Upswing, LLC

06/11/2024

It was a privilege to get to ride with Harry deLeyer. All of his horses were fast and brave. He kept saying, “When in doubt, leave it out!” Harry is missed! ❤️

A kind man gave his last $80 to save a plow horse but they wrote history together. Harry Deleyer and Snowman, an old Amish plow horse, were united when Harry rescued Snowman from a truck heading to a meat and glue factory. The cost of Snowman's freedom was just $80. In less than two years after their serendipitous meeting, they defied all expectations to become national show jumping champions. Their incredible journey resembled a modern-day Cinderella story, captivating the public and attracting significant media attention throughout the late 1950s and 1960s.

Few equine stories have resonated deeply with an entire nation. In the 1930s, Red Pollard and Seabiscuit achieved this, followed by Harry deLeyer and Snowman in the 1950s. In the 1970s, Ron Turcotte and Secretariat continued this tradition of captivating the nation with their extraordinary bond and achievements.

The film "HARRY & SNOWMAN" marked a significant milestone as it was the first time Harry's extraordinary and heartfelt life story was narrated by Harry himself.

06/11/2024

You are a superstar Shrutha! 🤩 What a feat and in your first year showing! 🎉

06/03/2024

We’ll take the rainbow even with the rain! 🌈🌞

05/15/2024

Another great show for Juliette and Little Whiskey Girl!
🏆 Reserve Champion Junior Horse Pleasure
🥈Second place 14 and under Equitation on the Flat
🤩Good ribbons in the Student Equitation over fences and clinched a 2nd place under saddle!

04/25/2024

It was a perfect day at the VPBA Show in Warrenton 🌞 Congratulations to Juliette and Little Whiskey Girl on such a successful first show together! 🎉🐴 We are so proud of you, Champ!🏆🥇

02/12/2024

✨🏆Last but certainly not least, our Shrutha ended her very first year showing as high point rider for Region 10 Future Beginner w/t/c🥇 Congratulations, Shrutha!🎉

02/08/2024

✨All that hard work paid off for the middle school team at Region 10 finals! ✨They ended up 6th overall for the region with points in just three divisions this season🤩🐴

🏆Team class results:
🌟Anna - Novice flat - 1st
🌟Juliette - Novice o/f - 4th
🌟Shrutha - Beginner w/t/c - 5th

02/06/2024

🎉 Region 10 finals were a success! The individual results are in and the girls did GREAT🎉 Shout out to for another well run show!

High School individual results:
⭐️ Alexis - 5th Beginner w/t/c
⭐️ Allie - 6th Beginner w/t/c

Middle School individual results:
⭐️Anna - 3rd Novice flat
⭐️Juliette - 4th Novice flat
⭐️Shrutha - 3rd Beginner w/t/c

01/31/2024

During my recent trip to the Curtin’s ranch in Oklahoma I was deeply impacted by the way the Tom and Trina work with their students.

One of the things that really struck me was the honest acceptance that we would struggle and make a mess of things as we put the pieces together.

As a kid, I spent time with instructors who maintained a low tolerance for undesirable outcomes and I don’t always realize how much of that I pack around on a daily basis.

It has become a mission for me to embrace “the mess,” knowing that it is not only likely, but a guarantee.

The magic lay, I believe, in the two sets of watchful, knowing eyes that seemed to track every movement we made no matter where we rode.

This gaze didn’t come with judgment or expectation. They were merely aware and understanding of the struggle. Even encouraging of the mess. Yet, when things got to a point that I needed some intervention, I was always able to find help right around a corner.

“I see you’ve made a mess of things, let’s see about cleaning it up together.”

This is what a teacher is for.

The lesson here for me is in acceptance, grit, kindness, relationships, awareness, and a deep ability “to be” (but more on that another time).

Until then, I hope you can give yourself permission to go out there and make a royal mess of things.

~Justin

📸 Erin Gilmore // Erin Gilmore Photography

01/17/2024

Over the past two weeks, we went to our final regular season shows at . Not only was the middle school team champion both weeks and qualified for regionals as a team, but EIGHT riders between the middle and high school teams qualified individually. To say I am proud of ALL of these riders is an understatement.

11/24/2023

🍂Happy Thanksgiving to all! We are so grateful for our wonderful clients and horses. They bring us joy every day🍁🦃

11/15/2023

A little late, but just as exciting! The Criswood IEA Team traveled to The Other Left LLC two weeks ago and had a great time!
⭐️Maddie - Open - 3rd & 6th
⭐️Adiah - Intermediate - 2nd & 2nd
⭐️Grace - Novice - 2nd & 3rd
⭐️Alexis - Beginner w/t/c - 2nd
⭐️Allie - Beginner w/t/c - had a great ride!

