Cloverfield LLC is a dream that has been in motion for many, many years. I started in this industry like so many others: with lead-line lessons at four years old, pony camps, and every known horse book. Much to the dismay of all of the people who told my parents “its just a phase”, I am still here all these years later. I attended Emory and Henry University and gradated summa cum laude, which might not mean anything in the horse world, but it does at least tell you I have always been a hardworking perfectionist. My real education started when, at the age of 19, I became a working student under FEI dressage rider and trainer Heidi Wilson Valk. Even though I had ridden my whole life, I had spent most of it as a hunter/equitation rider, so dressage was foreign to me. After working with Heidi, however, everything change. Through her I learned to understand the biomechanics of both the horse and rider and, most importantly, I learned how to feel. I was a working student for her through college, and after I graduated I spent almost 5 more years with her as a full-time assistant trainer/assistant manager/young horse jockey.

In 2022, I relocated to Lexington, Kentucky which is where I am currently based. I specialize in handling, starting, and developing young sport horses. I am one of only three certified lead handlers for the Young Horse Show series, and I travel around the U.S. as part of the team that runs their shows. I regularly handle young horses in-hand at various breed shows and inspections, including Devon. I also offer lessons and training for adult-amateurs on their own horses, with a strong emphasize on solid foundations and correct horse and rider bio-mechanics. My clients and I regularly attend YEH, YHS, USDF, USEA, USEF, and schooling shows. I have a small, select group of sales horses, most of which are young horses, but occasionally I have horses with more experience for sale as well.

If you’re still on this page you probably want to know more about me, so first things first. Working with and developing young horses is my passion. Giving every horse I can a good start in life, one that is correct, quiet, and positive, is what I strive to do. Second, I am always learning. I am always striving to ride better, understand more, and continually improve. The fundamentals for everything I do are based in dressage, mostly from the German school of thought. But I am too much of an adrenaline junkie to stick to playing in the sandbox. I love working over fences (the kinds that fall down and the one’s that don’t), I am a lifelong fox hunter, and I have even done some cattle work. Third, I am deeply interested in the economics, efficiency, business practices, and labor issues of the equine industry. Its nerdy of me, I know, but I can’t help but notice how much the business of horses effects the riding of horses, the care of horses, and so on and so forth. For a more in-depth understanding of my philosophy and thoughts, please read through my blog.

-Victoria Lustig

Head Trainer/ Owner