After showing paused in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Finally Farm team was thrilled to travel down the road to Bruce’s Field in Aiken for the Aiken Summer Classic I and II.
Following several months of training and conditioning at home, the riders and horses were well prepared to jump back into competition June 10-21.
“It was good to be back showing and going again,” said trainer Liza Boyd.
Despite the change in COVID protocols, the clients enjoyed the experience and social distancing and wearing masks quickly became second nature except for when on horseback.
“Hunt Tosh, Daniel Geitner and I showed in a turtleneck,” said Liza. “We pulled it over our faces and then got on and pulled it down around our necks. The USEF mandated no jogging for soundness, which was amazing and saved a lot of time. The kids rode their horses up to the ring, and I set jumps myself. Then, they’d cool their horses off and walk back to the barn. The day went so much faster.”
Liza noted that on the flip side, few people knew who won, and a lot of times the competitors didn’t know what ribbons they’d earned until they checked online. Without ribbons and jogging there was less congregating at the rings, and it was much safer for everyone.
Liza Boyd and her stylish mask at Aiken.
Champions over the two weeks were earned by Candid and Elle Gibbs (3’3” Junior Hunters) and Baby Blue and Elle Boyd (Small Pony Hunters). Reserve champions included Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue and Elle Boyd (Medium Pony Hunters), Curuba and Amy Nolan (Adult Amateur, 51 and Over), Cleopatra’s Smile and Mary Caroline Nolan and Frederica and Megan Schall (3’ USHJA Hunters).
“The down time really helped Elle with her ponies,” said Liza. “Going out in the woods, spending time in the tack and being able to ride so much and getting to know her ponies in different environments made her stronger and more of a fighter. Before, when things in the ring weren’t working out perfectly, she was fine. But now she knows how to handle it better. Riding green ponies in the ring she’s been working on keeping them straighter, and she’s more accurate and stronger. Then, her made ponies seemed easier. For Baby Blue, the down time was good for him physically and mentally. He was champion both weeks and looked so happy to be in the ring.”
Elle’s Medium Pony Darla also enjoyed the time off and their show ring results were great, and Elle earned nice ribbons on Bridget Hallman’s Large Pony, too, and won the Marshall & Sterling/USEF Pony Medal class with Baby Blue.
“During the break, Elle Gibbs drove from Charlotte thee times a week and had flat lessons and honed in on her skills, and that paid off at Aiken,” said Liza. “She rode great.”
Liza also noted that the quarantine was also beneficial for the Nolans. “Mary Caroline lives farther away and can’t come as often, but she had intense lessons working on body control, position and seeing the jumps better. She got solid ribbons on Stallone and nice ribbons on O’Ryan and Cleopatra’s Smile. Her sister, Grace Anne, won the Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic 1.0m on Bolero D’Armanville. That horse is amazing and makes me feel like I could do the Olympics. He’s so light in the bridle, brave and careful. Hardin and Darrah sold us that horse. She was also great on Malbay Dreamer.”
Josephine Rose and Nolde had excellent performances in the Children’s/Adult Jumpers as well. “Hardin used to do the grand prix on him, and he moved down. He’s older now, and she had the best time riding him. It was fun for her, and she placed sixth in the classic, too.”
Elle Gibbs and Candid
Gigi Manigault won her classic in the 3’3”/3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters on Bastille, and Elle Gibbs and Candid claimed the 3’3” Junior Hunter Classic.
Finally Farm’s Adult Amateurs made their presence known. Frederica came back from an injury quite successfully, taking a well-earned blue ribbon as well as other placings with Megan Schall in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, section. Alison Thorpe earned nice ribbons in the Adult Amateur, 50 and over, section with Justified, while Amy Nolan showed Curuba to the reserve championship with a first and two second-placed ribbons. “It was great to see him back in the ring; they’re a great match,” said Liza.
Liza wasn’t without her own top ribbons. Aboard Finally Farm’s Family Style, she placed second in $10,000 Hunter Classic. “It was fun to have the professionals highlighted. The class was in honor of Ellen Veitch, which made it more special. We all loved her so much, and it was a nice tribute to her. Those classes are great and it was a nice opportunity to get those 3’ and 3’3” Green horses in the ring during an afternoon/evening class with a little pressure.
“They brought in new jumps—barrels and hay bales and options of upright verticals,” added Liza. “It’s super when show managers do something like that. There were bending lines and it was a technical course, so we were able to teach the young horses. It was a little bit like a National Hunter Derby and a derby stepping stone.”
Liza noted that Family Style hadn’t shown in a while and didn’t go to Florida over the winter, so Aiken was the ideal place to have him return to the show ring.
“Hardin imported him at the end of his 6-year-old year but then he just wasn’t quite right. My dad decided to turn him out in the field with Blake’s Quarter Horse and forgot about him for six months,” said Liza. “Before Florida we put him back in the barn and kept working him, and he got better. Sarah Tash worked with him over the winter, and by the end of the season she took him out in hunt country and he was fitter and sounder than ever. Maybe I’ll make him up to be Elle’s Junior Hunter, but for the time being he’s a family horse and owned by us. He’s a cute horse for me to do and see where he goes and has been a fun quarantine project.”
Lourdes Low took impressive ribbons in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, section and also earned ribbons in the equitation classes. “Lourdes lives in Hilton Head and was another rider who came down a lot during the quarantine to ride. She made great progress, and it showed!”
Finally Farm also welcomed back Rebekah Warren and her daughter Charlotte. Rebekah piloted Cassico to nice ribbons in the 3’3” Amateur-Owners. We’re glad to have them back!”
