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Monday 6am - 9pm Tuesday 6am - 9pm Wednesday 6am - 9pm Thursday 6am - 9pm Friday 6am - 9pm Saturday 6am - 9pm Sunday 6am - 9pm

Briar Creek Farm

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United States
Leesburg, VA
Briar Creek Farm

Immersed in the art of horsemanship & classical foundation. Deluxe care horse boarding/training. Security cameras throughout property for safety.
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Indoor & outdoor riding arena.Natural Horsemanship approach to hunter jumpers, pleasure, dressage, Garrocha, problem & young horse training. Biography & Facility Information: Private boarding facility with new 70x200 lighted indoor riding arena with mirrors, fans, large heated viewing room/classroom. Professional sound system and Wi-Fi allow for virtual lessons. 120x200 all weather footing light

ed outdoor arena, heated bathroom & heated tack room, hot/cold water wash rack with heat lamps. 12x12 stalls with rubber mats over laser graded crushed bluestone, automatic & heated waterers in each stall and field. Eight 12x18 sheltered walk outs, 35 acres of turn out in small groups of 3-4 horses. 72' Arena footing round pen. Specializing in:
• Regaining and building confidence between horse and rider
• Ground Work (from manners to Classical In-Hand work)
• Proper Biomechanics
• Problem Solving & Trailer loading techniques to avoid stress
• OTTB (and other) re-starts
• Continual Education
• Equine Assisted Activities
• Masterson Method techniques/Body Work
• Masterson Method integrated into lessons via functional anatomy

Suzanne Liscouski, owner and trainer of Briar Creek Farm, grew up in the horse world the traditional way; pony club as a child and competing in local, state and regional equine events in her home state of Connecticut. Given her passion for horses, she attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia for her undergraduate work, renowned for their Hunter Jumper program. A horse owner since the age of 10, Suzanne’s life forever changed when she started her first c**t with Ray Hunt in 1999. From that moment forward, her methods and riding philosophy have been focused on giving the horse a "better deal," as Ray taught. At Briar Creek Farm, Suzanne can now focus on linking these principals to any and all disciplines, such as English Hunters, Dressage, Western, Western Dressage, jumping, trails/obstacles and Working Equitation. With this methodology, riders are able to link the skills taught by horsemen with whom Suzanne has studied over the decades to their specific equine goals. Hence, the business name was born for Briar Creek, “The Foundation Link.” The concept of The Foundation Link means doing more with less, making your horse a willing partner, and approaching training in a way that builds knowledge and confidence in the horse and in the rider. This holistic approach provides a solid foundation to develop confidence, safety, and a true connection with horses through in-hand work and under saddle. Suzanne continued to do clinics with Ray Hunt and was fortunate to have the honor of being Ray’s European trip planner and translator in 2002. In 2004, she began riding with other known clinicians in the training world, including the (then) little known Buck Brannaman who would later become famed as the man in the documentary “Buck.” Suzanne continues to ride with other like-minded trainers (mentored by Ray) such as Joe Wolter and Bryan Neubert to continue learning and further her ability to share her experience with her students. Most recently, Suzanne has become a proponent of similar methods used by Jillian Kreinbring and Patrick King (also a Ray Hunt protégé), who offer clinics at Briar Creek Farm. She completed Patrick King’s protégé program in 2018. Suzanne is focused on proper movement of both horse and rider as a student of pilates and several equine anatomy courses, including The Whole Horse Dissection Clinic with Ivana Ruddock, DVM, a second Dissection Clinic with Sharon May Davis, and Equinology 900 Anatomy in Clay. From c**t starting and halter breaking wild horses in North Dakota to completing Instructors Courses with Charles de Kunffy, Suzanne believes in well-rounded horsemanship. In 2019, Suzanne traveled to Portugal to ride Lusitano Stallions with the famed Valença family in an intensive Instructors course of three lessons a day: two under saddle and one in hand class. There she honed skills on world class school masters, working on Spanish Walk, piaffe, passage, canter pirouettes and other haute école maneuvers. Suzanne believes it is a lifetime journey to constantly improve one’s horsemanship and relationship with one’s horse. Suzanne is featured in a short documentary about retraining ex-racehorses, which was featured at the Napa Valley Film Festival and the NY Equus film Festival https://vimeo.com/142725309. Most recently, Suzanne has completed years of studying the Masterson Method and is now a Masterson Method Certified Practitioner (MMCP) as of January 2023. Suzanne has a B.A. from Sweet Briar College, an M.A. from American University, and was a Presidential Management Fellow prior to serving in executive leadership roles in both the Federal Government and in the IT Industry. Suzanne course designed curriculum and served as a 400 level instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy and is a Harvard Senior Executive Fellow. She has now transitioned her teaching and leadership skills as consultant and instructor inside the horse world, helping riders think differently and excel with their horses. For those with horse interests, yet no equine experience, Briar Creek Farm offers mindfulness and leadership lessons via ground work and liberty work; this has served many from small groups to corporate offsites. Message Briar Creek on Facebook or email briarcreekfarm(at)verizon.net.

