Madison's Story

Starting at the age of 3, Madison got her first look at a horse. It  was from this young age that you could not keep her away from them! At  the age of 6 she started riding horses when she would visit her  grandparents, Michael and Lois Natale(who have been the back bone of all  of her endeavors) in Pinehurst, North Carolina. It was there in North  Carolina that Madison was introduced to a lady named Lindy, at "Catch  the Wind Farms". Lindy was a German instructor who taught Madison and  her brother Branden how to ride. Lindy taught them both how to ride by  saddling up the horse, putting them in a turn out, letting them lose  with no bridle on so they would learn how to sit. "The Tough German Way"  Lindy would say! Of course, Madison had the seat to be reckoned with  and her brother, Branden would just plop off. It was all in good humor  as Lindy was never a danger to neither of them nor the horses. Madison  was always going above and beyond doing the daily chores every day and  loved doing them, especially stall cleaning! From there Madison took it  one step further.

While living in New York, Madison moved to a house in West  Nyack, across from a barn called Nickel-O Farms, where Lisa Owen taught  her even more techniques, good horsemanship and an even better showing  foundation. Growing up around horses, Madison always wanted a horse of  her own. She would watch her friends get their horses as birthday  presents while she was leasing out a little tri-colored paint pony named  Scout. She had a blast showing her, but NEVER placed! Soon Madison  would grow too big for Scout, and a new horse came along named  Impressive Bar Brandy, whom Madison got to lease. Impressive Bar Brandy  and she did very well showing in Open and 4-H shows and even going to  the New York State Fair, taking a 1st place in the trail!

Knowing she wanted to do better her biggest supporters,  grandparents Michael and Lois bought her the first horse! Not knowing  too much at the time or what she wanted at the age of 12 they bought a  palomino named Eighteenkarat Sizzle, also known as "Bob". Bob came to  the barn, as a shabby horse with few manors and was pretty stubborn.  Madison remembers the first time she rode Bob at the barn, Bob jumped  over everything and would not stop, and it was cowgirl up! Madison would  be at the barn every day brushing, longing, riding him and during the  winter months hand walking him because of the ice and snow due to no  indoor arena. Compliments were always received on how well kept and  clean Bob was for being so white legged and yellow! During the summer  months she would be up at 6 in the morning getting him saddled to ride  before she had to work. From there the two eventually embarked on their  first AQHA Quarter Horse show. It was definitely an experience and  showed her how much more hard work had to be done to show with the top.  "Eighteenkarat Sizzle" had taught her so much, while she had taught him  just as much under the guidance of her trainer Lisa Owen. During their  time together they won many 4-H, Open show, year-end awards and AQHA  classes.

Madison eventually sold Bob to find a younger horse to work  with because she liked the experiences it would give her working with  many different horses learning their quirks, abilities, and attitudes.  She advertised Bob on Dreamhorse, YouTube and with getting so many  inquiries, it was overwhelming! Receiving calls and messages left daily,  she was on the phone 24/7. Only listed for only 37 days he was  eventually sold to a lovely lady in New Jersey.

As that team parted she purchased a 5 year old bay mare named  "Diamonds R Rough" also know as Girlie. She was the sweetest horse you  would ever find, who was going to need a lot of work, but Madison was up  for the challenge. The new team took over the 4-H Circuit, Open Horse  Show Circuits, and put 30+ AQHA points on her! They even qualified for  the NSBA World Show in Hunter under Saddle and Western Pleasure two  years in a row! As times change, college was just around the corner and  Girlie was sold to a great 12 year old young lady who competed in  Dressage with her.

As Madison entered her collegiate days she attended The  University of Findlay, and made their Intercollegiate Horse Show  Association Team. Madison was a 2X National Champion and Top Ten placer  in Horsemanship for the team. She learned a lot of techniques from Clark  Bradley and Art O'Brien, at the University of Findlay, as well as  having worked for Kat Zelnio at the Congress.

During her Junior year in college, Madison also received a  Presidential Nomination to West Point, The United States Military  Academy. Although many in her family, including her brother have  attended, she knew horses were her passion.

 As life happens, the year of 2014  little Aubrey Henry was born on August, 5th!  She has been a great  blessing and has made working with horses even more exciting!  August  12, 2016 our little boy Stratten Henry was born ! We are looking forward to watching our two kids grow up in this great hose industry!   Call us to stop by the farm and see us if you are in the area. Jason  Henry and Madison Hallas work together in Bucyrus, Ohio training  All-Around horses for the Youth, Amateur, and Select.