WEF 11 & 12: Two Weeks of Sunshine and Horse Showing

Allison Black and Michael Allen made the trip to beautiful Wellington, Florida for weeks 11 & 12 of the Winter Equestrian Festival. Since those weeks fell during some of our girls' spring break, several of them also made the trek and spent most of the two weeks in Wellington as well. Aside from the opportunity to horse show at one of the most elite events in the country, the Fox Lake Farm girls also had the chance to lesson with Paul Valliere, the renowned trainer who helped jumpstart McLain Ward's career. Ponies, palm trees, Paul: could there be a better spring break?  

Anna Kathryn Hymer and her own Cinsational soaking up the sun.

Abby Beaty and both her mounts put down some fantastic trips that resulted in good ribbons during both weeks. Abby and Corrado competed in both the equitation classes and the Junior Hunter division. Together, they brought home 6th in the ASPCA Maclay during week 12 in top company. They also had some lovely hunter rounds, where they finished just outside the ribbons out of 20.  

On Via Dolorosa, Abby ribboned in several of her High Children's Jumper classes; during week 11 she took 6th in one class and 11th in the $2,500 High Children's Jumper Classic. During week 12 she also took 4th in the $2,500 High Children's Jumper Classic.

Anna Kathryn Hymer and Cinsational enjoyed their time at WEF as well--the pair laid down some nice rounds in the highly competitive 3'3 Amateur Owner Hunter 18-35 division. 

Cynthia Hallman and Fig Street's Duchess also tackled the 3'3 Amateur Owner division in the older section. During week 11, the pair brought home 3rd, 6th, 8th, and 10th out of an impressive group of 19! 

Cynthia's "Gracie" went on to compete in the $50,000 International Hunter Derby with Holly Shepherd in the irons during week 12. The pair laid down a solid first round that just kept them out of round 2. 

Holly and Gracie jumped all four high options available during the derby.

Campbell Swanner and THS Pia-Lena tackled the Low 2'6 Hunters and 12-14 Equitation during week 11 before moving up to the Younger Children's Hunters during week 12. Campbell and "Pia" took several 5th place ribbons out of 19 during week 11. They easily made the step up to 3' in the Children's, placing 5th and 6th also out of 19. 

In all, each and every horse and rider combo rode some impressive trips and held their own against some of the best competitors in the country. We can't wait to see their hard work and learning experiences translate into the ring as our show season continues. Allison and Michael will hit the road again in two weeks for the Brownland Farm Spring show series. 

Thanks to Madison Massey for the lovely photos!

-Carlyle Brown

Seven Fox Lake Girls Take Tri-Colors at UA Equestrian Team Show

On March 24th, Guerry and Carlyle made the trip to Westminster Farm in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for the University of Alabama Equestrian Team AHJA Show. Nine horse and rider combos competed that Saturday for Fox Lake Farm, and seven of them brought home tri-color honors! 

To start off the morning right, Camille Coco and Whispering Hill had nearly a clean sweep in the Walk/Trot 8 & Under division. Camille and "Casey" won every class except one; they also took home the champion ribbon--Camille's first! 

Following Camille was Bates Moody aboard Elliott for the Crosspole division. Bates had some good learning moments which translated to two blue ribbons and reserve champion honors! 

Hannah Banks kept up the winning ways of the day with Capito in Short Stirrup. Hannah put down some very solid trips which earned her the champion ribbon. Westminster also hosted a classic in each division which benefited the ALSPCA; Hannah and "Otto" took second in the Short Stirrup section of the ALSPCA Classic. 

In the Schooling Hunter and Pre-Child/Adult divisions, the Fox Lake Farm girls brought their A-game! Between Emma Grace Early, Lauren Velazquez, Sydney Velazquez, and Lillian Reynolds our girls won nearly every class in both divisions. In the Schooling Hunter undersaddle class, our riders took places 1st-4th! 

Lauren Velazquez had a stellar weekend aboard her own Caredan Z. Lauren and "Z" won two classes in the Schooling Hunter division, which secured them champion honors. They also won the Pre-Child/Adult equitation over fences and the Pre-Child/Adult section of the ALSPCA Classic! 

Lauren and Z show off their champion honors!

