LisRobin Farm

Its funny to me that there are sooo many 5 star reviews of Tianna. AND that they are all in April of 2012, right after the low review was posted. HHmmm… anyone think Tiana may have been asking people to give her positive reviews…
Almost anyone that you run into in Sonoma who knows of Tiana has the same things to say about her and they are NOT a raving 5 star review.
Well, I would have to agree with M.S. I boarded my horse at LisRobin Farm a few years ago and Tianna is one of the meanest most egotistical people I have EVER met. Her barn is perfect. She runs it well, however its with and Iron Fist. She is also one of the most unsocial able people I have ever met. She has no idea how to have a mature conversation with someone if there is a problem. She just gets angry, aggressive and starts to make nasty remarks and yells. If you are looking for a place to board, stear clear of LisRobin, and more importantly Tiana, Unless of course you dont mind having no say whatsoever in how your horse is taken care of or what goes on with your horse. And for heavens sake you had better not have any issues that you need to talk to Tiana about.
True:
1) She does require to be called Miss Tiana by her students — Umm, were in California, not Virginia anymore Toto.
2) She does curb her attitude when parents are around — Because most of the time she is mean to the kids
3) She does have people read a fifty year old laminated article about her riding as a child — This is very strange to me. What relevance does it have? It only serves to boost her ego and «prove» her skills to people. Just weird
4) She isnt nice to her workers. She has personally told me how «stupid they are» and she frequently yells at them in Spanish.
5) She treats everyone, even adults, like the children beneath her feet
6) She is a good trainer and has good students

My daughter & I have been happily at LisRobin Ranch for a couple of years. We have leased a few horses as we got to know Tiana, the horses & the barn. It has been a wonderful place to grow and learn and be safe with a horses. My daughter would be at the barn 7 days a week if I let her & if Tiana was there! There is a great group of children & adults who share friendships & a love of animals. There is a strong sense of safety in and around the horses and respect for their teacher, Miss Tiana. I appreciate the feeling of a club with the members and animals. The horses and facilities are clean, orderly and healthy.
We think LisRobin Ranch is a wonderful place for your horse and you the rider & animal lover!

I echo Tom W’s 1^st and last paragraphs exactly. I am a lessee of two horses out there on which my daughter and I both take lessons.
Things I love:
–The straight up nature of Tianna’s communication with adults and kids (and horses)
–The respect she has for the girls on her riding team.
–The respect she demands and receives from the girls on her riding team.
–The real work those girls do around the barn
–How much those girls love it and the loyalty they have to Tiana.
–Tiana’s down to earth approach to a sport that is usually anything but.
–Tiana’s refreshing intolerance for any BS.
–Tiana’s never ceasing focus on safety.
Things I am awestruck by:
Tiana’s way with horses.
My daughter loves it there and I do too. It is a great respite of activity and respect in world that often is lacking in both.

Being the son of John shine and a good friend of tiana I can understand that someone could think this is bias. First off, I take offense to any negative comments about this facility. Getting to know tiana over the past years and seeing the work she does has been better than any of the other managers we have had. Next, the girls that she trains call her ms out of a sign or respect. Tiana is not egotistical and is damn sure not going to take any bullshit. She’s old school and been around horses for her whole life. She is a great rider and has trained some great horses for the track and off it too. In Amy business place respect is key and that is what the term ms is for. As for this person who wrote about horses leaving, look at the facts. You throw out there that 6 horses have left in 6 months. 1 left because the girl (Maeve Greenburg) went to college and her horse is at tianas. (that horse is there for free). Next. Another two have left due to illness. So there are some facts that put the leaving rate in better perspective. Now as as others have said, tiana knows what she’s doing. A neighbor of ours had a horse that could not walk and was told that it would never be able to be ridden again. Well what do u know. The horse is now owned by tiana and it placed as a grand champion and is headed to the state fair. Wow. Who would have thought of that. Tiana has brought back many horses that have been at this barn who have been injured. Next, on the topic of the riding and competitivness, tiana wants her riders to perform at top quality. She has trained her team very well, and the ribbons and awards are there to prove it. It is true that competitive riding is not for everyone. Also, the contract that everyone signs when they begin their board states that leasing a horse to the outside public is not allowed. You can tell anyone that your friend is a level 4 dressage rider, but unless you can show it then dont brag.
Tiana is a professional, she doesnt take any bullshit and she damn sure will not be the most kind and loving person you will meet, but she gets results. If she is so harsh on her students, then why are almost all that have been riding with her for years still here. I think that in this generation, kids are given everything. They dont cut anyone from sports teams, you still get trophies for nothing. Your children need to man up as some would say. Thats were the no nonsense that tiana has comes from. She wasnt given everything and has had to work hard. She was a high ranking worker at the Golden Gate Fields race track and has been working at the ranch for many years now. I hope she never leaves until she cant get out of bed, and at that point im sure that Ginger or I would gladly get her out and bring her down here.
Now for my dad. Its true that he can be harsh but its a business and things are cut and dry. Anyone who says that he has an ego is outright crazy. He has also been around horses for a very long time consisting of being on the mounted unit for the SF police department. (back when that was actually useful and a honor to be on). As it was said in another post, he made them leave and take the horses outside for the transport. Well, when someone gives 30 days notice, they are expected to honor that and be out in 30 days. We are known around the area for having one of the greatest barns and we are already filling these 2 empty stalls in less than a week. When someone would be a day late to pick up their horses because of bad weather, (pretty sure anyone who is a transported can drive in the rain), a professional courtesy would be to calll and let the owner and the manager know, not text them later in the evening. A day late is not a free day. the charge for a horse staying a day late ($ 15) is very small and to argue that it is unfair is obserd.
Finally, if you want a horse barn that has no dust anywhere and is made from marble, then this is not your barn. We pride ourselves on the cleaniness and the upkeep of this barn. If you are not able to deal with a little dirt and grime, you might want to get outta the horse business and live in a bubble. And lastly, anyone who uses the word ASSHOLE, which says a little about how they feel about the person, should have the balls to just write the damn word. I would be happy to hear other negative comments.

