Training at =M

We take pride in bringing you the best in training and riding instruction

We offer lessons for you and training for your horse through two very talented trainers:

AJ Tolson Equine: Instructor of Riders – Trainer of Horses. A native of Indiana, Amy Jo Tolson moved to California in 1979 where she lived on a family owned boarding and training stable in Marin County. It was there she fell in love with horses and began riding at age eight. During the following years, she trained under Bonnie Leslie, Renee VanMidde, Jan Bolds, Heather Daylight, Marion Nelson, Margie McDonald and her cousin, Dawn Ramsier – a thirteen time AQHA Jumper Champion. Amy was Dawn’s assistant riding instructor in English and Western Hunter/Jumper for nine years. Amy Jo has shown in many local rated and non-rated shows in jumpers and Western pleasure, winning a reserve championship in overall English and Western series in 1996 and 1998. She earned multiple high points and ribbons. Amy has taught riding instruction at the Double Bar M Ranch since October 1998. Amy Jo presently provides riding instruction in beginning to advanced Western Pleasure, Western Ranch Horse, Trail, Gymkhana, Equitation and English Hunt Seat at the Double Bar M Ranch. She teaches both adults and children, five years and up, but especially loves to teach the children. She believes that learning should be fun as well as educational, and she creates a positive, safe environment in which both happen, whether for pleasure or in the show arena. During the 2007 show season, Amy Jo’s students placed Reserve Champion, QH Division and Top Five All Breed Division in local non-rated shows. Summers at the ranch include a series of schooling shows, playdays, clinics and a week-long day camp with a one night sleepover for girls ages seven through twelve. Amy Jo maintains a full winter schedule with all-weather indoor facilities. You can reach Amy Jo Tolson at 707-695-4132. She’d love to hea1r from you. Amy Jo Tolson's complete Bio with New Rates Here

Nicole Lucero Nicole began riding at the tender age of five years old. Her passion for horses and the sport of riding grew very quickly. At the age of eight, she entered her first rated large pony division and soon graduated to the fourteen and under short stirrup divisions as well. The show circuit soon became a second home for Nicole. As she progressed from the pony hunter ring, and graduated from the fourteen and under divisions, she found herself in the children’s jumper ring on a fluke. Her love for the grace and elegance of hunters remained, but she soon developed a strong passion for the excitement of jumper’s precision of medal classes. The barn Nicole and her horses called home was located in West Marin County. This is where she continued to train and show, primarily in the jumper ring, until she graduated from high school in 2000. During this time, she began assisting for her trainer and found herself back in the pony ring, only this time on the other side of the fence, coaching and teaching. Her show jumping took her on adventures throughout the state showing and attending clinics taught by some of the biggest names in the business. These experiences proved to be unforgettable. The show circuit took her from Sonoma County all the way down to San Diego County with stops in places such as Santa Barbara, LA, Marin and even Hawaii. When Nicole began college, she had to put her riding on hold for a short time. But once introduced to the rapidly growing equestrian communities in Southern California, she found it hard to stay away for long. She took on a job exercise riding at the prestigious Del Mar Horse Park in Del Mar, CA. This is where her love for the show ring reemerged stronger than ever. As the college experience came to an end, Nicole decided to head back to Northern California where it had all begun for her. While interviewing with architectural firms in San Francisco and Marin County, she was offered a job as an assistant riding instructor at the barn where she had taken her first lesson. She accepted the position and soon began building her own business of horse training and riding instruction. After two years of developing and growing her business, she decided to move north to the excellent facilities of the Double Bar M Ranch, where she presently teaches riders of all ages and levels of experience, sharing her love for English riding and show jumping. You can contact Nicole at 415-342-1001.

Dianne Sommerfeld Dianne Sommerfeld originally hailed from Long Island, N.Y., where from the age of seven, she rode Hunter/Jumpers. She relocated to the West Coast in 1977 and began riding reiners and stock horses. She worked with local trainers for twenty years, including Art Grunig, and also had the privilege of working along side Larry Trocha for a number of years. Dianne has participated in many clinics conducted by Al Dunning, Les Vogt and Shawn Flarida, just to name a few. She accumulated the skills and knowledge which eventually became what she calls “The 3D Method of Training”, a comprehensive method for developing the three dimensional, or all around, well broke horse: a horse that is developed with longevity in mind. About five years ago, Dianne was operating Sommerfeld Performance Horses and standing the Quarter Horse stallion, Whatabrudder. It was then she joined with business partner, Justine Gandolfo and formed 3D Performance Horses. Dianne excels in helping riders overcome problems by using unique trouble shooting techniques that help riders and their horses perform to the best of their abilities, whether at home or in the show arena, especially in the art of reining. Dianne and Justine would be happy to meet with you at the Double Bar M Ranch. Please visit their website at www.3dhorsetraining.com for customer testimonials and pricing information. You can also contact them at 707-537-8196.

Justine Gandolfo Justine Gandolfo was born and raised in Sonoma County. She began English riding instruction at the age of six at Oakridge Training Stables in Santa Rosa. Shortly afterward, Justine’s grandmother bought a training facility and Justine has the good fortune of growing up with access to the many trainers who worked out of the family’s business. As a young girl, Justine trained with Mary Dowdall and Emily Pond for several years. She was a tough competitor in the Hunter/Jumper arena, primarily riding Thoroughbreds, and was consistently “in the ribbons”. During this time, she also had the opportunity to work with Olympic judge and course designer, Martin Cohen, and attended clinics conducted by George Morris. Justine spent every spare minute she had working with horses, often volunteering to ride “problem horses” that the owners were fearful of, and fitting up horses whose owners didn’t have the time. As a result, Justine has gained a wide range of experience, working with many different breeds and types of horses. Later on, she became interested in Western riding, (Reining in particular), while watching Art Grunig, who worked at her family’s facility for a number of years. Through a twist of fate, Justine came to possess her first Quarter horse. She became truly intrigued with the trainability of the American Quarter Horse. In 2003, Justine began working with Dianne Sommerfeld who recognized her talent and ability. Under Dianne’s tutelage, she is now focusing on Reining and Reined Cowhorse events, although she continues to ride a limited number of English horses. Near the end of 2003, Justine and Dianne formed 3D Performance Horses. Justine excels in colt starting and “problem horses”. Her calm demeanor aids her in working with sensitive, high strung and worried horses. This is balanced by an equal talent for working with “hard cases”. She is an excellent communicator with a special ability to impart her knowledge to others. She is also very skilled at helping to build the confidence of fearful riders. Justine and Dianne would be happy to meet with you at the Double Bar M Ranch. You can contact either of them at 707-537-8196, or visit their website at www.3dhorsetraining.com. Coming Soon! Check back for more details