Sydney Velazquez and Double Dutch were also hard to beat, taking reserve champion in the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters and 2nd in the ALSPCA Classic! Emma Grace Early and Wonderland laid down some very solid trips which put them out on top, earning them reserve honors in the Schooling Hunters and champion in the Pre-Child/Adults! Lillian Reynolds and Gabriel were also very competitive in the same divisions, earning 2nd place in several classes including the Pre-Child/Adult equitation on the flat. 

It's hard to beat a Fox Lake Farm girl!

Our last riders of the day, Sarah Carson Hill and Julia McAdam, were both very competitive in the Children's Pony Hunter division. Julia and Cup of Joe took 2nd place in both a hunter over fences class and the equitation on the flat. They also placed 4th in their section of the ALSPCA Classic. Sarah Carson and Benlea Rain Dancer won the ALSPCA Classic; they also won the equitation on the flat and one of the hunter over fences classes. Their performance clinched them reserve champion honors! 

We are thrilled with the performance of all the Fox Lake Farm riders and are excited to head back to Westminster this weekend for the Vintage Creek Farm show! While our Fox Lake girls here were bringing home the blues from the AHJA show, Allison and Michael had a crew of six horses at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Stay tuned for updates and photos from their two weeks showing in sunny Florida.

-Carlyle Brown 

From Mississippi to Georgia, Blue Ribbons for Team Fox Lake

The past few weeks have been packed with horse shows, with Guerry and Carlyle taking on the AHJA Kick Off show at Chatt Hills the first week of March, then The Hunter Place AHJA show this past weekend, to Allison and Michael tackling two weeks of Gulfport. With all these shows now under our belt for 2018, we are proud to report all the successes of our clients! 

At the AHJA Kick Off Show, Lillian Reynolds, Sydney and Lauren Velazquez, Emma Grace Early, and Julia McAdam all tackled huge class numbers in the Schooling Hunter and Pre-Child/Adult Hunter and Equitation divisions. Lillian and Gabriel had a weekend full of learning experiences, where hard work paid off in good ribbons. Lillian's perseverance with "Gabe" earned her two 5ths  and a 6th out of 14 in Schooling Hunter, and 3rd, 5th, and 6th in the Pre-Child/Adults out of a massive field of 17! Julia McAdam and Power Play took 2nd and 3rd in Schooling Hunter, as well as 4th in the Pre-Child/Adult undersaddle. Emma Grace Early and Wonderland won a Schooling Hunter class; they also took 3rd and 5th in the Pre-Child/Adults. Sydney Velazquez and Double Dutch came home with lots of high placing ribbons in the Schooling Hunters and the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters. Sydney also took 8th in the AHJA Jr Board Equitation Challenge out of 17! Lauren Velazquez and Caredan Z also took home ribbons in the Schooling Hunters and Pre-Child/Adults. Lauren and "Z" applied their hard work from home and put down some nice trips! 

All five Pre-Children's riders brought their A-game and gained some learning experiences!

Mimi Colette Frei and Divide's Freedom Spirit made the top 12 out of 27 entries in the $1500 AHJA Hunter Derby. Their handy round set them up for a 9th place finish. "Spirit" was the only pony to come back for the second round, and the only pony to jump the 3' high options! Mimi and Spirit also took 3rd in the AHJA $500 Classic out of 18! In the Regular Pony Hunter division, Mimi and Spirit brought home some good placings as well. They might be small, but they pack a big punch in the show ring. 

On the subject of pony power, Sarah Carson Hill and Benlea Rain Dancer had some fantastic trips in the Children's Pony Hunter and Equitation divisions. Sarah Carson and "Stormy" brought home lots of top 3 placings, including a winning hunter trip! 

Sarah Carson and Stormy braving the cold to put down some great trips!

Hannah Banks and Capito made easy work of the Starting Hunter and Short Stirrup divisions in their first time out together! Hannah and "Otto" brought home two 1sts and two 2nds. They also made the second round of the AHJA Undersaddle Invitational Class, finishing just outside the ribbons. Bates Moody and Elliott also had a great first outing together. They took Reserve Champion in the Crosspole Hunter division; they also placed 2nd in the Crosspole Challenge! 

Bates Moody sporting her Reserve Champion ribbon and prize!

