Madeline is Off to Her Biggest Adventure Yet!

Ari & Madeline at the 2017 RK3DE!

We are so thrilled to see Madeline Backus reaping the benefits of years of hard work.  Madeline has been an integral part of the Blue Hill Family for many years, since she came to train with us when she was just a young teenager!

Now Madeline is about to embark on one of the biggest adventures of her life, going abroad to train with William Fox-Pitt for the next year, thanks to the Wilton Fair and Rebecca Broussard grants through the United States Eventing Association.

We asked Madeline to send us her thoughts on her past year and this next opportunity.

"I am sitting down to write this after a wonderful week at the Eventing 25 training sessions, with a barn full of happy horses and I can’t help but to be in awe over how fortunate I am. This sport includes a lot of ups and downs, but I have the most amazing people around me who continually offer me guidance and help through it all. It’s great to see Missy again, and the Blue Hill horses who migrated south again this year.

"2017 has been absolutely huge for me and my horses. Not only finishing my first CCI4* (at Rolex) in the top 20 with Ari, but also seeing everyone come together to help get me there. I was also privileged to ride and compete the horses my mom kept going for me in Colorado, and ended the year with a really fun group of competition horses.

"Now I am making plans to go overseas for the next year, and can still hardly believe that my dreams have become a reality. Ari, Vinnie and I will be crossing the pond to base with William Fox-Pitt in South England - that is something I never imagined myself saying. I am very excited for this opportunity given to me by the Wilton Fair and Rebecca Broussard grants through the United States Eventing Association.

P.S. On Top of the World (Vinnie)

"We will learn what it is like to train and compete overseas, and add that to our ever growing amount of knowledge.  Ari and I will be aiming for Badminton, and possibly Burghley this year, and Vinnie will be working his way up to the CCI2* level.  It is amazing the story that has gotten me here, and I am grateful everyday to everyone who has cheered me on and supported me along the way. My time at Blue Hill Farm will play a huge role in helping me be successful in the UK.  Missy, Jessica, and the Blue Hill family taught me so many valuable lessons which I will carry with me as I make this trip.

"I will make sure to keep everyone posted, I am looking forward to a great 2018. Best of luck to everyone this year!" ~ Madeline