A Family Tradition Continues at Aiken Fall Festival

Elle and Liza Boyd both have won the SCHJA Governor’s Cup Medal Final

When Elle Boyd captured the South Carolina Hunter Jumper Association’s Governor’s Cup Medal Finals, she added her name to the trophy her mother, Liza Towell Boyd, won back in 1992. Held during the Aiken Fall Festival I, September 5-8, the prestigious South Carolina final attracts a strong field, and Elle rose to the top with great rides aboard Illusion Imperio Egipcio.

“What a special class to win!” said Liza. “Thank you to Illusion’s entire team of Finally Farm, Missy Clark, Olivia Murray, Jack Hardin Towell, Lisa Towell, Cathy McEnroe and Randi Button.”

The show, held at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, proved highly successful for the Finally Farm horses and riders. They collected six championships and five reserve championships from the Green Ponies to the 3’6” Hunters with many other top ribbons in the hunters, jumpers and equitation.

Elle also piloted Glade Run Farm’s Montauk to the 3’6” Junior Hunter, 15 and under, championship with three wins over fences. In addition, she rode Ghelfi Ponies LLC’s Carrwood Skydance to reserve honors in the Green Pony Hunters with top-three ribbons in every class.

Mary Caroline Nolan and Ferrari nearly swept the Large Junior, 16-17, section, taking three blues over fences and second under saddle for the championship.

MC Nolan and Ferrari

Gigi Manigault also dominated her 3’3” Amateur-Owner, 18-35, section, winning the championship with Walk-Off and the reserve with Creekside. Gigi won every over fences class with her two special partners and picked up top-three ribbons in all but one class in total.

Girl On Fire and Frances Kelly added another tricolor to their collection when their consistent performances earned them the Small Pony Hunter championship. A highlight was their winning round in the handy class!

Emma Barsosky claimed two blues over fences and two seconds riding Sochi for the championship in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, section. They also picked up two blues in the Modified Children’s/Adult Hunters and placed third in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic for a successful week of showing.

Liza collected a handful of tricolors in the open sections. She guided Cameron Kauffman’s Camelot De Muze Z to the championship in the 3’3” Performance Hunters, Alison Thorp’s Matilda to the 2’9” USHJA Hunter reserve championship and Westerly Farm’s Bellamy to the 3’ Green Hunter reserve championship.

Daughter Adeline Boyd picked up the win in the WIHS Pony Medal aboard Sydney, and the pair also earned the Medium Pony Hunter reserve championship.

Meredith Huddle continued her great performances with her gray geldings. Aboard Bluewater, Meredith made their debut in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner section, jumping solid rounds and earning a win in the under saddle. Aboard Invitation Only, Meredith placed second in the Ariat Adult Medal with a great first round and excellent test.

Meredith Huddle and Bluewater

Meredith Huddle and Invitation Only

A Dream Derby Championships for Liza Boyd

Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z

After a break last year from competing in the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, Liza Boyd returned this year and gave notice she’s back in full force.

She piloted Crooner Brimbelles Z to the reserve championship and also picked up second place in the Classic Round with Ondine D’Orleans, owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites.

Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z

Liza just began her partnership with the talented gray earlier this year. Owned by Lauren Crooks and Crooks Show Jumping, Crooks called Boyd in May to ask her to take over the reins while she is pregnant. The 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding quickly proved how talented he is, even competing with Boyd’s daughter in the Junior Hunters.

Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z moved up to second from fifth after a stellar handy round, where they earned scores of 92, 94 and 93.

“He’s a little horse with a big heart and a big stride,” said Liza with a smile. ”I’m glad to be back in this class again. Lauren asked me to do him through Derby Finals and then we’ll see if maybe he likes that job. And he clearly does!”

Liza Boyd and Ondine D'Orleans

Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans placed second in the Classic Round, showing off their promising future in the Derby ring. Boyd began showing the chestnut mare in February, and quickly saw her as a future Derby Championships contender.

