Driving farther and farther southwest out of Minneapolis, city streets give way to lush green fields and you begin to grasp the terminology “God’s country”. This seems befitting once you spend time at Cornerstone Stables. Newly relocated from Windom, Minnesota, owners Jared Ratzloff and Lenny Peterson moved to Cornerstone’s new location in New Prague, Minn. in December of 2005. Ratzloff claims it is the perfect place, neither too big, nor too small. The facility will allow Ratzloff to expand his business, yet keep it manageable.

The farm sits on eighteen acres with a show barn, retirement barn, and several outbuildings including a huge storage shed. The show barn currently has thirteen stalls with seven more being added. The heated indoor arena is 60x160. A new lounge is being built with plans to add a courtyard. The retirement barn has six very large stalls, several of which could be used as foaling stalls. There is a spacious three-bedroom house on the property and Ratzloff and Peterson already have plans of renovating parts of the house. They want to make it a place in which they can entertain. There is also a new two bedroom apartment on the property. There are plenty of changes in store for the property, but in the midst of show season it is difficult to find time to get everything done. However, that doesn’t mean everyone isn’t hard at work. Cornerstone doesn’t have a large staff, but it does have a dedicated one and everyone pitches in wherever help is needed.

Owner and trainer Jared Ratzloff is thrilled to finally be in the Cities so that he may focus on growing his business. He has a rich and varied background in the industry and is very willing to share it with anyone. Taking the time to get to know Jared really helps you understand why he consistently turns out top notch horses and riders and why he continues to gain more and more attention and accolades.

Ratzloff was bitten by the horse bug at a very young age. As early as the age of five Ratzloff knew he wanted to train horses. He admits that his parents probably thought he was crazy when he was a child. “I would trot around the house with ribbons on my head. I would practice posting on the riding lawnmower.

Ratzloff’s start in the horse business began as a child. His parents owned and showed carriage horses before they moved into Saddlebreds. His first formal lessons began with Roxie Nelson (now Lockard) while she was attending William Woods. Ratzloff began showing a mare he calls “Lily.” Ratzloff admits, “She wasn’t much, but we all have to start somewhere.” As the search began for a new horse the realization came that Ratzloff and his parents couldn’t afford much. At this point, displeased with the horse industry, Ratzloff turned his interests to athletics and temporarily left the horses. However, it wasn’t long before Alexander’s Emeraude came into Jared’s life. He showed the mare, owned by Lavarre Hollingsworth, while she was being bred. It was his first five-gaited horse and the combination was successful on the Minnesota show circuit. Ratzloff bought the mare from Hollingsworth and kept the mare for the next fifteen years until she passed away at the age of thirty.

In the meantime, Ratzloff pursued athletics while attending the University of Minnesota. However, after two shoulder surgeries, he finally made the decision to quit playing football or he would risk more permanent injury. He went to work for Andy Freseth where he was the self-proclaimed “stay at home guy.” Ratzloff spent about two years with Freseth and then, in 1992, he began his own barn in Windom, Minn. At this point Jared worked just about anything. “You name it, I did it,” he admits. He worked Saddlebreds, Arabs, Quarter Horses, Tennessee Walking Horses, and National Show Horses among others. He admits he experienced some hard lessons at that time in his life, but he points out that he learned from them.

After taking some hard knocks Ratzloff began to realize that perhaps working with another more established professional would be beneficial. He called up Mitch Clark and made the move to California. He spent two years working with Clark. In addition to training Saddlebreds he also learned to work polo ponies. Finally, in 1996 he moved back to Minnesota where he slowly started getting himself on the map. Winterhawk was “the one” that helped put him on that map. Winterhawk was purchased by Donna Beck in 1999 which, in turn, started a business relationship between Ratzloff and Beck that is still going strong today.

Another lesson Jared has learned is patience. He had been looking for a farm in the Twin Cites since early 2000, but nothing seemed to be right. It was important for Jared to stay on the southwestern side of the cities, as that would keep him closer to his family. Ratzloff began leasing stalls from Andy Marlett in February of 2005. Finally, in November of 2005, patience paid off. The barn was found and Jared says his gut feeling about it was, “it feels good, it feels right.” He now reflects, “Things just fall in place and you can’t explain why.” The move to the new facility was made in December of 2005.

