Mary Caroline Nolan and Exclusive
Weeks 1 and 2 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit are a wrap, and Finally Farm riders and horses showed off their abilities and were richly rewarded with ribbons, January 12-24 in Wellington, Florida.
With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, one silver lining is the opportunity for some of the college-age riders to spend more time in Florida and study remotely, becoming stronger and more experienced riders.
Joey Rose, a University of South Carolina student, jumped into the circuit full force—starting her jumper career and showing in the hunters. “Joey was great!” said trainer Liza Boyd. “She was reserve champion with Davillant H in the Low Adult Amateur, 18-35, Jumpers Week 2.
“After being a hunter rider for a long time, going fast was new to her. The first week she thought she was flying but really wasn’t,” added Liza with a laugh. “Then, all of the sudden, she kicked into gear and understood the tight turns and galloping away from the jumps. It’s great for her that she has the jumper and her 3’6” amateur hunter now. She also has a nice young prospect that she’s producing herself with Jack and me, and she wants to eventually be a pro in the industry. It’s nice she’s getting all of this exposure to the two rings and bringing along a young horse who will soon make his debut in the low adults. She’s a good rider and game, and this is what she wants to do. She can do it all!”
Likewise, College of Charleston’s Camilla Grover-Dodge is making the most of her time in Florida with her young horse Jaguar, and the pair picked up excellent ribbons in the Adult Amateur Younger section both weeks. “He’s 6 this year, and he’s really come a long so well. The Adult Hunters showed in the Grand Hunter Ring, and for a green horse that’s fantastic mileage. She’s doing a great job with him,” said Liza.
Grace Ann Nolan is doing the same thing with her studies and picked up yet another championship on her Malbay Dreamer, also claiming the Low Adult Amateur Jumper Classic victory in a field of 35. “Grace Ann is so good about coming early in the morning and flatting her horses and then going back and studying. She also has Bolero D’Armanville in the High Adult Jumpers and has had consistently good rounds on him,” said Liza.
Mary Caroline Nolan and Custom Made
Mary Caroline Nolan welcomed Custom Made to her family, a horse she’s leasing for the year from Hallie Grimes. The new partnership started out strongly, earning good ribbons in the 3’3” Younger Juniors. “She’s just learning him, and I think they’re going to be a great pair for the future,” said Liza. “He won a lot in the juniors with Hallie, and we thank her so much for letting us have him. He’s a good mover, great jumper and replaced O’Ryan for Mary Caroline. He’s an older horse who has been there and done that.”
The veteran O’Ryan is recuperating at home in Camden, South Carolina, after an injury, and Liza hopes he’ll return to be Elle Boyd’s Children’s Hunter. “If not, he doesn’t owe anyone anything, and he’ll have a great retirement,” she said.
Mary Caroline was thrilled with the start of her WEF circuit with Custom Made, Cleopatra’s Smile, Exclusive and Kumano. “‘Red’ (Custom Made) was absolutely amazing during our first show together!” she said on Instagram. “Cleo took the win in the 3’3 Juniors out of 30! Kumano jumped into scores of 84, 82, and 81! Clue was 3rd and 4th in the 12-14 eq out of 23! Thank you @finally_farm for an amazing Week 1 and cannot wait for the rest of the circuit!”
Exclusive, nicknamed “Clue,” is Mary Caroline’s new equitation horse she’s leased from Northrun. “She’s already done super on him,” said Liza. “It’s been great for her to get going in the equitation division and doing the more challenging courses. It’s only going to make her a better rider. This horse has been there and done that, including the International Hunter Derby Championships. He’s a great all-around horse for her to learn on.”
During Elle Boyd’s first week on the circuit she won the Small Pony Handy on Baby Blue and was second in the Small Pony Hunter Classic out of 28 entries. She also took excellent ribbons aboard her Medium Pony Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue, including second out of 29 in an over fences class.
Liza showed Gigi Manigault’s Walk-Off in the 3’6” First Year Greens and earned nice ribbons in three of the four over fences classes. “He was so good in his first time in the Grand Hunter Ring. The first year greens are super hard this year because of the pandemic and the many people who reinstated their green horses. He’s a true first year horse and didn't show down here last year. I’m super proud of him and look forward to seeing him make even more progress when Gigi comes down.”
Lourdes Low and Sienna
Sienna debuted with Lourdes Low Week 1 in the 3’3” Younger Junior Hunters and picked up top ribbons. “They stepped right up right out of the box. They’re going to be a formidable partnership,” noted Liza.
Rebekah Warren and Cassico hadn’t shown since the fall, but you never would have guessed. The pair earned a ribbon in every over fences class in the Older Adult Amateur Hunters. Liza took the reins for one 3’3” Performance Hunter class and placed second of 53 with a score of 91. “Rebekah was great and will move back up to the 3’3” amateurs next week,” said Liza. “They’re ready to keep progressing.”
Elle Gibbs’ new horse Attaboy started Week 2 and earned nice ribbons in the 3’3” Greens with Liza and the 3’3” Junior Hunters with Elle, including a score of 86. Similarly, Alexandra Dastjerdi began her circuit Week 2 with Conto Blue in the Children’s Hunters and equitation, earning ribbons in the older section.
Quicksilver Party Wave, Finally Farm’s Medium Green Pony, earned tricolor honors both weeks with Mckayla Brombach aboard. “We’re so excited about this young pony and thank McKayla for doing such a great job,” said Liza. The pair placed first or second in every over fences class for the Week 2 championship.
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Quicksilver Party Wave and McKayla Brombach
