IN YOUR BACKYARD
SARAH INGRAM
and
SARAH INGRAM
In YOUR Backyard is a wonderful place called Saddle UP!, where children and horses play and learn and take care of each other in a truly unique and amazing way. One of the people who enables all of that to take place is a person who wants no credit but clearly stands out among the crowd when it comes to time and heart for Saddle UP. This year, as she has done many times before, Sarah Ingram is chairing the 26th annual Country Music Grand Prix benefiting Saddle UP! Sarah became involved with Saddle Up! in the early years of the organization, when she kept her horse at Schandwin Farm. At that time, the volunteers gave lessons to six children on two borrowed horses once or twice a week. Sarah was often at the farm during lessons and would be asked to sidewalk. She has worked with Saddle Up! in some capacity since 1997, serving as a board member and president, sidewalker in lessons and past chair of another SU! event, Chukkers for Charity. Cheryl Scutt Executive Director at Saddle UP! sings Sarah’s praises as she says, “I’m telling you that she is an exceptional individual, which everyone probably already knows! Both the Music Country Grand Prix and Saddle Up! would not be what they are without her leadership, commitment, and rolled shirtsleeves up hard work. She’s stayed up until 3:00 or 4:00 in the morning working on the event, helped move tables during set up, and built a team that’s as passionate as she is about the work.” When asked what began her journey with Saddle Up!, Sarah mentions that she thought it was amazing to see the horses and children interacting with each other. “When I ride horses, I feel empowered and exhilarated,” she says. She loves for others to get the chance to have the same experiences. She feels it is wonderful to see the smiles on the children’s faces when they are on horseback and to see their confidence grow while developing physically and mentally. Sarah says, “There are so many incredible stories of children who have had really meaningful events while on horseback, such as saying their first direct words or learning to walk unaided.” Music Country Grand Prix will be held at Brownland Farm on June 2nd. Saddle Up! has been a beneficiary of the Grand Prix since the organization’s inception in 1990. The Music Country Grand Prix is a very anticipated and exciting premiere horse show jumping event that brings 20 – 30 horses and riders from across the United States to Franklin each year to compete for $40,000 in prize money. It is a fun filled day for spectators with a variety of ways to enjoy the competition. Christian Currey established the competition in 1989 as the “Music City Grand Prix”, and it was held for many years at his parents, Agneta and Brownlee Currey’s farm, River Circle Farm.
18 YOURWILLIAMSON.COM April 2014
As it grew over the years, in 2001the event moved to its current home, Mack and Sissie Anderton’s Brownland Farm. With the new location, came the name change to “The Music Country Grand Prix.” For more information and for tickets, go to www. musiccountrygrandprix.com and for information on Saddle Up!, go to www.saddleupnashville.org.