Kate Knowles and Kingsley brought home blue ribbons in both the Children's Hunter and Children's Equitation divisions. Kate also took Reserve Champion on "Dax" in the Children's Equitation! For fun, she and Dax also competed in the $500 Pairs Jumper Class with Carlyle Brown and Power Play; the pair ended up 6th. 

Two states away in Gulfport, Mississippi, Michael and Allison took a crew of horses to the Gulf Coast Winter Classic weeks IV and V. 

At week IV, Abby Beaty brought home top ribbons on both her mounts. In the High Children's Jumpers, Abby and Via Dolorosa won the NAL/WIHS Classic out on Gulfport's beautiful grass field. Abby also placed very well on her own Corrado in both the 3'6 Junior Hunters and the equitation classes as well: Abby took 1st in the USHJA Jumping Seat Medal and 2nd in the ASPCA Maclay and the WIHS Medal.

Katie Habeeb also split her time between the hunter and jumper rings with her two mounts Simply Red and Alto Aviador. Katie and "Cinco" took top placings in the Children's Hunter division, while Katie and "Lucas" put down solid rounds with good ribbons in the Low Child/Adult Jumpers. 

Lucy Reich and her own Indelible took on the 3'3 Junior Hunter division, and they placed consistently well in a large crowd of 12 horses. Over in the pony rings, Hagen Blackwell piloted Hey Scooby and Footsteps to good placings as well in the Large and Medium Pony Hunter divisions, respectively. 

Week V also brought much success. Our two Amateur Owner riders both received tri-colors: Anna Kathryn Hymer and Cinsational took reserve champion in the A/O 18-35 3'3 division, while Cynthia Hallman and Fig Street's Duchess clinched reserve champion in the A/O 36+ 3'3 division. 

Cynthia and "Gracie" posing with their well-deserved ribbons.

Michael Allen also piloted Cynthia's "Gracie" to 8th place overall in the USHJA International Hunter Derby. Michael and Gracie came into the second round sitting in the 12th place, but their stellar handy round bumped them to an 8th place finish. 

Gracie, Michael, and Cynthia receiving their 8th award.

Hagen Blackwell put down several winning rides on Footsteps in the Small/Medium Pony Hunter division, including a win in the Small/Medium Pony Hunter Classic. She also put down strong trips on Hey Scooby in the Large Pony Hunters. 

Abby Beaty and her two mounts had another successful weekend in the Junior Hunters with Corrado and the High Children's Jumpers with Via Dolorosa, as did Katie Habeeb in the Children's Hunters with Simply Red and the Low Children's Jumpers with Alto Aviador. 

Back in Alabama during the 2nd week of March, Guerry and Carlyle took their crew to The Hunter Place AHJA show at Cameron Oaks Farm in Wilsonville, Alabama. Out of 11 riders, 7 brought home champion or reserve champion honors! 

Emma Grace Early and Wonderland brought home champion in the Schooling Hunter Division and solid ribbons in the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters and Equitation. Sydney Velazquez and Double Dutch took champion in the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters. Lauren Velazquez and Caredan Z were right on Sydney and "Dutch's" tail, with several high placings ribbons in that same division. 

Emma Grace and "Wonder" with Sydney and "Dutch," posing with their ribbons. Wonder and Dutch decided they were pasture buddies on this trip.

Julia McAdam and Cup of Joe took on the Children's Pony Hunter and Equitation divisions, along with Sarah Carson Hill and Benlea Rain Dancer. Julia and "Joe" won both hunter over fences classes, and they finished the day with reserve champion honors. Sarah Carson and "Stormy" also placed well in good company, taking home 2nd, 4th, and 6th. 

Sarah Carson and Julia cleaned up in the Children's Pony divisions!

Kate Knowles and Kingsley took reserve champion in the Children's Equitation division; they also took several top 3 placings in the Children's Hunters. 

Hannah Banks and Capito won three of their Short Stirrup classes and took champion in the division. Hannah was also named Best Child Rider on a Horse in her ring. 

Both of our Crosspole riders had a stellar day. Brynn Smith made her Crosspole debut on Whispering Hill. Hard work paid off with great ribbons, including a 2nd place out of 16! Bates Moody and Elliott dominated the division, taking home champion honors. 

Mimi Colette Frei and Divide's Freedom Spirit took home reserve champion in the Regular Pony Hunters. Mimi also won The Hunter Place Classic, as well as Best Child Rider on a Pony. After the conclusion of the show, Mimi also received high compliments on her riding from the judge!

