Liberty Meadows 2016

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com

by KARA LARSON

In the eyes of some, success means you can afford the best. However, when it comes to the Arabian horse business, there are far more variables between emptying your figurative pockets for an elite equine athlete and the lofty goal of a big prize, preferably one with roses.

Ryan and Elise Strand, the trainers behind Liberty Meadows Training Center out of Bucyrus, Kans., make a point to tell their clients early on that the pillars of success in the Arabian world aren’t built overnight. The process of finding the right horse for each rider, crafting that bond, and striving for the ideal, faultless ride is at the center of their mission. Because in their point of view, the Arabian horse business in all of its rogue complexities and tiny victories can be boiled down to a glaringly simple, yet poignant training philosophy where process is vital—one where the journey of gratifying connection and patient progress is king.

Liberty Meadows | 2 | Ar abian Horse Times

T

he basics aren’t tired—they’re clean, straightforward, respected. Since Ryan started Liberty Meadows in 2000, lots of aspects of the horse business have evolved; however, his training philosophy has remained constant. “We’re pretty basic. We take these horses and we get them broke and try to teach them to do their job and do it happily. In my 22 years as a horse trainer, I’ve learned that a horse will tell you to a point the speed at which they can be trained. From there, I stay open-minded and I don’t work them all the same way.”

He adds, “It’s not like I haven’t picked up things along the way and have a few tricks up my sleeve, but at the end of the day, it’s usually the best trained horse that wins.”

The advantage of having two perspectives is one that greatly impacts the way Ryan and Elise train the horses and instruct the people. As Ryan’s day is filled with working and finishing all of the young horses, Elise works a smaller number of horses and gives a majority of the lessons. Ryan says, “I’m doing about 75% of the horse training and she’s doing about 75% of the lessons, whether it be new people or really finished amateurs.

She’s got a great feel for it. When she’s in the middle instructing, she’s watching intently and proves to be an invaluable asset day after day. She is able to watch me work the horse as well as the amateur, which is really helpful in connecting horse to rider.”

For Ryan and Elise, constant growth persists as a defining aspect of their program and helps them to continue to improve as trainers, instructors, and people. Ryan offers, “I think the day you’re unwilling to listen to someone about a different idea on how to train is the day you stop advancing. Period. I don’t have any problem asking questions and opinions. If I see something interesting or wonder how something works, I’m asking about it.”

Liberty Meadows | 3 | Ar abian Horse Times

Liberty Meadows is a primarily amateur driven business, and as such, Ryan and Elise take a great deal of pride in the challenge of finding the right horse for the right person. Coupled with this challenge is an equally tough undertaking—explaining to people that what they want is not always what they are ready for or what they need.

Liberty Meadows | 4 | Ar abian Horse Times

A

s one might assume, this is not an easy thing to explain to new people. Ryan elaborates, “In life, if you want the nicest car made, you can just go buy it. And you

probably already know how to drive a car, so you can drive it, too. If you want the nicest boat, you can buy it. And you can probably learn to drive it over a weekend.” He adds, “But in the Arabian performance world, if you don’t enjoy the process, then this might not be for you. And lots of people really enjoy learning about what makes a horse good, but if your only concern is winning in the beginning, man, this is a hard thing to do.

People have to enjoy the journey… Or, buy a boat.”

Ryan and Elise make a point to explain the power of process and patience in their training program. They are also sure to explain where the ultimate goal resides. At Liberty Meadows, the goal is first in the ride, followed by the ribbon. Ryan begins, “I tell people that there’s a ride you’re looking for. We aim to get that ride and the chips will fall where they may. When you have a plan and that plan works, and then that results in a win or a great ribbon, that’s the pinnacle of it. I think that’s why we do this. I just also think that a person has to be cautious to understand that there are different pinnacles.”

This method of training and teaching has proven successful in the show ring as Elise and Ryan have watched their clients continue to aim for and achieve that sought after ride.

As their riders gain experience and knowledge, they have enjoyed momentous wins and heartwarming happiness in the saddle. “Patience and persistence is proving to pay off in a big way,” begins Elise. “Once people realize that it is such a process, that’s when they really start to see show ring success. We definitely saw our whole training process come into fruition this past year at Region 11, where we came home with nine Regional Championships, and again at Youth Nationals, where our riders won two unanimous National Championships, a Reserve, and 10 Top Tens.”

