Congratulations to Campbell Swanner and her family on their purchase of Luxe! Campbell and “Logan,” as he’s known in the barn, had a great debut together at Wills Park earlier this month and we can’t wait to see what this pair is going to accomplish! Campbell just came off a fantastic show year with THS Pia-Lena and she’s ready to continue her riding career with Logan.
Thank you to Campbell’s mother Heather Swanner for these beautiful photos!
Fox Lake Farm enjoyed a week of showing at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. Our jumpers took the main stage, tackling the 1.10 Barry Lane Classic classes in the Olympic Arena.
On Saturday November 10th, Abby Beaty took the win in the $5,000 Barry Lane Classic class aboard her own Via Dolorosa with two clear rounds out of 21 competitors. Abby and Vinny were one of only 5 pairs to go double clear.
Lucy Reich and Cuchino Z took 8th in the same class in their first show together, with Clayton Mullis and Tower Lux coming in just behind them with a 9th place finish. Clayton had a great showing her first time out in the 1.10 jumpers, also taking 9th in the $7,500 Barry Lane Classic on Sunday. Abby and “Vinny” took 10th in the $7,500 class as well.
Over in the pony ring during week one, Mimi Colette Frei and Hillcrest Songbird had beautiful rounds in the Large Pony Hunters. Their efforts earned them a win in the Large Pony Classic as well as other high placings over fences. Mimi and “Eva” just recently teamed up in October, and they’re already finding much success together.
All smiles after winning the Classic.
Allison Black and Ginny Joyner are sticking around for another week of showing, including more installments of the Barry Lane Classic. Good luck to everyone!
The Alabama Hunter Jumper Association hosted their annual Year End Horse Show at Brownland Farm during the first weekend of November. A cold, rainy start did not deter trainers and riders from gathering for three days of hunter, jumper, and equitation classes. AHJA members worked hard all year to be able to showcase their progress and success at our biggest show of the season.
Some of our riders sporting their winnings!
Guerry Force, Carlyle Brown, and Ginny Joyner made the trek to Brownland with 14 horses in tow. Amy Knowles and Kate Knowles also came early to throw in helping hands. All 14 horses—and their riders!— would exceed expectations over the course of the weekend. The AHJA Year End Show offers several money classes in each discipline, including a Welcome Class, a Mini Prix, several Hunter Derbies, and Hunter Classics.
On Friday, several of our horse and rider combos made it to the second round of the AHJA $2500 Hunter Derby and came away with ribbons out of a field of 37: Lauren Velazquez and Caredan Z claimed 4th, Emma Grace Early and Wonderland took 5th, Kate Knowles and Kingsley took 6th, Lillian Reynolds and Willie won the 10th award, and Sydney Velazquez and Double Dutch claimed 11th.
Our derby ribbon winners.
In the $1500 Hunter Derby on Saturday, Paloma Caine and White Tie took 12th out of 20+ competitors! Paloma would also go on to win the Long Stirrup Medal Class.
Paloma, Guerry, and “George” posing with Paloma’s winning sash.
Over in the jumper ring, Zoffany had a great weekend with both Ginny Joyner and owner Jessica Dallow. On Friday, Ginny piloted “Austin” to a win in the 1.0 Welcome Class. Lucy Reich and Katie Habeeb also competed, claiming the 6th and 7th awards!
On Saturday, Jessica Dallow took 5th place in the 1.10 Mini Prix with two clean rounds!
In the same class, Lucy Reich and Cuchino Z took 6th place. Lucy and “Chino” had solid rounds all weekend together in the 1.10 Jumpers as well!
Katie Habeeb and Alto Aviator competed in the 1.0 Classic on Sunday and came out with a 7th place finish! Katie and “Lucas” also took 2nd in one of the 1.0 Jumper classes.
In the hunter divisions, Emma Grace Early piloted Wonderland to champion honors in both the Schooling Hunters and the Pre-Child/Adult Hunters. Each division had nearly 20 entries—what a fantastic way to end their season! Lauren Velazquez was right on Emma Grace’s heels with Caredan Z, taking reserve champion honors in the Schooling Hunters as well.
Winner winner!
