Funderburg Farm

09/14/2025

Hey friends! We have the Shawna and Jessie clinic here Nov 8 and 9 and then the opportunity to have David Lichman back right after! I need participants! 😁
If you are interested in a lesson spot with David please comment or send me a message. We don't have specific dates yet, but will likely be a couple of days during the week of the 10th. Same format and pricing as last time... private or semi private lessons. Who's in?! 😊

08/14/2025

Not great news for Enero fans... he just isn't up for the competition next week. He is still not sound and comfortable and it would not be fair to ask him to do the event. He will be there and would love to see his fans and have visitors. I always say that it takes a little luck in these 100 day competitions to make it to the end with a sound and competitive horse. I had all the luck last year, this is just how it goes sometimes.
ATFO will still be a good time, and you can watch for me to take little Wembley through the whippersnappers division, stepping in for his trainer who cannot make it to the event.
💓

08/11/2025

Show us some 💓!

https://s.surveyplanet.com/zc39p72e?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMG8JBjbGNrAwbwjGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe_xlB85opVNTcsg312lQQGIzZ3s7OGE4Ip6_bZm8KtA-iaBYfnxFXhLHOLo8_aem_7LOK7G33us0J8IRChE8VSQ

Please vote for your favorite Competition trainer!

08/09/2025

3rd Required Post! (It's almost the end!)

It's been so quiet on here lately... Enero has been resting up and healing from his splint and getting used to his shoes. He's been playing with his buddies and continues to fill out and gain weight and muscle. He is looking really good 🤩

I had pretty much decided that we wouldn't compete and wasn't even going to make this post....BUT...he's actually looking pretty good and today I hopped on to see how he feels. I think it's going to be a game day decision (which stresses me out😅) but we are 🤞🤞🤞 that will get to compete after all! We will get back to doing some things over the next 10 days and see how it goes and then let the official HOPs tell us what they think when we get to Winfield. Send all the good vibes and don't count Enero out quite yet.
Either way, Enero will be there and ready to cheer on and help his buddy

07/28/2025

Enero update!
We have been quiet over here... along with busy 4h stuff and our county fair, our buddy Enero has come up a little sore. He has developed a splint and has had a couple weeks to heal and recover. He also got his first pair of shoes!
While we give him a little time and extra TLC, I am using some obstacles to help him stretch and use his stabilizing muscles. I love finding ways to work with a horse that serves as good bodywork too!

Hopefully we will be back under saddle soon, but until then, there is plenty to play with to keep his brain and body working!
Healing thoughts and good vibes our way please!💓

07/09/2025

has been getting to know some different riders! He got to help me teach a groundwork lesson for a Rider Wars competitor this week, and has now been ridden by 3 of my regular students. He has been consistent and lovely for everyone! Everyone's initial reaction is to think about their seat and balance on his narrow frame, but after a few minutes it's all smiles and rave reviews.
Personally, I had my best ride yet on him this morning and feeling pretty excited about our rides in our last month together...💓

07/09/2025

How does adopting an ATFO horse work?

The process begins with the applicant completing a survey, which will them funnel them to the application link.

Once the application is completed in its entirety, it will be picked up by a processor who will send out an introduction email. The processor will contact all the references and gather the required pictures and documents. The next step will be an telephone interview. When the process is complete we will start working with the applicant on which horses might be a fit.

The trainers of those horses will be notified that you are an approved applicant and may be reaching out to chat.

We encourage a meet and greet before the actual event, at the trainer's facility, but there are also times built into the event for approved applicants to interact with and ride a prospective horse.

ATFO showcase horses can be adopted prior to the August ATFO. WHIPPERSNAPPERS can be pre-adopted, but must stay with their trainer until the end of the ATFO so that they can compete.

For the 365 horses, we mostly leave that to the trainer's discretion. For example, Matilda is a 365 who is a sensitive gal and will need an adopter who is a stellar fit. Therefore her trainer does not want her to go into the approved adopter Only auction at the end of the ATFO.

At the beginning of August we will work with the trainers to assign levels to their horses.

Approved applicants will also be assigned a level and that will help determine who might be a good fit for them to think about bidding on.

In almost all cases the riding applicant must meet the horse and ride it under the trainer's direction to determine the potential for a match. Sometimes the fit looks great in theory but the applicant gets to the barn and just cannot click with the horse for whatever reason.

There are occasional exceptions to this but those circumstances are rare and usually involve a horse that is not being ridden.

If you have ridden the horse prior you do not have to be in Winfield in person to bid in the auction. We can assign proxies.

But, in most cases the horses have to be leaving by the next morning by reputable transport. If they will have to stay beyond that you must make arrangements with HOP and some board may potentially be involved.

Hopefully this clears things up a bit. We are sure excited for another great event come this August!

07/09/2025

🤩

My sneaky placement of a tarp and the baby pool made him think a little, but a solo ride out complete with deer running by and a bunny underfoot didn't even make him flinch.

Moving out and seeing the sights....trail horse in the making!

07/06/2025

🎉2nd Required post!

Well here we are coming into month 3 already... wow, time flies!
Enero is coming right along. I would love to see him in a home with an adopter who likes to play with dressage (or western dressage!), and also getting out on the trails. His movement is coming along so well under saddle and he is understanding the aids well. He has a good start on lateral work and understanding how to drive from his hind legs and come into contact.
He is one of the most playful horses I've met, just this morning he grabbed the hose I was using to fill his field trough and turned it around on me and then his friends 😅 he was also seen running across the field with his buddy's grazing muzzle a couple of days ago. People often say they want a horse with "personality"... I tend to think they all have that, but this guy has definitely got it! His fun and full of life nature is immediately felt in his presence. That being said, he also works. Even in the heat and flies he has never told me no and never done anything "naughty." Sometimes he worries about stepping into weird stuff or new terrain, but once he thinks his way through he is very willing.
I've had a heck of a time getting good canter footage. My pivo or the lighting just never quite cooperates, but this video does show some at the end. His right lead is tougher right now, probably because of his high/low, but I fully expect that to improve with more regular hoof care, and with more symmetry work in his training. Already this eve he offered his right lead after just one ride really playing with it. This video captured it! 💓

Also, he is so darn cute.

07/04/2025

Happy 4th from our favorite American Saddlebred! ❤️🤍💙

07/04/2025

If you're looking for a horse this year, look no further than the Appalachian Trainer Face Off.

50+ horses of many breeds, ages, levels and abilities will be adoptable August 23rd in Winfield, WV.

Apply now to have a the ability to meet and bid on one of these amazing animals.

The most unique part of the ATFO and the ability to adopt one of these horses is the remarkable level of training that has gone into them over the last 100 days.

You are able to look over the whole journey through each horse and trainer's social media presence in a unique way.

Look over all of the minis, ponies and horses, learn about the event and apply at:
Appalachiantrainerfaceoff.com

An Application doesn’t require you bid or adopt, but Adoption Approval allows you to bid on any suitable horse, if you decide there is a right fit for you!

Apply today (by Aug 10th) and plan to attend this amazing event to adopt an incredible partner.

Share and tag possible adopters.