Blackburn Legacy Ranch

10/13/2026

I didn’t show a single horse this year.

And the funny thing is, I had horses I could have shown.

After years of spending more time coaching from the sidelines, I finally had things figured out to where I could actually get back into the show pen myself.

Then life happened.

Our truck needed a new transmission. Fuel prices went through the roof. And suddenly, spending thousands of dollars hauling to horse shows didn’t seem like the smartest investment.

So I made a different decision.

Instead of investing that money into showing, I decided to invest it into becoming a better horseman, trainer, and instructor.

I spent this year taking lessons, attending clinics, learning from other professionals, and challenging myself to continue growing. I also have some exciting educational opportunities lined up for the beginning of 2027.

I have absolutely no regrets.

The show pen will still be there.

I’ve thought about this quite a bit lately because, in the horse industry, we put an awful lot of weight on what someone accomplishes in the show pen.

Placings. Points. Buckles. Titles. Championships.

Somewhere along the way, those things seem to have become one of the easiest ways to measure whether someone is a “good” trainer.

But are they really?

Don’t get me wrong. I have tremendous respect for the dedication, skill, and hard work it takes to be successful in competition.

I’ve also known people with impressive show records whom I wouldn’t necessarily trust to work through a difficult horse.

Being able to prepare a talented horse to perform well in the show pen and being able to develop a horse that genuinely needs help aren’t always the same skill set.

Can you help the horse that lacks confidence?

Can you recognize when a horse is struggling physically rather than being difficult?

Can you develop a horse that doesn’t come naturally talented, willing, or easy?

Can you recognize when your approach isn’t working and have the humility to change it?

Can you build a horse that is better mentally, physically, and emotionally because of the time it spent with you?

Those are the questions that interest me more and more as I continue to grow in this profession.

This isn’t an anti-show post. I love showing. I’m competitive by nature, and I absolutely intend to get back into the show pen.

I just don’t believe a buckle, a ribbon, or a championship automatically tells the whole story of someone’s horsemanship.

Training horses is so much bigger than preparing one to perform for a few minutes in front of a judge.

Some of the most meaningful work we do as trainers happens quietly at home.

With horses whose names nobody will ever recognize.

Horses that may never set foot in a show pen.

Horses whose greatest accomplishments might be learning to trust, becoming safe and confident partners, or finally finding a way to understand what we’re asking of them.

This year that’s where my work happened.

No show photos.

No placings to post.

No buckles to add to the wall.

Just a whole lot of horses left my barn better than they came in.

And I spent another year becoming a little better at what I do.

I’m perfectly okay with that being what I have to show for my year.

Because at the end of the day, I don’t just want to be known for the horses I can win on.

I want to be known for the horses I can help.

10/13/2026

When people say they ain’t ready for winter….I AM! I’ve only seen one tiny snake on our farm all year and these two show up this week. I could have stepped on that second one in the dark.

10/13/2026

This gets good….when you really think about what you’re singing….gets me every time.

10/12/2026

I bought pool noodles for a quarter a piece at Walmart a few weeks ago and forgot about them. I got them out yesterday and had a blast introducing them to all the young horses. Butter and Jackson the donkey loved them. I have to admit I’m always fascinated by the things we use to “desensitize” horses. I mean, how many pool noodles do you really encounter when out riding? 😆

I have thought about getting a bike to ride in the arena while it’s still just dirt because you definitely can encounter one of those.

I love these two characters…especially that donkey.

10/11/2026

Couldn’t have said it any better!

10/10/2026

To keep our page active, I’m making this obligatory post. I’ve been perfectly fine living my little post free life but I guess I need to promote our stock from time to time. Short little Instagram videos that bring a smile to my face have been my thing lately.

I went to retrieve Ironman from the field to ride and I can’t decide if he just looked at me and said, “Oh no not her again” or if he just didn’t want to leave his girls. Anyhoo, Tony went and retrieved him. Isn’t he the most handsome boy? And his baby mommas sure are showing their baby bumps already.