Lauren Velazquez also piloted RF Rutchspun to reserve champion in the Low Hunter division. Lillian Reynolds and Willie also had great Low Hunter trips, claiming 2nd, 6th, and 4th out of a competitive division.
Julia King and Champlain Grey also had an incredibly successful weekend, taking home Schooling Pony champion, a win in the Dean Show Services Undersaddle Invitational, and a win in the Jr. Board Equitation Flat Challenge out of nearly 20 entries. The Undersaddle Invitational entries comprised only of winners from hunter undersaddle classes during the weekend. Julia says that winning the Invitational was the most exciting class of the weekend because Otis was chosen out of the best movers at the horse show. Julia has been working hard since purchasing Otis in August to learn to keep him straight and maintain a good pace. All of her hard work paid off in blue.
Sarah Carson Hill also got a piece of the Jr. Board Equitation Flat Challenge, taking 8th! Sarah Carson and Benlea Rain Dancer also had nice trips in the Children’s Pony Hunters as well as a 5th place finish in the Children’s Pony Medal.
Carlyle, Sarah Carson, and “Stormy” posing with Sarah Carson’s Eq Challenge ribbon.
The main hunter ring also hosted a Jr. Board Equitation Flat Challenge which drew a large crowd as well. Lauren Velazquez took 7th aboard Caredan Z, Lucy Reich claimed the 6th award on Molly McCown’s Demitasse, and Lillian Reynolds took the win aboard her own Willie!
Lillian’s mother Mandy wore very appropriate attire for Lillian’s equitation win!
Hannah Banks and Capito had a strong last showing together in the Short Stirrup hunters, claiming several 2nd place prizes and a 5th in the Short Stirrup Medal class. Hannah and “Otto” have had a great year together.
AJ Salch’s young horse Cambridge tackled the Baby Green Hunters with Carlyle Brown. “Ozzy” had good trips in good company and came away with several placings, including a 2nd in the undersaddle. He does nothing but get better and better!
On Sunday, our riders tackled Medal Classes and Hunter Classics. In the $500 2’6 Hunter Classic, Lauren Velazquez and Caredan Z took top honors. Emma Grace Early and Wonderland took 3rd, with Sydney Velazquez and Double Dutch claiming 4th.
Lauren and “Z” also won the Pre-Child/Adult Medal Class. Lauren says winning the medal was the most exciting class to win at the horse show for her because she’s struggled with lead changes and pace this year, but during this trip she kept Z in front of her leg and nailed all her lead changes in a course with lots of rollbacks.
Kate Knowles and Kingsley tackled the $500 3’ Hunter Classic and came away with a 7th award. Kate and “Dax” also won the Children’s Medal!
Kate had support and help from her mom Amy and sister Grace all weekend.
The AHJA Show Season is a wrap for 2018! The horses will get some much-deserved down time before we start working toward our goals for 2019! Thank you to all the parents for supporting their children’s passions through rain and cold; thank you to our horses for all they do; thank you to the AHJA for putting together a fantastic show; thank you to Brownland Farm for hosting!
-Carlyle Brown
Click through the gallery below to see more Year End photos:
Fall in the horse world is a busy time; with the changing of the seasons comes a marathon of horse showing indoors. This year, the Fox Lake Farm team helmed by Allison Black took on the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, the Washington International Horse Show, and the National Horse Show.
Abby Beaty tackled multiple disciplines during indoors: she competed in the Large Junior Hunters at PNHS and the National Horse Show, as well as the USEF Hunt Seat Medal Finals and the Maclay Finals aboard Corrado. She also competed in the Children’s Jumper Finals at WIHS and PNHS aboard Via Dolorosa with the help of Ginny Joyner.
Allison and Abby prepped and ready for the Maclay at the National Horse Show!
Abby had lovely trips in the hunters and the equitation aboard “Corey.” She and “Vinny” also went clear in the first round of the Children’s Jumper Finals at WIHS. This was a fantastic end to Abby’s junior career; we are certain she’ll be back to indoors again as an amateur!
