THE PHILOSOPHY, THE FUNDAMENTALS & THE HORSEMANSHIP More than a century ago, Joel Kiesner’s great-grandfather, who owned a livery stable in downtown Minneapolis, called the family together to discuss a rising threat to their livelihood. It was called the automobile; with more than 250 horses in their two-story barn, they had a vested interest in its future (or, as they hoped, its non-future). They all agreed: the car was a passing fad, and for better or for worse, they remained committed to horses. “I’m still honoring that,” remarks Kiesner with wry humor. But past the chuckle, he’s serious. The difference, of course, is that the horses he and his wife, Ashton, show don’t transport commodities; their specialty is delivering ribbons and trophies for their owners and exhibitors. A lot of ribbons and trophies. A quick fact check illustrates how successful Kiesner Training Center, which specializes in the English division, has been. Last year, they took 30 horses to the U.S. Nationals and collected 11 championships and six reserves.
“At its best, when you and your horse—another sentient being, with much more athletic ability than we have—are working together, what you think and what you gesture, the tilt of your torso or your leg, can get tremendous power and drive and enthusiasm from a big, strong animal. And when they do that exuberantly, with a thrill and a lust for the same thing that you’re thinking, it’s incredible.” ~ Joel Kiesner
In the past 13 years, the barn has won the U.S. National Championship in English Pleasure open seven times. Add to that, two horses they developed and showed to previous national titles went on to score the open English tri-color for other trainers and owners. continued ...
Written by Mary Kirkman