Alexis and her horse Budweis'czar (Bud) compete in the 3'3" amateur owner hunter division on the A Circuit up and down the East Coast at shows such as Pennsylvania National, WIHS and Southeast Medal Finals (SEMF) in now held in Tampa, Florida.. Alexis resides in Tallahassee, Florida and is a college student whose life primarily revolves around balancing her class schedule with lessons, showing and spoiling Bud. She's been riding since she was five years old. Her trainer Andrea Duffy originally was her babysitter and is now like a second mom. By the time Alexis was three Andrea would sneak her out to the barn and would lead me around. Alexis has been HOOKED ever since. She really started riding at about eight, local shows kicked in at about nine. At it was all over from there. Bud was owned by Lawson Mayfield, one of Alexis' best friends, role models, and basically sister. Lawson took Bud to indoors, and they were a perfect team and amazing to watch. In 2009, Lawson died from bacterial meningitis. Alexis was 13 at the time, and like many 13 year olds and people of all ages, she didn't know how to cope. But, there was a farm to clean, Lawson's horses to ride, her own ponies at the time, so they all kept busy. Alexis was confident with her ponies, but would be nervous on the horses so she typically rode the ponies and others worked Lawson’s horses. One day, Andrea asked if Alexis to hack Bud, so she did. She was the last person anyone ever expected to be able to ride him. She didn’t even think it was possible herself, but she felt a connection with him that had not really been felt before. Alexis knew (and knows) Lawson is always with her s0 she felt safe and very comfortable with Bud. They have been inseparable since. In 2014 bud officially became a part of her family. She has taken bud to indoors a couple of times and it was an amazing experience. She still rides and shows on the A circuit and hopes to go back to indoors soon. Alexis and Bud have had success at many major shows such as her win in the 2015 SEMF A/O Hunter Finals. Another notable moment came at the Washington International Horse Show. Read about the success Alexis and Bud had at WIHS and why it meant more than just ribbons - even though they did ride away as reserve champions! Connect with Alexis Instagram @alexis.m0601.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
|