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Final Up to date on: seventeenth August 2025, 12:08 am
Each June, the Mudslingers — a non-profit gymkhana horse membership I’m a part of — hosts a particular season-ending present in Southern California. This yr’s Mudslingers Summer season Showdown was the end result of a season of laborious work, the fun of competitors, and the enjoyment of group. We sit up for the particular present, celebration, and fundraiser yearly — and this yr was our greatest but.
As a founding board member of the membership, a present secretary for the occasion, and an avid horse fan and rider myself, I knew that with 65 riders, 12 occasions, and greater than $10,000 in prizes throughout three full days, I wanted a dependable associate.
That’s the place my Ford F-150 Lightning Flash truck got here in.
Seamless Towing from Secure to Present Ring
One nervousness for anybody going to a horse present is safely transporting your horse. Fortunately, my F-150 Lightning is an ideal towing associate, able to towing as much as 10,000 kilos with the accessible Max Trailer Tow Bundle. For the Mudslingers Summer season Showdown, I trailered two of our quarter horses to and from the present along with tack and feed. With horses and provides loaded up, our trailer weighs nearly 5,000 kilos.
Though I’ve been hauling horses for some time, I’ve at all times been nervous about backing up the trailer. Fortunately, Professional Trailer Backup Help helps me get it proper the primary time.
With the rearview digicam, sensors on the trailer, and a knob on the dashboard, I can management the trailer for extra exact — and far much less nerve-racking — reversing maneuvers.
“One nervousness for anybody going to a horse present is safely transporting your horse. Fortunately, my F-150 Lightning is an ideal towing associate.” —Christine Benton, F-150 Lightning proprietor
I solely towed our horses about 20 miles every approach for the occasion, from San Diego to Riverside County, however I discovered some peace of thoughts figuring out the towing bundle included a cooling property for the motors.
Plus, with an EPA-estimated 320 miles of vary for my 2024 F-150 Lightning Flash, the sturdy battery life proved greater than environment friendly for towing, working electronics, and cooling the cab every day. I merely plugged it in to cost in a single day at house and set out every morning assured I’d have the facility I wanted for the day forward.1
A Local weather-Managed Hub for Effectivity and Consolation
The climate over the weekend climbed to greater than 90 levels with the California solar beating down. As soon as once more, my F-150 Lightning got here to the rescue with the air-conditioned cab as a much-needed sanctuary.
As a present secretary, I’m often working the present from the announcer sales space, which might get windy and dusty.
The wind picks up within the afternoons in Temecula, which leaves us utilizing the whole lot we are able to to maintain papers from flying away. It additionally whips up the mud, jamming the printer and forcing us to close gear on and off a number of instances to finish our administrative duties.
This time, I arrange my laptop computer on the accessible Inside Work Floor in my F-150 Lightning and used the backseat outlet to energy a printer for schedules and outcomes. We even saved 1000’s of {dollars} in prize cash safe within the accessible heart console secure.
My fellow present secretary and I labored comfortably inside, a stark distinction to our normal battle towards the weather.
A Frunk that Goes Method Past Storage
Maybe probably the most surprising heroes of the present was the frunk, primarily on account of Professional Energy Onboard. This ingenious system successfully turns your truck right into a cell energy supply with a number of shops and electrical energy on demand.2
We used the shops and ample area within the frunk to rework it right into a key a part of our Judges Lounge, a much-appreciated resting area for our volunteer present judges.
We powered a espresso maker, a standing tower/mister fan, and a cellphone charging station. We even laid out a ramification of snacks. It was a small strategy to thank the devoted volunteers.
By the tip of the weekend, we’d awarded dozens of trophy buckles, handed out jackpot winnings, and hosted thrilling match races. It was one other unimaginable present, and individuals are already trying ahead to subsequent yr.
From hauling horses to internet hosting our judges, my F-150 Lightning performed a key function in each second. It actually is the proper workhorse, supporting and elevating no matter I select to undertake. In case you’re in search of a automobile that may match your distinctive adventures, the F-150 Lightning may very well be the one.
Christine Benton is an skilled author, horse fanatic, and F-150 Lightning proprietor. She is an govt vice chairman at Burson and works with Ford’s communications crew.
Visitor article from Ford.
1 When correctly geared up. Towing and EPA-estimated Gasoline Economic system Rankings are impartial attributes and is probably not achieved concurrently.
2 See Proprietor’s Guide for essential working directions.
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