06/18/2024

Tristate Riding Club is a wonderful organization - if you’re not already a member check it out! Even if you are not a member, this is a wonderful judged pleasure ride!

06/16/2024

From balancing the babies, correcting problems on the retired old boys to fancy performance shoeing we had a great day of educational shoeing with Daisy Alexis Bicking from Daisy Haven Farm, Inc. Thank you for coming all this way to help our herd feel their best!

06/15/2024

The garrocha is a long pole used for hundreds of years in Spain and Portugal, and is now catching on here in the US in cowboy dressage and in the growing US Working Equitation sport. The garrocha pole is typically made of wood, fiberglass, or in my case bamboo, and can range in length (approx 13 feet).

The garrocha originated in Spain, where I had the pleasure of living for a brief time while in government service. It was used by vaqueros to tend cattle and work with bulls used in bullfighting. The pole’s length and flexibility allow riders to use it to poke and provoke the bulls, helping to gauge their suitability for the bullfighting ring. These competitions are known as "Acoso y Derribo" , which I was able to take the Ray Hunt Spain tour group to see in 2003. I'll try to find those photos, it was great fun.

In modern times, the garrocha has been adopted by equestrians as a tool for improving balance, seat, and overall horsemanship skills. It is often used in dressage, western dressage, and other equestrian disciplines to enhance the rider’s connection with the horse and to develop precise, subtle movements.

Very nice job to the ladies who came to May's garrocha session!

I hope you keep up with it, remember to let the pole be your teacher.

06/08/2024

Day One of the Masterson Method Weekend Seminar, Greenfield MA Stoneleigh-Burnham Equestrian Center Get ready to spoil some ponies!

06/08/2024

I am honored to be teaching The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork Weekend Course at the lovely Stoneleigh-Burnham School in Greenfield, Massachusetts this weekend. It is a phenomenal facility and the horses are kept at perfection!

05/05/2024

Happy to all those who celebrate 🪐

04/26/2024

Dang! I need more Pilates, this is impressive to stay on…

Jockey Johnny King got more than he bargained for when his mount Arbritrageur went airborne before a race at Ireland’s Laytown Racecourse last year. Amazingly, both the horse and rider managed to land on their feet, and King got right back on because he’s a jockey damn it, and that’s what they do. Alas, Arbritrageur and King finished the race mid-pack.

04/21/2024

Here at BCF March 14-17. For information and Registration contact Jody Grimm jody.grimm@juno.com 303 503-2911Dave and J...

03/01/2024

Here at BCF March 14-17. For information and Registration contact Jody Grimm [email protected] 303 503-2911

Dave and Jody are visiting again! There are rider slots open if you are a trailer-in. Come have fun and work on your foundation! Perfect for young horses, nervous horses, or any horse you are seeking a better relationship with. Auditors welcome! Current Briar Creek students can receive a scholarship auditing slot if it's your first time meeting Dave & Jody -- totally worth coming to check out!

