ST. CHARLES, Ill. _ A stallion twitches his nose and bats his long eyelashes for a visitor who has apples in her pockets. Four yearlings play tag to expend their adolescent energy. A pair of brood mares stretch while enjoying a nap in dewy grass.
Lisa Diersen can’t finish a sentence without being upstaged by the horses in her paddocks.
But that’s OK.
Like a proud mom, she beams and laughs, then carries on.
Diersen co-owns the Royal Lusitano in St. Charles, Ill., which she describes as a “boutique breeder” of Lusitano horses. She also boards and trains horses, teaches classical riding and juggles her horses’ modeling gigs. In 2013, Diersen added two major events to her repertoire: the annual Festival of the Horse &Drum in St. Charles, in August, a show that is more Horses 101 than competition. And she oversees the Equus Film Festival in New York (Nov. 20-22), which gives filmmakers from around the world a platform for their horse stories.
“My mission,” said Diersen, “is to teach people about the ancient horse-human connection. Horses don’t care about our gender, race or disabilities; they’ve been with us all along.”
“Lisa sees opportunities, then connects people to make them happen,” said Jill McCrae, owner of McCrae Farm in Grayslake, Ill. “And, when you have an emergency like a sick horse, she drops everything and comes. We need more Lisa Diersens in this world.”
Although she earned an associate’s degree in engineering technology and had previous careers in corporate America and as a homebuilder, Diersen said horses have always been her life’s passion. The following is an edited transcript of our conversation.
Q: Tell me about your first horse.
A: Freckles. I boarded him near my family’s house in what was then unincorporated La Grange (Ill.). I taught myself to ride and built jumps in the backyard. I didn’t take lessons until I was in my 20s. Before that, I rode my grandparents’ pony, Spark Plug.
Q: What sparked your interest in horses?
A: I don’t remember not being a horse person. But like a lot of people my age, I was a fan of Marguerite Henry’s books about the Chincoteague horses. I still have my 1950s editions.
Q: When did you transition from a backyard rider to a classical rider?
A: In 1997, I saw Bartabas, the French horse trainer, riding his perfect, three-beat canter. It was poetry on horseback. Classical riding became my passion. Now I teach it, plus working equitation, which is part obstacle course, part dressage.
Q: Why are Lusitanos your favorite breed?
A: Originally from Portugal and Brazil, Lusitanos are strong as bulls, noble and clever. But they’re as loyal and devoted as Labrador retrievers. Lusitanos are slow to grow, so they’re not ready to be ridden until they’re 5. It takes time; raising them is like making fine wine. My ideal buyer is the rider who wants a gorgeous dancing partner for life.
Q: You’re known for your foal training and your super-gentle horses. How do you do it?
A: I use the method I learned from (natural horsemanship) trainer Allen Pogue, but most of it is common sense. As soon as they’re born, the foals are handled constantly and exposed to things horses consider scary, like blowing tarps and big, colorful toys. It’s all about trust and kindness. They consider me their herd leader, so if it’s not scary to me, then it’s not to them.
Q: Tell me about the Festival of the Horse &Drum.
A: We have demos by people from diverse cultures, from the Native American Nokota horse rescuers to African-American cowboys, and by people who use horses to help people with disabilities. If you don’t know much about horses, you’ll learn how they’re our companions and our healers. You can touch the horses and talk to the riders.
Q: Describe the growth of the film festival.
A: It started at St. Charles’ Arcada Theatre in 2013 with 34 films. The owner let us use the theater for free. In 2014, we took it to New York. This year, it will include more than 100 films that cover all types of horses and horse people, from “long riders” (people who ride 1,000 miles or more on single journeys) to wild-mustang trainers. Chicagoans can see the films through our website or by subscribing to Horse Lifestyle TV.
Q: What are your proudest moments?
A: When each of my (Lusitano) babies was born. Nine have been born here, and it blows my mind every time.
Q: What’s your advice to someone who wants a career with horses?
A: Just do it. Make horse jewelry, films, photography, music, whatever. Write a book. Volunteer at an equine therapy stable. You don’t have to be an accomplished rider to be a horse person.
Q: What book is on your nightstand?
A: “Zen Mind, Zen Horse” by Allan Hamilton. He’s a neurosurgeon who explains how horses heal people.
Q: How do you keep informed?
A: Talk radio. NPR interviews. BBC News. Online newspapers. I read most of the horse magazines.
Q: Who are your heroes?
A: People like Bill and Melinda Gates, who use their money to help people grow. They don’t have to do that.
Q: What are your guilty pleasures?
A: Peach ice cream. Marshmallow Candy Cones (those little candies from the ’60s).
Q: What’s your motto?
A: Carpe diem. (Seize the day.) It’s how I sign off my emails. If I ever got a tattoo, that’s what it would say.
Q: What’s the best advice you ever received?
A: My dad told me I could do whatever I wanted to do in life, and I have. This is it, and this is why I’ll never retire. Look at them. (She points to her yearlings, now trotting in conga-line fashion.) Who would retire from this?
