It has been my pleasure to know Vanessa for the last five years or so. She was recommmended to me by a friend as being very good with nervous riders. (I had just bought a new horse after not riding for a few years.) Vanessa is cheerful, friendly, has knowledge over a wide range of disciplines and always takes the ability and personality of the individual horse and rider into account. I have also found Vanessa's knowledge of equine massage and anatomy very useful. My horse and I have enjoyed all our time with her and are now happily going to clinics, shows and out in the bush, achieving more than I thought possible when we first met.

Anna Hall and Lil Peppy Jinx & JD's Broken Romance

I bought an appaloosa filly and set out training her myself with visions of entering open Western Pleasure and Hunter classes. Coming back into the show scene after a break and a child was a daunting task, but something I had passion for. I fumbled down paths that certainly gave me a nice riding horse, who I thoroughly enjoyed, but didn’t give me enough of the competitive edge that I set out to achieve.

I then caught up with Vanessa, whom I had known from the days of Western Pleasure Horse Association and went through the tireless task of retraining Rose for our WA show scene. For people that know Rose with her alpha mare antics and sheer size, it was a turning point that we would never regret! I set about lessons weekly with Vanessa and in no time had Rose competing successfully in Senior Western Pleasure, Hunter Under Saddle, Open Hack and even Hunter Hack.

My goal had finally been achieved with hours and hours of training but exercises that were simple and easy to understand. Vanessa and I worked hard together to get this horse going and if it was not so much fun, we would never have gotten as far as we did. Her valuable experience and care made life so much easier and better than being alone on the journey.

By Elise Young

My next venture included a Quarter Horse filly that had very basic education, but she is a pretty little thing. With Vanessa’s guidance and extensive training and show ring knowledge, we set out to make it all about Milli! Again, hours and hours of hard work and a lot of laughs, Milli is rising to the occasion.

My concerns or problems are always answered with a quick call to Vanessa. Our new stages of training and what is required is making, not only my horse, but myself a better rider and trainer but a much better person. We can tackle all sorts of issues relating not only to training but also physical well being. With the hours and hours of work involved it is really nice to do as much for the horse as possible.

Both horses really enjoy their rubs from Vanessa’s magic hands. Sometimes I think they love her better than me! I cannot describe how valuable Vanessa has been over recent years and look forward to every training session.


Thanks Mate!
By Elise Young

Thankyou Vanessa!

Look at Rocky now, I bought this gelding with little knowledge of western riding. After my first lesson with Vanessa i was thrilled with the results! I emailed all my friends. Vanessa showed me ways that really made me understand, and most importantly my horse understand me.

The results speak for themselves and we enjoy ourselves every time. Thanks to Vanessa i’m now going out to shows with confidence.

Berit Ambrosini & Royal Roc

Flicka the Andalusian Stallion – Who Loves a massage by Vanessa!

Hey check me out im getting a rub.

Ahhhhh yeah that’s it baby you got it.

Ohh Man that’s soo good! I cant keep a straight face…………. You push all the right buttons.

Nobody does it better. Makes me feel sad for the rest.

Thanks Ness for all the rubs and making me feel better.



By Karen Leigh Anne with Flicka the Andalusian Stallion

At any horsey gathering or competition, nothing grabs the eye more than the soft-going, comfortable horse doing his job right. Vanessa's skills and extensive knowledge can play a vital role during training and in maintaining consistency. Hers is an important part of keeping our four-legged soul mates happy and healthy. If you're striving for a more trainable or successful horse that has that extra cruisey wow factor, ring Vanessa. She can get to those parts that show sheens simply cannot help! And her warm and generous personality...????? well they're just a bonus." Rosie Bingham.

Rosie Bingham & Arizona Stone

On behalf of all the girls at Wooroloo Western Club is has been a privilege to have Vanessa come and teach us each month, she has a very easy and relaxed manner of teaching and her "how to methods" are great too. This year we have had such fun and would highly recommend Vanessa to anyone out there that wants to learn. I know our girls have learnt so much this year, so thank you and keep up all the good work from all of us "Westerners" at the Wooroloo Western Club. Looking forward to lots more photos and lots more lessons.

