, as though he knew I was carrying it forward even before I did.

Tom imprinted something into me—into my bones, into my conscience. A quiet, steady way of being with horses. A knowing that real communication happens beneath the noise. He never told me what to do. He let me feel it. And he never stopped me from learning, even when it meant I had to fall off a wild filly and pick myself up again.

Over the next forty years, I’d make every mistake a horsewoman can make—probably a thousand times over. But I always tried to do no harm. I always asked myself: "What would Tom say?" And little by little, the lessons he gave me soaked in and began to bloom. I’d be working with a horse and suddenly feel a thread of understanding—a quiet "aha" moment. That’s what he meant.

Now, as I teach, train, and help rehabilitate horses and riders, I carry the time I spent learning from Tom with me. I don’t want to just share my knowledge—I want to offer that same kind of haven I was given. Because horses don’t just challenge us physically—they call us into our hearts. This path can be isolating, full of self-doubt, fear, and worry.

But it can also be the most beautiful evolution of self.

Tom Dorrance gave me the first tools to begin that journey. And it’s my greatest hope that, in my work, I can offer others a moment of that same clarity and peace. The kind that starts quietly, in a round pen, between a horse and a girl who didn’t yet know how deeply she was about to fall in love with the truth.

Shakespeare Farm Training FAQs

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 23:18:39 GMT

Shakespeare Farm offers a range of personalized training, coaching, and rehabilitative programs designed to support both the horse and the rider—no matter your discipline or experience level.

Training FAQs

At Shakespeare Farm, we specialize in the quiet recovery of horses impacted by force, poor biomechanics, or overtraining. Our programs blend classical dressage, hands-on bodywork, and somatic awareness to restore balance and rebuild trust—one horse at a time.

Shakespeare Farm Training Tiers

Sat, 02 Aug 2025 23:38:48 GMT

Shakespeare Farm Training Programs

Location, Location, Location!

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 22:34:53 GMT

Location, Location, Location!

Shakespeare Farm is nestled in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains with sweeping vistas of the Monterey Bay. The land meets the sea in a harmonious blend of colors and textures, and the gentle coastal breezes and stunning sunsets are perfectly complemented by ancient redwoods, some of the tallest and oldest trees on Earth. These natural giants create a canopy of serenity, offering cool shade and a sense of timelessness that enriches the experience of all who visit. Best of all, the Santa Cruz Mountains are renowned for their lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems, which offer a perfect backdrop for equestrian activities—an idyllic setting for both horse and rider.

Despite its secluded feel, Shakespeare Farm is easily accessible with convenient proximity to major airports. Visitors can easily reach our tranquil haven from various locations:

San Jose International Airport (SJC): Approximately 32 miles away, about a 40-minute drive.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Approximately 61 miles away, about a 1-hour drive.

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY): Approximately 45 miles away, about a 50-minute drive.

Come and Experience Our Open House - April 2026

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:19:50 GMT

UPCOMING EVENT

Invitation-Only Open House and Training Demo

Saturday - April 25th, 2026

Announcing Our Invitation-Only

Open House at Shakespeare Farm

We’re excited to host an exclusive Open House at Shakespeare Farm, featuring a curated afternoon of equine demonstrations, breed showcases, and a behind-the-scenes look at our training and bodywork practices.

Guests will enjoy open barn access to meet our horses—including the rare Knabstrupper stallions—along with the other stallions at Shakespeare Farm. Demonstrations will highlight our holistic approach to rehabilitation and classical training. The event will also include a hosted wine tasting, light hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction benefiting horses in need.

This is a private, invitation-only event. If you are interested in attending, please use the form on the left to contact us and we will follow up with more information!

What is A Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP)?

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:19:49 GMT

What is A Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP)?

The Masterson Method techniques are a game-changer for anyone who owns, competes or handles a horse, because they not only improve movement and performance, but also allow the horse to release tension in essential core muscles, and in the muscles of key junctions of the body which affect movement and performance.

