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Adversity can be followed by greatness.

Madison Farrar was reminded of that by her parents for an entire week.

Then she turned the adage into reality.

The Kingfisher Middle School seventh grader staked her claim as one of the state’s best young riders earlier this month when she and a borrowed thoroughbred, The Big Easy, won the grand championship at the 2020 Fall Finale.

The event was hosted Dec. 4-6 by the Hunter Jumper Exhibitors of Oklahoma (HJEO) at the Expo Square in Tulsa.

The daughter of Josh and Mellissa Farrar and Jerod and Keri Johnston, Madison won the event’s top prize despite some major setbacks, including having to adjust to a new horse just days before heading to Tulsa.

Success isn’t new to Madison.

She’s been riding competitively for five years in the English hunt ring and, along with her horse Cadencia, was leading the year-end point standings for the HJEO and the Oklahoma Hunter Jumper Association (OHJA).

“They are a phenomenal duo and have a deep bond,” said Madison’s mother, Keri.

Their success together came despite Cadencia suffering a torn suspensorybranch on her back left leg in February 2019. A suspensorybranch is aligament which runs down the back of the cannon bone, then divides into two branches that connect to the sesamoid bones at the back of the fetlock at the bottom of a horse’s leg.

It’s a common injury for equine jumpers and can be career ending.

However, after surgery and six months’ rest, Cadencia made a triumphant return and joined Madison in winning multiple blue ribbons and grand champion titles.

This all led up to the Fall Finale, a three-day event where riders had to manage different courses that included detailed patterns while also displaying control of their horse.

Madison was competing in the hunter division, which is judged on both the rider and the horse. Horses are judged on several aspects, including hunting pace, movement, style of jumping and manners.

Riders are judged on their equitation, ability to communicate and control their mount with invisible aids and ability to execute the questions posed on the course. Riders are given one minute to memorize the course prior to entering the arena for each event.

With all of that looming, Madison’s chances to even took a blow.

Just three days prior to the event, a veterinarian came to examine Cadencia after she appeared to be lame.

An exam and an ultrasound revealed a torn front left suspensory branch.

The mare would eventually heal, but would never jump again.

“Hearing the news of another severe injury three days before the Fall Finale was completely devastating,” Keri said.

“In just a second, Madison was without a horse for the show and also had to swallow the news that this was a career-ending injury.”

Madison trains two to three times a week with Melissa Lesseg at the Cadence Equestrian Center in Edmond.

Knowing she couldn’t let Madison miss the Fall Finale, Lesseg offered her thoroughbred, The Big Easy.

Not only was The Big Easy a different horse, he was a bigger one. Cadencia is 16.2 hands.

“At 17.1 hands, The Big Easy is every bit of big,” Keri said.

But the stakes were high because time was short. Madison and The Big Easy had just one chance to work together before being Tulsa-bound.

“Madison climbed on him for one lesson and they meshed together perfectly,” Keri said.

“Her nerves were shaken and heart was broken, but she was determined to ride at the show and dedicate the weekend to Cadencia.”

The two continued their quick bond in Tulsa as they competed in several different courses over three days and sailed through each one with ease.

The points were piling up and Madison’s ribbon collection was growing.

And the grand champion was within grasp.

Then came the next round of adversity.

Before Madison’s last two rounds on the final day, she earned a bonus jump-off.

During the jump-off, The Big Easy took a long jump and Madison took a nasty fall off the horse.

“She didn’t get hurt,” said Josh, her father. “She was embarrassed.”

Madison had time to worry about neither as she instantly had to be in the next arena for her final two courses.

“She went in focused and determined, and I think the whole arena felt it,” Keri said.

Madison and The Big Easy captured a first and second in the events.

The points earned were enough for her to win the grand championship.

Soon after, Madison returned home to Kingfisher and The Big Easy to Edmond.

Cadencia has made her move home to Kingfisher as well, has settled in and is stall rest.

“She is getting lots of attention and spoiling,” Keri said.

The injury won’t require surgery at this time, but she will be on stall rest for three months before slowly being turned out in a small paddock where she can move a bit more.

At around eight to 10 months, she can slowly start light work under the saddle.

“She will never jump again, but Madison will be able to ride her around and just enjoy retirement with her,” Keri said.

That doesn’t mean Madison’s career is done.

“We’re on the hunt for the next horse,” Josh said.

No matter her future successes, Madison will always have the weekend she won the grand championship with The Big Easy, but for Cadencia.

“It was an amazing experience and moment for everyone involved,” Keri said.

One that almost didn’t happen, but Madison, with some assists from family and trainers, persevered.

“Madison was reminded all weekend that after adversity comes greatness and it definitely did.”