Liberty Meadows | 5 | Ar abian Horse Times

“Careers in this business are built over 30-40 years. I think you have to be in it for the long haul,” begins Ryan. “Not that you don’t seize every opportunity given to you, whether it be a great horse or a great customer, but at the end of the day, once you plant your feet, which is what we’ve done here, it’s real.”

After leasing for 12 years, Ryan and Elise decided to establish roots and buy a beautiful farm in the rolling hills of Eastern Kansas. Resting on 40 acres of scenic pasture and turnout paddocks, their farm consists of 64 stalls in a heated, modern facility with a 70’ x 200’ indoor riding arena. This part of the structure boasts modern conveniences and space; however, there is much more to it, which also includes an original, custom-built barn with tons of character.

An Arabian facility from day one, the barn was built as a place for a smaller, high-end breeding program. Because of this original intent, Ryan describes the barn as, “a really neat structure that has a lot of brick and character—it’s not the kind of barn a horse trainer would build—which is what I loved about it. It’s really cool and a lot of thought was put into it. All the stalls have Dutch doors and there’s a lot of natural light.” Ryan adds, “So there’s that part of our setup, and then we added basically another half to the existing structure that is modernized. We made the arena longer, insulated it, heated it, and added 40 stalls in a climate-controlled barn—you know, like a horse trainer would do.”

Beyond the pride of ownership, Ryan and Elise consider the switch from leasing to owning to be a big moment in their commitment to their business. Ryan shares, “The longer you do it and when you put your name on the dotted line to buy a place, you are reminded that there’s a lot to this. But that’s been motivating for us. When you buy a facility and have a child in a five-year period, it will really get you up in the morning.”

Liberty Meadows | 6 | Ar abian Horse Times

Liberty Meadows | 7 | Ar abian Horse Times

Liberty Meadows isn’t in Kansas—the heart of the Midwest—by chance. Ryan believes in building quality horses, trainers, and businesses in the middle of America. “I was raised in Iowa, and I’ve lived other places, but it is important to me that our Midwestern businesses do well.” He adds, “I’m a big fan of the Midwest. I like to see horses from this part of the country do well. I always have. I think there are a lot of very capable people who run very good businesses in the Midwestern United States. We have a solid group of people in this part of the country and as it goes, I think they are getting stronger and stronger.”

Describing themselves as a sort of, “Midwestern blue collar training facility,” Ryan and Elise were elated to establish roots where they did. And now, three years later, their roots have deepened, and above ground, the fruits of their hard work are flourishing. With more clients, wins, a refreshing honesty, and more perspective than ever, this is a training team with longevity. Ryan and Elise aim to enrich the place in which they live, work, and raise their new son, Ethan. They are exactly where they need to be—in the heart of America sharing the Arabian horse with their patented process-driven training philosophy.

Liberty Meadows | 8 | Ar abian Horse Times

We are excited to welcome the addition of Wyatt Budd as assistant trainer at Liberty Meadows.

We are happy to have him on our team and look forward to our bright future together.

Wyatt pictured riding Lah Ti Da (above) and Tryst CCF (right)

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com Liberty Meadows | 9 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Baske Afire x Kelly Le Brock)

ABS HALF-ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE AAOTR JACKPOT & HALF-ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE SELECT AATR WITH AMBER STEARNS Owned by Amber Stearns Springfield | Missouri

Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424 Liberty Meadows | 10 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Vegaz x River Dance NA)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE AAOTR MATURITY & ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE SELECT AATR WITH JANNA ONEILL Owned by Janna Oneill Mission Hills | Kansas

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com Liberty Meadows | 11 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Undulata’s Nutcraker x VTM Pistachia)

HALF-ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE FUTURITY WITH RYAN STRAND Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424

Owned by Ralph & Linda Hackett Holt | Missouri Liberty Meadows | 12 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Candeman x Xquisite W)

AEPA $100,000 ARABIAN ENGLISH PERFORMANCE FUTURITY WITH RYAN STRAND Owned by Salt Creek Arabians, LLC Channahon | Illinois Liberty Meadows | 13 | Ar abian Horse Times

