LilliCrest Farm, LLC

09/20/2024

Surprise! He’s perfect in the field, too! Johnny didn’t miss a beat XC schooling today!

JC: Lawyer Jon
2007 Thoroughbred Gelding
16.1hh
UTD on all cares.

Johnny has evented through novice as well as done straight dressage through second level. He is pleasant to handle in the barn, absolutely chill under tack and in day to day affairs, and lives in a mixed herd of mares and geldings without creating drama.

He is sound and comfortable with minimal maintenance so don’t let his age spook you!

This guy is going to make an excellent step-up horse for a kid off a pony, or for an adult amateur in a program.

Low 5 figures beginning with a 12. And proving to be worth Every. Single. Penny.

More videos available upon request.

09/16/2024

I am going to be ISO some additional hands on deck for this fall. My current barn help is fantastic, and alas also has a life and cannot spare more than 3 days a week to the cause. To that end, and with what’s looking like a very full barn this fall, LilliCrest Farm, LLC is ISO:

3-4 days per week barn help, to start immediately. Flexible days, afternoon or evening hours, job should take no more than 2-2.5 hours total, flat daily rate. 10-12 stalls, rinse, dump and refill waters, pre-drop AM hay. No handling of horses required, although could evolve into that if desired. Applicants must be 18+, have own transportation, and be detail oriented, efficient workers with standards of cleanliness appropriate for a sport horse program, and know how to put the phone down on the job.

Please email resumés and questions to [email protected] and include your favorite color somewhere in the email so I can trust you read this whole post 😅

09/10/2024

09/10/2024

Thinking about how people end up in situations where they become abusers, tonight, after another round of hard-to-watch videos has surfaced of an upper level rider, this time an eventer, pounding on a horse. I feel like equestrianism is at a pivotal and highly charged crossroads…evolve, or be finished.

People don’t come out innately mean all that often. Nobody gets into this because they want to beat the s**t out of their horses. At the core, at some point in life, we were all people who fell in love with the animal. High performance addiction always came after horses.

So, why are we here? What is so vastly amiss in our sport that makes us behave viciously? Is it time? Deadlines? The rush to achieve?

Is it money (or lack thereof) and the pressure of financial backing getting in the way of ethical horse handling?

Are we just burned the hell out from being forced to be customer centric in a world that should be animal first, always?

The answer to all this, I think, is yes.

We can preach horsemanship until we’re blue in the face, and we NEED horsemanship. We can speak out and speak up all we want, and we must shine light in the dark. But until the heart of the problem is resolved; the rank and file, the daily demands, the subliminal expectation that humans would devalue themselves to the point of near-expiration and heavy use of uppers to function, in exchange for money and results…

I am weary of that world. It’s in part why I’ve stalled in Wisconsin and not rabidly fought my way back to a more horse-centric community. In order for us to be well for our horses we need to be “well”, first, and I wasn’t in that environment. I truthfully don’t think many people are.

These circumstances need to stop being witch hunts, and start becoming catalysts for industry growth and evolution from the inside out. How do we value our professionals more highly? How do we put more realistic and fair timelines on the development of our young horses? How do we teach kids to simultaneously work their asses off and also expect to be compensated and valued for their efforts?

THESE are the conversations that change people from abusers to problem solvers. When people feel heard and safe, then the real issues come to the table and resolution can be reached.

Until then, we’re just picking at a fragile scab over a bullet wound.

09/08/2024

Who is looking for a seriously good citizen?

Johnny (JC: Lawyer Jon) showed us his jumping acumen this week. In an effort to gain a feel for his willingness and adaptability, I put a student on him instead of filming myself in the tack. Shyann has riding her whole life, but is a season or so into her jumping lessons. Johnny, with a smile on his face, rose to the occasion, didn’t bat an eye at the new fences, and absolutely would have kept going.

We’ll try out the XC this coming week, but I have a pretty good feeling. This is the horse trainers of kids and adult amateurs are BEGGING you to buy.

12,🥕🥕🥕 slightly negotiable for quick sale this fall.

09/07/2024

Hi Folks!

