Rancho Pampa

04/29/2026

Two incredible weeks at the Aiken Spring Classic at Highfields—exactly why this season in Aiken is so special.

Zahara, beautifully ridden by Ivy Bonds (thank you Team Highfields!), claimed Champion in the 3’6” Junior Hunters and finished Circuit Champion in the 3'6 juniors —an exceptional showing for a mare who continues to deliver at the highest level.

Emma Videla and her pony Smoke Tree Knight Ryder absolutely dominated, earning Champion in the Pony Jumpers both weeks… and making it very clear he thinks the bigger tracks are calling.

Pasionario, piloted by Liza Cram, stepped confidently into new territory—earning a second in the NHS adult medal and contesting his first National Derby with style.

“Silver White” ( ) put in consistently beautiful rounds in the greens with Martin and the Adults with Liza Cram and Kristine Somers bringing home a collection of top ribbons and continuing to develop into a standout prospect.

Lee Evans delivered strong, consistent rounds in the Greens and 3’6” Juniors, highlighted by first place in the super competitive juniors.

Dresden NPF, owned by Holly Balasis, was Reserve Champion in the Baby Greens—an exciting young horse with a bright future.

Leon had lovely rounds in the .80m jumpers, including a second place finish with Kristine , while RF Le Coeur also ridden by Kristine Sommers, produced polished rounds in the Adult Hunters.

Jordan Lee Burton & his own "Celebratory" had gorgeous rounds in the Baby Greens with wonderful consistent results over both weeks!

So proud of this entire group—horses, riders, and team. This is what building a program is all about.



Next Stop - ACHS!

04/12/2026

Who is looking for an incredible mare? 7 YO, small jr sized. 1.20 experience prior to import. Just started her hunter career. In the ribbons at every show. Reserve champion in the baby greens at TerraNova. Champion in the adults at March Madness, Reserve champion in the greens at Tryon. Click on pic below for all her info.

Horses and Ponies for sale, Silver White - Argentinian Warmblood - Hunter - Horse For Sale in SC, USA

03/27/2026

There are horse shows… and then there is the Aiken Horse Show in the Woods.

Last night felt like stepping back in time—an old-school hunter course set on grass in the Hitchcock Woods. We are so proud to share that Martin and Zahara won the first Hitchcock Hunter Invitational with a score of 90. Martin also won male leading riding award and we won the groom's award as well!

Huge thank you to everyone who made this possible:

Debbie Snyder for co-owning Zahara with us and believing in her every step of the way.

Our Rancho Pampa barn family for showing up and cheering!

Andrew Chew Ellis, Brian Lockabill, John Abbot, the judges and all the volunteers who put on this show - we appreciate your hard work so much!

The Hitchcock Woods Foundation for preserving the Woods and hosting one of the most unique and iconic shows in the country

Class sponsors Lim Berkowitz, Shapley Products and Jean Bickley

Additional sponsors Tracey Miller and Oak Manor Saddlery for the halter, Aiken County Farm Supply for the beautiful blanket
Lionel Smith for the best male rider award, Shapleys for the grooming supplies, Aiken Horse Park, Highfields Equus Events for their continued support of our sport and all the other sponsors!

Moments like this are why we do it—the horses, the setting, the tradition, and the people who make it all so special.

03/24/2026

Zahara ✨

A standout winter season for this exceptional mare—consistently delivering in top company from start to finish.

Top ribbons in every 3’6” Green Hunter class at TerraNova, a 5th place finish in the National Derby, followed by continued success at WEC and good ribbons in 3'6 greens.

She closed out March Madness at Highfields with top results in both the 3’6” Greens and Junior Hunters—highlighting her consistency, quality, and presence in the ring.

✨ Offered for sale or lease to an approved show program.

03/17/2026

Winter Circuit Recap – Pasionario

Pasionario had a fantastic winter season, beginning in the 3’3 Green Hunters at TerraNova, where he put in consistent, confident rounds and continued to develop beautifully. He then headed to WEC, where he stepped into his first Hunter Derby, delivering lovely rounds and gaining valuable experience in the ring. He also did the greens and was shown beautifully by his co-owner Beverly in the under saddle.

The circuit wrapped up back home in Aiken at March Madness, where Pasionario finished on a high note—jumping around the greens with Martin and ridden in the u/s by Beverly and winning both the USEF Adult Medal and the THIS/NHS Adult Medal with Liza Cram catch riding. A wonderful end to a successful winter and an exciting sign of what’s ahead for this talented horse.

