MC Nolan’s Ferrari and Liza Boyd earned Finally Farm’s first tricolor of the 2023 WEF season.
The Finally Farm team started out strongly during the first two weeks of the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, from January 10-21.
MC Nolan’s Ferrari and trainer Liza Boyd posted the first tricolor ribbon to the Finally Farm banner with their reserve championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters. MC continued the momentum later in the week with a win and other top ribbons in the Large Junior, 3’6”, 16-17, section, resulting in another reserve tricolor. She also partnered with Golden Years to add yet more blue ribbons to the banner in the same section.
AF Strategy and Cameron Kauffman topped a Children’s Hunter, 14 and Under, over fences class and captured other excellent ribbons for a great start. Cameron also piloted Sochi to ribbons in the same section.
Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater took a win in the Young Hunter 3’3”, 7 and Under section with Liza in the irons, and the pair also posted other impressive rounds.
Liza and HH Blue Moon earned the Young Hunter 3’, 6 and under championship for Free Solo LLC and trainer Caroline McLeese with a win under saddle, over fences among other top ribbons.
Week 2 highlights included Elle Boyd’s impressive victory aboard Illusion Imperio Egipcio in the Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal.
As a bonus, Elle was interviewed and featured in the the WEF Newsletter:
Boyd Boasts Win in The Hamel Foundation / NHS 3’3” Medal
Elle Boyd and Illusion Imperio Egipcio topped The Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal
The Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal closed out competition in Ring 6 at Wellington International on Friday (January 19) with 20 entries hoping to score the highest placing. Ten entries returned to test on the flat before Elle Boyd of Camden, SC, was named the class winner. Boyd brought forward Gut Einhaus, LLC’s 16-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Illusion Imperio Egipcio whose experience she credits as a big part of their success.
“He’s a little bit older now, but he has taught me so much,” Boyd explained. “He was formerly a jumper, which I think helps me immensely because the equitation courses are very easy for him.”
Even with Illusion’s lengthy list of experience, Boyd spends plenty of time in the saddle at the home base for Finally Farm perfecting her technique.
“We spend a lot of time practicing more technical courses so that when we get into the ring the courses feel easier,” she added. “I think all of that hard work really shone through in our consistency today.”
Elle also picked up championship honors in the Equitation 12-14 riding Cento Chico for a banner week.
Meredith Huddle won the Ariat Adult Medal aboard Invitation Only
Equitation wins continued for Finally Farm as Meredith Huddle won the Ariat Adult Medal aboard Invitation Only with an excellent work-off performance. The pair also earned ribbons in the Adult Equitation section with more nice rounds.
Creekside and Gigi Manigualt made their presence known in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner section with consistently good rounds and ribbons. Creekside and Liza also topped a competitive open class earlier in the week as a warm-up.
Girl On Fire and Frances Kelly captured great ribbons in a competitive Small Pony Hunter section this week, taking a second place over fences with a stellar round.
Charlotte Warren had success both weeks of WEF, riding Why and Corneil to top ribbons in the Low Adult Hunters with excellent riding.
Bridget Hallman’s Mint showed great consistency in the USHJA Hunter 2’6”, First Year section, earning the reserve championship with Liza in the irons.
