Summer Shows Kick Off

Finally Farm horses and riders traveled to Conyers, Georgia, for the Atlanta Summer Classic shows and have captured a variety of accolades after week 1.

With Liza Boyd at home on maternity leave, trainers Jack Towell and Tamara Berkowitz have held down the fort with assistance from fellow professional rider Daniel Geitner.

Daniel guided Quatrain to two blue ribbons in the Performance Hunter 3'6" section before owner Laura Critz took over the reins for the Junior Hunter 3'3" reserve championship and second place in the classic. Daniel also jumped aboard Erin McGuire's Casallo and Kasarr for blues in the Low Hunters and Training Jumpers, respectively.

Erin continued her banner season with Casallo in the Amateur-Owner, 18-35, section with championship honors and victory in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'6" Classic. Elizabeth Fogleman and Fonteyn HF also collected excellent ribbons in the same section, including a nice blue in the under saddle class.

Larson Mitchener and Graffiti took top call in the NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic as well as other impressive placings in the Adult Amateur hunter sections.

In the jumper ring, Brie Tiffany and Milky Way added more ribbons to their growing collection in the High Children's/Adult Amateur section, and Erin and Kasarr also jumped to second and fourth places in the Junior/Amateur-Owner section at 1.40m.

Up at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada, Hardin Towell continues to shine in the jumper arena aboard a variety of mounts.

During the opening day of the National Tournament, June 4, he guided Everest De Muze, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, to victory in the Direct Energy Welcome 1.40m speed class over a field of 35 entries.

That same day he also rode the Swedish Warmblood gelding Cadence to second place in the Friends of the Meadows Welcome 1.30m and Cyraneiky, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare, to a clear round in the Friends of the Meadow Welcome 1.35m.

Aboard Lucifer V, an 8-year-old Westphalian, Hardin earned a check in the Coril Holdings Jumper 1.30m class that week with a double-clear round that garnered eighth place in a class of 43 starters.

Hardin Towell and Man In Black (pictured at Thunderbird)

Hardin concluded the tournament with the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby 1.50m, where he guided Man In Black to 12th place.

During the Continental Tournament, June 11-15, Hardin piloted Olympe De Brecey, a Selle Francais mare, to eighth place in the Friends of the Meadows Welcome 1.30m, and he also took 13th aboard Lucifer V. Both horses jumped around clear in the field of 28 starters.

He returned with Lucifer V for the Friends of the Meadows 1.30m class the following day and jumped double-clear for seventh place in a field of 36 starters. The pair topped off their impressive week with second place in the ATCO I-Tek Jumper 1.35m class with a double-clear performance that was just .27 seconds off the winning time posted by Olympic veteran Will Simpson.

On the home front in Camden, Liza and baby Adeline are doing well, and with help from family members, Liza and Blake are even getting some much-needed sleep. Liza plans to return to the show ring for the Charleston Summer Classics, July 8-19 in Charleston, South Carolina.

She's already back at the barn on a limited schedule and has resumed teaching and training. "I've actually ridden Ike [Brunello] already," she said with a smile. "I just wanted to get on and walk around the field, but, of course, I had to canter a cavaletti, just to make sure I could still see a distance. I was like, 'OK, there it is!' It feels good to be back and active again."

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Platinum Performance Cover

Finally Farm thanks Platinum Performance for featuring Liza Boyd and Brunello on the cover of the Spring/Summer 2014 Equine Catalog!

We appreciate the support from Platinum Performance. To view their products for horses, pets and humans, please click here.

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

New Addition

The Finally Farm family, Liza and Blake Boyd welcomed Elizabeth Adeline Boyd on Friday, May 30. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz.

Liza Boyd with new daughter Elizabeth Adelline

Older sister Elle, age 4, was excited to meet her new little sister, who will be called Adeline.

Liza has already returned to the farm to visit and hopes to be teaching lessons and back in the saddle soon. In the meantime, there's no doubt baby Adeline will soon see her first horse and become a regular fixture at Finally Farm.

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Wilson Wins at Atlanta Spring Challenge

Emma Wilson with Goodman and Cover Charge

Finally Farm horses and riders took Atlanta by storm in May, taking three champions, three reserves and 23 blue ribbons. New and old may have combined at the Atlanta Spring Challenge for Emma Wilson, but her results were the same: tricolor honors.

Emma guided her own Cover Charge to the Children's Hunter, 15-17, championship and rode Kathryn Coster's Goodman to the reserve championship. As icing on the cake, Emma and Goodman collected the WIHS/NAL Children's 15-17 Hunter Classic blue ribbon.

"She had a really great weekend," said Finally Farm trainer Jack Towell. "Emma did especially well riding her older horse that she’s had and that she knows. But she also rode another horse and won the classic. I'm really proud of her. Goodman was a new horse for her, and I don’t think she’d ever shown him. To do that well on a horse she’d never shown, really showcased her growing talents."

Jack also credited Emma's trainer Courtney Goldstein, of Black Ankle, LLC, who works with her at home in Savannah, Georgia. At 20 years of age, Cover Charge, a Hanoverian gelding by Contender, still shows off his winning form.

"Courtney does a good job with those horses," said Jack. "She doesn't miss a beat, they're well trained, ready to show and look great. When they arrive at the show, they're just right. She does quite a good job."