Mimi and Spirit posing with their ribbon before Spirit headed home!

Now, Allison and Michael are in WEF for the next two weeks and Guerry and Carlyle are headed to Westminster Farm this weekend! We wish everyone good luck!

A Week of Success at Atlanta Winter Fest

On Sunday, Allison Black and Michael Allen returned from Chattahoochee Hills Equestrian Center in Fairburn, GA after a week full of winning rounds and championship ribbons. Twelve Fox Lake Farm horses made the trip to Georgia, and between them they brought home 6 champion or reserve champion honors and 20 blue ribbons. For several riders, this was their first horse show aboard a new mount. 

Romney and her daughters Lauren and Sydney Velazquez kept it in the family this weekend with Romney taking championship honors aboard A Timely Affair and Sydney scooping up reserve champion with Double Dutch in the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters. Lauren and Caredan Z also placed very well in the same division. "Z" also took 2nd in the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Michael Allen, and Romney's "Heidi" came in just behind Z in 3rd, also with Michael Allen. 

Emma Grace Early and Wonderland made their debut together, also in the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters. The pair brought home several top placings, including a 5th in the Pre-Child/Adult Classic. 

Campbell Swanner and THS Pia-Lena moved up to the 14& Under Children's Hunters, joining Annie LaRussa and Escalido. Campbell and "Pia" brought their A-game, taking home champion in the division. Annie and "Donte" also had a strong showing, winning a class in the Children's Hunters and taking 2nd in the $500 NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic. 

Katie Habeeb had a stellar show with both of her horses. Katie and Simply Red were champion in the 15-17 Children's Hunters; they also won the $500 NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic. Aboard Alto Aviador, Katie placed consistently well in a large group of Low Child/Adult Jumpers. Katie and "Lucas" also placed 2nd in the Taylor Harris Children's Medal. 

Hagen Blackwell and Mimi Colette Frei made easy work of the pony hunters. Hagen and Footsteps took reserve champion in the Medium Pony Hunter division; Hagen also had high placings in the Large Pony division aboard Hey Scooby, including a blue ribbon round as well as 8th in the Pony Hunter Classic. Mimi Colette and Divide's Freedom Spirit also placed well in the Large Pony Hunters; she and "Spirit" ended up 7th in the Pony Hunter Classic. 

Abby Beaty and Corrado continued their winning ways from Wills Park in January, taking 1st in the $1000 Junior Hunter Classic. Abby and "Corey" also placed 9th together in the USHJA National Hunter Derby. 

The Fox Lake Farm team is so proud of all of our horses and riders; we hope to keep up the winning streak this weekend as Allison and Michael head to Gulfport, MS for the Gulf Coast Winter Classic and Guerry and Carlyle head back to Chatt Hills for the AHJA Kick Off Show! 

Huge thanks to Madison Massey for the photographs. 

-Carlyle Brown

Kicking Off the Year at the Atlanta Winter Classic

Fox Lake Farm just returned from three weeks at the Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta, Georgia. Our horses and riders braved snow, rain, and wind to come out on top with championship honors and blue ribbons. Though the weather may have been atrocious, we are still thrilled with the results of our first horse shows of 2018. For several of our girls, this was their first outing with their new mounts! 

Michael Allen kicked off Week I with championship honors in the High Performance Hunter division with Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Duchess, as well as a second place finish in the USHJA National Hunter Derby. Cynthia piloted Gracie to high placings in the Amateur Owner Hunters later that week. 

Michael and Gracie with their High Performance division champion ribbon. Note the snow still on the ground in the background!

Fox Lake's jumper riders also found success at Week I of the show. Anna Kathryn Hymer and Fleetwood had very strong showings in the Low Child/Adult Jumpers, including a win in the Low Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Katie Habeeb and her own Alto Aviador also pinned well in the same division, and they took home 5th in the classic. Clayton Mullis and Cruze also had some good rounds in the Low Child/Adult Jumpers. Abby Beaty and Via Dolorosa, her jumper mount since 2015, ended up reserve champion in the High Child/Adult Jumper division. 