Middle School:
⭐️Juliette - Novice - 3rd & 5th
⭐️Anna - Novice - 1st
⭐️Shruthavinda - Beginner w/t/c - 2nd

10/31/2023

🤩Some of our high school riders traveled to for an IEA show on Sunday and came home with great ribbons! Huge thanks to Malinda and Ian for running such a quick and fun show. ✨

10/30/2023

It’s that time again. Show your support for VHSA!

✨The Annual Virginia Horse Shows Association Convention is coming up soon and we’re looking for auction items! If you’re interested in supporting the VHSA, send us a dm or email us at [email protected]✨

10/16/2023

✨Introducing the 2023-2024 Criswood IEA Show Team! ✨ Yesterday they went to their first show of the season at Potomac Horse Center and walked away with great rides and ribbons. I could not be more proud! The future is bright 😎

High School:
⭐️Maddie - Open - 1st & 3rd
⭐️Adiah - Intermediate - 5th & 3rd
⭐️Grace - Novice - 3rd
⭐️Alexis - Beginner w/t/c - 2nd
⭐️Allie - Beginner w/t/c - 2nd

Middle School:
⭐️Anna - Novice - 5th & 2nd
⭐️Juliette - Novice - 2nd & 5th
⭐️Shruthavinda - Beginner w/t/c - 5th

✨Juliette also received the sportsmanship award yesterday for her wonderful attitude ❤️🥹✨

03/15/2023

Congratulations 🎉🥳 to my client on the purchase of “Junior” a 5-year old by Liberty Gold. Huge thanks to for helping us make this match. We are so excited to have him in the barn! 🤩✨

01/22/2023

An unexpectedly cancelled horse show means team breakfast! We’ll be back at it next weekend

10/24/2022

Congratulations to the Criswood Farm IEA Team on their show season debut at . Can’t wait for next weekend! 🤩✨🏆

09/17/2022

Today is the day! Go check out some lovely artwork in the Village of Hume 👩🏻‍🎨

Just in case you are not aware yet 😛😛😛 officially opens its Hume location on Saturday 17th Sept and All are welcome.

For those of you in the city this is yet another great reason to visit fauquier and see what we have to offer. We look forward to welcoming new and old friends, art collectors, the curious and everyone else!!

The gallery is reopening its doors after an enforced 2 year hiatus in a restored former workshop in the historic village of Hume and will showcase the work of all our artists in a series of group exhibits until 2023.

in addition to gorgeous representational, impressionistic and abstract paintings, we also have handmade jewelry from Tuscan brand and ceramics by as well as sculptures by and among others....

Thank you to the many voices of support and encouragement that have helped to get us here but most especially the fiercely talented and loyal artists tagged in this post. This is for YOU.

art

08/28/2022

It was a gorgeous day for the Sallie B. Wheeler Hunter Breeding Championships at the . All the classes were full and there was nothing but tough competition! The official photographer is going to have some gorgeous photos available.

The “Masquerade’s Cove Perpetual Trophy” was originally given to the Best Filly in the International Hunter Futurity. After the IHF was disbanded in 2015, the trophy was given to the Sallie B. Wheeler Championships. Our very own MARKED WITH SILVER won this trophy in 2012 and again in 2013 - after winning the 2013 East Coast Sallie B. Wheeler Three Year Old Fillies.

11/08/2021

Had a great time working with these great people on a fun event!

👏 Meet your committee!

Did you know this event was 💯 put on by !?

Thank you so much to these hard-working folks who set tables, ran buckets, prepped drinks, and everything in between. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful supportive ! Shannon Ferguson, Upswing, LLC, James R. Ruffner, Montana Lanier Ruffner, Big Sky Management & Events, Shelia Harrell, Carmen Arwine, Jeff Quesenberry.

Not pictured: .anja.dick

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09/29/2021

You might be surprised how peaceful it is 14,000 feet up 🙃✈️

09/28/2021

Happy from Upswing Recreation Services! Have you ever been to France?🇫🇷 🌏

09/25/2021

Lands Run Falls in . This trail is right off of mile marker 9 in the park and is a quick easy hike down to the falls!

03/01/2021

Sometimes you just need to play paintball with your hood rat friends🔫

01/21/2021

Hit the slopes again with friends for some birthday fun!