"Tracey and I sure had a great time riding with Pat, and I was especially happy to share in the "home made" coffee cake afterward. You guys provide an optimal vacation experience, far above what I'd expected.

I'm sending you a picture taken the day of our ride - I think I look quite natural riding on Joey (once I got him trained to stop nibbling on my toes)."

Thanks again.

Regards,
Mike M.

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Aloha!

"Sorry it has taken me so long to write, I have been out of town for work since I got back. I am so glad I met y'all and was able to go on a ride. It was by far the most memorable time of my entire trip. All of you made me feel right at home!

You take such good care of your horses and it really shows! Please let me know if y'all ever come to Texas, I'll be honored to be your guide (and to find Pat a roping horse).

Please stay in touch and let me know how Pat does at the big July 4th rodeo."

Thank you for everything!
Carin Sivek Austin, Texas

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Hello,

"We had such a fun time on our trip we are booking another trip in March when we return for spring break with our friends.

Thought I would send along a hilarious picture of your dog not wanting to be saddled up ( smart one there!) and one on our trip up the slopes.

See you in March! Reserve Mr. Bailey for me… "

LOVED him!
The Bany’s

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Helaine and Pat,

"We had such a good time on our ride when we were in Maui 4/1/05. Thought I'd send you some pictures of us and the horses and the great views. I appreciate the time you spend talking to us; it was really a wonderful morning spend with you two. Pat, thanks for letting me ride the great roping horse, Harrison!

We will definitely call you before we come next March and set up another ride."

Catherine Trein and Mike Atchison Brighton,
Colorado

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"Aloha to Pat and crew, Annie, Mike, Carrie, Randy and me (Jim) just wanted to thank you for the wonderful time we had during our horseback riding excursion.

We have attached a few photos for your scrap book. We hope that Duke, Calicoa, Harrison, Joey and my horse “the giraffe” are well or at least recovered. I hope you are well and the earthquake did not cause much commotion.

Thank you and we look forward to some day seeing you again. Best wishes"

Jim, Annie and Mike Kuras

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Helaine and Christine-

"Just wanted to send a quick note to thank you for your hospitality during our recent ride on 11-1-06. You all are the essence of aloha! We felt right at home. It seemed as if we were sharing stories with old friends even though we had just met!

Yours is the best ride we have experienced on Maui and you can be sure we will be back again! Here's a picture of Jill and Dusty on a ride with her grandparents in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. Dusty is alot like Bailey!"

Again, thanks so much!
Terri and Jill Driesel

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Dear Pat and Helaine,

"My husband Eric and I were newlyweds when we first met the both of you in September of 1998. Pat took us on the most exciting and most beautiful ride of our lives. The view was spectacular and the commentary was very informative. After an hour's ride, we stopped for lunch on the hill top and, Pat might not remember this, but I proceeded to feed my horse (who ate everything in sight along the way) an apple. He nudged it out of my hand and dropped it in the dirt. I was talking to him and told him I wanted to wash it off (I could hear Pat along with everyone else laughing). I did wash it off and fed it to him.

Thinking back, he probably didn't mind that it was dirty. We saddled back up again and headed back to the stables. It has been 7 1/2 years later and we still remember that ride. We were just looking at the video we shot. We still have our shirts too. Anyway,

Thank you and Pat and your dog for a memorable part of our honeymoon."

Sincerely,
Lenora and Eric Breder

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Hello Helaine:

"Lori, Natalie, Todd and myself wanted to thank you and Pat for the wonderful time we had riding at your stable. We were very impressed with your horses and if we could, we would have tried to smuggle one or two back with us. This was the first time I felt completely comfortable on a horse. We will definitely be back."

Again, thank you for the wonderful time,
Dan, Lori, Natalie, and Todd

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"We truly enjoyed the sunset ride at your stables. Even though it was really my first time riding for any long distance, Pat gave me a short lesson that really made me feel at ease. When your dog flushed a deer right out in front of us, I was easily able to control Joey. We do plan on returning to Maui within the next few years and one of our highlights will be coming back to visit your for another memorable ride."

Thanks again,
John

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Hi there!

I went on a trial ride on Thurs May 3rd. I was the one from Canada who has a couple horses...I thought that you deserved an e-mail letting you know how much I admire what you do! I think it is wonderful that you take the time to let each rider get accustomed to their horse and give them one-on-one instructions and pointers with regards to the particular horse they are riding. I also admire the devotion you show to each of your horses and the outstanding care they receive. I would definitely go for another ride with you and will tell anyone I know who goes to Maui and wants to ride that they HAVE TO go with you! I also thought I would attach some pics I took for you! Thank you again soooo much. I had an awesome time!

Thanks again,
Rachel Micek

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Helaine,

"This is a belated thank you for the great ride to the top of the vent to see the black goats in October. Also a thank you for the cool tee shirt. It's very cold here and all I can think of was that fun day. Christine was a great guide, very friendly and so knowledgeable about the plants and birds. I especially liked the basil horsey luau.

I am looking forward to another visit your way soon and your ride will definitely be my first choice for outings. Thanks for all the treats on the ride too. Give Kaola a kiss for me!"

Cathy Lodge
Truckee, CA

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Helaine,

"Thanks again for the wonderful riding experience, wasn't a bit sore the next day ,my first ride. I rode the gentle wonderful calico horse. The surroundings were so cozy and you two beautiful down to earth people, it was my once in a lifetime trip and I'm so glad you are in my memory."

Sharon Nix

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Dear Pat and Helaine,

"I saw your web site and wanted to drop a note of thanks for a very enjoyable ride last week (1-6-05). Rachel gave us a great tour and snapped some excellent photos for us. She also gave us some good information on the lava flow, island history and Ulua fishing. I got my pictures back from the lab. My daughter Laura stopped by and picked up her copies. The photos remind us what a really great day we had together.

Helaine your hospitality set my new standard for locals / natives. And Pat, the instructions you gave were very helpful. We watched "City Slickers" while trying to get over our jet lag, and they were riding just as you had told us. I pointed it out to my wife (Alma): "That's exactly how Pat told us to do it." (at least to my novice eye). I hope I wasn't too "ham-handed" with Joey. You both do your island proud.

Your island just happens to be our favorite place on this entire planet. There's something about Haleakala that stirs my soul. If it weren't for the deep family roots on the east coast, we would probably move there. And we are both grateful for the warm Hawaiian hospitality that greets us every year when we visit. The "spirit of aloha" is alive and well at Makena Stables. As friends talk to me about possible trips to Maui, I will always recommend a trail ride at Makena Stables. You'll probably see me again and meet my lovely bride in the years to come. Until then, please accept my best wishes for a safe and profitable year."

Maholo again and give Leo a little belly-rub for us.
Aloha Ric Row - Hanover, Pennsylvania

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Dear Friends,

Well, I'm back on the mainland, home at last, and thankful for all the great times we had in Maui. Our vacation was so much more than we ever could have imagined.

I want you to know that one of the highlights of the trip was riding with you. Pat was a great inspiration to me, having never ridden before. I really enjoyed it. The views were incredible and being on a horse (Anna) riding through was so relaxing and yet invigorating too. I haven't gone out and bought a horse yet, but I definitely plan on riding again.

Perhaps the next time we are there I'll be ready for Miss Makena or The Queen of Sheba! All the best to you...........

Maholo nui loa,
Kim

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