Linda Furches
Linda was raised on a beef cattle farm in Fincastle, Va. twenty miles north of Roanoke, within close proximity to the Virginia Horse Center. Her early love for horses was inherited from her parents, who both rode as children and were involved in competitive saddle seat equitation. Linda and her sister showed an early passion for riding and were the reason that the Farmers became more involved in the horse world.
Linda's parents were avid foxhunters, and her Father became a serious competitor in endurance and competitive trail riding. As the prices on horses began to rise, Frank and Lois Farmer began to breed their own sporthorses and ponies, many of which are still in the family today. They bought a pony named Farnley Brenda in 1982, who became their foundation pony broodmare. They produced many ponies and horses for the hunter ring, foxhunting and endurance.
Photo credit Springtree Photography.
During the summer the kids were busy breaking horses, showing, and participating in all things horse related. During the winter they hunted with the Rockbridge Hunt in Lexington, Va. Linda was not your typical show rider. She was a dedicated and hardworking kid who broke her own ponies and helped neighboring farms break thoroughbreds for the track.
As a teenager, Linda showed primarily in the hunter ring. She trained with J.T. Tallon and Pete Hawkins in the southwest Virginia area. During her senior year of high school, Linda rode with Will Barcelli who had been a member of Peru's Pan American Team. Training with Will taught her the importance of flat work & was her first introduction to the eventing world.
Linda attended Hollins College (now University) near Roanoke, Va. She rode for Hollins on the collegiate circuit all 4 years and was student head of riding, under Nancy Peterson, Liz Courter and Guy Burkholder. After graduating with a degree in Mathmatics and Computer Science, Linda worked as a software consultant for 8 years, while continuing to ride and compete. During that time she broke horses for Leonard Duffy, Master of the Monmouth County Hunt, and she rode in many other capacities.
Photo credit Springtree Photography.
In 1991 Linda and Rick purchased the farm in the Oley Valley, beginning the process of building Foxtale Farm. Linda brought 6 horses and ponies up from her parents farm in Va., officially launching the business. For the first few years she was starting young horses and teaching a handful of students. Their children, Chris and Katie, became more involved in showing on the local level, competing in 4H and participating in Pony Club activities. From 1996 - 1999 Linda competed her bay thoroughbred, Ariandis (pictured left), from Novice through the Advanced level, finishing the Radnor CCI 2* in the top 30%.......qualifying for the CCI 3* at Fair Hill. A chronic injury to "Alf" ended his eventing career in 1999, but he went on to teach many students the ropes in the hunter ring.
Both kids started riding in the rated shows in the late 90's, having much success. They rode green prospects on the local circuit and in 2001, Chris decided to pursue other athletic endeavors, while Katie continued to focus on her riding career.
Linda was instrumental in the development of the hunter/jumper program at Passport Farm, as well as continuing to grow her own business at Foxtale Farm. Her personal focus became centered around training and developing young horses and riders. Her parent's farm in Va., provided a steady flow of young homebreds for training and resale at Foxtale Farm.
Today Linda has a thriving business centered around a busy training and show schedule. Her summer program includes a summer camp for the kids and a variety of local and rated shows for all of her clients. She incorporates clients from multiple disciplines, including jumper riders who have competed at Harrisburg, Washington and Devon.....as well as many adult hunter riders who compete locally through the AA rated shows. She also supports and instructs at many of the local Pony Clubs. Life at Foxtale Farms is always busy!
Foxtale Farm, 12 Foxtale Ln, Oley, Pa 19547
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