Fall Fun at Two Weeks of Brownland Farm

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

Germantown Charity 2018

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

Summer Fun at Brownland Farm

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

Two Weeks of Success at The Devon Horse Show!

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.

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