Hagen Blackwell made the trip to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. as well. In Harrisburg, Hagen took 10th in the Medium Pony Undersaddle aboard Footsteps. In Washington, she piloted Footsteps to 7th in the Medium Pony Handy and 8th in the Undersaddle. She also took 7th aboard Hey Scooby in the Large Pony Handy.
Campbell Swanner made her indoors debut aboard THS Pia Lena; Campbell and “Pia” competed in the Children’s Hunter Finals at both PNHS and WIHS. Campbell laid down nice rounds at both venues. Campbell qualified for both shows in less than a year, having just made the step to the Children’s Hunters at the beginning of 2018.
We are so proud of the accomplishments of these young women and we cannot wait to see what successes 2019 brings!
-Carlyle Brown
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fox Lake Farm Receives 2018 Best of Birmingham Award
Birmingham Award Program Honors the Achievement
BIRMINGHAM October 30, 2018 -- Fox Lake Farm has been selected for the 2018 Best of Birmingham Award in the Farms category by the Birmingham Award Program.
Each year, the Birmingham Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Birmingham area a great place to live, work and play.
Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2018 Birmingham Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Birmingham Award Program and data provided by third parties.
About Birmingham Award Program
The Birmingham Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Birmingham area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Birmingham Award Program was established to recognize the best of local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community's contributions to the U.S. economy.
SOURCE: Birmingham Award Program
CONTACT:
Birmingham Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@awardrecognition.org
URL: http://www.awardrecognition.org
September 29th marked our second annual AHJA Jumper Show as well as our annual Fall Party and spend the night! We here in Alabama have been slogging through our extended summer, waiting for a hint of fall to make its way south. Fortunately, on Saturday, there was a slight chill in the air that made for a beautiful day to horse show. We hosted only jumper classes ranging from .65 meters to 1.10, allowing competitors of all levels to participate!
Hagen Blackwell and her ponies played in the jumper classes for the weekend; Hagen took a win on Footsteps in the .65s and a 2nd aboard Hey Scooby in the .75s. Julia King also took her pony Champlain Grey into the .75s and won the second trip.
Julia and “Otis” had a great time jumping around the .75 classes!
Keri Rankin and Carlyle Brown showed their young horses, Odessa and Nu ID, in the .75s as well with much success. Keri Rankin also won the “Best Turnout” award for the day.
Lillian Reynolds aboard Willie, and Campbell Swanner on THS Pia Lina, each won a .85 class. Campbell also competed in the .95s alongside Annie LaRussa and Escalido. Campbell and “Pia” used the jumper trips as an opportunity to practice for their trip to WIHS and PNHS in the Children’s Hunters later this month. All of our girls enjoyed getting out of their comfort zones and riding different tracks than they’re accustomed to in the hunter divisions.
Clayton Mullis and Tower Lux won both their 1.0 class as well as their first 1.10 class together! Abby Beaty and Via Dolorosa took the win in the second 1.10 class, our final class of the day.
Clayton and “Tower” had a great first 1.10 trip!
After a pleasantly early end to our horse show, the Fox Lake Farm team reconvened for our annual Fall Party and spend the night! Guerry and Carlyle spent the night with the girls at the barn, ensuring that everybody at the barn—horses included—earned a much needed nap on Sunday. We love the chance to get all of our clients together for a night of fun and food before we hit the ground running again with more fall horse shows. Soon, Allison will be shipping out for Harrisburg and Washington, while Michael tackles two weeks of Brownland and Ginny travels between the two! Carlyle and Guerry will resume their marathon of local showing, culminating in the AHJA Year End Horse Show at Brownland Farm the first weekend of November. We have much to look forward to this fall!
-Carlyle Brown
The Fox Lake Farm team returned on Sunday from two weeks of horse showing at one of our favorite venues, Brownland Farm in Franklin, TN.
Two riders stepped into the ring with new partners: Julia McAdam and Hide Away in the Pre-Children’s Hunters and Julia King and Champlain Grey in the Children’s Pony Hunters. Julia McAdam and “Turtle” had good trips and a fantastic learning experience during both weeks!
Julia and Turtle looking sharp at the show.
Julia King and “Otis” stepped up to the plate and took home Reserve Champion during week II! We cannot wait to see what these girls accomplish with their adorable new mounts.
