WHERE UNICORNS ARE MADE
Meet Our Team
🌿 Cynthia Shishilla’ Owner
Dressage • Jumping • Driving • Liberty • Rehabilitation • Functional Biomechanics
Cynthia is the founder and guiding vision behind Folklore Farm. With decades of hands-on experience in behavior, training, rehabilitation, and rider education, she has built a program known for its depth of knowledge, compassion, and classical correctness.
Her approach centers on restoring proper movement and posture, whether a sales horse being prepared for its next home, a lesson horse maintaining longevity through correct conditioning or a rescue horse rebuilding strength Cynthia’s ability to read each horse’s needs and guide them toward balance has become the hallmark of Folklore’s training philosophy.
Under her leadership, Folklore Farm has grown into more than a barn, it’s a place where horses rediscover confidence, riders gain true understanding, and every program is rooted in the belief that correct training is the greatest kindness we can offer the horse.
“Every horse teaches us something. My job is to listen, adjust, and help them become the best version of themselves, sound in both body and mind.”
Alongside her training and sales operation, Cynthia dedicates personal resources to a small, privately funded rescue that takes in several horses each year, each arriving in need of significant nutritional and physical rehabilitation. She carefully manages their refeeding and retraining, ensuring each horse has the opportunity to heal, rebuild, and transition into a safe and well-matched home.
Her deep love for animals extends well beyond the barn aisle. She is rarely seen without her loyal entourage of German Shepherds ( Oz, Creed and Ezra ), Kimmi the Toy Australian Shepherd, and Linus, her cherished 18-year-old Chihuahua and constant companion.
Cynthia’s steady vision has made Folklore Farm a place where every detail matters,from the health of each horse to the experience of every rider who walks through the gate. It’s a farm that combines expertise with genuine care, blending high-level training and everyday joy into something that’s truly special.
🦋Kristin Taylor - Equestrian & Horsemanship Instructor
Kristins teaching philosophy begins with two priorities: safety and understanding. She works to develop riders who understand their own bodies, understand the horse beneath them, and recognize that good riding is a conversation between the two. Her approach to rider biomechanics is heavily influenced by and draws from the teachings and theories of Sally Swift, Mary Wanless and Wendy Murdoch, with strong emphasis on balance, alignment, body awareness, and the biomechanics of horse and rider.
This approach closely aligns with the philosophy at Folklore Farm, where proper functional riding and correct movement of both horse and rider are central to our educational program. We believe that the way a rider uses their body directly affects the horse’s ability to understand, balance, and move comfortably beneath them.
When the rider’s seat, weight, hands, and legs work together, the horse receives a clear and consistent message. When they do not, we can unknowingly ask the horse one thing with our weight while asking something entirely different with our hands or legs. Kristin teaches riders to recognize and eliminate those conflicting signals, making communication clearer and the horse’s job considerably easier.
Ultimately, Kristin wants her riders to understand that proper biomechanics are about more than becoming a better rider. They are part of being fair to the horse. A balanced, organized rider allows the horse to move more comfortably, understand what is being asked, and enjoy his work, creating the kind of partnership between horse and rider that Folklore Farm strives to develop.
🖤 Catherine Hunter — Associate Instructor
Catherine Hunter brings decades of classical training and teaching experience to Folklore Farm. Catherine is passionate about proper functional riding and safety, she trained under esteemed horsemen including U.S. Cavalry Instructor and Olympic Coach Gordon Wright, Olympic rider and coach Lendon Gray, and acclaimed author Jane Marshall Dillon. This classical foundation continues to guide her work today, blending precision, empathy, and a deep respect for the horse’s natural movement.
As a clinician, instructor, and equestrian journalist, Catherine has shared her expertise through published articles, national speaking engagements, and clinics throughout the Eastern and Southeastern United States. For over twenty years, she has specialized in the rehabilitation and retraining of horses and riders using the non-interfering techniques of Forward Riding — restoring balance, confidence, and mutual understanding. Her instruction focuses on developing a balanced, secure seat and teaching riders to communicate in ways that promote safety, harmony, and correct functional movement.
Catherine’s approach centers on patience, clarity, and correctness. She helps riders discover the how and why behind every exercise, prioritizing the horse’s comfort, soundness, and mental well-being above all else. Her philosophy develops horses that are forward, balanced, and willing, and riders who are confident, educated, and kind — reflecting the very heart of Folklore Farm’s mission.
🤍 Our Working Students
At Folklore Farm, our working students are the heartbeat of daily life — the quiet, dedicated hands and eager minds that help keep the farm running smoothly while building their own foundation in correct, welfare-based horsemanship. Each one joins our team with a passion for learning and a desire to contribute to something meaningful.
Under the mentorship of Cynthia Shishilla and senior staff, our working students gain hands-on experience in every aspect of equine care and functional training — from grooming and groundwork to assisting with rehabilitation and lesson preparation. Beyond the barn aisle, they also begin developing the skills to properly instruct riders, learning how to communicate safe, effective riding practices rooted in balance, understanding, and biomechanics.
Every working student at Folklore shares the same goal: to grow into knowledgeable, compassionate horsemen and horsewomen who prioritize the welfare, safety, and long-term soundness of the horses in their care. Their dedication, curiosity, and commitment make them an essential part of the team — and a reflection of the values that define Folklore Farm.