Becoming a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) signifies that you have attained a standard level of proficiency in The Masterson Method techniques by completing a rigorous, high quality training program. This certification program includes roughly 426 hours of instructor contact, guided study, and practice sessions.

Kimberly Ramirez, MMCP

Kimberly Ramirez is a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) with over 35 years of experience in coaching, training, and developing horse-and-rider partnerships. She specializes in helping horses achieve optimal physical and emotional balance through gentle, intuitive bodywork grounded in the principles of the Masterson Method.

Many of the horses Kimberly works with have developed tension, compensatory patterns, or restricted movement due to physical strain, emotional stress, or conventional training systems that did not fully support biomechanical harmony. Over time, this can result in a loss of the horse’s original, free movement vocabulary—gradually overwritten by tension and repetition. Kimberly’s approach is centered on restoring that natural foundation through bodywork and careful re-education.

As part of this process, she incorporates classical dressage as a framework for retraining—supporting each horse’s return to balance through thoughtful, progressive work that honors biomechanics and clarity in communication.

Her approach centers on lightness, somatic awareness, and the deepening of communication between horse and rider. Each program is uniquely designed to support both partners—mentally, physically, and emotionally—laying the groundwork for long-term success, resilience, and connection.

About Shakespeare Farm

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 19:19:49 GMT

We're Shakespeare Farm

For over 20 years, Shakespeare Farm has been a cornerstone of the equine industry, originally recognized for importing, breeding, and developing elite competition sport horses. Our program was built on a foundation of excellence, integrity, and deep horsemanship, producing top-quality Hanoverian sport horses that excelled in competition.

The roots of Shakespeare Farm go back 35 years to a strong foundation in natural horsemanship that shaped the career of owner and trainer, Kimberly Ramirez, long before she entered the world of sport horses and founded Shakespeare Farm. As a young trainer, she had the rare and invaluable opportunity to work alongside Tom Dorrance, starting many young colts. Tom's mentorship instilled in her the importance of patience, feel, timing, and true communication with the horse. This foundation in colt-starting and natural horsemanship became the bedrock of her philosophy and remains at the heart of everything she does.

Building upon that base, Kimberly expanded her experience and knowledge by studying with esteemed mentors such as Manolo Mendez, Jim Masterson, Buck Brannaman, Bertrand Ravoux, Paula Kirkegaard, Dr. Steve Peters, Mark Rashid, Dr. Kerry Ridgway, Dr. Brian McLaren, and many others. These experiences have enriched her approach, allowing her to integrate diverse methodologies into a holistic training program that both respects the horse's natural movement and promotes a harmonious partnership between horse and rider.

Kimberly has also been on the forefront of creating the standards and bringing the recognition of the Friesian breed to the United States Equestrian Federation. She has served multiple terms on the IFSHA Board of Directors by invitation following successes in Dressage Sport Horse Breeding of Hanoverians, served 10 years on the United States Equestrian Federation Friesian Division Board of Directors, and served three years as the United States Equestrian Federation Chair of the Division under David Hunt. Her experiences are well-rounded and well-evolved around multiple breeds and disciplines throughout 35 years of being immersed in equestrian sport.

Beyond Competition...

A New Chapter Begins

While Shakespeare Farm's legacy is deeply rooted in high-level sport and performance, we have evolved into something even more meaningful—a place where horse and rider can grow together in harmony.

Through years of experience, Kimberly observed that many equine athletes and their riders were held back by gaps in foundational knowledge, miscommunication, and physical imbalances. As a result, Shakespeare Farm shifted its focus to helping both horses and riders develop a deeper, more effective connection—free from fear, force, or artificial mechanics.

Today, Kimberly's training incorporates equine bodywork into her training and rehabilitation programs, utilizing her expertise as a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner. By combining hands-on bodywork, movement analysis, and repatterning, she helps horses release tension, restore range of motion, and develop strength and soundness in a way that honors their natural biomechanics.