My lounge refurnish post prompted a few inquiries about the sale of the farm, so couple things…

First, YES! It is still for sale 😃
The listing is below, I am just re-prettying it because I still live here, and need a functional, comfortable space for me as long as I am operating out of it!

Second—If you are interested, please contact my listing agent Shannyn Smith Pinkert with Property Shoppe Realty LLC to schedule a showing, or with major questions. I have had a number of impromptu drive-ins who have seemed to expect immediate accommodation for a showing, and I am not able to do so. This is a gentle reminder that I still live here and I still run a business here. I’ve employed a realtor on my behalf so that I can continue to do so. She’s got everything you need to know at her fingertips, and really honestly is a far more pleasant human than I when it comes to this stuff 😜

That said, this property is incredible and it continues to get facelifts as long as I am here—refinished wood floors in the upstairs of the house, a new no-climb perimeter fence this fall, as well as all rematted stalls in both barns and a refurnished lounge in the barn. Please, do inquire. It’s amazing for hobbyist and professional equestrians alike 🥰

This 1680 square feet Single Family home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. It is located at 11630 Kaas Lane, Osseo, WI.

09/02/2024

Scenes from the Summer Eventing Derby last weekend. Ri did me so, so proud, jumping double clear and finishing as one of only two pairs in the division on our dressage score, for 4th place.

I cannot say enough good things about this girl. She’s onto the next in just a few weeks, snap her up before we start seriously campaigning and her price goes up!

🤎Ferriana
🤎2011 Hanoverian mare
🤎16.1hh
🤎25🥕🥕🥕

📸

08/16/2024

Why we had baling twine and no halter is a whole different discussion to be had with the facility upkeep manager, and a certain problem child of a gate (iykyk, LilliCrest Style) … 🙄🤦‍♀️🤪

“Easy to handle” ✅🤣




**tup

08/13/2024

Better late than never! A few gorgeous shots of Tempi at Alpine lasts week courtesy of …

Although it was a little short of the regional qualifying score we were shooting for at 3-3, I am really proud of the horse that showed up and the pictures show it…smiles on my face at a dressage show? What? 😆🖤🐉

08/08/2024

Honestly unsure how on EARTH we still have this stunning creature in our midst. About to expand our advertising to BigEQ and DreamHorse. Come get her!

Ferriana

🌟2011 Hanoverian Mare by Ferro
🌟16.1hh
🌟Eventer, Jumper, Dressage Horse
🌟Forward, Bold, Powerful, Smart
🌟Good for vet, farrier, practitioners
🌟UTD On all cares

Seeking confident, ambitious, experienced amateur, or pro on a budget. Powerful, smart and sensitive mare, tons of grit and truly a girl’s girl, but not for those who value and demand a more passive ride. Has evented, show jumped, and done straight dressage, loves to jump but no disdain for flatwork either.

25🥕🥕🥕, priority given to the best match possible and will increase with show season.

Osseo, WI

08/06/2024

Just LilliCrest Things ❤️❤️❤️

07/31/2024

Foundation before Specialization.

What do I mean? What does it mean?

I’ve had a recent influx of new students, mostly wanting to jump. I love teaching jumping; it’s my favorite part of the whole ordeal, but it sometimes leads me to one of my least favorite conversations, which is “In order to jump, we first must canter”.

Why? Because, as my friend Adrienne so perfectly put it the other night “If you can hold two point, you can jump the barn, but you gotta get to the fences first!”

Here’s the thing. Jumping is not a foundational skillset. It’s a specialization. A sport. You could liken it to a genre, if literature is your jam. And, in order to participate in a specialization, a sport or understand a specific genre, you need to have a core education, a skillset, or know how to read, first! Fundamental horse training MUST be in place before we start getting airborne. This means that both you, and your horse must, at minimum, be able to walk, trot and canter, ideally both on a loose rein and with a light contact.

But, Fran, WHY?? I just want to get to the fun stuff!! Alright. You asked. This may sound stern. It comes from a place of wanting to witness your success, not your quit. Brace yourself.

The *entire* basis of any jumping sport, is a quality base pace canter. Without, the sport is not just hard, it’s dangerous. You might not cognitively recognize it, but your body, and the survival mechanisms it puts in place, knows. And the more you try and skate by without, the more defensive and triggerable your amygdala will get. So please hear me.