Lisa Draper - President Wooroloo Western Club

We have never seen a horse enjoy a massage like Fabio, he shows us just what effect a massage has on improving his performance. We were very impressed with the way Vanessa explains all aspects of her manipulation and irons out any little twinge. Dressage horses are under a great deal of pressure, especially the hindquarters and we are strong believers in the benefits of massage.

Yvonne & Phillipa Ong and Fabio

Dear Vanessa - Bobbie was great and felt so soft and supple in her dressage on the weekend. We got a score of 70.4%!!! I was stoked: our best score ever! I swear it must be those magic hands of yours!! We went clear cross country and show jumping and again she felt really fit and strong. Ive attached a pic of us flying over a fence. Thanks again for your help in keeping Bobbie's muscles in such good shape!

Kerry Upton

For a mostly uneducated horse who struggled to flex and soften, Jessie improved dramatically after just two treatments with Vanessa. They say a picture says a thousand words. Although one of his face during the treatments would have said more, I think these results speak for themselves!!

Naomi Farrand and Jessie

I met Vanessa about 10 years ago, through a friend who rode western.

I have a young (and not so bright) Appy who Vanessa helped mould into the well educated, reliable fella he still is today.

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to Vanessa for her empathy and understanding of my riding limitations and issues over the years.

With my Paint horse, her assistance and guidance in purchasing him from interstate was invaluable, and her massage skills helped ease him through his ‘growing pains’ in the early years.

I still attend shows and clinics with both my horses, and enjoy riding under Vanessa’s instruction whenever I can.

I am proud to say I’m a client (and a friend!) of Vanessa, I would’ve been lost without her over the years!

Bianca King – Lazy W Colorado Sunburst & Wayouts Kuttacopy

I became acquainted with Vanessa Hancox in the April-May 2008. My Appaloosa Zak AKA MFI Rocky Mountain High and I started attending Vanessa’s “Ladies Daze” where we enjoyed the company of other girls smitten with Appaloosa’s and Quarter Horses, who all had this obsession with “Western Pleasure” Zak and I enjoyed these outings very much. We especially enjoyed the exercises that improved our flexion and balance. The same exercises also improved how my ADD appaloosa thought about things and so importantly kept his mind on the job! I found Vanessa’s explanation of techniques extremely easy to understand. This aided no end when putting transitions into practice and obtaining the required result at the end. Vanessa has spent a lot of time with me, improving my riding skills so as I am now able to successfully compete with Zak under saddle. This was no easy task considering it had been 20 years since I last rode in competition. Thank you Ness, you put my pony and me on the same page!

Jane & Zak

Hi Vanessa,
I am so happy with the improvement that spirit(tinkle toes) and i have shown this week since attending the clinic last week. The difference in me and my horse is amazing. My confidence on him has also hit a all time high. I would like to thank you for your patience and your guidence. Your clinic was a turning point for me and i have never retained such information at other clinics in the past. I have continued on with the excerises we learnt and the softness we are now getting is a dream. Attending your clinic is the best thing i have ever done in my riding career and was more benefical than any other lesson and clinics attended in the past and hope that you return to geraldton at some stage.

Thank you, Andrea Barnden & Spirit

Vanessa what a rare horse talent you are, no matter what day you make yourself available with a smile and a laugh.

Your client base is broad with all levels of experience but you always make each individual feel relaxed and confident.

I am thrilled to have you as my mentor, after each session I come away with knowledge and encouragement,

I look forward to the further training session which will develop both Garth and I to a position we want to be.

Cheers mate it’s been fun ... Oh and hard work!

Tina Jackson & Hez All That (Garth)

For years I had been prancing around the hacking and dressage arenas and after a long break away from this, I decided I wanted to try something new. I bought my self a quarter horse and decided to take the plundge and give this “western thing” a go this was a completely foreign discipline for me.

As I found out quickly there was a lot I didn’t know and the journey seemed insurmountable. I plundered on by my self without a clue until I came across a small advert for Vanessa. That’s when everything turned around, Vanessa has showed a depth of knowledge, understanding and above all patience during our lessons. Gone are the days of holding onto the reins for dear life replaced with a drape of rein and a horse that is supple and listening for the next thing. I look forward to our lessons and learning more.


