2601 NW 140th Street
Citra, FL 32113
Phone: (352) 209-5503
Text: (352) 209-3702
foundationperformancellc@gmail.com
Our Principles and Professionals
Meet the Foundation Performance Training Team
Diversified Teaching
We offer unique versatility, confidently guiding drivers from their first steps in single driving to mastering the precision and teamwork of four-in-hand driving.
Adapting with the Sport
As combined driving championships and competitions evolve, so does our approach. We have progressed with the sport, constantly refining strategies and offering the latest driving training techniques and theory.
International Perspective
With strong ties to leaders of the sport in Europe, we stay connected to the latest direction of competitions and the evolving climate of horses in sport.
Comprehensive Approach
Our training is multidimensional. We don’t just focus on a single lesson; we shape every detail, from groundwork to navigating driving competitions.
Full-Service Program
From feeding and veterinary support to training, logistics, and traveling to both national and international competitions, our program ensures every aspect of your journey in harness is covered.
Global Resources
With combined experience across the USA and EU, our team provides unmatched knowledge and connections. When you’re part of Foundation Performance Training LLC, you gain access to a wide-reaching network in the Driving Sport.
What Sets Us Apart
Setting the Standard
Our goal is to set the standard in combined driving sport across the country and beyond. From horse care and driving equipment and gear, to innovative driving techniques, to teamwork in the barn and on the course—we aim for excellence at every step.
Our Philosophy
At Foundation Performance Training LLC, we are 110% committed to the Driving Sport—from grassroots beginnings in single driving to the elite world of FEI Driving and four-in-hand driving. Our passion for carriage driving horses, our respect for the sport, and our dedication to excellence guide everything we do.
We believe in quality, not quantity. Horses and drivers alike are given the time, patience, and care they deserve. We don’t rush horses, nor do we push drivers past their abilities. Instead, we focus on steady progress, developing true horsemanship, and building the foundation necessary for long-term success in combined driving competitions and carriage driving events.
About Us
This is the space to introduce the business and what it has to offer. Define the qualities and values that make it unique.
Taren "Taz" Lester
Taren “Taz” Lester has lived for the sport of Combined Driving for 25+ years. He and his wife are the owners of Foundation Performance Training LLC. They use their combined years of international and national experience to offer quality training programs focusing on long term success with an emphasis on horsemanship, basics and building a strong and lasting foundation. With clients and students currently winning in divisions from Training to FEI 3*, single, pair and team, Taren’s years of competition and training experience is evident from the training field to the show ring.
Beginning in England with pony team drivers, Taren soon found himself coming to America to work for Top USA Four in Hand Driver Tucker Johnson and attended his first of many World Equestrian Games in Jerez where team USA brought home a Silver Medal. From there, Taren’s career continued to develop as he was head groom for Live Oak Combined Driving and marathon navigator for Chester Weber for 9 years which yielded multiple national championships, multiple World Equestrian Games and Individual and Team Medals.
After leaving Live Oak, Taren took his skills of elite sport program development, training and competition experience to other driving programs abroad and within the USA. He helped German Driver Marco Fruend complete his first World Championship in 2011 with a 4 th place finish and continued with ponies for a few years as trainer and barn manager for USA pony team driver Jennifer Matheson. During his time at Katydid Farm, he attended the Pony World Championships in 2013 in addition to building, training and showing a coaching team for the late Katrina Becker.
Taren continued to grow his career by becoming Head Trainer and stable manager for Hillcroft Farm for seven years. During his time at Hillcroft, he utilized professional development opportunities while he worked with both World Champions Boyd Exell and Michael Freund. Taren was instrumental in national and international travel, training, competitions and the building of two successful competition teams--which helped secure a Team USA Gold Medal. Taren also successfully competed a Four in Hand for Hillcroft Farm internationally and nationally. With the decision to grow his own training operation and competition team, Taren is able to combine his learned horsemanship, training knowledge, and experiences to help his growing client base. This ranges from beginner drivers to established FEI drivers and clients obtain optimal results at home and in competition. In addition to his personal training business and clients, Taren was a clinician for the USEF Developing Athlete Program and volunteers for the Florida Whips Youth Driving Athlete Program.
In all of his driving and training, the focus is on building a solid foundation with emphasis on positive horsemanship to reach long term training goals and competition success.
World Championships Attended
-1999 European Pony Championships, Breda, NL (Team GBR, Four in Hand)
- 2002 Jerez, Spain (USA Silver Team Medal)
-2004 Kecskemet, Hungary (Team USA, Four in Hand)
-2006 Aachen, Germany (Team USA, Four in Hand)
-2008 Beesd, The Netherlands (Team USA, Four in Hand)
-2010 Kentucky, USA (Team USA Silver, Four in Hand)
-2011 Lipica, Slovenia (Team Germany, Pony Pair)
-2013 Pau, France (Team USA, Pony Pair)
-2016 Breda, The Netherlands (Team USA, Four in Hand)
-2018 Tryon, USA (USA Gold Team Medal, Four in Hand)
-2023 Oirschot, Netherlands (Coach for 2 Team USA Single Ponies)
-2025 Pair World Championships Beekbergen (Private Coach)
Winner of Standing Presentation for Four in Hand
-2004 Kecskemet, Hungary (Team USA, Four in Hand)
-2010 Lexington, Kentucky (Team USA, Four in Hand)
Amber Lester
With a steadfast dedication to advancing horse wellness and performance, Amber Lester expertly balances sports medicine with holistic practices to help horses reach their peak potential. As a certified equine massage therapist specializing in manual therapy, electro-acupressure, and herbology, Amber crafts individualized programs that integrate progressive therapies, tailored nutrition, and meticulous stable management.
At Foundation Performance Training, LLC, where she serves as Stable Manager, Amber creates and oversees daily programs that optimize each horse’s physical and mental well-being. In her previous role as Athlete Advisor for the USEF Developing Athlete Program, she recruited and supported ambitious drivers aimed to progress through competitive ranks toward international achievements. Amber currently applies this expertise to the clients of Foundation Performance Training.
Amber’s experience spans stable management, including precise record-keeping and scheduling for veterinary, chiropractic, and farrier care. She has honed her grooming skills to the highest standards, with expertise in show turnout, braiding, and clipping, ensuring horses look their best both daily and in competition. Amber is adept at assessing soundness, administering treatments, and complying with USEF/FEI regulations. Additionally, she brings specialized knowledge in domestic and international logistics, show entries, and the transport of horses, equipment, and vehicles. With a background in riding and driving, Amber applies an intuitive understanding to every program she develops for both horses and athletes, providing the direction, logistical support, and resources they need to excel.
Jarsali Brumley
Jarsali Brumley, known as 'G' has been with Foundation Performance Training since it began. She has been a key person when it comes to the care and personal attention that the horses receive.
G was unaware of the sport of Combined driving as her background is in raising and showing livestock such as cattle, sheep and dairy goats. This unique background has given her an advantage with an attention to detail for grooming and show turnout of horses for competition.
Although showing livestock was her primary focus growing up, horses were always a part of her life and she competed in western pleasure and halter. She went on to work for a dressage rider and a guided trail operation before she found the combined driving barn of Foundation Performance Training.
She has taken on a great deal of responsibilities when it comes to the daily care and running of the barn and has become proficient in using therapy equipment, assisting with vets, farriers, body workers and has been a navigator and groom for several competitions. She is an integral member of the support team for clients and horses and the bond between her and every horse is recognized, respected and valued.
