SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
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

 

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: Abigail Brayman, julie unger, kathy russell photography, lindsay maxwell charitable fund, washington international horse show, wihs

What you can read next

Living the Eventer’s Dream Skyeler Voss Enjoys Life at Morningside
Show Jumper Brian Walker Answers Your Questions
Unbridled With Debbie McDonald

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • FOR SALE
    Gorgeous 5 bedroom 5 AC - Fox Trail Holly Chaney • Douglas Elliman 561-719-0828 hollychaneygroup@gmail.com hollychaneygroup.com

    [Read more]

  • GALE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
    561-248-9939 Derrick@galeconstruction.com

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Cutest Horse Races Ever: Leadline Racing at the Aiken Horse Trials

    Photos by Barbara Magrogan   Young partici...
  • From Patient to Powerhouse: Lauren May Woodruff & RecoverEase

    When did you start your company and what gave y...
  • Kimmy Cecere: Finding Her Life’s Calling

    By Haylie Kerstetter Portraits by Alex Banks &n...
  • Amazing Adventures From the Olympics to Pirates to Arena Footing

    Karen Leeming Liverpool, England, originally; n...
  • To Succeed, You Have to Start: Jill Slater & RIATA Designs

    By Britney Grover   Jill Slater isn’t afra...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!