Boyd is no stranger to the pressure of the International Hunter Derby Championship—she became the first person to win the class three times from 2013-2015 aboard Brunello. Boyd is also quite accomplished in the International Hunter Derby rings being ranked as the third in lifetime rider money won in the program, cashing in a total of $690,623 with more to come of course!

To read more about Ondine D’Orleans’ history, please see this wonderful article: Ondine D’Orleans Comes Full Circle in Kentucky

Please enjoy this Derby Championship Photo Gallery from photographers Tricia Booker and Catie Staszak Media.

Blues For Bluewater at Bluegrass Festival

Meredith Huddle and Bluewater

It was a successful and fun trip to Kentucky for the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show in August. Team Finally Farm enjoyed the week at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, and returned home with great memories and many awards.

It was a winning weekend for Meredith Huddle on August 16-18 as she piloted Bluewater to top honors in the Adult Hunter, 36-49, Classic! In the equitation ring, Meredith and Invitation Only secured the blue ribbon in the THIS/NHS Adult Medal.

Meredith Huddle and Bluewater

Liza Boyd and Bluewater

Devon Junior Stars For Finally Farm

Mary Caroline Nolan and Day Won

Mary Caroline Nolan chose to horse show at Devon in lieu of attending her high school graduation, and she made it count during Junior Weekend, held May 22-26 in Devon, Pennsylvania.

MC had her most memorable Devon yet with seven ribbons including a score of 90! She piloted Golden Years, Day Won and Ferrari to ribbons in the older 3’6” Junior Hunters with fantastic trips in the famous Dixon Oval.

Golden Years, nicknamed Bowie, scored an 82 in the opening round, 86 in the handy for fifth, and a 90 in the stake for third! Ferrari scored 87 in the opening round for fifth, fourth in the flat, and an 86 in the stake for eighth. Navy (Day Won) scored an 87 in the opening round for third and was sixth in the under saddle.

Lulu Wells and Coppertone

Lulu Wells and Coppertone also had a banner Devon, taking Devon blue with the top call in the 3’3” Small Junior Hunter stake for the reserve championship.

Elle Boyd had the ride on Glade Run Farm’s lovely Large Pony Heaven’s Gift. Their impressive scores in the high 80s over fences earned them top ribbons, and they narrowly missed out on a tricolor. Special thanks to the team at Uphill Farm, Tom Wright, @laurakaret, @laksadaisical, @sixsixmitch for allowing Elle this opportunity.

Elle Boyd and Heaven’s Gift

Aiken Charity Highlights Top Performances

Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z

The two weeks of the Aiken Charity Horse Shows are always a highlight of Finally Farm’s spring season, and this year was no exception. The horses and riders rose to the occasion from the USHJA International Hunter Derby to the Small Ponies and everywhere in between, May 1-12.

Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z

The show wrapped up with the most beautiful evening during the $25,000 RBD Classic Cup USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by MeadowView Farm. Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z, owned by Crooks Show Jumping LLC, took home the win after a winning Classic Round and spectacular Handy performance.

It was a triumphant return to the derby ring winner’s circle for Liza, as she piloted the newly minted hunter Crooner Brimbells Z. Their scores in the 90s clinched the win in the highlight derby during Week 2.

Liza Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans

Liza also piloted Neill Sites and Finally Farm’s Ondine D’Orleans to top honors. They captured the show championship in the 3’6” Greens during Week 2, earning the high score of the day award for Thursday with a 93. The pair also placed second in the $25,000 Hunter Classic during Week 1.

Elle Boyd had her own success on a number of catch rides. In the jumper ranks, she piloted Meralex Farm’s Good Call to second in the 1.0/m Junior Jumper Classic. In the hunters, Glade Run Farm’s Montauk earned the reserve championship in the Small Junior Hunters and Heaven’s Gift earned the Grand Pony Hunter championship, also owned by Glade Run Farm. Thanks to @marshallcastle, @dinetteneuteboom, @laurakaret, Tom Wright, @sixsixmitch, @laksadaisical , and @kconover84 for your support of Elle!

