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Lyn Berry:
Lyn Berry was raised in a family of enthusiastic horsemen and women. Her grandfather served in the US Army Cavalry, and her mother was an accomplished horsewoman who even jumped horses sidesaddle! Lyn jokes that she “started riding at two months of age”, and “seriously” at age six, adopting the family sport of riding and showing horses. She was extremely active in the horse 4-H activities, and at 12 years of age won the 4-H Horse Showmanship (age 12-18) for the State of Iowa!
In 1958 the nationally recognized and highly respected Carleton Cummings Skyline Trust Arabian Lend Lease Program, which emphasized youth involvement and 4-H projects for young people, selected the Berry family and young Lyn as recipients of two Arabian horses. This year the Crystal Castle Arabian horse herd celebrates 50 YEARS of careful and selective breeding resulting from those early Arabians!
Lyn honed her training and showing techniques by completing formal apprenticeships with noted Arabian horse trainer for Heritage Hills Farm, Dick Leadley, and also the trainer for Vantage Point Arabian Farm, Ron Pallelic. Subsequently, Lyn trained and exhibited several of her Arabian horses to National Champion, High Point, and Legion of Merit status. She has shown successfully in halter, saddle seat, hunt, native costume, western pleasure, and harness. Today she continues to manage the breeding program of Crystal Castle Arabians and trains upcoming equestrian professionals as well as students that “just love horses”. Horse lovers from age four to 78 can be seen in her riding arena under her careful tutelage. Lyn has “a gift” for being able to select the horse that will best match the rider, and an almost intuitive ability to get to the source of a horse and rider’s “problem” and offer sensitive and insightful interventions. As one experienced student-rider stated “I can’t believe she (Lyn) was able to see and fix the problem in one session!” “She is amazing!”
Lyn particularly enjoys working with 4-H youth. Dedicated and committed 4-Hers are invited to select from the herd of some thirty top quality animals of the CCA herd to train and show under Lyn’s careful eye and expert guidance. Trainees are guided through the basics of care, grooming, and all elements of horse-maintenance as well as refining and perfecting their performance in their chosen discipline. Wholesome fun, with an emphasis on good sportsmanship and concern for the horse are paramount to her principles. Those who wish to show horses are encouraged to do so at Youth 4-H, local shows, as well as the Illinois State Fair, where Crystal Castle stable is a regular exhibitor.
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| A casual moment for Lyn and her stallion, Creed |
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