Janna and Idealista in Spain

About Janna

Janna Kysilko (Yah'-na Ka-sil'-ko) has had the privilage to study with some of the world's top classical dressage trainers. A protegé of Hans Rieger, chief rider at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, Janna worked as an apprentice for Herr Riegler at his private stables in Austria intermittently for 10 years. She has continued to return to Austria regularly to train with him since then, as well as brought him to the USA for clinics. She also went on to train in Switzerland with Herr Riegler's own mentor, the late Georg Wahl, and Herr Wahl's protegé Christine Stückelberger, six-time Olympian and individual gold medalist. In addition to clinics with Herr Riegler, Janna has ridden with several distinguished FEI clinicians, such as Paul Belasik, Stefan Peters, Janet Foy, and Conrad Schumacher.

Janna now resides in Minnesota, where she trains a dedicated group of riders and their horses at Freedom Ranch, a premier boarding facility between Rosemount and Hastings, MN. Both Janna and her students have had many successes in the show ring, including earning USDF Bronze and Silver medals on horses that she trained. Janna is also a regular guest clinician and judge at stables around the Twin Cities, and is invited to give clinics nationally and internationally. Often entrusted with preparing horses for sale, or finding horses for clients, Janna's contacts across the US and Europe have only continued to increase over the years.

Janna's Horses

Growing up, Janna primarily worked off lessons and leases on school horses, so after several years as an equine professional, she was excited to finally have a horse of her own after purchasing the Dutch Warmblood mare Godiva. Then already 19 years old, she trained and competed Godiva through the FEI levels all the way to a Grand Prix debut when Godiva was 23! While earning her USDF silver medal and part of a gold, Janna demonstrated that classical methods can really keep a horse sound and performing enthusiastically, even at the highest levels, up to an advanced age. Godiva went on to teach two other skilled riders, and continued doing her favorite moves (tempi changes!) until the ripe old age of 29.

Janna currently owns and competes with the GOV Oldenburg gelding Royal Scholar (a.k.a. Rocky), who also came to her later in life and is now schooling Prix St. George. Affectionately known as the 'gentle giant,' Rocky's size hasn't stopped him from showing great promise in the piaffe and pirouettes, while also excelling naturally in the extensions and lateral work.