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com

(VCP Magnifire x Ames Jlo)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE DRIVING WITH RYAN STRAND ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE SELECT AATR WITH CHARITY DAVIS Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424

Owned by Allison & Charity Davis Leawood | Kansas Liberty Meadows | 14 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Baske Afire x Musical Gala)

HALF-ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE WITH LIBERTY MEADOWS HALF-ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE SELECT AATR WITH TAMMY MCELLIOTT Owned by Russ & Tammy McElliott Leawood | Kansas

Liberty Meadows | 15 | Ar abian Horse Times

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com

(Majesteit x MF Afires Joy)

ABS HALF-ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE AAOTR JACKPOT & HALF-ARABIAN HUNTER PLEASURE AAOTR 55 & OVER WITH ROBIN MANFIELD Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424

Owned by Michael & Robin Manfield Eudora | Kansas Liberty Meadows | 16 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Afire Bey V x Thalia Bey)

ABS ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE AAOTR JACKPOT & ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE AAOTR 55 & OVER WITH ROBIN MANFIELD Owned by Michael & Robin Manfield Eudora | Kansas Liberty Meadows | 17 | Ar abian Horse Times

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com

(ML Afire Dream x BA Miss Magic)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE WITH ELISE STRAND ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE AAOTR 19-35 WITH ALEXUS MATTINGLY Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424

Owned by Charles & Alexus Mattingly Lawrence | Kansas

Liberty Meadows | 18 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Hucks Connection V+ x Only Girl In Town)

HALF-ARABIAN ENGLISH PLEASURE AAOTR MATURITY & HALF-ARABIAN ENGLISH PLEASURE AAOTR 19-39 WITH ALEXUS MATTINGLY Owned by Charles & Alexus Mattingly Lawrence | Kansas

Liberty Meadows | 19 | Ar abian Horse Times

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com

(The Renaissance x CP Tatiana)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE FUTURITY WITH RYAN STRAND James & Laura Fitzsimmons Lake Lotawana | Missouri

Ryan & Elise Strand 816.651.7424 Liberty Meadows | 20 | Ar abian Horse Times

(Candeman x VPA Miss Mollie)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE FUTURITY WITH WYATT BUDD Owned by Strawberry Fields Stables Springfield | Missouri Liberty Meadows | 21 | Ar abian Horse Times

Bucyrus, Kansas info@liberty-meadows.com

(SF Specs Shocwave x Hollyluya)

ARABIAN ENGLISH PLEASURE AAOTR 19-39 WITH HANNAH SARTORI Owned by Hannah Sartori Lake Lotawana | Kansas

(Baske Afire x MZ Kitty)

ARABIAN COUNTRY PLEASURE WITH WYATT BUDD Owned by Zachary White Woodstock | Illinois

Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com Liberty Meadows | 22 | Ar abian Horse Times

RED NECK CUTIE

2009 HA Chestnut Mare | A Noble Cause x Sue Ebony Multiple top ten in country driving and amateur country.

She is a proven performer.

At U.S. Nationls in HA Country Pl Driving AATD

MOTOR CITY SHAKEDOWN

2006 HA Chestnut Stallion | Majesteit x MF Afires Joy U.S. National Reserve Champion HA/AA Hunter Pl AAOTR Multiple regional winner in hunter. Finished show horse.

At U.S. Nationls in ABS HA Hunter Pl AAOTR Jackpot & HA Hunter Pleasure AAOTR 55 & Over

Red Neck Cutie

Motor City Shakedown

Volume Control

TCF Beyonce

TL Magic Prancer

Dirty Dancer RTA

JF Optimus Prime

Double or Nothin HF

VOLUME CONTROL

2009 HA Bay Gelding | Turn It Up x My Santana’s Valentine Canadian National Champion HA English Pl JOTR Canadian National Reserve Champion HA English Pl AAOTR Ready for any level rider. Great minded.

At U.S. Nationls in HA English Pl Open

TCF BEYONCE

2013 HA Bay Mare | Tryst CCF x Airvana Just started under saddle, shows super star potential.

TL MAGIC PRANCER

2003 HA Grey Stallion | Majesteit x Elucktra Canadian National Champion HA Country Pl JOTR & Reserve Champion HA Country Pl JTR, Youth Reserve National Champion.

