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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 time Showdown was the fruits of a season of onerous work, the joys of competitors, and the enjoyment of group. We sit up for the particular present, celebration, and fundraiser yearly — and this yr was our largest 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 accomplice.
That’s the place my Ford F-150 Lightning Flash truck got here in.
Seamless Towing from Steady to Present Ring
One anxiousness for anybody going to a horse present is safely transporting your horse. Fortunately, my F-150 Lightning is an ideal towing accomplice, able to towing as much as 10,000 kilos with the out there Max Trailer Tow Bundle. For the Mudslingers Summer time 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 virtually 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 irritating — reversing maneuvers.
“One anxiousness for anybody going to a horse present is safely transporting your horse. Fortunately, my F-150 Lightning is an ideal towing accomplice.” —Christine Benton, F-150 Lightning proprietor
I solely towed our horses about 20 miles every manner for the occasion, from San Diego to Riverside County, however I discovered some peace of thoughts understanding the towing package deal 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 normally 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 all the things 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 out there Inside Work Floor in my F-150 Lightning and used the backseat outlet to energy a printer for schedules and outcomes. We even stored 1000’s of {dollars} in prize cash safe within the out there middle console protected.
My fellow present secretary and I labored comfortably inside, a stark distinction to our regular battle towards the weather.
A Frunk that Goes Approach Past Storage
Maybe one of the crucial sudden heroes of the present was the frunk, primarily resulting from Professional Energy Onboard. This ingenious system successfully turns your truck right into a cell energy supply with a number of retailers and electrical energy on demand.2
We used the retailers and ample house within the frunk to rework it right into a key a part of our Judges Lounge, a much-appreciated resting house 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 solution to thank the devoted volunteers.
By the top of the weekend, we’d awarded dozens of trophy buckles, handed out jackpot winnings, and hosted thrilling match races. It was one other unbelievable 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 really is the proper workhorse, supporting and elevating no matter I select to undertake. For those who’re searching for a car that may match your distinctive adventures, the F-150 Lightning could possibly be the one.
Christine Benton is an skilled author, horse fanatic, and F-150 Lightning proprietor. She is an govt vp at Burson and works with Ford’s communications group.
Visitor article from Ford.
1 When correctly geared up. Towing and EPA-estimated Gasoline Financial system Scores are unbiased attributes and is probably not achieved concurrently.
2 See Proprietor’s Handbook for necessary working directions.
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