12/26:  Fort Lawrence welcomes "Brass Keepsake."  Brass was a first show horse (pony) for all of Cynthia's grandkids so far.  Now that Abi has outgrown her, and Kathryn outgrew "Zuma," it was time for "Brassie" to get passed to Kathryn.

12/21/21:  Fort Lawrence congratulates The Carter Family on their selection of "HS Sixteen Five" (a/k/a "Lucy").  She will remain in training at Landon Farm in Greensboro, NC and under the expert direction of Kathryn Rodosky Taylor.  We look forward to cheering for this new duo in 2022!!

12/20/21:  The moon had beautiful rings last night! The farm was glowing...phone camera couldn't capture what our eyes saw, but it tried!

12/12/21:  Fort Lawrence congratulates 13 Moons Farm on their selection of "Zuma!"  

12/4:  We enjoyed the Bits & Boots Awards Banquet, Dinner, and Dancing! Kathryn earned top 4 in the 6 and Under Division.  Thank you Bits & Boots for another great year!

11/27:  We supported Bits & Boots Saddle Club in the Red Oak Christmas Parade today!! So much laughter and fun!!

11/20:  Fort Lawrence hosted a Saturday Clinic directed by Cynthia Cooke.  The children seemed to have a great time, despite the cold.  They rode, learned, and then decorated horses in tinsel and more! (Still trying to find a picture of that!)

11/11:  Kathryn enjoyed riding Golden Boy.  She used the mounting block to try to get on, but wasn't quite tall enough! Golden Boy is a special boy, owned by the Hadnott's. 

10/30:  The Bits & Boots Fun Day was just that! F U N !!  The arena was in good order and we started with the trail ride, moved into lunch (thanks for cooking Randy and Dave), and onto the short fun show! Following those events, the children (and some adults) walked a loop on the trail system where they found trick or treat stations with candy and/or treats! When they came back to the barn, they carved pumpkins and then ate chili! Following the Chili Cookoff, no...the Lawrence's chili didn't win - congrats Randy, the pumpkin carving contest was judged! Serious creativity! I wish we'd gotten a pic of ALL of the pumpkins. Finally, we wrapped up the event with the haunted hayride.  It was a huge success and the hay wagon was FULL of scared riders.  Special thanks to EVERYONE who made this day and night such a success at Fort Lawrence! I didn't get many pics, but I'll share what I took or have been provided (it was a busy day)!!

​10/17:  Kevin Cash came back to work on the arena today.  The Fort Lawrence arena has much better footing and he's not finished YET! We're preparing for the Bits & Boots Saddle Club Fun Day 10/30/2021!

​10/16:  Did anyone see this DOUBLE RAINBOW! Bucky ("Captured Spirit") is in the round pen with these beauties overhead!

​10/16:  We said farewell to our family from Louisiana today.  The Lawrences and Scotts visited from Monroe, LA and seemed to enjoy their visit.  We hope they'll come back soon!

​10/15:  Kevin Cash graciously came out to begin the massive undertaking...improving the footing in our arena.  The 120x240 foot arena has a little too much rock....making it somewhat uncomfortable for our horses to work. 

​10/13:  Some folks remember to take cool shots...Thanks Cheryl!

​10/13:  Joseph enjoyed his first riding lesson at Fort Lawrence! 

​10/12:  Special thanks to Dave and his sister Leslie for tightening some nuts on the show cart! 

​10/12:  This colt just loves to show off.  He's wearing tack very well! "Captured Spirit" will capture your heart!

10/10:  Special thanks to the members and friends of the Bits and Boots Saddle Club for helping to clean the trails up for the Fun Day Event!!

10/9:  Kathryn and Avery took turns leading each other around the round pen on "Zuma" while Emily and Colton took a couple of the big horses trail riding!

10/2:  Stephanie and Kathryn rode Goosey at the McDaniel's Farm today! Along with us, Emily rode Nick and Abi rode Brass.  Doc rode Goldenboy and Stacey rode Chopper.  What beautiful trails and a great, family-fun TIME!! 

9/28:  Lessons and farm work (after our day jobs) is where we find ourselves! Oh what fun...SERIOUSLY! Abi came over to ride the new gelding today.  The two are looking like a very competitive pair for the 2022 show season!! Stephanie and Stacey worked "Captured Spirit."  He's incredibly smart and Stephanie thoroughly enjoys working with him! 

9/26:  The Family visited Shallington Mill Farm today.  Jennifer presented several nice horses and Stephanie lined a beautiful Dutch Harness Horse. At the end of the day, Cynthia selected a beautiful Saddlebred gelding to come to Fort Lawrence! 

9/25:  The Halifax County Horse Council put on a great show in Halifax, NC! Stephanie brought "Mademoiselle Noir" of Chesapeake Training Center.  The two had wonderful rides throughout the day! Kathryn earned a great 2nd place ribbon in Leadline class on "Brass Keepsake."  Emily was in the top ribbons on "I'm Your Fella," and Abi put on a  show with "Brass Keepsake" in her classes! We had a great time! 

