Nineteen-year-old Madison Fussell, of Waxahachie, Texas, got her start showing horses because her mother and grandmother were so deeply involved in the sport. But over time, she has come to realize that something keeps her coming back.

“It’s something I am so passionate about and it keeps you humble,” she said. “It has taught me how to be humble but also confident because there is a reward for the blood, sweat, and tears you put into it. You have so many people who support you and look up to you even if you don’t know it. That’s why I show. I show because I love it and it has matured me in ways I didn’t know I could mature anymore.”

Under the guidance of Texas trainers Brad Ost and Troy Lehn, Fussell has been competing this year with two very special horses. Good At Da Bar is a 2014 gelding by Good I Will Be and out of Zippos Enchantment. Madison has been showing him in Youth Equitation, Western Riding, Hunter Under Saddle and her younger sister, Camden is just starting her career and is showing “Scoot” in Hunter Under Saddle and Showmanship. Then there’s Ramblin Mann (Cody), a 2013 gelding by VS Code Red out of Potential Advantage. Madison competes with him in Western Riding, Trail, Horsemanship and Showmanship.

Madison loves to watch Horsemanship or Trail classes because she says you never see the same thing twice – it’s always different. But you might not be able to guess in which class she most likes to compete.

“Surprisingly Western Riding is probably my favorite class now and I just started it this year,” she said. “It helps when you have horses that loves doing it!”

Madison has been riding for over 16 years. She says she born into the show life as her grandparents bred Halter horses and showed in Cutting events.

“My mom was the one that got involved in the all-around events and got me involved too,” she explained. “She wasted no time getting me involved because as a toddler I was in my portable play pen in the arena while she rode.”

Her first success came at the Reichert Celebration where she won several different Small Fry classes on a leased horse by the name of The One To See.

“Ever since then there has been no stopping me,” she admitted.

Over the next years, Madison competed with several horses but a couple that were extra special were Bling And Blue Jeans and her most recent show partner, Good Ridin Machine (Ike). Bling And Blue Jeans, a sorrel AQHA helped Madison capture Top 5 placings at the Congress in Western Pleasure and Trail and helped her transition into the 14-18 Youth Division.

“We accomplished a lot together,” Madison said.

Good Ridin Machine, a bay gelding by A Good Machine and out of Impulsive Debutante, was Madison’s mom, Rebecca’s horse first but helped her win her first Congress Championship – in 12-14 Youth Hunter Under Saddle in 2017.

This year she and Good At Da Bar won the Level 1 Trail 14-18 at the AQHA Youth World Show.

Up until that, Madison said her Congress win was her biggest accomplishment in the show pen but that she is equally proud of placing sixth at the AQHA Youth World Show in Level 3 Western Riding; placing first and third in Novice Youth Western Riding at the NSBA World Show and second in the 14-18 Trail.

Madison graduated from The Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas in 2020 and is currently a sophomore at Oklahoma State University, where she is a member of the Equestrian Team.

There are many people who have supported Madison along the way but she said that if she had to pick one or two people who are like heroes to her it would have to be her parents.

“My dad always goes above and beyond to support us and works his butt off day and night,” she said. “He just recently signed papers allowing me to change my last name to his. It means a lot to me to have the last name Fussell because, even though he’s not my biological father, he acts like he is. He has stepped in and done everything for me since I was 2 years old. I couldn’t even imagine where my life would be without him, and there aren’t enough ‘thank yous for him! I know my mom can say the same. He’s a literal super hero! My mom, Rebecca obviously helps me convince him to go to shows but also always has my back and is the best show mom ever. She’s always there encouraging me and giving me the confidence I need before I go into the pen. I couldn’t have accomplished anything without either of them.”

Youth Profiles are part of InStride Edition’s editorial content. If you know someone who would make a good subject for a youth profile email Corrine Borton, Editor, at: CorrineBorton@InStrideEdition.com.