Aiken December Classics Kicks Off Our New Year

The Finally Farm team enjoyed great fun and riding during the Aiken December Classics, held at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, South Carolina. It was the start of what’s expected to be a banner new show season for Finally Farm!

What a week for Frances Kelly at the Aiken December Classic II. Frances piloted Glasgow to champion in the Low Children’s Hunter division with three wins, a second, and a third! In the Small Pony Hunter division, Frances claimed the reserve championship with Girl On Fire with a win over fences among other great ribbons.

Gigi Manigault and Illusion Imperio Egipcio

From the hunters to equitation, Gigi Manigault had a successful show and continue her consistent results. In the hunter ring, Gigi earned top ribbons with Creekside in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35 division, including a blue and red. Gigi also took over the reins on Illusion Imperio Egipcio for the past two weeks to claim a first and second in the Ariat Medal as well as a second and fourth in the THIS/NHS Adult Medal.

Emma Barsosky stepped up to the Junior Hunter 3’3” division in style! Aboard AF Strategy she earned two blues and two thirds in the Small Junior Hunter 3’3” to capture the reserve championship.

In the jumper ring, Emma claimed fourth place with Malbay Dreamer in the 1.0m Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. Congratulations, Emma!

Mary Caroline Nolan jumped to two tricolors to start the year out right. Riding Golden Years, MC claimed the championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 18-35 with a win, two seconds, and a third in the division! MC also secured reserve champion aboard Ferrari in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” division. The pair claimed three blues and also won the Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic!

Taylor Bodson and Casario secured the reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36 and Over section. The duo earned two blues and two seconds in the division as well as second in the Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic!

Elle Boyd had a super weekend in the equitation ring when she piloted Cato 90 to second in the ASPCA Maclay. A huge thank you to North Run for sharing this special horse with us!

George Kelly made his Children’s Hunter debut one to remember! Riding Glasgow, George earned three wins in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and Under, section to claim championship honors! The pair also won the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic as a bonus!

This new partnership is also looking good! In their first class together, Meredith Huddle and Carnac 219 produced two fault-free efforts in the 1.10m Junior/Amateur Jumpers. Meredith also earned great ribbons aboard Bluewater in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”/3’6” division, including a win in the under saddle!

Posted on December 23, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

Fall Favorite Photos

A few fall favorites from Finally Farm! Thank you to our incredible team of horses and humans for a wonderful fall circuit! We can’t wait for Florida 2025! ☀️🌴

📸: Natalie Suto Photography & Shawn McMillen Photography

Posted on November 6, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

National Horse Show Memories

The National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington was full of special performances and memories made in November.

Mary Caroline Nolan closed out her junior career on a high note. MC rode Ferrari to a score of 88 to finish second in the Large Junior Hunter, 16-17, Stake! The pair also secured third in the handy round. We are so proud of you, MC! It has been a pleasure watching you grow into such a fantastic rider, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!

We were so thrilled with this duo’s performance at the National Horse Show: Meredith Huddle and Invitation Only kicked off their week with a third and fifth place over fences in the Adult Amateur Equitation, 36 and Over division! The pair then capped off their successful show with a seventh place in the THIS NHS Adult Equitation Championship in the 36 & Over section. Congratulations, Meredith!

Liza Boyd and Westport showing off their brilliance and rideability in the $75,000 National Horse Show Hunter Classic! This pair earned scores of 90 and 88 in the second round to secure a sixth-place finish in the class! Congratulations to the whole team behind this special horse!

Liza also enjoyed top placings with Ondine d’Orleans. They scored a 91 in the Green Hunter 3’6” Stake to finish second out of a competitive field. The pair also earned a 90 in the handy round to finish in the ribbons! We love how Ondine always steps up to the plate!

📸: @shawnmcmillenphotos

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

Triumphs at Tryon Fall V

The Finally Farm team triumphed during the Tryon Fall V, with superb performances at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Only top placings for Emma Barsosky and her horses. Emma and AF Strategy earned two wins and three seconds in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, division to secure championship honors! In the jumper ring, Emma and Malbay Dreamer claimed second in the 1.0m Junior Jumpers as well as third in the 1.0m Junior Jumper Classic for a wonderful week!

