Wilmington, Ohio – This week’s Wilmington Sunday Spotlight shines on Lissy Naber. The young professional riding for Peg Seals out of Freedom Farm has debuted many young hunters around WEC – Wilmington this winter, and just stepped up to her first grand prix with her own, Miss Cloe Z, jumping a double clear effort for a fourth place finish. We caught up with Lissy to learn more about her journey in the sport and her love for the horses!
WEC: Tell us about your riding journey.
My grandma got me into riding lessons when I was five. It was history from there! I was a working student as a teenager. I wasn’t able to show on the level that I do now before I started riding more in college and started working for good people. As a professional, I have worked my way up. I went to Lake Erie College and rode on their IHSA team. I was part of their equestrian teacher trainer program.
Now, I am the professional rider for Freedom Farm and my boss Peg Seals. We are mainly a hunter show barn. We have a lot of young, green horses and also a nice group of older, more experienced horses. I mainly ride and show, but I also help out with the day-to-day care and whatever needs done. We all pitch in at any time and I think it is really important to be involved in all aspects of their care.
WEC: Tell us about Toussaint and Miss Cloe Z.
Toussaint is one of our client owned horses. I am showing him in the 3’3” Green Hunters this year and he is starting to step into the national derbies which is really fun. He is owned by Judy and Jim Miller. We are super excited about that one. He has been really successful so far. Peg imported him and we are really excited to see where he goes. He is a really exciting young horse. He is sweet, talented and all the right things. We are really lucky to have that one and a group of supportive clients.
Miss Cloe is my horse. I imported her at the beginning of her seven-year-old year. She has always acted like a mature, been-there-done-that horse! She is a great type for me to have and be stepping into bigger jumper classes on. I am really lucky to have her.
WEC: How has WEC – Wilmington been beneficial for your and the business?
We love coming to Ohio. We don’t go to Florida in the winter, we come here instead. It is such a great break from the winter weather in Virigina! It has something for everyone. The competition is good and there are opportunities for people getting into at the lower level or your younger horses to have a good experience. It is such a friendly environment. It is great for our more experienced ones too because there are classes for them to compete against good competition and learn new skills. It just works for everyone.
WEC: What is your main goal in 2025?
I want to take our group of young horses to Green Incentive Finals. We always like to show them off there a little bit and we are so lucky to have such a talented group and a great support system.
WEC: What keeps you motivated in the sport?
The love for the horses and the way that our community comes together in our love for them is my favorite part of this sport.
Thank you, Lissy, for taking the time to speak with us! Congratulations on your incredible fourth place finish in Saturday’s $30,000 Grand Prix.