Adeline Boyd and Stonewall Bright Light

Cameron Kauffman and her AF Strategy jumped to the 3’3'“ Small Junior Hunter reserve championship during Week 1 with consistent performances.

Adeline Boyd and Robin Greenwood’s Stonewall Bright Light won the USHJA Pony Derby during Week 1 over a top field of contenders.

Emma Barsosky had a banner show. She won the Children’s Hunter championship on Art In The Air and sped to third place in the Low Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic on new mount Malbay Dreamer.

Gigi Manigault and Wizzard Of Odds continued their great partnership in the equation ring. Their highlight was the top call in the Ariat Adult Medal during Week 2.

Gigi Manigault and Wizzard Of Odds

Mary Caroline Nolan and Day Won continued their winning streak. They took the championship in the Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, section and earned Saturday’s high score award with a 91! “‘Navy’ won three over fences classes with scores of 91, 88, and 87 to end up champion. So much love for this amazing horse!” said MC.

Lulu Wells and her own Vermillion captured the championship in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters and took the classic win during Week 2. Lulu also placed fourth in the classic on Coppertone, for a great conclusion to her show.

Lulu Wells and Vermillion

Frances Kelly and Girl On Fire scored an 87 to win the handy on their way to reserve championship honors in the Small Pony Hunters during Week 1. Brother George Kelly and new mount Francesca started their partnership off strongly with two class wins and the reserve championship in the Low Children’s Hunters during Week 1.

Meredith Huddle competed Bluewater in the Adult Amateur Hunters and Invitation Only in the Adult Equitation and also showed her talents in the USHJA National Hunter Derby during Week 1.

WEF 2004 Photo Gallery

A collection of photos from Finally Farm’s 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival Circuit. Special thanks to our clients, their families and our wonderful staff for a great winter season!

WEF Wins to Start the Winter Show Season

MC Nolan’s Ferrari and Liza Boyd earned Finally Farm’s first tricolor of the 2023 WEF season.

The Finally Farm team started out strongly during the first two weeks of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, from January 10-21.

MC Nolan’s Ferrari and trainer Liza Boyd posted the first tricolor ribbon to the Finally Farm banner with their reserve championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters. MC continued the momentum later in the week with a win and other top ribbons in the Large Junior, 3’6”, 16-17, section, resulting in another reserve tricolor. She also partnered with Golden Years to add yet more blue ribbons to the banner in the same section.

AF Strategy and Cameron Kauffman topped a Children’s Hunter, 14 and Under, over fences class and captured other excellent ribbons for a great start. Cameron also piloted Sochi to ribbons in the same section.

Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater took a win in the Young Hunter 3’3”, 7 and Under section with Liza in the irons, and the pair also posted other impressive rounds.

Liza and HH Blue Moon earned the Young Hunter 3’, 6 and under championship for Free Solo LLC and trainer Caroline McLeese with a win under saddle, over fences among other top ribbons.

Week 2 highlights included Elle Boyd’s impressive victory aboard Illusion Imperio Egipcio in the Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal.

As a bonus, Elle was interviewed and featured in the the WEF Newsletter:

Boyd Boasts Win in The Hamel Foundation / NHS 3’3” Medal

Elle Boyd and Illusion Imperio Egipcio topped The Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal

The Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal closed out competition in Ring 6 at Wellington International on Friday (January 19) with 20 entries hoping to score the highest placing. Ten entries returned to test on the flat before Elle Boyd of Camden, SC, was named the class winner. Boyd brought forward Gut Einhaus, LLC’s 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Illusion Imperio Egipcio whose experience she credits as a big part of their success.

“He’s a little bit older now, but he has taught me so much,” Boyd explained. “He was formerly a jumper, which I think helps me immensely because the equitation courses are very easy for him.”

