Prior Lake, Lakeville women purchase horse barn in Webster

Prior Lake American

Most days, Lakeville resident Kirsten Priebe and Prior Lake resident Tal Mizrahi can be found at Wild Rose Stables in Webster — most hours, too. Priebe said the two are often there for 11 hours or more.

Priebe, who is 24 years old and Mizrahi, 19, have been trainers at the horse barn for more than a year. They purchased the business on Dec. 7 and changed the name from Wyndem Rose Stables to Wild Rose Stables.

The pair now own and manage the horse barn, teach lessons to more than 60 students and purchase and re-train thoroughbred horses, most of which have retired from racing at Canterbury Park in Shakopee.

“We can’t leave the barn, so we bought one,” Mizrahi said.

Priebe said she’s been buying and selling thoroughbreds since 15.

“All I’ve ever done is ride horses,” she said. “It turned into a career for me.”

The proximity to Canterbury Park was a driving force behind the purchase of the stable in Webster, Priebe said. She added the pair love thoroughbreds, which she said can suit a wide range of riders and aren’t all high-energy.

“We wanted to be able to run the program we wanted to and have that peace of mind knowing it’s ours,” she said.

More than 15 of the horses at Wild Rose Stables alone are retired from racing at Canterbury Park. They’re aren’t dumped there, Priebe said — “They’re being placed with us because the owners know they will have a purpose and job and be appreciated.”

Priebe and Mizrahi also teach lessons for all ages, including those training for competition, in the heated indoor arena year-round.

“Whether you’re 5 years old and love ponies or in your more mature years and never sat on a horse, any level of rider is welcome here,” Priebe said. “We try to see to everybody’s needs and goals.”

Prior Lake resident Katherine Bentfield has trained for jumper competitions with Priebe and Mizrahi for about three years.

“The feeling of community and family that this barn has brought has been a standout,” Bentfield said. “It’s a fun atmosphere where we all know we are competing and we want to go out and win, but we’re having fun along the way.”

Horses take six months to one year to train or retrain for jumper or hunter horse competitions and those taking lessons at the stable will often take part in the training.

“Every day is a new day,” Mizrahi said. “There’s always a challenge. I love helping the kids.”

South Minneapolis resident Claire Garduno said she has had her horse at Wild Rose Stables for about three years.

“I’ve definitely been to my fair share of stables in Minnesota,” she said. “It’s really not like anything I’ve experience in the horse industry. Nurturing and generally caring about each other is really unique.”

There are also horses specifically for lessons at the stable, so those taking lessons don’t have to own their own horses. Training together helps develops a relationship between the horse and child, Priebe said.

“It’s a big responsibility for these kids, and they learn a lot about patience and hard work,” she said. “It’s good for the horse, it’s good for the kid, it’s good for us.”

Horses stop racing around 5 or 6 years old but can jump until they are about 20, Priebe said.

“We’ll evaluate them based on their confirmation, so the angles of their hips and shoulders and the look of the horse,” Priebe said.

There’s no animal in the world like horses, she added.

“You build a relationship with your horse,” she said. “They know you. You come to the gate and they come up to you. They all have their own quirks and personalities and little things about them that makes them unique. They’re just like people that way.”