Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z
After a break last year from competing in the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, Liza Boyd returned this year and gave notice she’s back in full force.
She piloted Crooner Brimbelles Z to the reserve championship and also picked up second place in the Classic Round with Ondine D’Orleans, owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites.
Liza Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z
Liza just began her partnership with the talented gray earlier this year. Owned by Lauren Crooks and Crooks Show Jumping, Crooks called Boyd in May to ask her to take over the reins while she is pregnant. The 9-year-old Zangersheide gelding quickly proved how talented he is, even competing with Boyd’s daughter in the Junior Hunters.
Boyd and Crooner Brimbelles Z moved up to second from fifth after a stellar handy round, where they earned scores of 92, 94 and 93.
“He’s a little horse with a big heart and a big stride,” said Liza with a smile. ”I’m glad to be back in this class again. Lauren asked me to do him through Derby Finals and then we’ll see if maybe he likes that job. And he clearly does!”
Liza Boyd and Ondine D'Orleans
Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans placed second in the Classic Round, showing off their promising future in the Derby ring. Boyd began showing the chestnut mare in February, and quickly saw her as a future Derby Championships contender.
Boyd is no stranger to the pressure of the International Hunter Derby Championship—she became the first person to win the class three times from 2013-2015 aboard Brunello. Boyd is also quite accomplished in the International Hunter Derby rings being ranked as the third in lifetime rider money won in the program, cashing in a total of $690,623 with more to come of course!
To read more about Ondine D’Orleans’ history, please see this wonderful article: Ondine D’Orleans Comes Full Circle in Kentucky
Please enjoy this Derby Championship Photo Gallery from photographers Tricia Booker and Catie Staszak Media.
