My Team

DETAIL SPECIALIST
1997 16.2 Bay Appendix Gelding

Deacon joined the team in the summer of 2007. He was a sale horse who had only done Quarter Horse competition: Hunter Under Saddle and even some western pleasure. But after he impressed us with his big stride, willingness, and jumping abilities, we decided to buy him ourselves instead of selling him; and now he seems to love his new life as an event horse. The highlights of Deacon's career include 10th place at the 2007 AECs in Novice Horse after only six months as an event horse; five firsts and two seconds in his nine starts in 2008 at Preliminary/1* which included a First Place at Hagyard/Midsouth's CCI* long-format, winning Melissa the USEF CCI* Championship; and because of his successes, accumulating enough points at Preliminary to also win the 2008 USEA Preliminary Horse of the Year and win for Melissa the 2008 USEA Young Adult Preliminary Rider of the Year.

Melissa & Deacon are successfully running Intermediate and 2* in 2009.

HIGH FINANCE
2000 16.3 Chestnut TB Gelding

Finn joined us in the Fall of 2007.He's an OTTB, first purchased by a friend, but then recommended to Melissa because of his athleticism, attitude, and potential. He has made huge strides in his maturity and training since Melissa has worked with him. Cross Country overwhelmed him mentally at first, but he quickly conquered that issue and has become a pretty steady guy. He now earns lots of compliments from other trainers and friends about how far he has come and how nice of a jumper he is. And he has got to be one of the most social fellows we've had--loves attention and to be right in the middle of things! He doesn't have a bunch of awards and highlights like his big brothers YET, but we expect some good things this year.

Melissa and Finn are having fun at Preliminary and 1* events this year.

SCOTCHFELDER'S FANCY
1989 16.2 Trakehner/TB Gelding

Scotch is the senior member of the MME Team. He has been an awesome partner for Melissa and a tremendous member of the team as he and Melissa have worked their way up the levels together. Scotch was purchased in 2002 from pony club friends; he had semi-retired after successfully doing some Novice and Training level events. Melissa and Scotch started in Novice and worked their way up to CCI* and Intermediate. Scotch and Melissa's major accomplishments together include: Team Bronze at the 2005 NAJYRC, Team Silver and individual 8th at the 2006 NAJYRC, 2005 Area VIII Preliminary Young Rider of the Year, 2nd in Mayfest's 2005 T3DE, 4th in 2005 Midsouth's CCI* (full format), and in 2006 Scotch earned the American Trakehner Associations' Preliminary  Horse of the Year Award.

Scotch has now become our "schoolmaster,"  teaching some of Melissa's students--especially the need for strong LEGS! He still loves competing and hopes that some students take him to a few horse trials in 2009.

THANK YOU SCOTCH, for all you've done!

FIONA
AKC Name: Brillwood Forever Yours
Of course no team is complete without a cute dog!!

Fiona is a Parson Russell Terrier who joined us in September of 2008. She has become a super barn dog, although she can be a major couch potato too when she gets home--the barn activity wears her out! She is also affectionately known by many other names: Wiggles, Buns, FiFi, and more.