Even with Illusion’s lengthy list of experience, Boyd spends plenty of time in the saddle at the home base for Finally Farm perfecting her technique.

“We spend a lot of time practicing more technical courses so that when we get into the ring the courses feel easier,” she added. “I think all of that hard work really shone through in our consistency today.”

Elle also picked up championship honors in the Equitation 12-14 riding Cento Chico for a banner week.

Meredith Huddle won the Ariat Adult Medal aboard Invitation Only

Equitation wins continued for Finally Farm as Meredith Huddle won the Ariat Adult Medal aboard Invitation Only with an excellent work-off performance. The pair also earned ribbons in the Adult Equitation section with more nice rounds.

Creekside and Gigi Manigualt made their presence known in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner section with consistently good rounds and ribbons. Creekside and Liza also topped a competitive open class earlier in the week as a warm-up.

Girl On Fire and Frances Kelly captured great ribbons in a competitive Small Pony Hunter section this week, taking a second place over fences with a stellar round.

Charlotte Warren had success both weeks of WEF, riding Why and Corneil to top ribbons in the Low Adult Hunters with excellent riding.

Bridget Hallman’s Mint showed great consistency in the USHJA Hunter 2’6”, First Year section, earning the reserve championship with Liza in the irons.

A Monumental Time at the Washington International

Heaven’s Gift and Lulu Wells with her under saddle blue ribbon.

The Washington International Horse Show didn’t disappoint for Finally Farm, with top ribbons and great performances throughout the week.

Highlights included Lulu Wells and Heaven’s Gift strutting to the victory in the Large Pony Hunter under saddle class over a huge field of the country’s top ponies. The judge spent divided the ponies and worked them in two groups before calling the top 12 to the rail one more time. It was then that Lulu made the most of her pony’s beautiful movement, clinching the top call.

“She hacked him really, really well!” said trainer Liza Boyd after the class concluded.

Elle Boyd and Farewell

Elle Boyd showed her catch riding talents in the Washington International Pony Equitation Finals where she rode Colin Shippam’s Farewell to seventh place. “Thank you so much @redfieldfarms and Colin for the ride on Welly,” she said. Elle also picked up a ribbon in the Medium Pony Handy class aboard Sydney in his first indoors season.

Sydney and Elle Boyd

Highlights at Harrisburg for Finally Farm

Elle Boyd and Camryn Cass’ La Vida Loca

The Finally Farm team continued their East Coast Fall Indoor shows’ winning streak during the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, October 12-22 in Harrisburg.

Elle Boyd and Camryn Cass’ La Vida Loca added to their ribbon collection by taking the $10,000 3’3” Junior Hunter Winner’s Stake. Their beautiful round earned a score of 89 for the top call. Their impressive victory followed on the heels of their reserve championship in the WCHR 3’3” Junior Hunter Challenge at the Capital Challenge a week earlier. They also picked up great ribbons in the Large Junior 3’3”, 15 and under, section to qualify for the stake class.

Elle Boyd and La Vida Loca taking the lap of honor!

Elle also piloted Finally Farm’s Sydney to ribbons in the Medium Pony Hunters, with a highlight being third over fences in a field of 34 ponies with a score of 87. Lulu Wells and her Heaven’s Gift also produced some impressive rounds, and they jogged in fourth in the Large Pony Conformation over fences class with a stellar score of 87.

MC Nolan and her Golden Years

MC Nolan had a great week in Harrisburg, as well. She earned a ribbon in every class aboard Day Won in the Small Junior, 16-17, section and produced great rounds and scores with Ferrari and Golden Years jumping beautifully.

A sixth placed, double-clear finish in the $10,000 Adult Jumper Classic on MTM Axel was the cherry on top to a wonderful week for Meredith Huddle at her Harrisburg debut. Meredith also competed Cadir 5 in the Adult Jumpers.

