 Lynda
lives in Owen Sound with her husband Randy and Muffy (the cat
that sleeps through all the horse shows). They have 3 horses
that live on Donna Barton’s farm in Guelph. Lynda was raised in
Erindale, which is now Mississauga and her family had a cottage
in Muskoka, which is where she met Randy. They have been
married for 12 years. They have two children - Chris 39 and
Stephen 36 and 7 grandchildren. (Lynda is the wicked
stepmother). Lynda currently works in the family business, Fox
Harley-Davidson/Buell, in the accounting department. Her
background is in the wallcovering business though. She used to
design wallcoverings, create the colourings, and also set up
room displays for photography. Lynda started showing back in 1996, but only schooling shows and fall fairs with a quarter horse. Then she bought a thoroughbred and moved up to showing Dressage. She actually rode in a Musical Ride and she says, That’s not as easy, as the RCMP make it look!`` One summer she was without a horse, so she helped some friends who were into Endurance Riding. She decided she couldn't do that though, as you have to start your rides a 4:00 a.m. - not fun! Then Randy bought a halter mare and Lynda became his groom. When she watched the Hunter Under Saddle classes, she thought it would be easy.....she soon enough discovered that boy was she wrong. Lynda has shown Seekers Magic Pine (Snoopy) for 9 years and Donna Barton has shown him for 10 years. Snoopy is a 12 year old, dark bay gelding. The pair has earned 112˝ amateur points and 100 open points in Hunter Under Saddle. Snoopy earned his Open and Amateur ROM, Open and Amateur Superior, qualified for the Worlds, in Jr HUS, Sr HUS. Am HUS and Select AM HUS. He has won all Ontario, and Area 3. Their greatest claim to fame is that they beat Karen Evans Mundy once, not by much, but still Lynda thought that was cool. In amassing all of these points, the team travelled throughout Ontario, Michigan, New York, Ohio and Oklahoma. Lynda hopes to show in Florida in the next few years. No surprise Lynda’s favourite class is Hunter Under Saddle and she believes the horses are getting better every year. Lynda’s biggest show moment, may not seem too big to others, but, when she first starting showing Snoopy, all she wanted to do was get her ROM. He earned that award in one weekend. Then Lynda wanted to qualify for the worlds, and they did that in 3 shows. Lynda was so very proud of him – he has always been a very special horse. She has just purchased a new horse for the upcoming show season and is very excited. Deh Ja Blue is a 4 yr old, 17 hh, gelding by Skys Blue Boy. Old faithful – Snoopy has moved on too and his new owner Tania MacDougall is spoiling him, just the way he likes it. Tania is a Novice Amateur and Lynda wishes her as much success and fun with Snoops, as she had over the years. The Foxes do a fair amount of travelling and Lynda thinks the most interesting trip was a motorcycle trip they took to Utah and Arizona. They saw wild horses, cows in the middle of the road and the most beautiful scenery one can imagine. They have also travelled to Australia (saw the Great Barrier Reef), Russia, Spain (saw the Spanish riding school in Jerez), Portugal and even drove up the Rock of Gibraltar. In addition, Lynda loves to cook and sew, but time is always an issue lately, and the only things she sews these days are slinkies. Snoopy was famous for destroying several on any given weekend. Lynda is very lucky that Randy loves to go to the shows with her. She says she couldn't do this crazy sport without him. "Thank you Honey!" And then there is Donna Barton. She is Lynda’s best friend and she owes so much to her. Donna has had such patience with her and a total understanding of the horses. She is Lynda’s inspiration. "Thank you Donna, you are a very special person." The Foxes spent the entire winter of 2009 in Florida for the first time. Lynda is hoping to retire sometime next summer, which she hopes will provide her the time to ride more than once or twice a week. What a novel concept! AND next winter, she is going to take her horse with them to Florida. Lynda would like to thank you for listening and wishes all exhibitors - Good Luck in 2009! |