Now that Ratzloff has begun settling into his new facility he really feels that he can focus on what he does best...train horses. Jared remains humble and says that he isn’t that talented. Many would choose to disagree and the ribbons his horses and riders have accumulated would prove otherwise. Ratzloff does feel his strength lies in developing a team. “I like taking a good quality, raw individual, developing it, and matching it with an amateur. I know how to pick the right horse. Two of the best horses in the barn are “homemade.” Homemade meaning I have developed them from start to finish. I’m finally getting more of an opportunity to find the right horse as new customers come to the barn. I may have high standards of quality for what they may buy, but that doesn’t mean high dollar.”

Throughout the mission statement and tenets of value for Cornerstone Stables you will find that the focus is always on the horse. Ratzloff’s belief is that the horse comes first because if the horse is comfortable then it is easier for the rider to enter the picture more successfully. Jared wants to make his horse and rider combination the best they can be, not better than what they are. His goal is to constantly keep a high standard and keep improving the stock he has. He is ready to take on a full barn and to continue turning out the best combinations he can. For Ratzloff, when a horse and rider finally come together, that moment, it is almost spiritual.

Ratzloff is also certain that he wants what nearly everyone else in this business wants...World Grand Champions. He says that after several trips to Louisville he has learned, “What will happen will happen. The horse and rider are ready. I just need to let the chips fall where they may and enjoy it.”

Ratzloff credits his athletic background with helping him have empathy towards the horse. He realizes their need for down or recovery time. He also is a firm believer in being open to learning. “Never stop learning how to make it better for the horse and rider,” Ratzloff says. Jared has plans of starting a selective lesson program in the near future. The program will be small as he only wants to take on a few riders. He feels this format will really allow him to work on an individual basis with each rider.

Ratzloff is a firm believer in the ideology of team. One of the key members of the Cornerstone team is co-owner Lenny Peterson. Peterson’s background does not include Saddlebreds, but rather, a livestock ranch in North Dakota. He did ride Quarter Horses while working on the farm. Ratzloff says, “This is not his passion, but he helps out and enjoys it. Lenny takes care of the books, farm management, and groundskeeping.” Jared also says, “Where I am would have been impossible without my family. They helped me get my start in this business. Without Lenny I would not have made it to the next step. Finally, I certainly would not be where I am without my customers, each of them. Every person has been a huge gift in my life.”

Other members of the Cornerstone team include Jessica Timmington. Timmington is helping out “her boys” this summer before heading back to St. Thomas University in the fall. Marcelino Ramirez and Rosendo Pina are also employees and live on the property. However, at any given show you will see all the customers helping out and lending a hand. Team at Cornerstone Stables translates into family.

Another member of the Cornerstone family is Jac Belet, who lives inBolivar, Tennessee. Jachas been the longest supporter and customer of Jared. Jac has had horses with Jared since 1993 and currently has a broodmare named Loose in Manhatten and a promising yearling out of the mare named Classic Manhatten.

There are other members of the Cornerstone Stables that deserve mention. Warren, Donna, and Paula Beck have been with Jared since 1999 and are some of his biggest fans. Some of the horses and ponies they have in training include: Heartland Love-Me-Up, 2005’s Junior Harness Pony World Grand Champion, Wait N’ See’s Raspberry, a winning Pleasure Pony, CH Dreamfield’s Hearts and Flowers (Sadie), shown by Paula in pleasure classes, CH Majolica, shown by Paula this year in park classes, Callaway’s Northern Exposure, exhibited by Ethan Roetman in the five-gaited division, and two of Sadie’s foals.

Ethan and Susan Roetman have been prime supporters of Cornerstone Stables. they continually help put the “show on the road.”

Jessica Timmington and Doug Fiola have two horses in training. The Evangelist is shown by Doug in Show Pleasure Driving. Jessica brought out her new entry, Epiphany, this year in the adult show pleasure division. They have been well received and seen in many winner’s circles.

Newest to the Cornerstone Stables family is Kristi Kruppiak and her horse She’s A Peach. Princess is shown in the adult show pleasure division. Kruppiak’s other horse, a son of Periaptor, is showing a lot of promise.

Cornerstone Stables may be newly established in the Twin Cities, but Ratzloff’s history in the business speaks for itself. His passion and commitment belongs to the horses he works. However, he is dedicated to helping his customers be the best they can be with their horse. His attention to the finest of details and strong work ethic are two traits that continue to gain attention and respect of fellow horsemen and exhibitors. However, Ratzloff has managed to remain humble and respectful of those things that are important to him. Most important of all is family. Family is what helped Ratzloff get started in this business and the family he continues to build are sure to keep his business strong and healthy for a long time to come.