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Brooklyn Rufrano and Just Stoppin By Set Their Sights on the Future

In the heart of the show pen, where nerves are high and hopes even higher, Brooklyn Rufrano has found her calm—her anchor— in a remarkable, Congress champion mare named Just Stoppin By. Their story is still being written, but its beginnings speak to the power of the bond between a girl and her horse. Pairing horse and rider is not an easy task, but trainer Austin Gooding knew from the get-go that the young mare would be an ideal fit for Rufrano as she set out to take on the three-year-old pleasure futurities in 2025.

Just Stoppin By or Freckles is a striking three-year-old mare by Heart Stoppin and out of Vital Angel. She came into Brooklyn’s life during a whirlwind moment at the 2024 All American Quarter Horse Congress, and from the very first meeting, it was clear that this new team was something special.

Rufrano hadn’t originally planned on buying a horse at Congress. After a call and a promising video from trainer Austin Gooding telling her about the perfect horse with trainers Jay and Kristy Starnes, Rufrano put her trust in the Gooding’s judgment and purchased the horse mid-show from All4One Partnership. A few days later she flew out to meet the young mare and watch her compete in person. What she didn’t expect was how quickly the connection would form.

“She was still at the Starnes’ stalls,” Rufrano remembers. “I went in the stall, and she just put her head on my shoulder. It was an instant connection—I knew right then she was mine.”

After purchasing Freckles, the mare still had one class left to show with Starnes— the Super Sires 2-Year-Old Open Western Pleasure. Earlier in the show, she earned a reserve championship. With Rufrano in the stands, Just Stoppin By and Starnes won the Congress championship in the Super Sires class. It was a moment that Rufrano describes as surreal and impossible to describe. “It was my first time attending the Congress, so to hear my name called and know that my horse had earned a Congress championship was incredible.

Rufrano’s first ride, which happened soon after Freckles’ winning Congress performance, sealed the deal. Despite Rufrano not having ridden in several months, the two-year-old rode around like an old soul. “She took care of me,” Rufrano says. “Even though she was just two, she made me feel so confident. That’s when I knew—she’s one of a kind.”

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Since that serendipitous beginning, Brooklyn and Freckles have been making memories and collecting accolades across the country. Their first outing was a trainer-led show with Gooding at the Shamrock Shuffle, followed by a trip to the big stage at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, where Rufrano and Freckles had their first opportunity to shine. The pair won both the NSBA Novice Amateur Western Pleasure at the Sudden Impulse and Orange Blossom shows and also competed successfully in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro events.

For Rufrano, showing Freckles is more than a competition—it’s a collaboration. “She just keeps getting better and better. I’m a nonpro; I do this for fun. But Freckles makes it so enjoyable. She’s always calm, never has an attitude, and she reads me so well. If I’m nervous or make a mistake, she helps me through it. That’s not something you can say about a lot of three-year-olds.”

That sense of partnership is rare, especially with such a young horse. But Rufrano shares that Freckles has already been one of the biggest confidence boosters of her life. “She’s taught me so much, even though she’s still learning too. That’s what makes her special— she just wants to do her job and take care of her rider.”

the puzzle has been the unwavering support of her trainer, Austin Gooding, and the entire barn family. “The Goodings have been everything,” Rufrano says. “From the moment I came to them, they’ve always been so supportive. They look out for what’s best for their clients, and the environment is so positive. Everyone roots for everyone. That kind of energy in the barn makes all the difference.”

But the success of the pair’s journey doesn’t rest on horse and rider alone. A crucial piece of

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Rufrano, who lives in Mount Dora, Florida, makes the frequent trip to Michigan to train with the Goodings—a commitment that speaks to her dedication.

“It’s a lot to travel back and forth, but it’s completely worth it. They’re not just great trainers—they’re great people,” she says.

Rufrano’s journey with horses began in middle school, where she got her start through 4-H and small local shows. Initially, she leased horses before being paired with her first Quarter Horse, a palomino mare. Rufrano shares, “My parents were always supportive, no matter what sport I tried,” she says. “But when they saw how obsessed I was with horses, they helped me stay committed. That first horse taught me so much—she helped me learn to canter, built my confidence, and helped me fall in love with showing.”

From those early open shows, Rufrano moved into Paints and later into Quarter Horses. Along the way, she found herself drawn to western pleasure. “It’s always been my favorite class,” she says. “I love the outfits, the bling, the style that each rider and horse brings to the pen. But more than that, I love the relationship you build with your horse. You really have to be in sync.”

Rufrano’s first Quarter Horse purchase from the Goodings, Made My Best, took her into the world of western pleasure. “It was a new challenge for me,” she says. Eventually Rufrano was drawn to the added challenge of showing a young futurity horse. “Futurity horses are fun because you can show multiple classes in one day, and there’s always something exciting around the corner,” she says.

With a degree in Business Management from the University of South Florida, Rufrano is also preparing for the next chapter of her life off the show grounds. She’s set to begin working for her father’s company, HGR Construction, in Altamonte Springs. “I’ll probably focus on marketing or management,” she says. “But I’ll always make time for horses. They’re a part of me now.”

Outside of the barn, she enjoys spending time with her family—especially fishing with her dad. “He’s trying to get me into fishing tournaments,” she laughs. “We’ve been getting into it together. It’s kind of his way of luring me away from horses sometimes.” Her family recently purchased a home in Maine, where they spend much of their summers— another peaceful escape between busy horse show weekends.

Though her parents and brother don’t ride, they’ve been her biggest cheerleaders. “They know nothing about horses,” she says, “but

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they support me like crazy. My parents come to shows and my brother watches the live streams. Even if it’s not their world, they’re proud of me—and that means everything.”

Looking ahead, Rufrano and Just Stoppin By are preparing for the Back to Berrien Futurity, , the NSBA World Show, and the Congress. Rufrano will compete in the 3-Year-Old Non-Pro and Level 1 Amateur Pleasure classes, while Austin Gooding will pilot the mare in the 3-Year-Old Open Pleasure futurities. Their goals are ambitious but grounded in a deep love for the sport.

“My ultimate dream has always been to win a world title at NSBA or Congress,” Rufrano says. “And now that I have a

horse who fits me so perfectly, it finally feels possible. That’s the goal—to keep getting better together, one ride at a time.”

In a sport that often demands perfection, Rufrano and Freckles are a reminder that heart, connection, and authenticity matter just as much. Together, they’re not just chasing titles— they’re chasing a dream, and they’re doing it with the kind of instant bond that turns a good story into a great one.

Article Written by: Elizabeth Arnold

Photography by: Melissa Baus & Shanr Rux Photography