More details on my events tab on BCF website www.briarcreekfarm.com and check out their website
https://lsranchnaturally.com/index.html

02/27/2024

Thank you to all all the awesome ladies that came out for February Cavalletti Club this weekend! We had so much fun and the horses really softened, rounded and used themselves properly! Super nice groundwork session as well with some young and nervous horses that ended up in an awesome place in respecting owners’ space yet still relaxing. 😎 ❤️

02/27/2024

We love the start of warm days and everyone gets in on some nap time! 💤 💤 (except the humans…we just start scrubbing everything!)

02/13/2024

Public service announcement…

Remember about that 😅
credits: Pinterest

02/03/2024

Y’all know what I’m talking about….

It must be the morning of a big show. 🤣😂

Titled “Buck”, created by Artist Peter McFarlane.

02/01/2024

Continuing our education at the The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork Gathering, Walter Saxe (our German Masterson Method Instructor) gave an overview of applying The Masterson Method to sport horses where we were able to break down specific areas of focus by riding discipline – it was very helpful to note the differences in muscle use/impact/restriction and fatigue in jumpers v. dressage v. eventers and what we can do as Masterson Method professionals to best address areas that will positively impact performance. It is no wonder he is so sought after in Europe as the bodyworker for several eventing teams and so many other high level horses in Germany and surrounding countries. I was honored to be in his small group once we broke out for hands-on work. He is such a talented (and fun) gentleman!

01/31/2024

I had the pleasure of spending a good amount of time with Daniel Dauphin, from Dauphin Horsemanship out of Louisiana. He is not only absolutely hilarious, he fills such a vacuum we have in the horse industry. Having studied metallurgy and engineering (and of course horses) he focuses on bits and bitting. He gave a fascinating presentation at The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork Gathering on considerations on bridling, fitting and choosing the right bit for your horse. In a community that has so many saddle fitters (which of course we love!) we are hard pressed to find someone who independently can educate us on the topic. That’s right, no sponsorships/affiliations, just education to do right by your horse. He is also about to launch an on-line course, which is sure to be amazing. We had many bourbon bonding moments having been logistically linked! If you don't already know him, check him out!

01/30/2024

I was honored to spend last week at the The Masterson Method Gathering for Certified Practitioners! We always learn so much from Jim, who recorded some new video angles of the final certification techniques and did some awesome demos on horses that surely needed him. After one day of instructor training, we started in with an impressive line-up of guest speakers. Jim’s way of teaching is so soft and connected, he softened some fire breathing dragons to yawning puddles of horse. He is such a humble, skilled man and lots of fun!

I can’t believe I didn’t get any pictures with Sandy Vreeburg none of which would have been possible without her and the role she played in my mentorship. She was my inspiration to finish the program strong during certification – she is not only brilliant and gifted with her touch, she is a strong leader, not intimidating, inclusive, warm, funny and most of all so encouraging. If anyone gets a chance to study with her, you’re in for a treat! The Masterson staff did an amazing job with planning, logistics and of course lots of fun. Everything went off without a hitch thanks to the hard work and dedication of Conley, Malia Aldrich, Megan Dushin, Jennifer Baranski Benzenberg, and others that contributed to the event. The Masterson Method, Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork

01/27/2024

Another great day of learning from Jim Masterson and Coralie Hughes. It’s always amazing to see how much they can change a horse in front of your eyes! ❤️

01/26/2024

Awesome presentation by the amazing Jillian Kreinbring at the Masterson Method Continuing Education Conference on equine movement and sacred geometry.

12/21/2023

What other holidays did I miss??