My great nephew from California who is 8 years old was intrigued by the fact that Ironman has lots of girlfriends 😆

09/30/2026

Something that is very near to my heart is National Su***de Prevention Awareness Month, which is September. This being the very last day, I’ve been wanting to make a post and boy this month has just flown by. Sigh….

September 10, 2020, a dear friend left this earth. She was only in my life for a short time, but she made the biggest impact anyone would ever have on my life. She brought me out of my own depression while others, including myself, were too blind to see her own. She called me nearly every day and she would talk about a podcast she wanted to start with me and others. She begged me to come ride jet skis with her and drive her brand new corvette convertible that she ordered. She KNEW me, the real me and she knew I had that adventurous spirit in my heart that had been suppressed for so long. I think that discernment was a gift from God. She was everything I wanted to be, wild and adventurous and I lived vicariously through her adventures. She made me laugh and she made me answer difficult questions. She demanded an answer. She was a preacher’s daughter. And she called me the day of my interview of my current job. She didn’t know I had an interview that day. She called around 5:30 am or so and said the Lord had laid a word on her heart for me and it was “abundance”. I didn’t really grasp it then. I didn’t understand it. I told her about the interview and she asked if she could pray with me. She encouraged me in ways no one ever had that morning.

I’m not sure I will ever experience another friendship like that one. She absolutely loved my dog walking weather reports I did on Facebook at the time. So she sent me her own weather report as you will see below. As I walked dogs in a neighborhood in little ole Breckinridge County, she was living it up on the beach. 😊

I have so many regrets over not investing more in that relationship on my end, but even her closest friends didn’t see it. She took her life. It’s something I will never understand.

I am living that life of abundance now. It’s not the type of abundance that most people would think of. I will share that in another post. But the Lord knew I would need to look back on that conversation to see it now. That’s how He works. I will always treasure this video and my sweet friend.

And ironically, she took her life during su***de prevention month. 💔

RIP Sandra L. Lanham.

09/25/2026

This screams Marti Janes.

Peony floral dream in teal and earth tones with soft taupe piping on princess seams and cuffs. Perfect for an elegant ranch ride! Come try it at The Hitching Post Of Florida at Congress! Size 12. Ask us about making it in your size.

09/22/2026

Proud of my mom’s family who continued the legacy of farming. Howard is her brother. Always thank your farmers!

Today is Day 2 of All in for Ag Education Week!! Today’s spotlight is: ✨Sandy Hill Farms✨

The Story of Sandy Hill Farms

In 1974, a dream took root in the heart of Meade County. Howard Stull, alongside his wife, Janet, purchased nearly 500 acres of farmland and began building what would become not only a thriving family farm, but a lasting legacy. Through years of hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering love for the land, Howard and Janet transformed their dream into a reality, one that continues to grow with each generation.

Together, Howard and Janet raised five children Staci, Jamie, Amie, Jeremy, and Amanda. Their family has since grown to include 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren, creating a legacy that extends far beyond the acres they farm.

From the time they were old enough to lend a helping hand, sons Jamie and Jeremy worked alongside their father, learning the value of hard work and the responsibility that comes with caring for the land. They followed Howard step for step, gaining not only the skills of farming but also an appreciation for the traditions, determination, and family values that make agriculture so meaningful.

Today, Sandy Hill Farms remains a fully operational cattle and crop farm, producing to***co, soybeans, corn, and hay. The farm continues to be a true family operation, with Jamie and Tina and their children playing an important role in the day-to-day work that keeps the farm moving forward.

And if you find Howard out on the farm, there is a good chance you will find Jamie, Cale, and Jonathan close by his side. That is the beauty of Sandy Hill Farms, the work is shared, the knowledge is passed down, and the family remains at the center of it all.

The Stull family is deeply rooted in Meade County agriculture. From early-morning farm chores and long days in the fields to involvement in Meade County 4-H livestock programs, agriculture has become more than a way of life.. it is a part of who they are.

For more than five decades, Sandy Hill Farms has represented hard work, family, faith in the future, and a deep love for the land. What Howard and Janet began in 1974 continues today through their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

And as the Stull family looks toward the future, they look forward to seeing the next generations grow, learn, and carry the Sandy Hill Farms legacy forward just as those before them did.