Blackjack Farms

10/13/2026

French Fry
1992 - October 12, 2026

Today, we said goodbye to one of the greatest lesson ponies at Blackjack.

After his time in the pony jumpers, French Fry settled into his role being the ultimate first show pony for so many kids. He was a kind and patient teacher, helping young riders learn the ropes. French Fry spent the last year fully retired, living in the field with his best lesson-pony friends. He gave so much to our farm and the countless kids who were lucky enough to learn from him.

Thank you for everything, French Fry. You will be deeply missed.

10/12/2026

Capital Challenge Recap:

Ella Cato & Hazelwood earned 5th in the NAL Children's Hunter Welcome and 11th in the final

Lia Cato & Kavalier PL Z earned 5th in the 16y/o Age Group Equitation

Lia Cato & New York's Joy earned 12th in the NAL Junior 1.15M Jumper Final

10/06/2026

AHJA Blackjack Horse Show Recap:

Mary Martha Athanas & GPS Scarlett earned great ribbons in the Crosspoles 9 & over

Taylor Benefield & Brookside Matchbox earned top ribbons in the Walk/Trot 9 & Over

Lyons Comer & Border Patrol earned great ribbons in the Walk/Trot 9 & Over, winning a class

Mae Garner & Remarkable were reserve champion in the Crosspoles 8 & Under

Ava Gray & Zephyrus Social Butterfly won the classic of the Walk/Trot 8 & Under

Nora Griffin & One Hot Signature earned consistent ribbons in the Crosspoles 9 & Over

Sally Lee & GPS Scarlett earned good ribbons in the Schooling Hunter

Florie McClellan & Bluegrass earned great ribbons in Short Stirrup and won the Starting Hunter Classic

Laura McWane & Estefan earned great ribbons in the Schooling Hunter

Lauren Morina & Verano were reserve champion in the Pre Child/Adult Hunters

Elle Morris & CSH Stay Golden earned awesome ribbons in the Short Stirrup Hunters

Vivian Morris & CSH Stay Golden earned fabulous ribbons in the Walk/Trot 8 & Under

Annsley Moyer & Landgraf's Copilot earned consistent ribbons in the Pre Child/Adult Hunters

Savannah Taylor & Otis R were reserve champion in the Child/Adult Hunters

Ava Grace Wyrosdick and 9 to 5 earned awesome ribbons in the Pre Child/Adult Hunters

A special shout out to our amazing lead line riders: Tim, James and Beau!!!

09/30/2026

Aiken Fall Festival Recap

Week 1

Blackjack Garden's Domo Z earned 9th in the Welcome Stake

Ella Cato & Bentley RW were reserve champion in the Green Pony Hunters.

Ella Cato & Bon Bon Biene earned top ribbons in USHJA 2'6" Hunters.

Ella Cato & Cohinour D'Arthenay earned great ribbons in the equitation medals.

Ella Cato & Hazelwood earned great ribbons in the 3'3" Small Jr Hunters

Lia Cato & Kavalier PL Z earned 3rd in the ASPCA Maclay Medal

Lia Cato & New York's Joy earned great ribbons in the 1.10M Jr Jumpers

Lia Cato & Poker Van de Plataan earned 7th in the 1.10 Jr/Am Jumper Classic

Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Impulsive had good rounds in the 3'3" Green Hunters

Kate LaBorde & Zibaloubet Z earned 4th in the 1.30 NAL Jr/Am Jumper Classic

Laura Packer & Cuarantini Z earned good ribbons in the 36+ Adult Amateur Hunters

Aubrey Shirah & Catinos earned top ribbons in the Younger Adult Amateur Hunters

Jackson Thomasson & Galino jumped to 6th in the 1.20M NAL Jr/Am Jumper Classic

Ellen Walker's Emerald's Double Down jumped to 7th in the Welcome Stake

Week 2

Blackjack Garden's Domo Z earned 4th in the Open 1.40M Jumpers

Ella Cato & Bentley RW earned top ribbons in the Large Pony Hunters

Ella Cato & Bon Bon Biene had great rounds in the 2'6" Hunters

Ella Cato & Cohinour D'Arthenay earned great ribbons in the Age Group Equitation

Ella Cato & Hazelwood earned consistent ribbons in the 3'3" Small Jr Hunters

Lia Cato & Kavalier PL Z earned top ribbons in all of their medal classes

Lia Cato & New York's Joy earned top ribbons in the 1.10M Jr Jumpers

Lia Cato & Poker Van de Plataan earned great ribbons in the 1.10M Jr Jumpers

Lia Cato & Qenny V/D Roshoeve won both classes in the 1.0M Jumpers

Cynthia Hallman's Fig Street's Impulsive had great rounds in the 3'3" Green Hunters

Kate LaBorde & Zibaloubet Z earned top ribbons in the 1.30M Jr/Am Jumpers

Laura Packer & Cuarantini Z earned consistent ribbons in the 36+ Adult Amateur Hunters

Briley Shirah & Catinos had a great round in the National Hunter Derby

Jackson Thomasson & Galino had great rounds in the 1.20M Jr/Am Jumpers

Ellen Walker's Emerald's Double Down earned 4th in the Welcome Stake

09/23/2026

Join us for our Alabama Hunter Jumper Association Blackjack Horse Show at Fox Lake Farm this Saturday, September 26! We will be having our Special Abilities Lead Line class in after the Ring 2 schooling break, before Starting Hunter!

We can't wait to see you there! Entries are due today!

09/01/2026

08/20/2026

Available for L:

Bentley RW
USEF #: 5862963

2019 large bay gelding. "Bentley" just completed his first Pony Finals in the Large Green Pony Hunters, finishing 27th overall. Bentley is super fancy with a big step, and always gets noticed in the ring. Available for lease and currently located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Contact Adam Sklansky at 609-471-4080 to set up and appointment!

08/17/2026

North American Youth Championships for Jumping & Pony Finals Recap:

NAYC:

Kate LaBorde & Hakini had consistent rounds for their first FEI competition. Qualifying for this finals is a huge accomplishment, and we are so proud of Kate and Hakini!

Pony Finals:

Ella Cato & Bentley RW had a stellar week finishing 27th overall in the Large Green Pony Hunters. Their highlight includes a 14th place in the over fences portion out of 80 ponies.

Ella Cato & Woodland's Bellhop had a great Pony Finals experience finishing 67th overall in the Medium Pony Hunters out of over 150 entries.

We're so proud of our riders qualifying for these finals! Way to go Ella and Kate!

08/11/2026

Available for L:

Woodland's Bellhop
USEF # 5810387

2014 Huge bodied medium grey gelding. "Alfie" is the safest and best crossrails to division packer out there. He's easy to get to the ring and super brave, has an adorable jump, huge step and auto changes. Alfie absolutely loves his job and comes out ready to work every single day. Already qualified for 2027 Pony Finals! Available for L and is currently located in Birmingham, Alabama.

Contact Adam Sklansky at 609-471-4080 to set up an appointment!