What do I mean by quality?

Reminiscent of my natural horsemanship days; Horses and riders have mutual responsibilities. And in order to produce quality, these need to be in place. Arguably, we’ve gotta uphold ours before we EVER expect the horse to uphold theirs. For us, they are:

1. Act like a partner, not like a predator. This means having and maintaining emotional fitness, a sense of humor, and patience in the tack. If the process actively pi**es you off, there is work to be done.

2. Have an independent seat. This means you’ve got to be able to zig when your horse zigs, and zag when he zags, and stay out of the way while he does it. If a canter transition or a sudden deviation of course derails the whole conversation, there is work to be done.

3. Think like a horse. Horses are 1200lb prey animals. They feel fearful of death, regardless of domestication status. It is their job to outsmart and outwit the predator, in fact they are programmed to do so. If their evasions or worries are bothersome, or you can’t empathize with their struggles, there is work to be done.

4. Use the power of focus. This means LOOK WHERE YOU’RE GOING. If you’ve ridden with me for any amount of time, you’ve heard me yell this. In exasperation, sometimes! Horses are sensitive enough to feel flies land on them. If you look ahead, and have a plan, it’s very unusual for you to need to use much else. If you look and they don’t follow, or you can’t take your eyes off their ears, there is work to be done.

Once you have taken ownership and accountability for yourself, THEN the horse’s responsibilities are:

1. Act like a partner, not like a prey animal. This means thoughtful, not reactive, seeking harmony. If the first answer is “no”, there is work to be done.

2. Maintain gait. This goes for walk, trot, and canter. You as the rider should not be in management mode to keep the horse moving. Just like a car, there should be available variability, adjustability, and cruise control. If there isn’t, there is work to be done.

3. Maintain direction. Steering should be easy and doable off focus. You shouldn’t be reefing on the reins, having to kick with your leg aids, or actively negotiating around turns. If you are, there is work to be done.

4. Look where you’re going. By the time we’ve added obstacles, that horse needs to know how to look ahead on both your behalves. If you’re having to full-send at a ground pole or kick at the trot poles, there is work to be done.

So…when I say “we need to do more flatwork”, this is why. I have taught literally hundreds of people and horses the sport after the foundation. And before that part of life, I taught hundreds of horses and people how to develop their foundations. I’m not trying to take the fun away, or rain on your parade. And developing the horse’s foundation is not a punishment, it’s a prerequisite in staying safe. And believe me, as a rider who’s had my fair-share of serious jumping related incidents, I would have now, 18 years later, much rather spent 20 lessons developing my partnership with my horse than paying for it in my body years later with scar tissue in a badly dislocated shoulder and a knee deformed from a rotational fall.

Foundation before specialization. I am serious as a heart attack, but I promise to make the foundation part fun, too.

07/16/2024

62.5% at 3-3 for a muddy regional qualifier at Midsummer ✅

One more and we be St. Louis bound in October!

🖤🐉💃

07/16/2024

Midsummer Check in, and fall availability!

Hi folks! We’re half way through the summer already, can you believe it?? I don’t want to think about it!

I’ve had quite a few existing clients gently poke the discussion of fall, and I want to give the “where I’m at” schpeel publicly so people can plan appropriately.

The farm is still for sale and we have had a few showings. Unfortunately interest rates are killing us in the financing department for interested parties and so there are no current contracts in the works. However it *is* actively listed and will remain that way.

I am here until it sells, which means I’m doing business as usual. I solumnly swear that if a contract manifests, existing clients will have no LESS than 60 days notice. Packing up and moving a whole farm is a horribly time consuming process, so don’t worry, it’s not just you, I need time to make arrangements in the event of a sale, also!

To that end, I am ready to begin entertaining fall contracts. Beginning August 15th, I will have one training stall available, and on September 1st I will have two more; offering full time, part time, and sales board and training, and everything from c**t starts (cannot be feral, my back doesn’t work like that anymore), all the way to the show ring.

I will also be tentatively planning 8-10 weeks in Florida over the winter should the farm not sell, and will likely have a winter training space for Ocala available.