Julia and Otis sporting their tricolor.
Many of our riders had much success during week I. Annie LaRussa and Escalido took home Reserve Champion in the 3’3 Juniors; Campbell Swanner and THS Pia-Lena claimed Champion in the Children’s Hunters as well as a win in the NAL/WIHS Classic; Hagen Blackwell piloted Hey Scooby to Large Pony Hunter Reserve Champion. Mimi Colette Frei and Divide’s Freedom Spirit were right on Hagen’s heels, getting great ribbons in the Large Ponies as well.
During week II, Romney Velazquez and A Timely Affair made the move up into the Adult Amateur Hunters. The pair put down beautiful rounds resulting in great ribbons out of a competitive group. “Heidi” also took 2nd in the $5000 Brownland Farm Hunter Derby with Erin Clayton in the irons.
Erin and Heidi did beautifully in the Derby.
Abby Beaty had great trips on her mounts Corrado and Via Dolorosa with wins in the Junior Hunters aboard “Cori” and 5th in the High Children’s Jumper Classic on “Vinny.”
Sarah Carson Hill and Benlea Rain Dancer also enjoyed their trip to Brownland during week II with high placings in the Children’s Ponies. Hagen Blackwell kept up her winning ways from week I, taking Reserve Champion aboard Footsteps in the Medium Pony Hunters.
The Fox Lake team will be headed back to Brownland for two weeks in October while some of our riders head north to tackle both the Washington International Horse Show and the Pennsylvania National Horse Show! We’re looking forward to our busy fall of horse showing!
-Carlyle Brown
The Fox Lake Farm team took on the Germantown Charity Horse Show to much success during the first week of June! Ginny Joyner and Michael Allen left straight from Brownland for Germantown and spent the week at one of the most fun horse shows of the year. Many breeds are on display, and there's a whole host of entertaining classes not found at your typical horse show!
Fox Lake Farm loot!
Abby Beaty had a spectacular week, taking Champion in the High Children's Jumpers with a 2nd in the WIHS/NAL Children's Jumper Classic with Via Dolorosa.
Aboard Corrado, Abby took 8th in the Hunter/Jumper Versatility Challenge out of a huge group--many of them professionals, including Michael Allen who piloted Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Duchess to 3rd.
Abby also took 2nd in the David Q. Wright Hunter Classic aboard "Corey," finishing just behind barn-mate Lucy Reich, who rode her own Indelible to the win!
Lucy Reich also took champion in the 3'6 Junior Hunters aboard "Deli," her first time out since stepping up from the 3'3 Juniors.
Katie Habeeb also had a good weekend with both of her mounts, with top ribbons in the Older Children's Hunters aboard Simply Red, as well as some good rounds aboard Alto Aviador, including 2nd in the THIS Children's Medal.
Campbell Swanner tackled the Younger Children's Hunters aboard THS Pia-Lena and had top 3 finishes in every class but one!
All of our pony riders also had a solid weekend: Hagen Blackwell took Reserve in the Medium Ponies on Footsteps and in the Large Ponies on Hey Scooby; Mary Mac and Charlotte Illges also had strong rounds and top placings. Mary Mac piloted Sugarbrook Georgia Peach to several top 3 placings in the Mediums, and Charlotte successfully tackled the Smalls with Winnie the Blue!
We're enjoying some time at home before the crew heads back to Brownland in a week!
-Carlyle Brown
The last two weeks Fox Lake riders took to Tennessee for Brownland Farm's Nashville Country and Nashville Classic horse shows. Ginny Joyner has joined the Fox Lake Farm team; she helped Allison Black and Michael Allen coach many horse and rider combos to tri-colors and blue ribbons!
Ginny piloted Romney Velazquez's A Timely Affair to 7th in the $5,000 Brownland Farm Hunter Derby during Week I; Michael Allen took 12th on Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Duchess. During Week II, Ginny took 7th again with one of Romney Velazquez's horses--this time, Caredan Z.
Campbell Swanner giving THS Pia-Lena some love after a Children's Hunter round.