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Abby Beaty and her new mount Corrado had an exciting debut together at Wills Park. Abby is in her last junior year of riding, and decided she would like to branch out from the hunter and jumper rings where she has spent her junior career. At the end of 2017, she leased Corrado who has experience in all three rings. With him, she's tackling both the Junior Hunters and the big equitation classes. Abby took 2nd in the WIHS Equitation class, 3rd in the ASPCA Maclay, and was champion in her age equitation division. She also had high placings in the 16-17 Large Junior Hunters, and won the $1000 Junior Hunter Classic. 

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Mimi Colette Frei also debuted a new mount this year: Divide's Freedom Spirit. Mimi and "Spirit" spent week I in the Large Children's Pony division before moving up to the Large Pony Hunters for the next two weeks. Mimi and Spirit dominated the Children's Ponies, taking first and second in nearly every class. The pair ended up reserve champion, missing champion honors by just half a point.

Annie LaRussa and her own Escalido also had a successful week I, pinning highly in the Children's Hunters and taking 2nd in NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Hunter Classic. 

Several more Fox Lake riders joined us for Week II, so there were even more blue ribbons to be won! Campbell Swanner took champion in the Pre Child/Adult Equitation and reserve champion in the Pre Child/Adult Hunters her first time out with THS Pia-Lena. 

The rain clearly didn't stop Campbell from bringing her A Game! 

Sarah Carson Hill's Benlea Rain Dancer thrived in the weather (we wonder why?) and she took home 1st, 2nd, and 5th her first time out in the Large Children's Pony Hunters. 

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Anna Kathryn Hymer's Cinsational made his 3'6 Green Hunter Debut at week II with Michael Allen. The pair nearly had a clean sweep of the division and ended up champion. They also took 3rd in the USHJA National Hunter Derby for the 2nd week in a row. 

Hagen Blackwell and her two ponies, Footsteps and Hey Scooby, had strong trips in the Medium and Large Pony Hunters. Mimi Colette and Spirit also did well their first time in the Large Ponies together, taking 5th in the $500 Pony Hunter Classic. 

Mimi and Spirit tackled the Large Pony Hunters together.

Fig Street's Duchess aka "Gracie" had another strong week of showing with both Michael Allen and Cynthia Hallman. Michael and Gracie took reserve champion honors in the High Performance Hunter division, and Cynthia and Gracie were reserve champion in the Amateur Owner Hunters together. Cynthia also won the $1000 Amateur Owner Classic. 

Cynthia and Gracie still look good in the freezing cold.

Several more Fox Lake Farm riders took home tricolors and good ribbons: Abby Beaty and Corrado were reserve champion in the 16-17 Junior Hunters and champion in the 15-17 Equitation; Annie LaRussa and Escalido were champion in the 14 & Under Children's Hunters; and Susan Warner's Commodore was champion in the 2'9 Low Hunters and 9th in the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Michael Allen. Romney Velazquez's A Timely Affair took 8th in the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Michael, along with some good placings in the 3'3 Performance Hunter division. 

By week III, all horses and riders were still going strong. Anna Kathryn Hymer's Cinsational won the USHJA National Hunter Derby with Michael Allen. Then, with Anna in the irons, "Prince" took champion honors in the Amateur Owner Hunter division and 1st in the $1000 Amateur Owner Hunter Classic. 

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Sarah Carson Hill and Benlea Rain Dancer were reserve champion in both the 2'3 Hunter Division and the Children's Pony Hunter division. Sarah Carson and "Stormy" are proving to be a very competitive pair! Sarah Carson's two weeks at Wills Park are only the 2nd and 3rd time she has competed at USEF recognized shows, and she's already taking home tri-colors. 

Allison Black still looking stylish in sub-freezing weather.

Hagen Blackwell had a very strong weekend with Footsteps and Hey Scooby. Hagen and Footsteps took reserve champion in the Medium Pony Hunters.

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Abby Beaty kept up her winning ways with both Corrado and Via Dolorosa during week III with reserve championship honors in the 16-17 Junior Hunters and high placings in the High Children's Jumpers, including a 4th in the $1500 High Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Abby also won the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Seat Medal, the WIHS Jumper Phase, and was second in the ASPCA Maclay aboard Corrado.

Katie Habeeb had strong trips in both the Children's Hunters aboard Simply Red and the Low Child/Adult Jumpers aboard Alto Aviador. Katie showed strength, drive, and determination throughout the three weeks. Her hard work paid off. 

