Photo courtesy of Kristen Clement Photography

Sleeping Fox Farm, LLC was founded in 2004 by Gary and Angie Francart, originally as a training and breeding facility for warmblood sport horses. In 2006, they began the Thoroughbred rescue to fulfill their passion of helping give a second chance to ex-racehorses and young Thoroughbreds.

Gary and Angie have dedicated their life’s work to providing a quality rescue program for selected Thoroughbreds, as well as top notch horses for show, pleasure, breeding, therapy programs and more. At Sleeping Fox Farm the horses’ well-being always comes first and each horse gets the individualized attention they need.

The organization is not only committed to providing each and every horse they take in the ability to thrive, but to help find the best match possible with potential adopters. Sleeping Fox Farm strives to provide a positive and friendly atmosphere for both horse and rider. Please feel free to contact us about any aspect of our business.

TEAM SLEEPING FOX FARM

• Angie Francart: Angie's main focus is her rescue work and eventing. Angie started her equine career at the young age of five years old when her mother purchased her a pony whom she competed and rode on the hunter/jumper circuit until she was nine.  Her family also ran a riding school in Bethesda, Maryland and bred Arabians.  At the age of 9, Angie began competing her 4 year-old Arabian stallion Duke and took him on to win at the National and Canadian National-levels in Park and Mounted Native Costume. Angie rode Duke for his entire career until he was retired at the age of 19.  Angie has personally trained all of her competition horses, except Bird who joined the competition string later in life. By day, Angie is also a registered nurse and specializes in surgical leadership.  After completing nursing school Angie started a family and returned back to raising and training horses 11 years ago when she and Gary purchased Sleeping Fox Farm with a goal of breeding and raising warmblood sport horses. In 2006, their first foals were born, Lion and Lyric. Shortly after they also received their first OTTB Baby and she is considered the farms foundation mare. In 2007 Angie turned her focus to eventing and now works with Daniel, Katie, Stephanie, and Shannon. In addition, Angie and Gary have attended regular clinics with Boyd Martin, Sharon White, and Timothy Bourke. Angie is currently competing Bird at the Training level with goals of reaching the Preliminary-level. Angie holds an Associate and Bachelor’s degree in nursing and a Masters degree in health care administration along with her doctoral work in health care administration.

• Gary Francart: Gary began his equine career when Angie and Gary bought the farm in 2004.  He quickly mastered the techniques and skills required to actively engage in competition in both eventing and dressage. Gary’s first horse Bucky was rescued prior to the purchase of the farm and lived with Angie’s parents for a year.  Gary’s mare Ali was purchased for him in 2006 and was trained and shown for several years until Gary also sought out an OTTB.  Gary is currently the principle business partner/owner/manager of Sleeping Fox Farm and is competing with his OTTB at the Novice-level.  Gary also works as a national business practice manager for a software finance organization as well as managing day to day activities of the farm.
• Stephanie Sills:  Stephanie grew up in Vermont riding under Advanced-level eventer John Bourgoin's guidance.  At the age of 15 she found her horse Bird and competed him through the Intermediate-level of eventing before deploying with the United States Military. Since then Stephanie has worked for Advanced-level eventers including Jenn Simmons and Sharon White. She also has trained multiple green and off-the-track horses by introducing them to eventing before selling them. Stephanie is the principle trainer for Sleeping Fox Farm and is currently developing and competing many young Thoroughbreds in the sport of eventing.
• Daniel Clasing: Daniel got his start in eventing at a young age in Maryland under the tutelage of Ann McKay. She also bred both of his Advanced-Level event horses, Yardley and Houston. He started eventing seriously at the age of 13, training with Packy McGaughan, and later with Phillip Dutton. His early career highlights include winning the Virginia CCI*, Team Bronze at the NAYRC CCI*, and a solid Intermediate and Advanced campaign with Yardley. Dan is proud of the fact that he has brought all of his horses up the levels, usually doing the saddle breaking and continuing the education all the way to the top of the sport.                                                                                                                      Sleeping Fox Farm is proud to announce that our stallion Lion is in training with, and being campaigned by Daniel. This is their second season together and Lion is progressing very nicely under Daniel’s care.  Dan and Lion are currently competing at the CCI1* level of eventing and doing very well! Daniel is also working with many other Sleeping Fox Farm horses in the competition arena. You can learn more about Daniel by visiting: www.danielclasingeventing.com. 
• Katie Wherley: Katie began her riding career at the age of seven, while attending summer camp at Butler School. She then joined Seneca Valley Pony Club, from which she graduated with an 'A' rating at age 19. Katie later began competing in USEA (then the USCTA) Recognized Horse Trials at the age of 12 and quickly progressed to the Preliminary level by age 14 and Intermediate level by age 20. Recently, Katie has competed her current upper-level horse, Mr. Indiscretion, aka "Trip," to the Advanced-level of eventing and is enjoying every minute of it! When not competing at the upper-level herself, Katie can be found teaching a variety of students all around AREA II, including Angie & Gary as she works closely with Angie to fine tune her eventing skills as she moves up the levels. You can learn more about Katie by visiting: http://www.katiewherley.com.

• Shannon Bossung: Shannon has earned her USDF Bronze and Silver Medals and is currently working towards her Gold. She has competed and is trained up through FEI Grand Prix in Dressage, and has trained horses to that level. Shannon has trained with Bruno Greber, Wendy Murdoch, Bob Orton, and other noted trainers throughout her riding career. She has competed in various disciplines including eventing, hunt racing, fox hunting, Arabian and Andalusian breed shows in various categories, and competitive trail. Her experience also includes training, preparing, and competing stallions. Shannon has worked with horses in many capacities throughout her life, and has learned to appreciate horses of many different breeds, temperaments, and disciplines. She understands that every horse and rider is different. Shannon has a wide variety of skill building options and communication strategies that help her impart the mechanics of riding in a language that each rider will be able to assimilate.