Geno Middleton

07/30/2025

📣 In Memory of Keith Mizer

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Keith Mizer, a true legend in the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse community. Keith was more than a farrier—he was a teacher, mentor, friend, and lifelong advocate for our breed.

A proud MFTHBA Hall of Fame member, Keith served as the association’s official farrier for many years. Many will remember the sound of his hammer ringing from the farrier shed on the Ava showgrounds—named in his honor, a tribute to the lasting impact he made.

Keith’s work took him across the country, where he shod thousands of Missouri Fox Trotters and generously shared his expertise with others. He was always willing to answer a question, lend a hand, or take a young horseman under his wing.

His legacy will live on through the horses he touched, the farriers he taught, and the countless lives he influenced.

Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends during this time.

To read Keith’s full obituary, please visit:
🔗 https://www.shadelscolonialchapel.com/obituary/kenneth-keith-mizer

06/07/2025

We are doing a count down to our TOP 5 Trainers of the year!!!

Help us congratulate our 1st place….

🪶🪶 Geno Middleton 🪶🪶

The Trainer of the Year award was established to recognize the achievements of professional horsemen and women involved with the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed. Trainers earn points based on the horses they have in training. These points are awarded according to placements in point classes at two shows sponsored by the MFTHBA. In the future, if other organizations host MFTHBA point shows, the point classes from those shows will also count toward this award.

The MFTHBA appreciates all the equine professionals dedicated to the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse.

Trainer of the Year Award Results:
1. Geno Middleton
2. Dallee Dodson
3. Erin Patterson
4. Brad Huffman
5. David Ogle

05/08/2025

1967 - Joe DOBBS of Lebo Route, West Plains, MO is shown with his favorite registered Fox Trot Palomino mare Golden Lady. She won many ribbons in many horse shows. Joe raised and trained show horses to sell.

03/22/2025

01/14/2025

12/31/2024

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – The Blue and Gold Tournament ends Monday with two lucky seniors winning a scholarship. That scholarship is $2,000 from the Logan Middleton Scholarship Award. To qualify, an…

10/01/2024

Repost from 2023…. STILL THIS!!! ❤️❤️❤️

👉It’s not about anyone’s opinion. It’s not about winning. It’s about growing. If you’re struggling to tell yourself this. Just show up anyways.

👉You might be the person that lost your heart horse and you’re struggling to find the right fit, and you’re getting frustrated, tired, and you question yourself.

👉You might be bringing up a young horse, and every time you think he’s ready, you mess up, but you come back again.

👉 👉🏻👉🏻You might have overheard somebody say something you didn’t want to hear. And you might have taken it like a shot straight to the heart.(this one hits home)

👉You might be the person that came out of nowhere and blew everyone away. 👏Little do they know you have been working for YEARS. And you think no one saw you then.👏

You might be all of them.

No ones opinion matters. No buckle, trophy, ribbon, or check matters. Nothing matters if you are not there because you love your horse. Because you have a deep love for the sport. Because you get on your horse every day to grow. To make them better. To make yourself better.

You are there because you love it. People talk bad if you lose, and they talk bad if you win. Those aren’t your people.

When you think no one sees you. They do.

All those scenarios I mentioned. I’ve seen them. And I’ve been a lot of them.

When you think no one sees you. Somebody does. I see you. I see you try. I see you struggle. I see you grow.

Never give it up.

Stay strong for that one person that isn’t sure if they want to keep going. They’re watching you. They’re counting on you.

But not to win. They’re counting on you to show up anyways. To not lose heart.

If you think I’m talking about you. I am. I’m talking about those people I’ve seen for years. And the one’s just starting out.

Be encouraged because someone keeps going because you kept going. Because of you, I show up anyways. Because of you I can’t give up.

I said it at the start and I’ll say it again. This is not for the faint of heart.

Stole this from facebook but it’s my photo.