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Wednesday, February 28 2018 / Published in General

Abigail Brayman: Hard Work Helps Dreams Come True

Abigail Brayman and Cassini W

By Julie Unger

Portraits by Kathy Russell Photography

Wishes do come true, yet often the hard work and dedication going on in the background goes unnoticed. But 18-year-old Abigail Brayman of Rhode Island was noticed. Her spark was seen as a rising star in the equestrian community at North Run Farm in Vermont, where Abigail has been a working student for the last three years.

Her barn family, including North Run owners Missy Clark and John Brennan, trainers Maggie Gampfer and Anthony Desimone, and Tia Gierkink all stood together to nominate Abigail — without her knowledge — for the inaugural Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant. The grant would defray the costs of competing in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals, which she had previously qualified for.

Abigail, with Cassini owned by North Run, won the inaugural Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant.

“Equitation finals are an extremely important part of any young rider’s career, whether their focus be more on the hunters or the jumpers,” LMCF Founder Lindsay Maxwell said. “While all of the finals come with associated costs, WIHS Equitation finals are particularly cost prohibitive given the location, which is why I wanted to give a rider who would not otherwise have it the opportunity to participate.”

Extraordinary Opportunity

Abigail had just finished practice for the day when she looked at her cell phone and noticed three missed calls from her father. She quickly called him, surprised by his efforts to reach her.

Bubbling with excitement, he told her she had won the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Grant. He was supposed to wait for them to tell her at the barn, but he couldn’t wait; the news was just too good.

“I was honestly so shocked. I didn’t even know a grant like that existed,” she said. “It was a really incredible feeling.”

Typically, a rider applies for a grant. But since her barn family had secretly nominated Abigail, she was completely surprised.

“I’ve always felt like I’m part of the team there and a part of the family,” Abigail said. “It really showed that what I do all day as a working student is worth it. Sometimes it doesn’t always go the best in the ring, or I don’t always have the greatest ride, but just knowing I have a team of people behind me like that is just amazing.”

Abigail was one of the 40 junior riders qualified to compete in the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund WIHS Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show, placing her in an elite group of junior equestrians.

“It’s really wonderful being able to compete at those finals,” she said. “Looking back, when I started at North Run I never thought I’d be able to get a ribbon at one of those. Going was always a goal, and getting a ribbon was a goal, but I didn’t think it was achievable. Just being a part of it is really cool. To be able to compete at that level and be successful was something I’ve always dreamed about. It was nice to finally have that achieved this year.”

Abigail had competed at WIHS before, showing ponies and hunters, but had never competed in equitation. She thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which she shared with Cassini W, owned by North Run. “I’ve been riding him the last two years. To me, that’s my favorite part, to go in the ring and show him. He’s really incredible,” she said.

Abigail loves that WIHS takes place in the city. “It’s such a cool atmosphere,” she said, “to see the horses stabled on the street.”

Abigail was also impressed with how the show was run. “I love how they make the classes so important,” she said. “They don’t let any of the exhibitors feel like their class is less important.”

Abigail and Cassini competing at the Washington International Horse Show
Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography

Pursuing Goals

It was a busy few weeks for Abigail, who finished sixth at the Maclay Finals and 10th at the Medal Finals with Cassini W, in addition to finishing fourth at the USET Finals with Corleone, owned by Mary and John Tyree.

In the meantime, Abigail is focusing on her studies at Oklahoma State University, where she’s studying sports media, and being an asset to the school’s NCAA equestrian team. For the summer, she is planning to secure a grooming job to stay in the industry.

“I think it’s great that the Lindsay Maxwell Charitable Fund Equitation Grant exists,” Abigail said. “Riding is not an inexpensive sport. There are many of us who are working students and whose families have to sacrifice and work twice as hard to afford us the opportunity to attend shows throughout the year, let alone indoors. I’m grateful to the Fund, my parents and my North Run family for the opportunity.”

