Elly Ficca and Sarah Livingston
The Finally Farm team concluded their time at the Tryon International Equestrian Center with ample ribbons and awards, October 26-30 in Mill Spring, North Carolina.
In the 3'3" Junior Hunters, Finally Farm riders swept the tricolor ribbons, with Sarah Livingston and Ne-Yo earning the championship and Elly Ficca riding Quatrain to the reserve championship. Sarah also contested the USHJA National Hunter Derby, where she placed fifth.
"She was so excited to be champion and it was a great prep for her to do the Derby," said trainer Liza Boyd.
By virtue of their excellent performances during the Tryon season, Elly and Quatrain earned the reserve circuit championship in the 3’3’ Juniors during the season.
While Zola Thompson was attending the Washington International Horse Show in Washington, D.C., to cheer on Stella Styslinger with O'Ryan, fellow pony rider Erica Stedler catch-rode Zola's pony Elegance and earned the Medium Pony Hunter Championship at Tryon.
Stella Styslinger, O'Ryan and Jack Towell
"Zola's mom is on the Board of Directors of WIHS, so Zola enjoyed attending with her," said Liza. "We want to thank trainer Robin Greenwood for loaning Erica to us for the weekend and thank Erica for doing such a great job."
Stella also did a great job at Washington with trainers Jack Towell and Tamara Berkowitz. Riding O'Ryan, she earned top ribbons in the Small Junior, 16-17, section, including victory in the Handy. "Stella was also fourth in the first class and was fifth in the hack, for an excellent show," said Liza. "It was great for them to win a class. Their partnership has really come together, and a blue ribbon there is very special."
Kelly Maloney and Justified jumped to two blue ribbons at Tryon, including an impressive win in the competitive Adult Jumpers as well as the championship. "It was good to have Kelly back in the ring, as she hadn’t shown for a while," said Liza. "She didn't miss a beat!"
Brie Tiffany also had a great show and finished it up with a top-10 placing in the $10,000 Children's/Adult Jumper Classic aboard Chacor. "She was thrilled to get to do the 1.15m classic in the stadium on the big field," said Liza. "She had just one rail and was 10th."
Abigail Poss met the Finally Farm team at Tryon and scored some excellent placings in the equitation section. She guided Upset De Talma to victory in the ASPCA Maclay and to top ribbons in the WIHS Hunter and Jumper phases. "Abigail rode really well, and she's excited about focusing on the equitation," said Liza. "Next year is her last junior year, so she's already well on the way to meeting her goals and qualifying for the finals."
Hardin Towell and New York
Hardin Towell made his mark at Tryon, as well. In addition to topping the $35,000 Suncast Welcome CSI3* aboard New York, Hardin had the fastest jump-off performance in the $130,000 FEI CSI3* BMW Grand Prix. The pair placed fifth after an unfortunate rail kept them from victory. Hardin also took fourth place in the featured Jumper class with a double-clear performance aboard Emilie De Diamont AS.
"It was so fun to have him there at Tryon, and the family was able to spend time together," said Liza of her brother. "I haven’t gotten to spend a whole week with him in a very long time."
Maddy Thatcher finished up her 2016 show season with great success in the Hunter and Jumper rings. A highlight was Maddy's reserve championship on Like I Said in the 3’3” Amateur-Owners. "I'm so happy for Maddy because she's really clicked with this mare over the past four months," said Liza. "They are really competitive, and they’ll be ones to watch in Florida in the 3’6” Amateurs."
Maddy and Summer Place also finished the season with the circuit championship in the 3'6" Amateur-Owner Hunters after blue ribbons this week, and to top it off, Maddy also dominated in the Amateur-Owner Jumpers with wins and excellent ribbons aboard Show Show, Skilliane De Varnel and Dolce Vita.
"In the Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, Maddy almost defended her title but ended up second and third with Skilliane and Dolce Vita," said Liza. "Again, she was really competitive, with fast times just fractions off the winning pace. It was a great way for her to finish up the year."