Finally, I’ve had a number of inquiries about board, and yes, I do have one stall available, although you’re going to have to take it up with Monday, who’ll be kicked out of hers to make room for you 😆

So that’s about where we are at this moment.

Please reach out with any questions, and/or to book a space! We’d love to have you!

07/15/2024

Our girl jumps, too!

Ferriana

🌟2011 Hanoverian Mare by Ferro
🌟16.1hh
🌟Eventer, Jumper, Dressage Horse
🌟Forward, Bold, Powerful, Smart
🌟Good for vet, farrier, practitioners
🌟UTD On all cares

Seeking confident, ambitious, experienced amateur, or pro on a budget. Powerful, smart and sensitive mare, tons of grit and truly a girl’s girl, but not for those who value and demand a more passive ride. Has evented, show jumped, and done straight dressage, loves to jump but no disdain for flatwork either.

25🥕🥕🥕, priority given to the best match possible and will increase with show season.

Osseo, WI

07/05/2024

Let’s talk about “why” group jump lessons for a second. We’re in the midst of swapping to a primarily group format at this farm, and I’ve had some folks ask politely, why, and some declare quite vehemently that they don’t get it.

So, lemme help!

1) Horse welfare. Jumping is hard on the horse. Be it yours. Be it mine. Jumping is hard on the horse. Reps and reps and reps breaks down the soft tissue in their joints, and in some cases, makes their minds fizzy. Anyone who’s ridden with me for any length of time knows how important the priority of “dwell time” is in my program. Those minutes you’re standing waiting…thats dwell time. The horse isn’t sleeping. It’s processing the information it just took in and re-regulating it’s nervous system. This makes learning easier, more linear, and more permanent for them.

2) Visual learners, Kinesthetic learners, visual-kinesthetic learners. Some people learn by watching. Some people learn by doing. Most people learn by watching, and THEN doing. Sometimes, especially with teen riders, the standing and watching can seem ”pointless”. I promise you, it is not, but only if you apply yourself and make an effort to observe the other riders. I take great care in my lessons to point out learning points in each ride, good and bad. Every trip around an exercise has something to be gleaned.

3) Instructor time. I promise I am not salty. I am very protective of my welfare. I know for many of you, you’d love nothing more than to spend more minutes in the barn, and I love that for you. I do not want to spend all my time there. Just like you, I want to go home at the end of the day. My home just happens to be 366 feet from my job, and so sometimes that can get a little lost in translation. Consider the time and energy committment required to teach 5, 45 minute private sessions, versus one 2-hour, 5 person group. Believe it or not, you’re getting the same amount of time over the jumps and the same amount of my attention, PLUS the benefit of learning from others, and at the end, I get to go home an hour and 45 minutes earlier; time I use to rest, eat, and plan for tomorrow.

In gentle conclusion: I’ve been in this business as a student since I was about 12. I’ve been in this business as a trainer since I was 18. I was mentored as an instructor by some pretty incredible resources (I’ve learned from Linda Parelli since I was in my teens, and with that came connections to people like the CEO of Zappos, on the topic of core values and unity, Patrick Handley, the psychologist behind Match.com on how to assess for, and create healthy partnerships, which applies to horses too, Jenny Susser, a sport psychologist who has worked with a long list of Fortune 500 CEOs, as well as Olympians of many sports, on performance and empowerment, Stephanie Burns, a psychologist who spent decades studying the art of learning…just to name a few).

My formatting comes from 20+ years as a rather difficult student, riding rather difficult horses, and 16 years of commitment to being the best teacher for students like me, that I can be. So please…take heart, and dare I say, lean in. It’s going to be fine, and truthfully, it’s going to be better.

Thank you for trusting the process!

07/03/2024

Well here’s a post I never expected to make at this location again. Life has a funny way of rolling around full circles. So, in that vein…

LilliCrest Farm, LLC is looking for a working student. We are a training and show barn in west-central WI, focused on the foundation-first production of sport horses in dressage, show jumping and Eventing. OTTBs, Warmbloods, ponies, (as well as others, too) a healthy sale program, a strong focus on holistic as well as veterinary wellness programs, and we bring in internationally known riders, trainers and competitors to teach clinics regularly.

