"David is unique in that he is as good at teaching the rider as he is training the horse. I've been very impressed with how he adapts his teaching style to meet the needs of his students. His lessons are focused and goal-oriented, but there's always plenty of fun, too! Jessica and I are very happy to be part of David Mellott Performance Horses."

"I am the mother of a horse crazy girl. I have had her horse in training at three other barns in the area searching for a trainer that would be a good fit for her. Other barns just didn't meet my needs. David Mellott not only has the patience of a saint, and training abilities beyond my understanding, but the entire show experience has been a great family atmosphere for my young daughter to grow up in. I have been very happy with my decision to join the David Mellott team. We love David Mellott and his fiancé Kris and really enjoy showing with the team."

"We have two teenage girls who have been with David and Kris for about a year and a half. We came to David mid-season last year when we knew we needed a change. We were more than just a little apprehensive about moving the girls mid-season, but had heard such great things about David. We have not been disappointed for a single moment since then and know that it was the best decision we could have made for our kids. David has brought them to a level that we thought would take years. He has developed their love and respect of the relationship between them and their horses. He supports them to achieve their goals in a way that only a strong coach can. We are so impressed with how hard the girls work not to win, but to have David tell them they had a good ride. Not once in all the time we have been with David and Kris have our girls ever said they wanted to quit. He is helping to develop young women who enjoy competition, but also understand that you only get out of something what you invest into it. Our experience with David and Kris has been such a positive impact on our children’s lives while being an extremely enjoyable one at the same time."

"Showing horses looks like a lot of fun to outsiders, and it certainly is, but it also a lot of hard work! Being part of the David Mellott team makes showing such a different experience. As a family we really enjoy being part of a team that is filled with families just like us. We share in the challenges and disappointments of competition as equally as we do the fun. It isn’t uncommon to see a parent helping a child who isn’t their own or sharing encouragement and praise with a fellow team member. Being part of this group has enriched our lives and raised the level of enjoyment we get from our chosen sport. We wouldn’t want it any other way for our family."

"Working with young people can be a challenge in any environment. Add an unpredictable 1,000 pound animal into the mix and you have situations that can be difficult to handle! David and Kris are a unique and perfectly complimentary team. Between the two of them they manage to keep their young clients focused, teach them to be better horse people, and provide them with the support they need to continue growing. Kris’s background in education coupled with David’s patience and ability to motivate provide an environment where young riders can flourish. David and Kris’s dedication to training and commitment to client satisfaction is evident in how they conduct their business on a daily basis. They both serve as strong role models for their younger clients. "

"My daughter stopped enjoying riding with our previous trainer. As a parent, that was hard to watch. We heard about David and Kris from a friend who had also left their previous trainer for the same reason. We went out to observe David working with our friends’ horse and daughter and were amazed at the progress he had made with both. Their daughter was having fun, her skills had improved dramatically and her horse was almost unrecognizable. We moved our daughter to David Mellott Performance Horses two days later. At the end of their first lesson together, I asked my daughter what she thought. The big smile on her face told me all I needed to know. We have been with him ever since and enjoy our horse more than ever. "

"David Mellott is an excellent trainer. I have watched him work with three of my horses-all with very different dispositions and skills. I am continually impressed with how my horses progress. David approaches each animal as unique and has an uncanny ability to tap into their potential, something I have seen many times over the years with him. What I like most about him as a trainer is that every horse respects him-not because he punishes them into submission, but because he disciplines as equally as he praises. I have never seen him get angry at a horse or punish them. His patience, extreme dedication and ability to get results make him my trainer of choice."

"David is the most patient person I know. He always takes time to help you out with the problems you are having with your horse. I really like how he treats all the horses nicely, just like they were his. Even though we all work hard, it is still so much fun. I love being a part of the Mellott team. It feels like a big old crazy family!"

"One word that describes David Mellott is “consistency.” He is always very consistent while training our kids and horses. This has made them “winners.” Also, we always know what to expect and David always delivers.

David Mellott is the best trainer I could ever ask for. He is always joking around with us kids and makes showing horses an enjoyable experience. He is always very patient and helpful with us when we are struggling. David gives the one-on-one attention every rider needs whether I’m riding in a lesson at home or a show on the road. He is not only training us for success in and out of the show ring, but also helping us have a fun time doing so."

"As a business owner, I have many responsibilities and distractions. Showing horses on the AQHA level is a way for me to relieve stress, have fun, enjoy my horses, as well as pursue a hobby and sport which I take seriously. But it hasn’t always been that way. In the past, I have struggled with frustration, and a lack of self confidence as I started showing on the quarter horse level. David and Kris have a way in their training program to not overload me, but to make improvements in my showing techniques. They move at a pace which suits my needs. David has an eye for making small adjustments in my showing techniques which create huge improvements. With his patience, understanding, and ability to train me as a rider to help the horse, he has boosted my self confidence and made me a better competitor. At the end of the day, I am able to see improvements in my horse as well as myself. David and Kris always have an encouraging word and a smile, with a game plan for the next competition."