“Hi folks! My name is Melissa Gartland. These days, I am an amateur equestrian at Sunfield, a data engineer for W.L. Gore & Associates (makers of Gore-Tex), and an analyst for Equicore.  I am also the resident IT Wizard and committee member for the Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show. I am a lifelong equestrian, having dabbled in a myriad of different things from fox hunting to the show hunters, side saddle, and the occasional horse trial. It is with great pride that I ride in this year’s Virtual Real Rider Cup for The Fair Hill Thoroughbred Show, with sponsorship from Jean M. Bickley and The Boudinot Foundation.

I will be reunited with my Thoroughbred partner from the 2019 Devon Horse Show, Felton, where we won the Ladies Side Saddle Over Fences class. Owned by Jean M. Bickley, Felton is by Lion Hearted, out of Tanta Bertie (by Slew City Slew) and raced four times on the flat. When he’s not winning side saddle over fences classes in post-racing life, Felton enjoys the little things, like drinking water straight from the hose while getting a bath and hacking out in the Hitchcock Woods.”

Photo by Jennifer McNeil Traylor

Click to watch Melissa and Felton!!

Felton (PA)