Michael Allen had another successful derby day during week III taking 5th with Romney Velazquez's A Timely Affair and 3rd with Susan Warner's Commodore. 

In total, from all three weeks, Fox Lake Farm riders accrued 20 tri-color awards and 5 classic wins!

Check out the gallery below for more photos from all three weeks! Photo credits to Madison Massey.

-Carlyle Brown

Fig Street's Duchess Takes American Hanoverian Society's Top Honors

We want to congratulate Cynthia Hallman and her own Fig Street's Duchess for receiving year-end honors through the American Hanoverian Society!

Holly Shepherd and Gracie cruising to 4th place in the $10,000 Derby Challenge at the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

"Gracie" is an 8 year old Hanoverian by Don Principe out of Comtessa, who Hallman purchased as a three year old. Gracie is the American Hanoverian Society's champion in the 3'9 Green Hunter division and the Adult Amateur Hunter 50+ division. Gracie had a successful year of showing in divisions from the Adult Amateurs with Cynthia to the Green Hunters and the USHJA International Hunter Derbies. Congratulations to Cynthia and Gracie and good luck in 2018! 

Cynthia and Gracie showing in the Adult Amateur Hunters at HITS Chicago.

-Carlyle Brown

Congratulations Hannah Banks!

We want to congratulate Hannah Banks and her family on their lease of Capito, aka "Otto"! Hannah had an incredibly successful show year in 2017 in the Crosspole division and is ready to move up to Short Stirrup with Otto. We think this pair will dominate the show ring! 

Photo credits to Heather Swanner.

AHJA Year End Awards Banquet

Saturday night, January 6th, the Alabama Hunter Jumper Association held its annual Awards Banquet at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. Nearly 300 members of the AHJA gathered to celebrate all the hard-won successes of the 2017 show year. Awards were presented for every recognized AHJA division, honoring those competitors who were in the top 6 or top 10 for points accumulated during the show year. The Fox Lake Farm crew had plenty of opportunities to cheer throughout the banquet, as many of our riders were presented with an award! 

The Fox Lake Farm crew clean up nicely!

To start off the night, Brynn Smith received tied 9th place awards for helping pilot both Whispering Hill and Pixie Stix in the Walk Trot 9 & Under Hunter Division. Brynn also received a 9th place ribbon for Walk Trot 9 & Under Equitation.

Brynn posing with her Walk Trot awards!

Hannah Banks and Elliott ended a very competitive year of showing with 7th place in the Crosspole Hunter division. Hannah was also Reserve Champion in the Crosspole Equitation division. Bates Moody and Kaelin Taylor also ribboned in the Crosspole Equitation division, with Bates taking home the 8th place award aboard Roxie and Kaelin receiving the 10th award aboard Noah.

Our three Short Stirrup riders had a very successful night at the banquet. Emma Grace Early and Best Kept Secret took 3rd place overall in both the Short Stirrup Hunter and Equitation divisions. Julia McAdam and Cup of Joe were 4th in the Hunters and Reserve Champion in the Equitation, and Sarah Carson Hill and Mr. Congeniality finished out the year at 7th place in the Hunters and 8th in the Equitation. 

We are so proud of what Emma Grace Early, Sarah Carson Hill, and Julia McAdam accomplished this year!

Our three Long Stirrup riders were also recognized for their accomplishments. Paloma Caine and Capito were Reserve Champion in the Long Stirrup Hunters, and 3rd in the Long Stirrup Equitation. Ann Clair Walton and Gabriel picked up a 4th place award for the Hunters, and 5th for the Equitation. Sydney Velazquez and Requested took 8th place in the Hunters and 4th in the Equitation. 

Paloma and her mother Michelle posing with Paloma's Long Stirrup awards.

In the Pre-Child/Adult Hunter division, Campbell Swanner and All That were 5th overall. Campbell also took home the Reserve Champion ribbon for the Pre-Child/Adult Equitation. Lauren Velazquez and Lillian Reynolds finished 8th and 9th in the Pre-Child Adult Equitation as well. 

Kate Knowles and Kingsley made a clean sweep of the Children's Hunter and Equitation divisions, receiving both Champion ribbons! Kate also received two perpetual trophies for her successes in the Children's divisions. 