Charlotte Warren brought two horses and earned two tricolor ribbons. She piloted Why to a first, two seconds, and a third in the Low Adult Hunter division to earn champion honors! Riding MTM Hand Him Over, Charlotte scored two blues, and a second to claim the reserve championship as well.

Rebekah Warren and Cassico earned a podium finish in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. They navigated two beautiful trips with a wonderful handy round score of 87 to claim third in the class! Excellent job, Rebekah!

Liza Boyd had a successful day on the derby field with Crooner Brimbelles Z and Ondine d’Orleans, taking first and second in the USHJA International Hunter Derby! Crooks Show Jumping’s “Crooner” secured top honors in the derby, while Ondine claimed second. These two lovely horses never fail to impress us each time they enter the show ring!

Posted on October 19, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

Capping Off Capital Challenge

Liza Boyd and Ondine d’Orleans receiving the High-Point North American-Bred Horse Award

Our horses and riders kicked off their fall indoors circuit in style at the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. We are looking forward to the rest of the season with our wonderful team!

Adeline Boyd and Sydney showed us how it’s done in the WCHR Pony Hunter Challenge! This duo earned super scores of 87, 86.5, and 86 to secure a well-earned ninth-place finish in the competitive class!

Ondine d’Orleans was honored with the Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. High-Point North American-Bred Horse Award at the Capital Challenge. Liza Boyd piloted the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare to a score of 88 over fences in the Green Hunter 3’6” division to secure the award.

“I think this award is really special for Casey and Monique,” said Liza. “My work is really icing on the cake. Casey and Monique spent 10 years with Ondine and did right by her. They took their time. They should be really proud of themselves and their baby.”

Congratulations to the entire team behind this special mare, and thank you to Connaway & Associates for sponsoring this award!

Liza and Montauk jumped in top form during the WCHR Professional Challenge, and they earned a first-round score of 87.33 to claim eighth place overall! “It’s always such a pleasure and honor to be part of this special class,” said Liza.

Ondine d’Orleans made her first Capital Challenge one to remember! With a score of 89, Liza and Ondine claimed second in the Green Hunter 3’6” Handy Section A. The duo also earned a fourth and fifth in the competitive division. “We are so pleased with this talented mare’s performance at her indoors debut,” said Liza.

An impressive podium finish for Elle Boyd during Equitation Weekend at the Capital Challenge Horse Show was amazing! Elle piloted Illusion Imperio Egipco to third in the THIS National Children’s Medal Finals! The pair earned impressive scores of 89 and 88 in the second round to secure their placing! Great riding, Elle!

This duo also finished 13th in the EMO Insurance/USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal Final – East out of 173 riders. Such a great EQ week for Elle!

📸: Shawn McMillen Photography

Posted on October 14, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

WNC Relief Drive

Thank you 🫶 to those in our community who showed up for a great cause over the last week. We packed Steven Loheac Horse Transportation‘s rig full of donations in five days just from word of mouth! All animal/horse-related donations are headed to the WNC Regional Agriculture Center while the human donations will find homes at the Thermal Belt Outreach as well as additional drop offs in Asheville.

Thank you to Hunter's Trace Farm Hay & Feed, The Tack Room, South Carolina Equine Associates, Wateree Hounds, Grace Episcopal Church, and Springdale Hall Club for their efforts in collecting donations and spreading the word to make this collection a success on such short notice.

Finally Farm will have other opportunities to get donations to Western North Carolina as needs will extend well beyond this trailer. We’ve had wonderful involvement with the winter coat drive and still have funds to spend as more needs become apparent. WNC is going to need support for months to come. It is an honor to serve the community and we are humbled to do our part.

Posted on October 7, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

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.

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.

Posted on September 11, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

A Dream Derby Championships for Liza Boyd

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 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!”

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.

Posted on August 19, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

Blues For Bluewater at Bluegrass Festival

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.

Posted on August 18, 2024 by Tricia Booker.

Devon Junior Stars For Finally Farm

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 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.