About Us
MEET THE STAFF
The Owners:
Bruce and Rusty Rademann are true lovers of Saddlebreds and supporters of the breed. They dove into the horse world head first and never looked back. They are the driving motivation behind Royal Crest Farms. They continually strive for excellence in their breeding program
Bruce and Rusty went to Brockman Stables where they purchased their first Saddlebred. That is where it all began. Before they knew it they went to purchase a few more Saddlebreds. They ended up buying Royal Crest's Sandstone as a part of a package deal. He was the horse that sealed the deal for the Rademann's. They took him to show after show. The more they went the more blue ribbons he brought home. Their daughter showed him all over the country finally earning him his champion status. They were having so much fun with him and the others, they decided to build a barn and make it a business.
In 1996 they started building their training barn where they continue to raise and train quality show horses. They take great pride in their breeding and training Program. They help hand select every mare and choose each stallion that they breed to carefully. They now stand several of their own stallions including their pride and joy; a home bred, raised and trained Reserve World Champion Royal Crest's Rockin' on Heir. Bruce and Rusty strive to breed the best. They want the best performers, the best bloodlines, and the best overall quality.
Bruce and Rusty keep each years crop of yearlings at the broodmare farm which is part of the property where they live. They thoroughly enjoy seeing them in the pastures behind their house. "We just love the personality and elegance of a Saddlebred," Rusty said. They feel there is nothing better than having a view of the yearlings trotting free in the pastures from their back porch. All of the horses are there because Bruce and Rusty feel that it is their purpose to breed these animals which they care for so much.
On average Royal Crest Farms produces about thirty Saddlebreds each year. They are becoming a very large producer of the breed. "We just want to continue to put better horses on the ground," Bruce replied when asked about his goals for the breeding program in the future. That is just what we will continue to do, Continue to put better horses on the ground in our quest for excellence!!!

The Trainer:
Pat Wessel has been with us at Royal Crest Farms for over ten years now. Pat has had an expansive career in the Saddlebred industry and has been a livelong horseman. His loyalty and dedication is a tribute to Royal Crest Farms.

Pat Wessel grew up around Saddlebreds. There was no choice of what Pat would be when he grew up. He always knew he would train American Saddlebreds for a living and learn to be great at it. Pat was raised in Indiana working at Ruxer Farms. As a young man he helped develop such great horses there as Supreme Sultan, Mr. Magic Man and Valley View Supreme. Pat left Ruxer Farms to pursue his Bachelors degree in Agricultural Business from renowned Perdue University. He Graduated in 1970 only to return to Ruxer Farms to work another several years there.
Bruce and Rusty's initial encounter with the Saddlebred breed was just by chance. On Rusty's birthday one year Bruce came home from a long day of work and offered to take Rusty to the jewelry store.
He told her that for her birthday present she could pick out any one item in the store and he would get it for her. Bruce was shocked at her reply. "NO" She said, "I want a horse." A horse is what she got.
From Ruxer Farms Pat moved to a suburb of Minneapolis to take a position at North Ridge Farms. There he worked alongside Saddlebred greats Jack Nevitt and Ed Teater. Pat continued his education there working with young horses and developing some legendary Saddlebreds. At North Ridge Pat showed Captive Spirit to his World Champion title as a weanling in hand. He also had the chance to work such great horses as Northern Mystique and Supreme Odyssey. Pat left North Ridge after twelve years there.
After Pat left Minnesota he had the chance to work for Brandywine Farms where he stood a full brother to Worthy Son. From there he had the chance to go and work with another Saddlebred icon Larry Hodge at Kalarama Farm.
After learning from some great horseman Pat decided to open a public barn. He returned to Minnesota and opened a farm called Hardwood Creek. He trained and managed there for nine years before deciding to move on. From there he reached Wisconsin's Green Bay area working for Mystery Hills Stable.
Last but nor least Pat ended up moving to our own Royal Crest Farms. Here he has developed many more great young horses and has another list of great accomplishments. He has won numerous titles under the Royal Crest name, far too many to list. To us Pat is worth his weight in "stone" so to speak.
Rusty, Bruce, and BJ Rademann with Royal Crest's Sandstone
The Assistant Trainer:
Pat Wessel Showing Rhinestone Cowboy
Keen Sullivan-Burnham and Tilt-A-Whirl
Keen Sullivan-Burnham has been a welcome new addition to Royal Crest Farms this year. We are happy to have added another knowledgeable and capable horse person to our already wonderful staff.

Keen Sullivan-Burnham has been riding and working with American Saddlebreds for over twenty years. Just like everyone here at Royal Crest she truly loves the Saddlebred and is devoted to breeding and training top show horses.
Keen graduated from William Woods University with a Bachelors of Equestrian Science. At William Woods Keen had the opportunity to study everything from farm management to training techniques. She was also lucky enough to have the chance to ride underneath the direction of world class horsewoman Gayle Lampe. Her education at William Woods was both inside and outside the classroom. During her time there she worked for legendary horseman Jimmy Simmons when not on Campus.
Keen has a diverse background in her training career. She spent several years riding and training both hunt/jump horses as well as Saddlebreds. She has even trained a few Saddlebred jumpers. Keen spent a year of her college career at the University of Limerick, Limerick City Ireland. In Ireland Keen spent her time riding event horses with the college equestrian team.
When Keen returned to the states she moved to Kentucky and started working for Infinity Stables under the direction of Jimmy and Helen Robertson. There Keen had the chance to ride and train many great Saddlebreds and learn from great trainers. She was able to develop her skills right there in the American Saddlebred capital of the world.

The Breeding Manager:
ROYAL CREST FARMS
W6148 COUNTRY ROAD B
FOND DU LAC WI 54937
OFFICE/TRAINING BARN: 920-924-6711
FAX: 920-924-2124
BREEDING BARN: 920-924-3757
BREEDING MANAGER: 920-579-0697
TRAINER: 920-579-9335
Tara Robinson is the breeding manager here at Royal Crest Farms. She has been here for almost five years now. She is extremely dedicated to her work and has a love and relationship with all her mares.
Tara sees the breeding process through from start to finish, from collection to foaling and beyond. She pays attention to every detail and prides herself on getting her mares in foal in a timely manner and keeping them that way. Tara is able to keep 24 hours a day 7 days a week monitoring on the breeding program as she lives there on site at the breeding farm.
Tara is a graduate of Southern Illinois University. There she was able to learn the in's and out's of equine reproduction in their extensive breeding program. She earned her Bachelors in Animal Science at Southern Illinois University with a specialization in Equine Reproduction.
Tara Robinson is yet another valuable and necessary part of Royal Crest Farms. Without the work that Tara does nothing at Royal Crest Farms would be possible. She is the the essential foundation of the program. We are very lucky to have her.
The Secretary:
The last pillar of the Royal Crest Farms staff is our secretary Becky Tellier. Not to be over looked Becky juggles much of the business here at Royal Crest Farms. When contacting the farm Becky is who you will speak to. She is here making sure that visitors can come, view our horses and make purchases with nothing but ease and professionalism. Becky is very important to us here will be nothing but important as well as helpful to you too when doing business with us.
Royal Crest Farms is made up of many people besides those listed here. There are many loyal grooms and caretakers here who do a wonderful job keeping up the horses and farm. We are also supported by countless loved ones and family members who ride for us, work with us, root for us and make us ROYAL CREST FARMS