12/05/2023

My handsome model prompted me to remind everyone that BEMER is $650 off through tomorrow - I have never seen a sale on the horse set since I got involved with BEMER in 2020. I use my human set twice a day, my Horse Set is used on mulitple horses per day here at the farm. Pro-tip for the winter months - it's a perfect way to keep their metabolism moving when weather doesn't allow for much turn out.
I ALSO see a measurable amount of hoof growth on my unicorn mare who used to struggle with having nothing for the farrier to work with. I ALSO use it on my retired arthritic 28 year old; I ALSO use it before riding for a warm up to get blood perfusing the muscles before climbing on. I ALSO used it for a laminitic flare on a founder prone horse (he's done and all healed). I ALSO use it to be sure all the supplements I spend money on get through to the whole body. NASA ALSO uses BEMER in space suits. I can go on and on, but you get the point. If you're on the fence, please message me or call me to talk about your horse. These are just some of my personal stories/uses. There are studies available from NIH/pubmed that I'm happy to share with you too.

https://shop.bemergroup.com/en_US/home?partner=briarcreekfarm

Address

41455 Southpaw Place
Leesburg, VA
20175

Opening Hours

Monday	6am - 9pm
Tuesday	6am - 9pm
Wednesday	6am - 9pm
Thursday	6am - 9pm
Friday	6am - 9pm
Saturday	6am - 9pm
Sunday	6am - 9pm

Website

http://www.briarcreekfarm.com/

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Videos

Wonderful awareness clinic underway with Diane Sept! #feldenkreis #alexanderteqnique #riderbodyawareness #equestrianlife

Congratulations to the latest Masterson Method Weekend Seminar participants! Despite some crazy rain and wind this class did beautiful work and made so many horses happy! Blessed to always share and learn every day! #themastersonmethod #equineperformance #briarcreekfarm

Day One of the Masterson Method Weekend Seminar with an amazing group finding relaxation and releases. This talented group already helped many horses feel good!!

What will your horse do for a bite of grass? 😂

Continuing our busy clinic season, we are so blessed by this weekend’s functional anatomy course by the inspiring Jillian Kreinbring! Always sharing such amazing knowledge and welcoming others to share. #lovingthejourney #fortheloveofthehorse #jilliankreinbring

Congratulations to the awesome men and women in the Masterson Method weekend seminar at Briar Creek this weekend! We had a wonderful group dedicated to helping improve the lives of horses! I feel humbled and blessed to share this opportunity with others. #mastersonmethod #sharethemagic

Day one underway with Diane J Sept Rider Awareness Workshop! Lots of aha moments already! #riderawareness #dianesept #bodyawareness

Andalusian power!

Build confidence through encouraging your horses’ curiosity! Ray Hunt used to say to be sure to never kill the curiosity, you might need it for something useful someday. Wish I had more time with Ray to get this young one going. #horsesofinstagram #rayhunt #ancce #groundwork

Hay delivery day! All you can eat buffet time!

There are lots of things you can do to build confidence in young horses- just take the time it takes. I also train mine from a young age to downward transition and even halt when I exhale so you can see he is just starting to understand that. I love this boy! At only three, we have time to get things right before riding. I think one of the key things to notice in this video is when he transitions from tolerance to genuine acceptance with relaxation. Lots of horses will tolerate things we do to them (no he doesn’t move but he turns away from the pool noodle ) but if you can hang in there until they truly accept it and relax- it will yield returns for years to come.

Current situation…. Sound on! When one cat is in the hospital for two days, the other does this for TWO DAYS. Yeah, we’re fine. I’m fine. We’re all fine. Really….

Mother nature didn’t get the memo that September is supposed to cool down! Be sure you monitor your horses for overheating, especially the older ones during this crazy heat resurgence! This horse has anhidrosis, which means he is unable to produce sweat (which normally cools horses off). So giving him these cold hose breaks allows him to breathe easier. Even with healthy horses cold hosing helps them cool down and manage the hot day with much more comfort.