I have to say, I am totally bummed at the negative review here. I am sorry for their experience, but I wanted to put in my story, which has been nothing but stellar.
Tiana has been nothing short of a miracle worker for my horse. This has been the first barn in a my past 7 years of horse ownership where I finally feel my horse has the utmost care and most thoroughly knowledgable staff taking care of her. Plus, unlike past trainers, Tiana has always had fast and clear communication with me in regards to anything my horse needs or I need to know.
For years, I’ve struggled getting my off the track TB up to weight and 100% healthy. Tiana is THE expert at understanding all the nuances and special needs that thoroughbreds have, especially ones off the track. For the first time since I’ve owned my horse, she finally has great weight, is feeling healthy and happy, and is living the pampered life I’ve always wanted for her (she’s 20, so she deserves it!).
I am the most casual of casual horse owners; my days of competition are long over, and I value stables where the care of the horses is the top priority, not how much money they cost or how many ribbons you have. The staff and fellow horse owners reflect a casual and positive attitude of putting the horse first, but still working with you to make you the best horse-​person you can be.
The grounds are well kept and the stalls always high with sawdust and soft cushioning. There are indoor/​outdoor access for all the stalls. There’s a beautiful indoor lit ring for after dark/​rainy days, and two outdoor rings for jumping and ground work. The property is beautiful and has beautiful pastures for turnout (I’m coming from LA, so me and my horse are so thrilled that there’s actually green grass. GRASS!)
The property is gated to outsiders, so no strangers can come in and mess with your horse or belongings, and the tack rooms are dry, clean, and spacious.
I was referred to LisRobin via my niece’s best friend, who keeps her horse there, and it has been the best move I’ve ever made. If you are looking for a place where you get what you pay for, LisRobin is top notch and you can tell, not just in the results they get, but in your horse’s happiness, which to me, is priceless.
PS– I have never had to call Tiana «Ms Tiana!» I have never had an issue with egos or attitudes, of either Tiana or John Shire. The other boarders have all been SUPER friendly!
PS– Def check out the «filtered» reviews. Stupid Unilocal flagging legitimate reviews. UG. Don’t know why they’re not shown; all are from fellow boarders and riders at LR!

Tiana Wells is not for everyone as one reviewer obviously expressed. However, she is as straight up a person as I have met in my 21 years living in the Valley. I would say that her tolerance for difficult horses is much greater than for difficult people.
My experience is one of our twelve year old going on her fourth year riding with Tiana. Our daughter cannot think about doing anything other than being at LisRobin Barn all weekend, every weekend with Tiana, the horses and a great group of girl pals that share the love of horses and each other. We appreciate the passion, responsibility culture and knowledge that Tiana brings to her girls. The girls learn how to WORK, how to show respect the ol’ Virginny way and what it means to love and care for an animal.
(I would recommend reading the additional filtered reviews — I can assure you that these are not «reviews for hire» — these are from folks like me that are concerned that one negative review will harm our friends at LisRobin. To get the real picture, I’d advise heading down to the Barn some Saturday to see for yourself.)
We are blessed to have such a wonderful program right here under our noses. We could not ask for a better mentor and a healthier horse environment than we have with Tiana Wells and LisRobin Barn. From a very happy Dad…