Article & photos by LaCresha Kolba
It was another sold out event as Brownland Farms hosted two full weeks of Hunter/Jumper excitement in Franklin, Tennessee. The Brownland Farms Autumn Country and Autumn Classic shows, October 14-18 & 21-25, had close to 500 horses on the grounds, classes from Tuesday through Sunday each week, every arena was buzzing with competition or warm ups. Horses and riders came in from Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, Georgia and even Texas to participate. For some competitors this is not the last show of their season; some will be heading to Kentucky, while others will be taking some time off before the shows in Ocala, Florida.
Martin Klein of Martin Klein Training Stables has been riding for 43 years. Originally from Vienna, Austria, he came to the United States for the horses and competitions. But it was the Brownland Shows that made him want to move to Tennessee. The beautiful setting and welcoming atmosphere convinced him to relocate and set up his training facility here. Averaging 25 to 30 shows a year, and traveling throughout the Midwest and into Florida, Tennessee serves as a good middle ground for his and his clients’ competition season.
To prepare for the Brownland Shows, Martin said that he and his clients train at home with their routine of riding six days a week and jumping two days a week. With the Brownland Farms Autumn shows providing a two week spread of horse shows, the schedule makes it easy to prepare at the shows. Taking 11 clients with him over the two weeks, Martin found himself quite busy. His riders range in skill level from beginner all the way up to the Grand Prix. It helps to spread out the attention he gives his clients with some showing one week and others not showing until the following week.
Even though this show comes late in the season, riders still get the pre-show jitters and nerves. Martin says he tries to help them cope, but sometimes you just have to let them work it out and then do it. “It is all about, repetition, repetition, repetition,” he said.
When it comes to the horses who are being shown at this level of completion, Martin says, “The horse has to want to do it. They need to have an ‘eager to please’ persona. They may not always be good at it, but it they have the heart – heart goes a long way.” Whether a Thoroughbred or a Warmblood, there needs to be a desire in that horse to want to compete at this level of horse shows.
When Martin was asked what he likes about coming to Brownland he gave a big smile, “You know when you come here you are going to get some great competition. Thirty horses in your class verses five makes it worthwhile to come here, compared to somewhere else. This show is run really well; they treat you like they want you to be here, which makes a big difference. It is what made me want to live in Tennessee.”
For more information on Martin Klein and his training program, you can find him on Facebook at Martin Klein Training Stables. https://www.facebook.com/martinkleintrainingstables/timeline
At the Autumn Country show, there were 36 entries in the Brownland Farm Hunter Derby, with Molly McAdow and Insignia the winners. The $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix attracted 21 riders, with Michael Burnett and Iron taking the blue ribbon and top prize.
At the Autumn Classic show, Tim Maddrix riding Capisce was winner of the $5,000 Hunter Derby. Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu won the $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix. Kali Wright Ryan and Jack in the Box were Champions in the Short Stirrup Division. Sarah Trotz and Double Stuff finished as Reserve Champions in Short Stirrup. Madison Hill and Rollingwood's Over The Top won the 11 & Under Equitation Over Fences, the WIHS Pony Medal, and finished as Reserve Champion in the Medium Ponies Division. Natalie Sharp and Carnival made their debut in Large Pony Hunter; they brought home a first, two seconds, and a third in that division. They were fifth in the Pony Hunter Classic.
Full results of the shows are posted at horseshowsonline.com Find more information about Brownland Farm horse shows at: www.Brownlandfarm.com
It was another sold out event as Brownland Farms hosted two full weeks of Hunter/Jumper excitement in Franklin, Tennessee. The Brownland Farms Autumn Country and Autumn Classic shows, October 14-18 & 21-25, had close to 500 horses on the grounds, classes from Tuesday through Sunday each week, every arena was buzzing with competition or warm ups. Horses and riders came in from Tennessee, New York, Kentucky, Georgia and even Texas to participate. For some competitors this is not the last show of their season; some will be heading to Kentucky, while others will be taking some time off before the shows in Ocala, Florida.
Martin Klein of Martin Klein Training Stables has been riding for 43 years. Originally from Vienna, Austria, he came to the United States for the horses and competitions. But it was the Brownland Shows that made him want to move to Tennessee. The beautiful setting and welcoming atmosphere convinced him to relocate and set up his training facility here. Averaging 25 to 30 shows a year, and traveling throughout the Midwest and into Florida, Tennessee serves as a good middle ground for his and his clients’ competition season.
To prepare for the Brownland Shows, Martin said that he and his clients train at home with their routine of riding six days a week and jumping two days a week. With the Brownland Farms Autumn shows providing a two week spread of horse shows, the schedule makes it easy to prepare at the shows. Taking 11 clients with him over the two weeks, Martin found himself quite busy. His riders range in skill level from beginner all the way up to the Grand Prix. It helps to spread out the attention he gives his clients with some showing one week and others not showing until the following week.
Even though this show comes late in the season, riders still get the pre-show jitters and nerves. Martin says he tries to help them cope, but sometimes you just have to let them work it out and then do it. “It is all about, repetition, repetition, repetition,” he said.
When it comes to the horses who are being shown at this level of completion, Martin says, “The horse has to want to do it. They need to have an ‘eager to please’ persona. They may not always be good at it, but it they have the heart – heart goes a long way.” Whether a Thoroughbred or a Warmblood, there needs to be a desire in that horse to want to compete at this level of horse shows.
When Martin was asked what he likes about coming to Brownland he gave a big smile, “You know when you come here you are going to get some great competition. Thirty horses in your class verses five makes it worthwhile to come here, compared to somewhere else. This show is run really well; they treat you like they want you to be here, which makes a big difference. It is what made me want to live in Tennessee.”
For more information on Martin Klein and his training program, you can find him on Facebook at Martin Klein Training Stables. https://www.facebook.com/martinkleintrainingstables/timeline
At the Autumn Country show, there were 36 entries in the Brownland Farm Hunter Derby, with Molly McAdow and Insignia the winners. The $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix attracted 21 riders, with Michael Burnett and Iron taking the blue ribbon and top prize.
At the Autumn Classic show, Tim Maddrix riding Capisce was winner of the $5,000 Hunter Derby. Penny Brennan and Sun Tzu won the $25,000 Brownland Grand Prix. Kali Wright Ryan and Jack in the Box were Champions in the Short Stirrup Division. Sarah Trotz and Double Stuff finished as Reserve Champions in Short Stirrup. Madison Hill and Rollingwood's Over The Top won the 11 & Under Equitation Over Fences, the WIHS Pony Medal, and finished as Reserve Champion in the Medium Ponies Division. Natalie Sharp and Carnival made their debut in Large Pony Hunter; they brought home a first, two seconds, and a third in that division. They were fifth in the Pony Hunter Classic.
Full results of the shows are posted at horseshowsonline.com Find more information about Brownland Farm horse shows at: www.Brownlandfarm.com
