Latest News
Foxwin Farm, LLC Partnership Official
On March 5, 2010, the next generation of Foxwin Farm was signed into existence. Pat Ross welcomed new partners, Trish and Marty Pierce, into the business. Trish came to Foxwin as a boarder in 2007 and fell quickly in love with both that spring's colt, Sherman, and the pastoral timelessness of the farm itself. When Dave died later that year, Trish and Marty felt it imperative that the farm continue its traditions of excellence in instruction, care, horsemanship and stewardship, so they stepped in to help keep things running smoothly through a difficult transition. Over time, their dedication evolved into a discussion of making their commitment long-term, and when Ethel retired in the spring of 2009, they were pleased at the opportunity to enter into partnership and continue their apprenticeship with Pat. It is their intent to take over some of the heavy lifting at the farm to let Pat do what she does best-- bring out every bit of ability in horses and riders.
Marty comes to this endeavor with a strong farming background. Having grown up on a 600-acre beef cattle farm in Lindley, NY, Marty brings the requisite husbandry, carpentry, engineering, tractoring, and haying skills to the farm, along with a good dose of patience and the understanding that (in his own words) "it's a farm; it'll never be done." His education and employment background in information technology and the arts keeps the farm computers in good working order and the walls strewn with beautiful photographs of the horses and the landscape. Marty is a digital photography technician at the Corning Museum of Glass.
Originally from Binghamton, NY, Trish came to horses later than many, but her kinship with animals and her learner's approach to life has served to make her a quick study. Though she didn't start riding horses until she was in her mid-30's, she quickly found at Foxwin a place to apprentice in the traditional approaches to riding, training, and care. For the past two years, Trish has made the daily 30-mile trip from Corning to Chemung to ride and train with Pat in the mornings before work. (This is either madness or dedication; the jury is still out...) Pat has become not only a dear friend, but an irreplaceable mentor in this process, and Trish looks forward to the many years it will take to learn half of what Pat knows. With a background in literature and education, Trish looks forward to not only helping with the lesson students, but sees Pat's biography as the easiest best-seller a first-time writer could ever hope to write! Trish does the website work, including the Facebook page, and provides marketing and strategic planning skills...along with wielding a mighty manure fork. Trish works as Development Manager at the Clemens Center.
The Pierce's plan to break ground on their home at the farm in early April, and hope to be settled in by Memorial Day. There may be a bit of construction dust at Foxwin this spring, but we're certainly open for business, and once that dust settles, it'll be business as usual for the next 25 years!
Pat Ross Honored by American Morgan Horse Association
Congratulations to Pat Ross on her recent recognition as a Master by the American Morgan Horse Association. Pat was nominated by the New York State Morgan Horse Society for the AMHA Master's Certificate award in late December, and was awarded the honor at the AMHA annual convention in February. The Master's Certificate recognizes Morgan owners, 60 years or older, who have taken an active role in role in enjoying the Morgan breed. Nominees must be nominated by an AMHA Recognized Club, and only two nominees per club are permitted in a given year. Pat was one of only ten Master's Certificate recipients in the entire nation in 2009, and we couldn't be more proud! Special thanks go out to Joanne Schoonmaker for suggesting Pat as a candidate and drafting the nomination biography, to Nancy Vidler for shepherding the process, and to the New York State Morgan Horse Society for submitting Pat's nomination.
Foxwin Farm, LLC has a Facebook Fan Page
Please join us and our growing fan base on Facebook. We're posting frequent updates, with photos and video, and invite all friends, boarders, students, clients, and other horse lovers to join us there. You can post pictures of your ride, share stories of your "ah-hah!" lesson moment, or just share in the ups and downs of the weather conditions in upstate NY!
Foxwin Farm, LLC | Join us on Facebook!
Foxwin Farm, LLC Unveils New Logo
Foxwin Farm is proud to unveil our new farm logo, designed by good friend, and talented graphic artist, Polly Smith-Blackwell, of PS Graphic Design.
The dual silhouette horse graphic of Polly's design captures both sides of a Morgan Horse-- the graceful, majestic, and slightly wild, beauty and the refined, formal, controlled work ethic of a Morgan under his dressage rider.
The clean, sleek lines of the text reinforce the controlled schooling we engage in at Foxwin, and capture the essence of our quiet farm. The text also emphasizes that we offer Traditional Morgans and Traditional Dressage, spelling out our firm belief that these horses can perform in any discipline a rider chooses, and that every rider can benefit from classical riding education. In one fell swoop, the new logo summarizes our business, our approach, and our beliefs-- exactly what a logo should do!
We are so pleased with the design that we have set up a store where friends and fans of Foxwin Farm can purchase logo-items to share their enthusiasm for the Farm.
The Foxwin team is proud to have such a graceful, elegant, and concise representation of our identity! Thank you, Polly!
Foxwin Members Participate in Dressage Clinic
On May 2nd and 3rd, 2009, Foxwin owner and trainer, Pat Ross, and boarder, Trish Pierce, participated in a two-day dressage clinic with professional rider, trainer, and dressage educator Michelle Labarre hosted by Fingerlakes Morgans in Bath, NY. Presented by the New York State Morgan Horse Society, the two-day clinic brought together both Morgan Horse and dressage enthusiasts from around the state to learn more about how correct riding influences the movement, health, and longevity of the horse.
Michelle's knowledge, experience, and her tireless ability to teach them both were an absolute delight to experience. All the clinic participants had a 45 minute lesson, and, over the course of the weekend, were exposed to a vast repository of bio-mechanical theory and the immediate application of proper riding in light of that theory, leaving us all anxious to get back home to work…correct work… as soon as possible.
Pat on Twinkle (Foxwin Estarzie) and Trish on Flicka (Foxwin American Maid) worked hard, and enjoyed immensely both the riding and auditing portions of the clinic. Watching so many talented riders and strong horses learn and improve and work just that much differently, that much more correctly, was incredibly educational-- the opportunity to learn from the strong and weak points of other horse & rider combinations was infinitely helpful!
The Foxwin team is truly grateful for this opportunity, and looks forward to working with Michelle again very soon!
Welcome the New Foal
Bishopstone Virginia Sky and new foal Foxwin Easter Eve
Foxwin Farm is delighted to welcome the 2009 filly Foxwin Easter Eve.
Foaled Saturday, April 11 at 10:30 p.m., Eve arrived just ahead of the Easter Bunny himself.
A big, gorgeous filly, Eve has already begun demonstrating the bold athleticism and gentle curiosity the Foxwin Jericho and Bishopstone Virginia Sky cross is famous for.
Sky and Eve are being hosted by our dear friends, Joanne and Jim Schoonmaker,who have provided excellent care and a wonderful first home for Eve. Everyone at Foxwin is greatful for the Schoonmaker's willingness to do foal watch all through April while we slept comfortably through the nights waiting for the happy news!
Welcome to the world, Easter Eve!