Duties include: all of it! Some stalls, (we have part time staff already) bring in/turnout, feed, grooming, tacking, some riding/showing based on experience. Typical day is 7-5pm. 5-6 days a week with a guaranteed day and a half off. Highly active, busy training barn atmosphere with an excellent sense of humor and great clients and staff.

Ideal applicant is:
-minimum 1 month commitment, priority given to longer.
-18+
-Has medical insurance
-Has own transportation
-Has experience handling all sorts of horses/confident rider, but willing to train someone who has not been around what we do specifically
-self-starter, self-managed, resilient, and must take direction well
-knows how to manage time and keep moving during work hours
-Good sense of humor and love for ridiculous border collies is a must

In exchange:
-housing (must be discussed prior)
-board for a horse or a lease on one of ours
-one structured lesson weekly plus tons of “mini” lessons, both on and off horses
-opportunities to ride in clinics, go to shows
-guaranteed personal horse ride time most days
-possible to evolve into a paid position (earned, not requested, so don’t ask in your up front interview)

Please email questions and resumés to [email protected]!

07/01/2024

We weren’t ready for it to jump like that 😳

🐍 Ferriana, 2011 Hanoverian Mare.
🐍Jumper, Eventer, Dressage Horse
🐍Scope for Dayssss
🐍25 🥕🥕🥕
🐍Osseo, WI
🐍 Reputation Girlie…probably 🖤

06/19/2024

Ferriana

🌟2011 Hanoverian Mare by Ferro
🌟16.1hh
🌟Eventer, Jumper, Dressage Horse
🌟Forward, Bold, Powerful, Smart
🌟Good for vet, farrier, practitioners
🌟UTD On all cares

Seeking confident, ambitious, experienced amateur, or pro on a budget. Powerful, smart and sensitive mare, tons of grit and truly a girl’s girl, but not for those who value and demand a more passive ride. Has evented, show jumped, and done straight dressage, loves to jump but no disdain for flatwork either.

25🥕🥕🥕, priority given to the best match possible and will increase with show season.

Osseo, WI

06/17/2024

Tis the week of the Sale Horse!

💥💥💥

Formally introducing Ferriana, or “Ri”, as we refer to her in the barn.

Ri is an absolute powerhouse of a 2011 Hanoverian mare who is looking for her new zip code and employment in…anything that involves being a force of nature. She has evented, show jumped and done dressage.

In the 4 1/2 months she has been here, we’ve come to feel that Ri is happiest in the dressage and jumper rings, but honestly is bold and incredibly brave so Eventing is absolutely possible too.

This mare’s perfect person is confident, brave, patient, and tactful in the tack. Suitable to a young pro on a budget, or an ambitious amateur in a program, this girl is virtually limitless in her athletic potential, and her biggest demand is a good match with whom to do the things.

Ri stands approximately 16.1hh, is currently front shod and happiest that way, is a very easy keeper, and is UTD on all cares. Requires expected minor maintenance of a sport horse of her age (seriously interested parties feel free to inquire), and stands well for the vet, farrier and for daily handling in the barn.

Priced at 25 🥕🥕🥕, with preference given to quality match. Will increase with added show record and training.

06/16/2024

🌟Sale Horse Sunday 🌟

Where are my Arabian People??

This guy just got here yesterday and I’m excited to get my butt on him to assess!

Jett is a 2016 Registered Arabian Gelding, standing around 14.3hh. Smart, inquisitive, and athletic, this guy is looking for his new zip code and employment as a dressage horse, but shows lovely potential as a distance riding horse (as Arabs do), and even has a pretty nice, scope-y jump in there.

Has natural horsemanship training as well as exposure to obstacles, some dressage experience and is UTD on all cares.

Priced in the high 4 figures. Video and better photos available in the coming days.

Osseo, WI.

06/04/2024

USDF Bronze Medal🥉 ….✅

Thanks to:

for the fabulous venue
for the wonderful coaching
for the behind-the-scenes help
for the photo

And of course the most incredible 🖤🐉, without whom none of this would be possible.

Onward…to regionals at 3rd, hopefully!