By Total Sports Quinte
CASTLETON, ON — “Seasons over! Those two words wrapped up an unforgettable 2026 RAM Rodeo regular season for the tight-knit family at PGF Equine (Pine Grove Farms). What began as a summer adventure of entering a few local shows for fun quickly transformed into a historic, buckle-winning circuit run for the Castleton-based facility, propelled by the relentless support of coaches Lenore Partridge and Cierra VanUden.
For the moms watching from the fence lines, the summer was an exhausting, expensive blur of 4:00 AM alarms, muddy trailers, and up to eight-hour round trips. But as the dust settles on the regular season, the sacrifices have proven worth every mile.
The Great English-to-Western Crossover
The biggest storyline of PGF’s season was the incredible transformation of its junior riders, who seamlessly made the leap from the structured world of English hunter/jumper rings into the gritty adrenaline of the barrel path.
Finleigh Agnew, riding a leased horse named Sophie, shocked the circuit by transitioning from a successful little hunter/jumper to a natural-born barrel racer. In just three major event appearances this season, the dynamic duo found themselves placing and “in the money” an incredible four times.
Meanwhile, teammate Aislynn Agnew took on the ultimate horsewoman’s challenge with her “heart horse,” Tilly. A mare that has journeyed from the racetrack to the hunter/jumper rings, Tilly was introduced to the three-barrel pattern just two months ago. Rather than chasing immediate paycheques, Aislynn focused the season on pure exposure—introducing Tilly to the high-intensity atmosphere of local fairs, roaring crowds, and rodeo bulls. The hard work paid off in spades, proving the doubters wrong and establishing the duo as a serious force to be reckoned with for next season.
Milestone Moments at the Tweed Stampede
The pinnacle of the summer came under the stadium lights at the Tweed Stampede & Jamboree, where PGF Equine proudly hosted the Friday Fast Cash Showdown.
The evening kicked off with a profound display of PGF team pride during the opening ceremonies, as Audrey delivered a stunning live rendition of the National Anthem while Aislynn Agnew had the distinct honour of carrying the flag horseback. Piloting her “heart horse” Tilly—a gritty mare that has transitioned seamlessly from the racetrack to the hunter/jumper rings, and now to the barrel path—Aislynn blockaded any past competitive pressure, running with absolute joy under the stadium lights. Despite Tilly only being introduced to the three-barrel pattern two months prior, the duo handled the high-intensity rodeo environment of flashing lights and roaring crowds like seasoned veterans, proving to the entire local circuit that they are a rising force to be reckoned with.
Following the opening ceremonies, it was time to race, and the momentum only grew as the junior riders entered their very first barrel competition in a true rodeo environment. Finleigh Agnew, making her official barrel racing debut, put on a spectacular performance aboard Sophie—a fantastic little horse leased from Liz. Transitioning beautifully from her successful roots as a hunter/jumper, Finleigh guided Sophie through a blistering, confident run to place 3rd in the competitive 3D division, securing her first-ever official paycheque and marking an incredible milestone for her rookie season. Over the course of the broader schedule, this powerhouse pair competed in three events and finished in the money an astonishing four times.
Chasing the Dream: Sydney Willdig Heads to Finals
While the green horse-and-rider combinations were mastering their mechanics, PGF’s Sydney Willdig and her powerhouse horse, TT, were busy putting together a legendary championship run.
Backed by Lenore Partridge—who handled entries, hauled trailers, and stayed overnight at venues to ensure the team was ready—Sydney fought her way through 12 of the 15 regular-season RAM Rodeos. Her regular season at a glance reads like a veteran’s resume: 9 victory laps, 2 championship buckles, a 6th-place overall finish in Barrel Racing, and the coveted 1st-place overall title in Pole Bending. Sydney and TT have officially qualified for the RAM Rodeo Finals in both events.
“More Than Money and Ribbons”
Beyond the championship blankets and cash prizes, the true victory for the PGF family has been the profound personal growth of the riders.
“Thank you for making them feel seen, heard, and valued,” one PGF mother shared in an emotional tribute to Lenore and Cierra. “Thank you for showing them that competing is about so much more than money and ribbons. It’s about having fun, being part of a team, making memories, and enjoying the journey.”
With the trailers parked back in Northumberland County and Tilly waiting patiently in her stall, the PGF Equine family is already looking ahead to the upcoming Finals—and the promise of an even bigger winter training season in the dirt.