Photos by Kathy Russell Photography, kathyrussellphotography.com, unless noted otherwise

 

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Tagged under: Abigail Brayman, julie unger, kathy russell photography, lindsay maxwell charitable fund, washington international horse show, wihs

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The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here The✨April issue✨ of Sidelines Magazine is here and we are so excited to feature three-day eventer Liz Halliday on the cover! Big thanks to photographer Melissa Fuller for the beautiful photo of Liz and Cooley Nutcracker- Liz Halliday-Sharp - HS Eventing. Liz and her horses have taken the eventing world by storm - and find out how Liz is at the top of the sport as a female eventer! As the horse world gears up for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event 2023, it's the perfect time to enjoy our eventing issue!! We also feature eventer and woman entrepreneur Frankie Thieriot Stutes, who is not only an eventer, but also runs Athletux and FRANKIE CAMERON handbags and accessories. And don't miss our eventing story on Robert "Bobby" Costello, who will be leading the US Eventing team to the 2024 Paris Olympics- and US Equestrian has named Bobby the eventing technical advisor/chef d'equipe!! Liz, Frankie and Bobby all have GREAT stories - don't miss any of them and don't forget to get your tickets for the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day event! We are also excited to introduce you to hunter-jumper rider Casey Lorusso Smith, who is not only a talented rider but also a psychotherapist and incorporates horses into her career. If you are up for adventure, then read the story on dressage rider Priscilla Baldwin who certainly doesn't let any grass grow under her feet! We also head to the west coast to catch up with hunter-jumper trainer Jim Hagman of Elvenstar Farm, we feature beautiful art by equestrian artist Tammy Tappan, and we get to know Miranda Jones and her family. Miranda is not only an attorney who spends a lot of time in the courthouse, but she's a rider and spends lots of time riding, and is joined by her daughters also! We are excited to feature Stephanie Lightner in our Unbridled column, and don't miss our columnists George Williams, Robert R.L. Jacobs and Margie Sugarman! It's a great issue - and you can read it online, but don't forget to go to the website and order a subscription and get every issue delivered to your mailbox!! Enjoy this issue and enjoy the ride: Link in bio!!
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Marie Meyers has been around the world because of Marie Meyers has been around the world because of dressage, but it’s her farm in Moorpark, California, that has captured her heart. The farm and the business that thrives there represent Marie’s lifelong journey—a journey made up of good friends, spectacular horses and relationships made to last.

Marie was raised in Southern California, and spent her childhood playing just about every sport under the sun, but she didn’t discover riding until she was 14 years old. “I loved animals so much, so I started taking lessons. I did jumping at first, but I was very bad at that, for sure!” Marie laughed.

After some time, Marie moved on to take lessons at Foxfield Riding Academy and began riding dressage. “I fell into dressage by accident,” Marie said, “At the beginning, I thought it was extremely boring, but then I got hooked. By the time I graduated from high school, I had plans to travel to England to work for Franz Rochowansky, a former head of the Spanish Riding School.”

In 1988, Marie’s hard work paid off, and the pair was selected as alternates for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. “They didn’t take the alternates that year, so we didn’t go to Seoul, but the experience, the training and the European Tour afterwards set me up for the 1990 World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, Sweden,” Marie said.

In addition to having success representing her country, Marie was busy with her life—marriage, a business, teaching lessons and clinics. 

Learn more about Marie in this month's edition of Sidelines Magazine. Click the link in our bio for more 🦄

📸Photos by Lindsey Long Equine Photography, www.lindseylong.com

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We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on o We are starting a ‼️new series‼️ here on our socials where we share some of the lovely stallions, and their breeders featured in each month's magazine. Our first feature on this #STUDSunday is...

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You can find ALL of the stallions featured towards the back of the magazine in the equestrian gallery. Keep a look out EVERY Sunday for a new handsome STUD muffin🧁 and don't forget to subscribe to get your very own edition of Sidelines Magazine, the magazine for horse people, about horse people 🦄

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