Lulu Wells with her Heaven’s Gift

Meredith Huddle and MTM Axel

Rising to the Challenge at Capital Challenge

La Vida Loca and Elle Boyd

The Finally Farm team took the Capital Challenge by storm, taking tricolors and top ribbons throughout the show, September 28-October 8 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Considered the kick-off of the East Coast Fall Indoor circuit, the show is arguably one of the most competitive in the country. Despite the tough competition, Finally Farm riders rose to the challenge!

Highlights included Elle Boyd riding Camryn Cass’ La Vida Loca to reserve championship honors in the WCHR 3’3” Junior Challenge with scores 84.25, 87 and 86.25. At age 14, Elle was one of the youngest riders in the field of competitive junior hunter riders from throughout the country and in her debut year at the 3’3” height.

Earlier in the week, Elle also earned ribbons with the Rein Family’s Allegro T in the 13 & 14 Year Old Equitation section and placed 12th in the THIS Medal Finals. She also rode Illusion Imperio Egipcio to 15th in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final-East for a great first equitation finals experience.

Day Won and Liza Boyd

MC Nolan’s Day Won impressed the judges in the Green Hunter 3’6” section, earning the reserve show championship honors in Section A with Liza Boyd aboard. They picked up two second places over fences and a sixth in the under saddle for the tricolor. Over the weekend, MC and Day Won continued the momentum, placing in every class, with a highlight being their third in the stake.

Day Won and MC Nolan

Aboard Ferrari, MC placed 12th in the WCHR 3’6” Junior Challenge, and they also earned great ribbons in the Large Junior, 16-17, section over the weekend.

Liza and MC’s Golden Years jumped to 12th in the WCHR Professional Challenge on Wednesday, and MC rode Golden Years to excellent ribbons later in the week in the Large Junior, 16-17, section.

Creekside and Gigi Manigualt

Gigi Manigualt and Creekside shined in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner, 18-35, section, with multiple ribbons over fences. The pair also captured eighth in the WCHR 3’3” Amateur-Owner Challenge with an excellent round that scored in the mid-80s from all three panels of judges.

Girl On Fire and Frances Kelly were on fire in the WCHR Pony Challenge, picking up an impressive eighth place as the only Small Pony in the top 12. Close behind was Lulu Wells and Heaven’s Gift, with a 10th place ribbon fluttering on their bridle as the joined in the victory gallop. George Kelly and Loafer’s Lodge Melody also enjoyed great rounds in the Medium Ponies.

Adeline Boyd and Falling Moon’s Huckleberry earned scores in the 80s all week to get jogs in every Small Pony Hunter class out of 40+ ponies. Thanks to Glade Run Farm for sharing Huck!

Cameron Kauffman competed Sochi and AF Strategy in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, section, where the put in some very nice performances.

Girl On Fire and Frances Kelly

Liza also picked up the ride on Irene Neuwirth’s Coconut Grove, and the pair placed 10th in the Kask/Vogel Green Hunter North American Championship. In addition, they earned top ribbons in the 3’3” Green Hunters together, including a second in the stake. Liza also guided Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater to 12th in the NA Championship and collected excellent ribbons in the 3’ Green Hunters to qualify for the Championship. She also rode Elle Gibbs’ Lincoln in the 3’ Green Hunter, 6 and under, with great ribbons over fences.

Over in the Jumper ring, Meredith took her own victory gallop after placing seventh in the highly competitive $10,000 NAL Adult Amateur Jumper Finals aboard MTM Axel with a double-clear effort over very challenging courses.

MTM Axel and Meredith Huddle

A special highlight for Liza was reuniting with her childhood friend, Teddi Jo Mellencamp Arroyave, and showing her horse, Definitely. Trainer Archie Cox made it even more fun by recording the “competition” on Instagram between Liza and Teddi Jo for the highest scores aboard Definitely during the week. His videos captured the attention of thousands of people throughout the country who enjoyed the antics and entertaining commentary throughout the show. Special thanks to Archie for making this Capital Challenge an especially memorable one!

Please enjoy this gallery of photos from our great show!