03/12/2026

Winter Season Recap – Lee Evans DLB

Lee Evans DLB had a fantastic winter season, starting with beautiful rounds in the 3’6 hunters at TerraNova that set the tone for a successful circuit. He then headed to WEC, where he continued to shine with great trips in the 3’6 Green Hunters with Martin, while also stepping into the Low Children’s Hunters on a successful show lease, earning ribbons in a huge class with his junior rider. Huge congrats to her!

Back home in Aiken, Lee kept the momentum going at March Madness II at Highfields, finishing Reserve Champion in the 3’6 Green Hunters with Martin and Reserve Champion in the 3’6 Junior Hunters with junior rider Ivy Bonds. Thank you Ivy for such wonderful rides!

Lee Evans DLB is available for lease to an approved show program and ready to step right back into the ring. ✨

03/01/2026

🐎 Working Student / Junior Show Rider Opportunity — Rancho Pampa (Aiken, SC)

Rancho Pampa is seeking a motivated and talented junior rider to join our competitive hunter/jumper program in Aiken, South Carolina.

This is an excellent opportunity for a dedicated young rider looking to gain quality show mileage and professional program experience in a supportive, high-performance barn environment.

Role Includes:
• Showing sale and client horses in the 3’ - 3’6” divisions
• Riding and helping develop quality young and sales horses
• Assisting with daily barn operations including feeding, grooming, riding and farm chores
• Opportunity for consistent training and ring exposure
• Learning within a professional hunter/jumper program

✅ Ideal Candidate:
• Confident and competitive in the 3’+ hunters/equitation
• Soft, effective rider with strong flatwork fundamentals
• Positive attitude and strong work ethic
• Team-oriented and dependable
• Valid driver’s license required
• Show experience required

📍 Location: Aiken, South Carolina
🏇 Program: Rancho Pampa — Hunter/Jumper Training & Sales

Serious inquiries only. Please message or email Martin with riding video and experience. Housing provided. We can work with juniors that are studying online to arrange a schedule that works for classes! Perfect for those on a gap year.

⸻
Pic of one of the horses looking for her junior rider!!

02/28/2026

Congratulations are in order! Debbie Snyder beautiful imported mare China Cove has officially found her new home! 💫

A heartfelt thank you to Connie Lena for trusting Rancho Pampa and for your professionalism — always a pleasure to work together!

Wishing China Cove and her new connections much success and happiness ahead 🌟

02/04/2026

For Sale or Lease - Zahara is a stunning 8-year-old imported Argentine sport horse mare with the talent, scope, and experience to take a junior or amateur rider confidently into the show ring. Currently competing successfully in the 3’6” Green/Jr Hunters, she was 4th out of 28 in her first National Derby. Zahara has also done equitation classes with a junior.

For Lease - Lee Evans DLB. Lee is a 9 YO Dutch Warmblood currently showing in the 3'6 greens and champion at his last show. He is a beautiful mover with an easy rhythm, classic hunter style and quality that stands out in the ring. He has been shown successfully in the 3'3 jrs, adults and had done a national Derby. Preference for in-barn lease.

Both are available to be tried at Terra Nova from 2/9 - 2/15 and at WEC from 2/16-2/22. Contact Martin at [email protected] for more info!

01/15/2026

✨ A Winning Week for Rancho Pampa ✨

So proud of our horses, riders, and owners after an incredible showing in the hunter and jumper rings at the Aiken Winter Classic — highlights below 👇

🏆 Lee Evans (owned by Darlene Straub) — Champion in the 3’6” Green Hunters, delivering consistent, polished rounds. Lee is

🌟 Zahara — Put in beautiful trips in the 3’6” Greens and finished 3rd in the WEC Cup, her first time stepping into a big equitation class. A standout debut. Zahara is ready for her new owner and is or

💫 Handyarado (owned by Debbie Snyder, ridden by Ivy Bonds) — Champion in the large combined juniors 3'6 & 3rd in the Derby Champion. This unicorn is

🎖 Classic Siri (bred by Rancho Pampa, owned & ridden by Dini Jones) — Reserve Champion in the adults with lovely performances all week.

🐴 Smoke Tree Knight Ryder — Owned and ridden by Emma Videla, jumping double clean rounds, earning Pony Jumper Champion, and officially qualified for Pony Finals!

🌿 Passionario — Beautiful, confident rounds in the 3’3” Green Hunters.

🎉 Celebratory (owned by Jordan Burton) — Champion in the Baby Greens at her first rated show. What a debut!

Grateful for an amazing team, exceptional horses, and owners who make it all possible. Onward and upward! ✨🐎