Liza Boyd and Sherri Crawford’s Carento
The Finally Farm team continued to earn accolades in the Hunters, Jumpers, Equitation and Ponies during the month of February on the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida.
During WCHR Week 6, the Hunters took center stage throughout the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, including featured classes in the International Ring.
Once again, Liza Boyd qualified for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, held under the lights on Saturday, February 15. Aboard Sherri Crawford’s Carento, she captured seventh place in two-round classic with a stellar second course. The pair qualified based on their reserve championship in the High Performance Hunter section, where they won the handy and placed third the stake, among other ribbons.
“I had to win the handy to have a chance to qualify for the class,” said Liza, who catch rode Carento for trainers Kitty and Johnny Barker. “This is a great horse who really rises to the occasion. It was a blast to ride him and I have to thank Sherri and Kitty and Johnny for the opportunity.”
Liza Boyd and Carento
Liza, who won the inaugural Hunter Spectacular in 1997 aboard her Junior Hunter Monday Morning, makes it a goal each year to compete in the class. “I love this class and riding under the lights,” she said. “It’s so much fun to get out in that ring and gallop around. I love the energy and atmosphere, and I think the horses do, too.”
Maggie Hill and Cassanto also represented Finally Farm in the Hunter Spectacular by virtue of their championship in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunter, 16-17, section. Unfortunately, Cassanto enjoyed himself a bit too much in the first round, unseating Maggie with a few bucks after jumping beautifully over an oxer midway through the course. Maggie got up laughing, and the pair walked out of the ring together to much applause.
Maggie Hill and Cassanto - Photo credit: Photos © Sportfot, official photographer of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
Earlier in the day, Maggie rode the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Canto x Stefania) to a first, third, fourth and sixth-place finish for the championship. This was Maggie’s third year competing in the Hunter Spectacular, but her first time with Cassanto. The pair has been together for three years and has earned many championship ribbons from top horse shows.
“Yesterday, the second round was our favorite class, the handy. He was perfect and we won that,” said Maggie. “And for today, the International Arena is a beautiful ring; it’s one of the most fun rings to ride in and it’s so special for the hunters to go in there this week.
Elle Gibbs and Candid
Elle Gibbs also had a stellar week with Candid, earning the 3’3” Junior Hunter, 15 and under, reserve championship. Elle also captured a prestigious WCHR High-Score Award for her victory in the handy, where she and Candid earned an 87.
Other impressive Hunter performances during this most competitive week were posted by: Gigi Manigault with Major Key and Bastille in the Amateur-Owners; Mary Caroline Nolan and O’Ryan in the Children’s Hunters; Kumano and Grace Ann Nolan in the Amateur-Owners; Ravello and Liza in the 3’6” Green Hunters; and Elle Boyd and Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue and Baby Blue in the Pony Hunters.
Mary Caroline Nolan and O’Ryan
During Week 7, February 18-23, the accolades continued. Who’s It captured two tricolors, the 3’3” Amateur-Owner, 36 and over, championship with owner Bridget Hallman, and the 3’9” Green Hunter championship with Liza in the irons. All told, Who’s It earned six blue ribbons during the week, making it a very special birthday week for Bridget to celebrate.
In addition, Elle rode Bridget’s pony Days Of Our Lives to the reserve championship in the Children’s Large Pony Hunters with a first and second over fences. Elle also won a class with Darling Clementine in the Medium Pony Hunter section and had great placings with the Small Pony Baby Blue for a banner show.
Bridget Hallman and Who’s It
Not to be outdone, younger sister Adeline Boyd also captured a reserve championship during Week 7 aboard Otis Spunkmeyer in the Walk-Trot section. She won the walk class and placed second in the walk-trot.
Mary Caroline Nolan was delighted to pick up the reserve championship in the Younger Children’s Hunters. She and the veteran O’Ryan showed their consistency, with a first, two seconds and a third. Sister Grace Ann also captured a reserve championship, taking the Low Adult Jumper, 18-35, tricolor with Malbay Dreamer. The pair topped the Classic with a super double-clear performance and a speedy and accurate jump-off, taking an impressive inside turn, that no one else could match.
Maggie Hill’s Ravello, with Liza in the irons, earned the reserve championship in the 3’6” Green Hunters with a win in the handy and second in the stake. They also took top honors in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive as icing on a great week. With Maggie aboard later in the week, Ravello also earned excellent ribbons in every Small Junior, 16-17. class.
Gigi Manigault and Major Key
During Week 8, February 25-March 1, the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby was a feature event, and once again Liza and Carento galloped to a top 10 finish. The pair placed second in the Classic Round, picked up seventh in the Handy and finished fifth overall out of 56 competitors.
Everglow, piloted by Liza in the High Performance and by Caroline Blake in the Large Junior, 16-17, section, picked up a variety of impressive ribbons in both sections, including a blue in the High Performance handy.
The Children’s Hunters also collected a variety of ribbons for Finally Farm. Lourdes Low and Continue made their presence known in the Younger Children’s Hunters, taking top ribbons over fences, and Alex Dastjerdi rode Invite Only to excellent placings in the Low Children’s Hunters. Aisha, ridden by Sydney Raidy, jumped to excellent ribbons in the Younger Children’s Hunters, as well.
Elle Boyd and Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue
Elle enjoyed another catch ride, this time aboard Quicksilver Party Wave. The duo earned a second and fifth over fences in a competitive section of 29 ponies.
Please enjoy our fun photo gallery of competition and candids from February!
