Trade-Win IV Farm

06/03/2026

Freelands Gypsy Atlas and Freelands Gypsy Phoenix had a great time at the Magnolia in the Mountains Horse Show last week. Thank you to the show management and the judges for a super well run show. Atlas and Phoenix worked hard and gave it their all for each of those ribbons! And I loved being able to drive one of Rebecca’s horses in the warm-up and then ride shotgun with Haley - that was a highlight of the show for me.

06/02/2026

After the horse show at Tryon last week, Freelands Gypsy Atlas and Freelands Gypsy Phoenix visited with the residents of the Care and Wellness Center where Mother volunteers. (Yes, our soon to be 95 year-old mother leaves her house in the Golf Cart and drives over to the center to volunteer once a week - she is something else!) I took the horses there last year and we made another visit this year and it is so emotional to watch the older folks enjoy touching and talking to the horses. Our 30 minute visit turned into an hour and a half and residents visited with the horses as well as staff members. I was told one woman in a wheelchair did not talk yet when she reached her hands out to Phoenix to hold his face she immediately said “I love you” and kept repeating that and Phoenix stood like a statue. Atlas was almost surrounded by wheelchairs at one point yet he did not move. These two Gypsy Vanner horses are amazing and I am simply privileged to have them as my partners. 

05/25/2026

Freelands Gypsy Atlas had a great show at the Gypsy Vanner Florida Spring Show in Jacksonville Florida last weekend. I did not show him in as many classes as Phoenix… Being one person it’s hard to juggle two horses! (Thanks to Tasha for showing Atlas in a halter class that I had Phoenix in at the same time!) This was also Atlas’ first show with three full days of showing and he handled it like a pro - and it was hot 🔥in Florida. Atlas won a neck ribbon as Reserve Gelding and was unanimous first place under both judges in Junior Trail in Hand and unanimous first place under both judges in Junior Ranch Riding. He was unanimous second place in Geldings 4-5 years and had several good places in other classes. Super proud of Atlas!

05/25/2026

Freelands Gypsy Phoenix had a great show at the Gypsy Vanner Florida Spring Show last weekend. It was a long trip and three days of steady showing and Phoenix was a rock star, giving it his all. This was his first show with a full slate of classes, and I am so proud of him! He placed well, including neck ribbons for Reserve Champion Gelding and placing first in Geldings 4-5 years, Amateur Geldings, Dressage Suitability, Showmanship, Amateur Trail in Hsnd, Junior Trail Under Saddle, Amateur Trail Under Saddle, Amateur Western Pleasure, Amateur Western Horsemanship, Amateur Ranch Riding and Amateur Ranch Rail. Phoenix had great second place pins in English Pleasure, English Equitation and Amateur Hunter Under Saddle. Phoenix is such a good boy … handling me changing his tack and going back-and-forth from the stall to the arena!

05/19/2026

1,198 miles traveled with Henry and pulling the horse/living quarters trailer with Freelands Gypsy Atlas and Freelands Gypsy Phoenix to spend six days in Jacksonville, Florida, on my own. God watched over us and this huge rig. The Gypsy Vanner Florida Spring Show was wonderfully well run and the judges were attentive and willing to offer suggestions and ideas. It was nice to see friends and meet new ones. Atlas and Phoenix each had a great show! Another post in a few days will have the professional pictures and the placings info … I’m just so proud of them and the joy they bring to me. Thank you Christina and Martha for all your encouragement and support, and thank those at the show who shared a kind, encouraging word or lent a hand when they saw me struggling. Taking two horses to a show on my own made for a busy, busy time! Joy!!!

05/17/2026

Happy, happy birthday Martha!!! The horses and humans at the stable sure love you and appreciate your care!!!

05/14/2026

Gypsy Vanner horse shows … ❤️

05/10/2026