Hardin Towell and Emilie De Diamant As
The Finally Farm and JKG teams joined forces to conclude the East Coast Fall indoor circuit at the CP National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, where Hardin Towell, Jennifer Gates and Laura Critz collected a variety of ribbons and accolades.
With his fifth-placed finish aboard Emilie De Diamant AS in the $250,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Lexington, presented by CP, Hardin is back on top of the standings in the FEI North American East Coast League World Cup standings.
Hardin has picked up 50 points so far, and has Samuel Parot behind him as rank No. 2 on 40 points. Quentin Judge stands third on 36 points, with Laura Kraut fourth on 34 points and Beezie Madden in fifth with 33 points.
Thirty-six entries gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park to participate in the highlight event of the competition and vie for valuable points to qualify for the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden. One of seven events in the new FEI World Cup™ Jumping East Coast League, the class drew top athletes who competed over Guilherme Jorge’s first-round track in the hopes of qualifying for the jump-off. Thirteen managed to do so, and 11 were also clear over the short track, making speed a key factor in the day’s results.
"Hardin had a great class and was double clean," said sister Liza Boyd. "He was really happy with that performance and regaining his No. 1 spot in the standings. He's well on his way to qualifying for his second World Cup Show Jumping Finals appearance, and we couldn't be more thrilled for him!"
Laura Critz and Quatrain
Hardin's student Jennifer Gates also made her presence known at the National, with excellent results in the Under 25 Grand Prix ranks with Cadence and in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper section with Everest De Muze.
Quatrain and Laura Critz enjoyed their final indoor appearance together with third in the 3’3” Junior Hunter Stake class and a sixth over fences. Laura is a freshman at Wake Forest University in North Carolina, and she concluded her junior career at the National Horse Show.
"It was a good way for her to wrap up the year," said Liza. "Sadly, Quatrain will be sold because Laura’s focusing on school now, but we'll always have fond memories of their special partnership together."
Finally Farm is also proud to announce that professional Max Mandel has joined the team to help ride and train students and horses. He began assisting on a freelance basis over the summer before stepping into a full-time role in September.
"He’s a great rider and teacher and so good with the young horses," said Liza. "He's worked with a variety of top professionals, including Nancy Whitehead, Rush and Carl Weeden and Julie Winkel, just to name a few. He’s a good horseman and picks up on the details, which I like. I believe he has a big future ahead of him, and we're lucky to have him.."
For more information about Max, please click here for his biography on the Finally Farm About section.
Liza was happy to celebrate Halloween at home in Camden this year while her father Jack and brother Hardin traveled to Kentucky. She enjoyed taking her daughters Elle and Adeline trick-or-treating in Camden!
Happy Halloween from Adeline and Elle!
