Brunello and Janet Peterson
Brunello enjoyed hosting a local delegation from Tryon Horse Country, including co-owner Janet Peterson, who visited Finally Farm last week.
The newsletter This Week In Tryon Horse Country documented the group's visit with the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion in their weekly newsletter. An excerpt included:
“At 17, Brunello proved again that he can rule the ring. Brunello and his rider Liza Towell Boyd also took the title in 2014 and 2013. Janet Peterson, of Landrum, South Carolina, is the proud co-owner. Brunello is 17 and Janet is 17 at heart."
Jack Towell and Liza then presented Janet with a signed poster from the Derby Championship while the delegation presented the Towells with an America Loves Brunello banner. Special thanks to Judy Heinrich for the photographs!
“It was all so cute,” said Liza. “We’re going to take the banner to horse shows and hang it up. Alberto brought Ike out of the barn, and he was such a ham. His ears were pricked, and he stuck his neck out for the photos. He couldn’t have been cuter. He must have had a million treats!”
After their visit, the ladies enjoyed lunch in the gazebo near the ring before taking a field trip to the Wateree Correctional facility near Camden where they toured the Second Chances Farm Groom Elite program.
Brunello poses for photographs with long-time groom Alberto Ramirez.
The program, established by the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation-South Carolina, is a vocational course that’s become a model for other rehabilitation programs that utilize retired racehorses.
“The inmates take care of the horses, and it’s a second chance for the Thoroughbreds and the men to have a career when they get out,” said Liza. “It was really interesting. They learn good horsemanship, the care of legs and even trimming their hooves. It’s a great program for the retired Thoroughbreds to have this sanctuary and a way for these guys to get out and learn. Most had never been around horses, and it was neat to see how the horses could change these men’s lives.”
While Brunello and Liza enjoyed some down time last week, brother Hardin Towell and his string of jumpers continued to rack up placings and points in Europe.
Hardin traveled to Gijon, Spain, for the penultimate leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 league. There, he guided Emilie De Diamant AS and Lucifer V to impressive placings. The trip to Spain came on the heels of competitions in Dinard, France and La Coruna, Spain, where their performances vaulted Hardin up the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Rankings.
As of August 31, Hardin stands tied for 77th, having moved up from 148th a month earlier. Hardin’s performances at the Thunderbird CSI3* in Langley, B.C., also contributed to his ranking, with top ribbons aboard Jennifer Gates’ New York in the Grand Prix and World Cup classes there.
Hardin Towell and Emilie De Diamant AS (Mike Sturk Photo)
In the Nations Cup in Gijon, on August 29, Hardin and Emilie De Diamant AS were members of the United States team, which placed 10th. However, during the final day’s Grand Prix, Hardin and Lucifer V posted the fastest jump-off performance. Unfortunately, a pulled shoe and a rail cost them the win, though, and they had to settle for seventh.
Finally Farm will travel this week to the Aiken Fall Festival I and II, to be held on Bruce's Field, a new equestrian center in Aiken, South Carolina.