Great minded, future National Champion Equitation mount.

At U.S. Nationls in HA Country Pl Select AATR

DIRTY DANCER RTA

2011 HA Chestnut Mare | Majesteit x Flame Dance 16 Hand mare that shows national potential as an amateur or junior hunter.

At U.S. Nationls in HA Hunter Pl Junior Horse

JF OPTIMUS PRIME

2013 HA Bay Gelding | VCP Magnifire x Along Comes Mary 2016 U.S. National Country Pleasure Futurity contender.

DOUBLE OR NOTHIN HF

2012 HA Chestnut Mare | Vegaz x Doubletrees Kaleidoscope Extreme necked and great motion. Will make a national level Junior Country horse in 2017.

Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com Liberty Meadows | 23 | Ar abian Horse Times

TRIBUTE THYME SA

2007 PB Bay Gelding | Pryme Thyme x Diamond Tribute Canadian National Champion Stallion | U.S. National Champion Stallion AAOTH Just started hunter career. First at every show he has shown at this year.

At U.S. Nationals in Hunter Pl Select AATR

PEZ RTA

2012 PB Bay Gelding | Candeman x Haute Little Number 15.1 Hand extremely talented gelding. Will be ready for English Jr Horse at Scottsdale.

Tribute Thyme SA

TROPICANA ROSE SRY

2011 PB Chestnut Mare | Vegaz x Phoebes Asensation Ready to start an English show career. Dam is out of the great Phoebe Afire.

LAH TI DA

2007 PB Chestnut Mare | Afire Bey V x Lah Lah+/ Already a proven producer, she has just been shown for the first time. She is a National Champion-level kids English horse.

CP INCOGNITO Pez RTA

2013 PB Bay Gelding | The Renaissance x CP Tatiana 2016 Country Futurity contender, Amateur friendly.

At U.S. Nationals in PB Country Pl Futurity

MIDNIGHT MOVES WA

2011 PB Bay Gelding | Black Daniels x The Way She Moves Just started country pleasure gelding. Extreme quality and great pedigree. Winner first time out.

TRYST CCF

2008 PB Bay Gelding | Baske Afire x Mz Kitty Regional winner in Country Pleasure, Tryst has extreme talent and quality.

At U.S. Nationals in PB Country Pl Open Tropicana Rose SRY

Lah Ti Da

CP Incognito

Midnight Moves WA

Tryst CCF

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com

LLC CIRCUS CIRCUS

2009 PB Bay Gelding | A Temptation x LLC Morfire Tall and handsome national level amateur country horse.

At U.S. Nationals in Country Pl AAOTR 19-35

SHOCKED

2007 PB Bay Gelding | SF Specs Shocwave x Hollyluya U.S. National Reserve Champion Country English Pleasure Jr. Horse, Scottsdale Champion and U.S. Reserve National Champion.

At U.S. Nationals in PB English Pl AAOTR 19-39

GOOD GOLLIE RS

LLC Circus Circus

2013 PB Bay Mare | Candeman x VPA Miss Mollie National Country Futurity contender with a great attitude.

At U.S. Nationals in PB Country Pl Futurity

SNICKERS RTA

2011 PB Bay Gelding | Candeman x Xquisite W Just started performance career. Will be a high level amateur country horse.

AMES DISTINGUISHED

2008 PB Bay Gelding | A Noble Cause x G Kallora Scottsdale Reserve Champion and regional winner. Youth ready.

Shocked

EF JUST PEARLS

2013 PB Grey Mare | Candeman x JKF Tempting Rose Scottsdale bound in country English junior horse, extreme quality with talent to match.

NIGHT OF AFIRE

2009 PB Bay Gelding | Afire Bey V x HER Nobility Proven winner, ready to be a National Champion Amateur horse.

Good Gollie RS

Reference Sire Photo - Candeman

Night of Afire

CONTACT US at the U.S. National Championships for detailed information, videos & more...

EF Just Pearls

Ames Distinguished

Snickers RTA

LIBERTY MEADOWS TRAINING CENTER

Ryan & Elise Strand | Bucyrus, Kansas | 816.651.7424 | info@liberty-meadows.com