The Fox Lake Farm team returned on Sunday from two weeks in Franklin, TN at Brownland Farm. Brownland is one of Fox Lake Farm's favorite shows to attend during the year, and our clients are always excited to go for the beautiful facilities, the well-run show, and the proximity to charming Franklin and of course, Nashville.
Both weeks of the show brought successes to our horses and riders. Fox Lake Farm rider Chaz Harpman had stellar trips in the Brownland Farm Hunter Derby, taking 5th place with Romney Velazquez's A Timely Affair, 6th with Annie LaRussa's Escalido, and 9th with Katie Habeeb's Simply Red.
Madison Massey and her own "Smithwick" added to the weekend's successes by taking Reserve Champion honors in the Low Children's Jumpers. This was Massey's first show back on Smithwick after spending much of 2017 showing a leased mount, Captain Dukato. The results of the weekend far exceeded her expectations. Initially, she hoped to get around smoothly and have solid trips: "my goal was to just go into the ring and ride the track that would benefit Smithwick best, and keep him relaxed and confident. Also, with me not riding everyday I just wanted to give Smithwick the best ride I could."
Massey and Smithwick accomplished more than just executing solid rounds--they were highly competitive. Once she entered the show ring, Massey knew that Smithwick had brought his A-game. "Smithwick was willing to do anything I asked of him, from making a little bit of a risky inside turn, to opening up and leaving out a stride if need be. I would say Smithwick's entire perspective on the show was to please me by doing what I asked. We even won a couple of classes, which I haven’t done in a while because my other horse was kind of slow, so it felt nice to be back in the winner's circle."
Massey recently started her freshman year at The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. She's managed to find time to balance her school work and her riding life. Her whole life, her parents have emphasized the importance of her schoolwork. She sticks with that mindset: "My parents say 'school work first' and so that is what I do, so I can keep riding and horse showing as much as I can. I try to get ahead with my work when I can because I would much rather spend my weekends at the barn than doing homework." The Fox Lake Farm team is so proud of Madison Massey's accomplishments both in and out of the barn.
Clayton Mullis continued with Madison's winning ways in the Low Children's Jumpers during the second week of Brownland. She piloted her own "Cruze" to Reserve Champion honors. The timing was perfect, as it also happened to be Mullis's birthday weekend. She had the chance to celebrate her 15th birthday with everyone from Fox Lake Farm at one of her favorite shows.
Throughout the course of the two weeks, Annie LaRussa had strong efforts with good ribbons in the Children's Hunters on Escalido, and Hagen Blackwell left with blue ribbons from her rounds in the Medium Pony Hunters on Footsteps and the Large Pony Hunters on Hey Scooby. Cynthia Hallman and Fig Street's Duchess had great trips in the Adult Amateur Hunters during the second week of showing, placing 2nd in two trips in good company. Fig Street's Duchess was also 6th in the Brownland Farm Hunter Derby with Chaz Harpman that same week. We can't wait to return to Brownland in October!
-Carlyle Brown
