Our Activities

The Woodward family keeps busy year around. Now retired from being Dean at Stetson University, Jim devotes his full time keeping the farm going along with Kathie, who also retired from her teaching position.

          Show Ring

We enjoy training and showing our horses. Our mild weather throughout the year makes this possible. An active show circuit for gaited horses is establishing itself in Florida. Each summer we try to travel to Missouri to the MFTHBA Show and Celebration (hurricanes permitting).

          Winnings

Playboy's Jolie Blonde (Jolie)

2005 Celebration - Amateur Specialty (2 Gait) 5 Yr+ - Reserve World Grand Champion
2005 Celebration - Amateur Specialty (2 Gait) Mares 5 Yr and Older -1st

2003 Spring Show - Amateur 3 Yr Old Mares 60 days - 3rd
2003 Breeders Cup - Men's Division - 6th

2002 Southern Classic - 2 Yr Old Grand Championship - 1st
2002 Celebration - Amateur Owned & Trained Grand Championship - 3rd

Dusty Sunrise

That Golden Girl (GiGi)

2011 Florida Fox Trotter Championship Show - Reserve Open 3 Gait Champion

2010 Celebration—Amateur Owned World Grand Championship (3 Gait) - 8th
2010 Celebration—Open Amateur World Grand Championship (3 Gait) - 10th
2010 Spring Show – Open Amateur 5+ Year Old Championship (3 Gait) - 5th
2010 Spring Show—Open Amateur 5+ Year Old Mares (3 Gait) - 5th
2010 Southern Spectacular - Open Champion (3 Gait)

2009 Show and Celebration - World Grand Champion Amateur-Owned (3 Gait) - 10th
2009 Show and Celebration - World Champion Amateur-Owned (3 Gait) - 6th
2009 Show and Celebration - Amateur Limited 4 Yrs & Older Mares - 5th
2009 Show and Celebration - Amateur Owned Specialty Mares 5 Yrs - 8th
2009 Show and Celebration - Open Amateur 5 Yrs & Older Mares - 7th
2009 Florida Spectacular - 3 D Division Champion

2008 Florida Fox Trotter Show Circuit - High Point - Owned & Trained Division
2008 Show and Celebration 9th Place - Owned & Trained Championship Class
2008 Dixie Plantation Show - Reserve Overall Championship

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         On the Trails

Florida is fortunate to be in the middle of the development of a series of trails that is impressive in its scope and variety – from woods, to swamps, to hills, to beaches, and even to a manicured park area that is a part belonged to descendants of the Czar of Russia. Various entities of the local, state, and federal governments as well as help from the Nature Conservancy makes it possible. These areas are environmental purchases to protect the lands from run-away development in FL. Most of this land includes hundreds of miles of equine trails. The prime riding season is from late autumn through spring. Truly wonderful.

If you are planning to come to Florida to ride during these months, please give us a call and we can direct you to some really great trails.

Florida Fox Trotter Association members on a trail ride at Dupuis Forest in South Florida.

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        Other Activities

Florida is home to a large equine population. This opens up many opportunities for folks with diverse interests – trail riding, showing gaited horses, cowboy shooting, formation riding, western/gaited dressage, parades, obstacle competitions, endurance riding, plus many more activities. We show our horses, trail ride our horses, participate in parades (all-breed parades and Christmas parades), plus do a bit of formation riding and dabble with some obstacles.

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        Florida Fox Trotter Association

The year 2020 marked the 25th year of the organization of the The Florida Fox Trotter Association (Florida affiliate of the MFTHBA). Despite economic recessions, devastating hurricanes, and a Pandemic, the FFTA remains an active group of Fox Trotter enthusiasts who participate in activities promoting the breed and provide a wide variety of events for Fox Trotter owners. Additionally, we have served as an umbrella organization to include other gaited breeds in our activities. The FFTA sponsors trail rides, campouts, clinics, breed demonstrations, and classes in various gaited horse shows around the state. Florida is a large state that includes one of the 4th largest equine populations in the world (others being Kentucky, England, and France). Thus, FFTA enjoys many venues to enjoy our horses. Jim and Kathie continue to be avid supporters of the FFTA and the MFTHBA.

 
The First Meeting of the FFTA at Weiaka State Forest, June 1995

 

Florida Fox Trotter Trail Ride at Dupuis Forest in South Florida

  

Thanks for visiting the Woodward family.
We hope you will return soon – either virtually or in person.

We are glad you visited!