About Us

 Mary Ficklin was born in the true horse country of Fauquier County, Virginia. Growing up in Delaplane, Mary's love for horses started at a very young age. At age 5, she began her love for riding at Madcap Farm. Very soon weekly lessons turned into leasing ponies and everyday trips to the barn. Around age 10, Mary started showing on the local VHSA hunter/jumper circuit eventually broadening into the A circuit hunters. Mary worked as a working student for many top hunter/jumper barns in the area. 

In 2008, Mary bought her first investment horse, Sebastian. Sebastian was one of a kind and ended up not being for sale as planned. Mary competed Sebastian and many other horses very successfully in the local and A rated Children's hunters, Medals, and Equitation as a junior rider. She has many year end awards including high point rider, high point trainer, and several high point division awards. Since 2014, Mary has worked for the Piedmont Equine Practice in The Plains, Virginia immensely increasing her knowledge of equine medicine from emergencies to lameness and beyond.

Mary has years of experience teaching and showing from local to rated and all levels in between. Mary's patience and attention to detail pairs her well with problem horses. She has a lot of experience restarting thoroughbreds off the track for a new career and helping to better difficult horses. Mary's main focus while teaching is a lot on equitation and proper rider mechanics while making the horse and rider come together as a team. Along with that, and just as important, is teaching the true meaning of horsemanship and care for the animals. All of her students are taught very early on that the horses and ponies come first.