Erin McGuire and Kasarr
The Aiken December Classic I and II, held at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, South Carolina, was the start of the 2022 show season and offered a glimpse of what’s to come as well as an exclamation point on established partnerships.
Erin McGuire and her longtime partner Kasarr sped to the win in the Week 2 $1,000 Open Jumper Welcome class! The pair topped a field of 20 to win Thursday’s welcome by two seconds. Erin also claimed an impressive third in the “Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest”, which was a contest for all competitors, staff and spectators to wear their best Tacky Christmas Sweaters. The winners received a gift certificate to Rose Hill in Aiken.
With the Christmas spirit in full force, the Finally Farm team collected a solid collection of championship nutcrackers from the ponies to the Amateur-Owner Hunters.
Pony riders Elle Boyd, LuLu and Adeline Boyd show off their championship nutcrackers
Adeline Boyd and Baby Blue earned the Small Pony Hunter championship, Elle Boyd and Power Point earned the Medium Pony championship and LuLu Wells and Heaven’s Gift (making their debut together!) clinched the sweep with the Large Pony Hunter championship. Special thanks to Michael Newman and Cameron Kauffman for the ride on Power Point and Posh Ever So Clover, whom Elle rode to victory in the combined Pony Hunter Classic.
Elle and Adeline Boyd with Scooter and Baby Blue.
Elle and Taking Names made their Small Green Pony debut count, earning the division championship. “Scooter” was bought by Finally Farm as a 3-year-old, and Elle has been involved in his training all along. Thanks to the village that helped produce Scooter!
After Elle’s stunning Small Green Pony Hunter debut on Taking Names, little sister Adeline refused to be outdone making her own mark in her debut show aboard Baby Blue. Two wins over fences secured the pair the Small Pony tricolor in Adeline’s first time showing in the small ponies!
Mary Caroline Nolan continued her winning streak with championship honors in section A on Cleopatra’s Smile and champion in section B Ferrari in the combined 3’3” Junior Hunters during Week 2. Likewise, Gigi Manigault and Walk-Off dominated their division, winning four out of five classes in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters to clinch the championship.
MC Nolan with Ferrari and Cleopatra’s Smile
Lourdes Low and Sienna kicked off the 2022 show season with the championship honors in the 3’3” Junior Hunters. Congratulations also go out to Lourdes on the lease of Abazu BSM. Watch out for them in the Children’s Jumpers!
Camryn Cass and Catchphrase earned championship honors in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, section. Cam also earned good ribbons on new horse La Vida Loca in their debut show!
Lourdes Low and Sienna
After a whirlwind year of finishing grad school and getting married, we’re thrilled to welcome back Sarah Miles and Juno with a blue ribbon in the 1.0m Jumpers!
Other champions included: Rebekah Warren’s MTM Hand Him Over in the Green 3’6”/3’9” section with Liza Boyd in the irons; McKenna Newton’s Espace Killy in the Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers; and Alison Thorp’s Matilda in the 3’ Green Hunters with Liza aboard.
