Candid displays the ribbons he won with Elle Gibbs during WEF 1.
Finally Farm found much success as the Winter Equestrian Festival got underway during WEF 1, held January 8-12 in Wellington, Florida.
Elle Gibbs and Candid made their presence known in the Junior Hunter, 3’3”, 15 and under, section as they continued to get to know one another. This was Elle’s second show with the lovely hunter she’s leasing from Jennifer Alfano, and the pair won the Handy with a score of 87 and placed second over fences with an 85 out of a field of 27 for a fantastic start to WEF.
Elle Gibbs and Candid
“Thank you so much Finally Farm for making my first show in Wellington amazing!” said Elle on her Instagram feed.
“Elle was great, and I want to thank to Jen and Lane Change Farm for putting this match together,” said trainer Liza Boyd, “Elle also got good ribbons on Game Plan (scores of 80 and 84) in the same division, and he’s available for sale in Wellington and is ready to win for another junior or amateur rider.”
Liza also made an impression herself aboard Candid and Game Plan, taking second with Candid in the 3’3” Performance Handy out of 66 entries and second out of 66 with Game Plan in a 3’3” Performance Hunter over fences class. “I showed Candid in one class in Aiken last month,” said Liza. “I watched him for so long with Jen, so it was fun to ride one that my friend produced. I’ve seen him come along in the Pre-Greens and all the way up, so to show him is especially rewarding.”
The Nolan sisters also started off strongly in Florida with great performances and blue ribbons.
“We both had an amazing first week at WEF!” they said in their Instagram feed. “MC (first time showing at WEF ever) got top ribbons In the Children’s with O’Ryan and Timoteo and won the 3’3” Junior hack with Stallone! GA won the Low Adult Jumper class with Malbay Dreamer, and had great rounds with Sonoma in the Younger Adults that led to good ribbons.”
Mary Caroline Nolan and Stallone
Mary Caroline made her debut with Stallone and showed in the 3’3” Junior Hunter, 15 and under, section. The pair won the competitive under saddle class for their first WEF blue. “She’s leasing him from Don Stewart and Ashland Farm and will do the 3’3” medals and juniors. She also did well on O’Ryan in the Children’s Hunters and will move up next week to 3’3” juniors.”
Grace Ann rocked it in the Low Adult Amateur Jumper, 18-35, section, taking an impressive victory aboard Malbay Dreamer. The pair also placed ninth in the Classic. Grace Ann also guided Sonoma to consistent placings in a section of the Younger Adult Amateur Hunters for a nice week in the jumper and hunter rings.
“That was a big win in the meter jumpers!” said Liza enthusiastically. “The Nolan sisters are down here all three months and will be going to school, so they’re going to get a lot of great experience being here the entire time.”
Finally Farm also welcomed University of South Carolina student Josephine Rose to the family during WEF 1, where she earned excellent ribbons aboard Cassino in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter, 18-35, section. “She’s on the riding team and USC and rode with Jennifer Edwards of Belleame Farm in Ohio before she moved here. We’re thrilled to welcome her and to have her in the barn. I noticed her at the. Washington International last fall when she won the stake class in Large Juniors. They’re a really good match, and it’s been fun to get to know them both.”
Paige Miller and her partner Shamrock jumped to great ribbons in a tough Low Adult Hunter section. “She rode so well,” said Liza, adding, “She’s had him a year now, and they’ve really bonded and know each. It’s fun to see how far they’ve come over the past year and how much more technical her rides have become.”
Likewise, Paige’s daughter Mckenzie Miller, 10, has also made impressive strides over the past year. She moved up to the Small/Medium Children’s Pony Hunters from the Short Stirrup with Hakuna Matata. “It was so exciting for her! She got two ninths, and she’s getting so consistent. Last year at this time she was riding Otis Spunkmeyer around the crossrails, so she’s come a long way. It’s also fun for Elle to have a pony friend here. They study courses together, ride to the ring together and have fun. have someone her age in the barn,” said Liza.
Elle Boyd continued to produce excellent performances in the Pony Hunters. This week she rode Baby Blue and A Dream Come True in the Smalls and Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue in the Mediums, earning top ribbons on all three “She was really consistent, and I’m so proud of her,” said Liza. “I want to thank DK-USA Sporthorse LLC for A Dream Come True. We really love him. He and Baby Blue are both 16, and I’ve learned that’s an awesome age for Small Ponies! What great teachers they are, and Elle’s learning so much. She was also fifth in the USEF Pony Medal on Friday. It’s nice to have ponies that know their jobs.”
Mary Caroline’s Willy Wonka is outgrown and available for lease!
Elle also catch rode Mary Caroline’s pony Willy Wonka to ribbons in the Children’s Small/Medium Pony Hunters. “Willy Wonka just came off a lease and is available for lease or sale,” noted Liza. “He’s another great Small Pony and teacher.”
Over in the Equitation Ring, Maggie Hill captured thirds in sections of the Dover Saddlery/USEF Medal and in the ASPCA Maclay aboard For Side VDL under the watchful eyes of Northrun and Finally Farm trainers.
Bridget Hallman’s Halston also jumped to impressive performances with Bridget and Liza, including a red ribbon in the High Performance Conformation Hunters.
“We’re glad to be here and settled in,” said Liza. “And I’m happy we’re off to a good start! We’re looking forward to a great season!”
O’Ryan enjoys his accomplishments during WEF 1!
