By Carissa Ramsdell; photos by Patricia Branan-Wendell
Freedom Reigns Ranch hosted their annual Benefit Hunter Pace on December 6, 2020 at beautiful Fox Hollow Farm (the home of Jason and Christian Love), Spring Hill, Tenn., in partnership with their neighbors to give riders a beautiful six-mile trail ride through trail-cleared forest, open fields, creek crossings, and a neighborhood to simulate a Tennessee countryside foxhunt.
A record breaking 106 riders came to enjoy a safe, fun ride that raised over $6,000, which will go directly to support the Ranch’s free-of-charge mentorship program for children and young adults in middle Tennessee.
It was a fantastic day, with perfect weather, and all was done in a socially-distanced fashion: riders arrived and stayed in their respective groups and were each given a bag, donated by FarmVet, filled with lunch supplied by Grecian (of Spring Hill, TN), and snacks for both horse and rider, including a hearty dose of what Ranch volunteers call “Vitamin M” (M&Ms). Teams were encouraged to dress in traditional or Christmas attire, and certainly did not disappoint.
Laughter and cheering could be heard echoing throughout the entire 5-mile course, designed by Christian Love, by strategically placed spotters (for safety), as riders walked, trotted, galloped, and had the option to jump over the course of 21 jumps.
Sponsors of the event included FarmVet, the Jaeckle Centre, Triple Crown Feed, and Bonnie’s Barnyard.
Next year’s date is already on the Calendar: Sunday, December 5, 2021 with the first ride leaving at 9:30 am.
Hunter Pace winners:
Costumes: “Toy Soldiers”: Aly, Grayson, Faith
Traditional Turnout: Natalie and Heather (those braids were on point!)
Oldest Rider: Janice from Team Creek Rise Farm
Oldest Horse: Hassad (23), owned by Katy Alley
Jumping Division (optimum time: 52 min.):
·first: Aly, Grayson, Faith
·second: Walnut Trace: Nora, Sally, Rosemary, Elizabeth
·third: “A Silent Knight/The Nightmares Before Christmas” - Baylee, Serenity, Sierra, Savannah, Kendel
·fourth: Walnut Trace: Lindsey, Katie, Mahrley, Alex, Kai
·fifth: Jessica, Aelin, Kathy Non Jumping Division (optimum time: 1 hr, 47 min.)
·first: Creek Rise A - Lisa, Robbie, Valerie, Lydia, Theresa
·second: Cindy, Rob, Chloe, Ellie
·third: “Jingle Bells” - Moriah, Alivia, Emily
·fourth: Megan, Rachael, Marie
·fifth: Locust Run Stables - Madisaan, Valerie, Suanne, Andrea, Becky, Avery
Freedom Reigns Ranch hosted their annual Benefit Hunter Pace on December 6, 2020 at beautiful Fox Hollow Farm (the home of Jason and Christian Love), Spring Hill, Tenn., in partnership with their neighbors to give riders a beautiful six-mile trail ride through trail-cleared forest, open fields, creek crossings, and a neighborhood to simulate a Tennessee countryside foxhunt.
A record breaking 106 riders came to enjoy a safe, fun ride that raised over $6,000, which will go directly to support the Ranch’s free-of-charge mentorship program for children and young adults in middle Tennessee.
It was a fantastic day, with perfect weather, and all was done in a socially-distanced fashion: riders arrived and stayed in their respective groups and were each given a bag, donated by FarmVet, filled with lunch supplied by Grecian (of Spring Hill, TN), and snacks for both horse and rider, including a hearty dose of what Ranch volunteers call “Vitamin M” (M&Ms). Teams were encouraged to dress in traditional or Christmas attire, and certainly did not disappoint.
Laughter and cheering could be heard echoing throughout the entire 5-mile course, designed by Christian Love, by strategically placed spotters (for safety), as riders walked, trotted, galloped, and had the option to jump over the course of 21 jumps.
Sponsors of the event included FarmVet, the Jaeckle Centre, Triple Crown Feed, and Bonnie’s Barnyard.
Next year’s date is already on the Calendar: Sunday, December 5, 2021 with the first ride leaving at 9:30 am.
Hunter Pace winners:
Costumes: “Toy Soldiers”: Aly, Grayson, Faith
Traditional Turnout: Natalie and Heather (those braids were on point!)
Oldest Rider: Janice from Team Creek Rise Farm
Oldest Horse: Hassad (23), owned by Katy Alley
Jumping Division (optimum time: 52 min.):
·first: Aly, Grayson, Faith
·second: Walnut Trace: Nora, Sally, Rosemary, Elizabeth
·third: “A Silent Knight/The Nightmares Before Christmas” - Baylee, Serenity, Sierra, Savannah, Kendel
·fourth: Walnut Trace: Lindsey, Katie, Mahrley, Alex, Kai
·fifth: Jessica, Aelin, Kathy Non Jumping Division (optimum time: 1 hr, 47 min.)
·first: Creek Rise A - Lisa, Robbie, Valerie, Lydia, Theresa
·second: Cindy, Rob, Chloe, Ellie
·third: “Jingle Bells” - Moriah, Alivia, Emily
·fourth: Megan, Rachael, Marie
·fifth: Locust Run Stables - Madisaan, Valerie, Suanne, Andrea, Becky, Avery