The Fox Lake Farm family welcomed two new members during Brownland: Mary Mac and Charlotte Illges! Mary Mac piloted Sugarbrook Georgia Peach in the Medium Pony Hunters, and Charlotte tackled the Small Ponies with Winnie the Blue. Both girls had some great rounds and we are happy to have them and their ponies.
Campbell Swanner and THS Pia-Lena had two weeks of consistently good rounds! Week II brought Campbell and "Pia" Reserve Champion in the 14 & Under Children's Hunters and a win in the WIHS/NAL Children's Hunter Classic!
Lucy Reich and Indelible also had two solid weeks of horse showing; during Week II Lucy and "Deli" won three of their 3'3 Junior Hunter classes, clinching Champion honors!
Hagen Blackwell kept the ball rolling from her success at Devon with both of her ponies during Week II. Hagen was Reserve Champion in both the Medium and Large Pony Hunters with Footsteps and Hey Scooby.
Abby Beaty also tackled Brownland Week II coming off of a very strong performance in the equitation classes at Devon. Abby took Champion in the High Children's Jumpers with Via Dolorosa; she also took 2nd in the Junior Hunter Classic aboard Corrado.
Annie LaRussa and Escalido have recently moved up to the 3'3 Juniors from the Children's Hunters and are making easy work of the transition! Annie and "Donte" had some very solid rounds with good ribbons in a large group during Week II.
Katie Habeeb had good ribbons on both of her mounts during Week II; Katie and Simply Red took 6th in the WIHS/NAL Children's Hunter Classic and Katie and Alto Aviador placed well in the Low Children's Jumpers.
This week, Fox Lake Farm is at the Germantown Charity Horse Show! Riders have already had success in the show ring there, and we can't wait to see what all they accomplish this week. We are thrilled with the performances of every horse and rider and are so excited to spend the summer horse showing with this great group of people.
Photo credits to Madison Massey.
-Carlyle Brown
Who doesn't love the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair? There's the iconic blue stadium, countless breeds and disciplines on show, and a wealth of tradition and history. We look forward to attending every year!
Mimi Colette and "Spirit" posing in front of the beautiful Devon flower wall.
This year, several horse and rider pairings made the trek to Devon, Pennsylvania from our home base of Birmingham: Hagen Blackwell and Footsteps competed in the Medium Pony Hunter division; Mimi Colette Frei and Divide's Freedom Spirit competed in the Large Pony Hunters; Abby Beaty and Corrado tackled the equitation classes; and Daniel Gietner piloted Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Duchess in the High Performance Hunters and the $25,000 International Hunter Derby.
Hagen and Madison Massey took some time to enjoy all that Devon has to offer!
Hagen and "Butter" tackled the Medium Pony Hunter Division during Devon's junior week. The pair laid down some very solid trips with scores that placed them just below the cut off to jog. The pair also competed in the Pony Hunt Teams class; their group performed to the Jackson 5's "ABC" and took 2nd place! Allison Black even joined in on the fun, taking the time to dress the part!
Mimi Colette had an excellent first trip to Devon with her partner "Spirit." Mimi just moved up to the Large Pony Hunter division in January- six months later, she ribboned at Devon, one of the most prestigious shows in the country. Mimi took 6th place in the Large Pony Stake class with a score of 77.
Spirit looks good in green.
Abby Beaty and "Corey" competed in the WIHS Equitation Classic, the ASPCA Maclay, and the Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunt Seat Medal. Abby's hard work with Corey paid off in beautiful trips; Abby even held a spot on the standby list to test for Section C of the ASPCA Maclay for much of the class.
Cynthia Hallman's "Gracie" laid down some lovely trips with Daniel Gietner aboard. Gracie more than held her own against some of the best performance horses in the country in the High Performance Hunters and the International Hunter Derby. Gracie and Daniel came away 7th in the High Performance Undersaddle class; they also finished narrowly outside the top 12 for the International Hunter Derby.
In all, we are thrilled with the results of our horses and riders at Devon this year. Their hard work and dedication to this sport show when they are highly competitive amongst some of the best riders in the country. For now, the Fox Lake Farm team is in Brownland for their summer classic before heading to the Germantown Charity Horse Show next week!
Click through the gallery below for more Devon photos. Photo credit to Madison Massey.