Clayton Mullis and Cruze received ribbons in several hunter and jumper divisions, taking 3rd in the Children's Hunter and Equitation, 4th in the .95 jumpers, and 5th in the 1.00 jumpers. 

Ribbons galore for Clayton Mullis, Kate Knowles, and Campbell Swanner!

Mimi Colette Frei and Mariano placed 6th in the Children's Pony Hunter division and 7th in the Children's Pony Equitation.

Our own Amy Knowles, who works tirelessly as both a horse show mom to her daughter Kate and as the head of the Fox Lake Farm lesson program, received the Outstanding Parent Award, which was voted upon at the start of the banquet. Kate nominated Amy on the basis of Amy's dedicated work in creating better horsemen, riders, and well-rounded individuals both in and out of the barn. We are so proud to have Amy as part of the Fox Lake Farm team. 

Amy and Kate posing with Amy's Outstanding Parent Award. 

Fox Lake Farm also won an award which was voted upon at the start of the banquet: Best Horse Show. Our AHJA recognized hunter show is held every year in May and is only made possible by the hard work of all the Fox Lake staff and several dedicated clients. However, one person in particular is to thank for her efforts in making each show better than the last: Guerry Force, Fox Lake Farm's Barn Manager. Guerry received the award on behalf of Fox Lake Farm. 

Guerry accepting the Best Horse Show trophy.

This past year was one of Fox Lake Farm's most successful show years to date. It was gratifying to see all of the hard work our riders have dedicated to this sport over the past year pay off in such a grand way. Each and every one of them deserves commendation for the improvements they made this year, not just as riders but as young horsemen as well. We hope they carry what life lessons they learn from us out into any other endeavors they may pursue. Thank you all for a spectacular year; we can't wait to do it all again in 2018! 

We'd like to thank Ellen Blalock and Morgan Hurd for their excellent job in putting together this year's banquet.

Click through the gallery below to check out more photos from the banquet! Huge thanks to Madison Massey and Michael Gibbens for the photographs. 

-Carlyle Brown

Welcoming Wonderland and Benlea Rain Dancer!

There are lots of new mounts at Fox Lake Farm this year as our girls all prepare to move up to new divisions! We'd like to welcome two more horses to the barn family: Wonderland, aka "Wonder," and Benlea Rain Dancer, aka "Stormy." 

We want to congratulate Emma Grace Early and her family on her lease of Wonder! Emma Grace spent 2017 showing in the Short Stirrup division and is ready to move up to the Pre-Children's hunters. 

Emma Grace and Wonder. Photo credits to Heather Swanner.

Congratulations are also in order for Sarah Carson and the Hill family on their purchase of Stormy! Sarah Carson also spent the past year in Short Stirrup and is moving up to the Large Children's Pony division this year! 

Sarah Carson and Stormy. Photo credits to Heather Swanner. 

We think these two new pairs will have plenty to learn and lots of success in this new year! 

-Carlyle Brown

Fox Lake Farm Riders Receive Zone 4 Awards

Fox Lake Farm is pleased to announce that two of our riders have topped the year end standings for Zone 4. Under the USHJA, Zone 4 includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina, so suffice to say these girls had a very successful year of competition!

Katie Habeeb and her mount Simply Red are the Children's Hunters 15-17 Champions for 2017. Habeeb began her partnership with Simply Red, aka "Cinco," in 2015. The pair has attended shows all over the country together, including the Washington International Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. 

Katie and Cinco accrued a grand total of 1176.95 points in the 2017 competition year over the course of 17 shows. 

Katie's all smiles after a course with Cinco in the Children's Hunters. Photo credits to Alison Hartwell.

Hagen Blackwell and her medium pony Footsteps also received honors this year for Zone 4, taking the Reserve Champion Medium Pony Hunter title. This year was Hagen's first full competition year with Footsteps, or "Butter" as she's known at home. Hagen and Butter also qualified for the Washington International Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show. The pair laid down some successful courses in their first indoors trip together. 

Hagen and Butter's grand point total for the year is 2482.7 over the course of 23 competitions. Hagen and Butter will take on the Medium Pony Hunters again in 2018, certainly to much success! 

Hagen giving Butter some love at Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN. Photo credits to Madison Massey. 

We are so proud of all of our riders and horses this year, and we cannot wait to see what successes 2018 brings! 

-Carlyle Brown