Using bamboo lightly to ask your horse questions- what does this mean to you? It will pay off when you get to piaffe and passage! Baby steps in understanding are critical!

Horses roll for many reasons - the dominant ones usually go last to ensure their scent has covered an area. They roll to scratch themselves, protect from bugs and sun, give themselves a mini-massage, and who knows what other reasons?

Just another day at the “office” Masterson Method ❤️ for relaxation, health and performance.

Have you ever visualized blood flow to the horses hoof? It is an amazing work of art- and allows us to see the importance of maintaining proper circulation for hoof health.

What color do you think this horse is? It’s not what you think!

Watching hunters, Masterson Method bodywork, and dressage all in one view! Which lesson would you watch and why?

Shortcuts

A Horsemanship Journey

• Confidence Problems? • Ground Manners need work? • Trailer loading problems? • Too much horse? OTTB re-start? • Want a better relationship with your horse? Trailer-in lessons available on Saturdays. New students - Free 30 minute assessment/consult about you and your horse. Suzanne Liscouski, owner and trainer, grew up in the horse world the traditional way, through pony club as a child, competing in local, state and regional events, and through Sweet Briar College’s equestrian Hunter-Jumper program. Since 1999 when she started her first c**t with Ray Hunt, her methods and riding philosophy have been honed to give the horse a "better deal" as Ray taught. What does that mean? It means doing more with less, making your horse a willing partner, and approaching training in a way that is meaningful to the horse and to the rider. You don’t have to be a cowboy to adapt these foundational methods to your discipline. Rather, this holistic approach provides a solid foundation to develop confidence, safety, and a true connection with your horse. The horsemanship is a foundation link to your discipline and your relationship with your horse. Suzanne continued to do clinics with Ray Hunt (who mentored Buck Brannaman) and was fortunate to have the honor of being Ray’s European trip planner and translator in 2002. In 2004 she began riding with other known clinicians in the training world, including the (then) little known Buck Brannaman who would later become known as the man in the excellent documentary “Buck.” Suzanne continues to ride with Buck when he comes to the East, and other like minded trainers (that Ray mentored before passing on) such as Joe Wolter (cow working and horsemanship, annually) and Bryan Neubert to continue her learning and ability to pass the experience on to her students. Most recently, Suzanne has studied classic Vaquero horsemanship from Pat Puckett and practices the art of the Garrocha with Patrick King (also a Ray Hunt protégé) who offer clinics at her home, Briar Creek Farm. In fact, Suzanne is featured in some of Patrick’s DVD’s. Quite simply, Suzanne believes it’s a lifetime journey to constantly improve your horsemanship and your relationship with your horse. She has completed Charles deKunffy’s Instructor Course in 2017. Suzanne has studied intensive biomechanics courses with Jillian Krienbring in 2017, has completed the Equine Touch Foundation’s Whole Horse Dissection clinic in May 2018. This intensive study of equine motion provided by Dr. Ivana Ruddock proved a valuable and unique experience to further knowledge of proper training and movement of the horse. As her understanding of Biomechanics grew, Suzanne chose to couple the lightness found in groundwork/foundation work with her understanding of biomechanics, focusing on how to ask the horse to balance itself under the weight of a rider. In 2019, Suzanne attended the Instructors’ Group of students training at The Valenca Academy outside of Lisbon, Portugal riding Lusitano Stallions to further her feel of riding highly and Internationally renowned dressage horses.

Suzanne is featured in a short documentary about retraining ex-racehorses, which was featured at the Napa Valley film festival and the NY Equus film Festival. https://vimeo.com/100371098. Suzanne has a BA from Sweet Briar College, a Master of Arts degree, and was a Presidential Management Fellow prior to serving in Federal Government for 15 years. Now a consultant inside the horse world, she can help you think differently and excel with your horse. Follow us on Facebook Briar Creek Farm (https://www.facebook.com/BriarcreekfarmVA/?ref=bookmarks ) Call 2022532644 for more information, or email [email protected]