Jasslyn Robinson & Roc Me Kid (Rocky)

For many years Austin and I attempted to compete at Western shows but unfortunately he continually let me down with his poor behaviour under saddle. I attended countless clinics and tried several different trainers' methods but to no avail. When he turned 6 and had to go into a bit, I basically gave up on him - he was never going to be my pleasure horse.

Vanessa not only turned this horse around but trained him well enough to win at State level both in Amateur and Open classes. He is now an absolute pleasure to ride and I am even out there riding one handed. I owe it all to you mate.....


Thanks , Robyn Merritt & More Than A Drumbeat (Austin)

When she first arrived from the Eastern States, Poppy was quite the handful. The thought of her being able to stand still and get shown in Halter classes seemed an impossibility and at times her behaviour was more than I could handle.

Vanessa’s quiet, understanding and patient approach was just what the filly needed. She quickly came around, showing self control and respect which definitely was not there before. It did not take long for this combination to shoot to the top taking out many Supreme Champion and State Titles.

Her professional appearance and attention to detail always guarantees me of the best possible results for my horses when shown by Vanessa.


Robyn Merritt & Wilway Docs Catalena (Poppy)

My horse Midas had quite a severe injury from a poorly fitting saddle that affected his flexion, and his movement through the shoulders, neck and poll. But with the help of Ness and her wonderful massages he was fixed almost completely after 3 or 4 sessions!

Now she comes out every fortnight for a massage as a treat for my horse, because he well and truly thoroughly enjoys every minute of his hour long massage!!

Thanks mate for fixing my horse and coming out and giving him something to enjoy!!!


Agatha Prior & Khizmeht Midas

I first met my friend Vanessa about 15 years ago when she came up to Chapman Valley to judge the Breed Section of the Chapman Valley Ag Show. A few years later I did my first clinic with Vanessa when the Greenough Western Riding Club held the first of what has become an annual event – the Vanessa Hancox Clinic! Vanessa has helped me understand how to develop a partnership with my horses and how to get the horse to go softly.

Every clinic that Vanessa holds is jam packed with information and advice, as are her lessons, and sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever remember it all. However, you do remember everything because not only are you learning but you are having FUN!!

After every clinic and lesson it is not your aching legs (especially if you have short legs like me!) that are the problem – it is the aching jaw from laughing! That is why Vanessa’s clinics are so popular. She has made learning a stress free zone.

Thank you Vanessa for all the help you have given me over the years with Floss and now Ace and I look forward to many more years of working on my horses under your guidance and having a good laugh as well!



Anne Forbes and An Obvious Clu

When I acquired Henry, I discovered he is a rather special horse - he was relaxed and happy to go along on a loose rein on outrides and nothing phased him, but in an arena it was a totally different story: Henry would become so stressed that he simply couldnt walk or focus on anything and we just jogged the entire time. He would drop behind the bit and choke up his gullet so much that I was afraid he was going to pass out from lack of air. Rather than excitement, everyone agrees it is clearly stress - like Henry was expecting punishment in the arena.

I tried everything I could think of, and what everyone else could think of. Nothing helped, and rather than having a non-ending battle on my hands I was about to accept that I just wouldn't be able to do any arena work with Henry. It was not fair to him to be so stressed.

Then I went along to Wooroloo ARC and met Vanessa. At the end of my first lesson, 1.5hours, we celebrated when Henry and I managed to walk one entire lap of the arena without jogging! After that first lesson, we have progressed beyond what Vanessa or I hoped for. From a horse I was about to admit had no future in the arena, I now have a relaxed, happy horse that is even managing some loping in the arena without losing the plot!

Vanessa has made a world of difference not just to my riding, but also to my relationship with Henry, and (most important to me) to the entire personality of Henry. He has become more settled, confident and content, and it shows not just in the arena but in every aspect of his life.

If it wasn't for Vanessa's understanding, kind, imaginative and fun approach to working with Henry, he would not be the horse he is now. Faced with a special horse, Vanessa has had to come up with a training plan just for Henry and he has thrived on it.

I have never heard of or met anyone else able to suit their training so well to each individual horse and rider, and with the patience to take on a horse with as many issues as Henry.

I would recommend Vanessa to anyone with any horse and any problems or aims, as I know she'd be able to help them.

Thanks Ness, for all you've done for me and the difference you've made to Henry's life.

Kat