When we arrived back at the farm, Stacey and Stephanie worked the Hadnott Hill Farm State Champion, "Captured Spirit."  The two are preparing him with side checks and a surcingle for his two year old debut! #lovethesmartyoungones

9/18 - 9/19:  Under the direction of Sundance Stables (Cynthia Cooke), Fort Lawrence and Hadnott Hill presented their entries at the 2021 Sunnyside Open Horse Show.  Stacey's colt, "Captured Spirit," won the 2 & Under Saddle Pleasure Halter Division Championship AND earned Reserve High Point Champion for Saddle Pleasure Type.  "Lucy" won first place in the 3 & Over Mares Class and then went on to earn Reserve Champion for 3 & Over Saddle Pleasure Type Horses.  Stephanie and "Lucy" earned 3 first and 2 second place ribbons in the under saddle division.  Those ribbons earned the team a Reserve High Point Champion for the Saddleseat Division.  Kathryn and "Brass Keepsake" stole hearts in the leadline class.  At 3 years old, she seems to enjoy riding! Emily debuted the home-grown "I'm Your Fella" in the Academy division, and did very well.  Abi and "Brass" had very elegant performances in the interim division and earned two blue ribbons!!  Our friends Natalie, Hector, and Family came along for a glance at "show weekends" and seemed to have a great time! We hope they'll join us again! 

9/17 - Stephanie, Stacey, and Summer took two yearlings to the NC State Championship Horse Show.  Fort Lawrence's Annie is the 2021 Reserve State Champion! Congrats Summer! Stacey's "Captured Spirit" took home the blue and is the 2021 Amateur Yearling State Champion! We had a great time!

9/11 - Stephanie and Lucy competed at the Enfield Horse Show today.  Earning top four ribbons in four classes, they came home with two first place ribbons, a third, and a fourth! Lucy is doing very well and we look forward to her continued progress.

6/27 - Fort Lawrence was proud to deliver "I'm Your Fella" to his new owner at Hadnott Hill Farm - Emily Hadnott.  We wish you the very best with "Peter Rabbit" and look forward to seeing many more years of fun with him! 

6/27 - Team Sundance Stables (collectively Fort Lawrence and Hadnott Hill Farms, with instructor Cynthia Cooke) presented their mounts at the 2nd Tri-County Horse Show of the season.  After a long warm-up, Stephanie and "Lucy" won the Saddleseat Pleasure Open class and placed 2nd in the Open English Pleasure class.  Kathryn exhibited "Brass Keepsake" in the Leadline and Walk-Only classes.  She earned two great ribbons! Emily and "Peter" started strong in the 10 & Under classes, earning top ribbons, but fell short to Abi and "Brass" later in the day.  Abi won two great classes.  We had a great time! Special thanks to Nana (Cynthia) for her instruction and food, as well as Charlie for his help at the show!

6/23 - Today, Grace had a beautiful lesson! She's developing nicely! Then, her mom took this great shot that we just had to share.  

6/18  - 6/20 - Stephanie presented "Lucy" at the Just Horsin' Around show at the Bob Martin Eastern Agriculture Center in Williamston, NC.  The pair debuted in the Junior-Limit classes and Open Go As You Please. Earning a 1st, two 2nd's, and a 3rd place ribbon in their four appearances, the two had a blast! Kathryn exhibited "Zuma" in leadline and enjoyed her conversation with the judge! "Zuma" has some things to work on at home before the next show.  Special thanks to Ocean Reins Equine (Jamie Deputy and Co.) and The Hadnotts for their support at the show! 

6/5/2021 - Spectators and Exhibitors had a great time at the 2nd Bits & Boots Horse Show of 2021.  The heat didn't stop competitors from Halifax, Warren, Franklin, Nash, or Edgecombe Counties from competing.  This Saddle Club supports backyard-like equine enthusiasts, as well as established riding programs.  Fort Lawrence Farm in Whitakers, NC donated use of the equine facilities to host all of the 2021 events for the club.  Costume class is a favorite at the show, where entries dress up in unique outfit for presentation to the judge.   Check out Bits & Boots Saddle Club on Facebook for more pictures!

6/2/2021 - Kathryn's Birthday present arrived! Welcome to Fort Lawrence "Zuma." 

5/15/2021 - Fort Lawrence and Hadnott Hill presented their entries at the first 2021 Tri-County Horse Show.  Their hard work has paid off! Thanks to Nana for the long, hard lessons and for the wonderful picnic lunch!  The kids earned great ribbons!! Charlie was a HUGE help!

5/1/2021 - The Bits & Boots Saddle Club had their first show of 2021 here at the farm.  What a great day!  Special thanks to the many volunteers who made this happen:  Three local girl scout troops, Taylor and Erika Jobe, Nichole Alford, Rusty and Lindy Adams, Brandon Parker, Becci Tremmlet, and SO many more! Please check out Bits & Boots Saddle Club on Facebook! The next show is here too...on June 5th at 11:00.  

4/4/2021 - There have been many happenings since our last post...just cannot seem to find the time to post everything! :)  Easter Sunday was a lot of fun!    #HE has RISEN!  Kathryn, Charlie, Abi, Emily, Paisley, and Kyleigh went on a 124-egg Easter Egg Hunt.  Afterwards, they took a group lesson from Nana/Aunt Cynthia and did very well as they prepare for the Bits and Boots Horse Show on 5/1.  The family enjoyed watching the lesson from the barn swing or the back porch.  After lessons, some of us went trail riding and then found ourselves playing in the lake! We wrapped up the day with a little cornhole.  We had a blast and we are so thankful for our family! 

2/20/2021 - The Lawrences rode the trails today, despite the wind.  :)