Tracey London also works with Courtney at home and meets Finally Farm at the shows. She also collected tricolor honors at Atlanta, taking the Adult Amateur, 36-49, section title with The Bristol Bay Co. LLC's Kayak. In addition, she guided her own Smile to top ribbons.

Grace Howard and Bethel's Peri continued their top performances in the Large Junior Hunter section, taking the championship with three blue ribbons, including victory in the Large Junior Hunter Classic.

The pair also tackled the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, where Grace was one of just two junior riders to finish in the top 12 overall. Bethel's Peri is now qualified for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships to be held in Kentucky in August.

"Before the derby, Grace was debating whether to ride herself or have [professional] Harold Chopping take the reins," said Towell. "In the end, she did it herself, and she did great."

Erin McGuire and Casallo contributed to the Finally Farm championship collection with the tricolor in the 3'6" Amateur-Owner Hunter section. Erin also piloted Kasarr to impressive performances in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper section.

"She was third in the classic and jumped the 1.40m really well, going double clean," said Towell. "She had done one grand prix with that horse in Aiken, but I thought this course was bigger and harder. In fact, I think this was the biggest course that horse has ever jumped. He was like cat, so athletic, and she was as aggressive as she could be. They really did a great job together."

In the Adult Jumper Classic, Paige Burton impressed Towell with her technical riding and attention to pace. Aboard her Kolette, Paige jumped double clear and galloped to a well-deserved second place over a course Towell described as "plenty big and hard." Paige also captured another red ribbon in an Adult Jumper class earlier in the week.

"I'm really happy Paige is back in action. Her father is a race car driver, and she was having time faults! It doesn't look very good," he said with a smile. "She rode super this week and also got excellent ribbons in the hunters."

Towell also thanked professional Harold Chopping and Finally Farm Assistant Trainer Tamara Berkowitz for their assistance while daughter Liza Boyd is at home and expecting a baby. Among his many ribbon winners, Chopping guided Susan Ross' Wicked to the championship in the Baby Green Hunter section.

Special thanks to the Finally Farm photographers for their wonderful images!

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Liza Boyd Featured in The Plaid Horse

The Plaid Horse interviewed Finally Farm's Liza Towell Boyd for their special anniversary issue, which was published in May.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Liza's life, including her thoughts on a professional rider and trainer's career, horsemanship and family.

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Grand Finale at Aiken Spring Finale

The Aiken Spring Finale, held April 23-27, was a celebration of spring, ribbons and birthdays. Trainer Liza Boyd celebrated her birthday during the show and received a combination birthday party/baby shower.

Elle Boyd oversees Liza's baby shower/birthday party.

"This was my last horse show before I go into nesting," said Liza, whose due date is six weeks from today. "When I left the show, everyone said, 'We'll see you in July!' I'm taking my six weeks off before the baby is born, which is the opposite. Only in the horse world! After I have the baby, I want to be back in the barn as soon as possible."

Liza won't actually be slowing down too much during her maternity leave. She'll still be giving lessons at home in Camden, South Carolina, but won't be on the road. Her father Jack Towell will hold down the fort and travel with the horses and students to the upcoming shows.

"It will be great, and I'll have the time to do more lessons with the people locally who want to come but don't have the opportunity when we're traveling to the shows," added Liza.

During the Aiken Spring Finale, the Finally Farm clients and friends enjoyed a baby shower/birthday party with Liza's 4-year-old daughter Elle as the hostess.

"Elle really wanted this party," said Liza smiling. "My mom helped, of course, and she said, 'I haven't worked this hard on your birthday since you were a child!' They brought cakes and cookies and baby shower gifts. And Elle received presents, too, so she thought it was all pretty neat."

In the show ring, Finally Farm riders and horses collected a bounty of tricolors and top prizes, including three championships and five reserves.

Highlights included the Hunter Style Award and the Sportsmanship Circuit Championship.

Grace Howard with the Aiken Spring Hunter Style Award

Grace Howard, 16, of Concord, North Carolina, earned the Hunter Style Award, presented to the professional, junior or amateur rider who displays the best hunter style.

Liza credited Grace's hard work and her foray into the equitation division for her added polish. "The equitation has been extremely helpful for Grace," said Liza. "She always had a good eye and nice feel, but the equitation has sharpened up her style. The equitation horse we got for her can do the derbies and jumps well, so she did the derbies and equitation classes on her over the past two weeks.

"Wahalla has done a really great job for Grace, and the experience has made her better on her hunter, Bethel's Peri, because of it. She's not stiff but more polished and neater," noted Liza. "She’s always been a very poised rider with a nice position, but everything has come together the past couple of months. This award was a nice little bonus."

Grace and Wahalla won the WIHS Hunter, Jumper and Overall phases, the E.J. Haun Medal and placed eighth in the USHJA National Hunter Derby among other ribbons. Grace was also Large Junior, 16-17, reserve champion with Bethel's Peri.

Erin McGuire had an especially rewarding week, winning the Sportsmanship Circuit Championship as well as making her grand prix debut with Kasarr and earning the Amateur-Owner Hunter Circuit Championship with Casallo.

Erin and Kasarr had one rail in the first round of the $25,000 Carolina Real Estate Co. Grand Prix and were just out of the ribbons.

"We were so proud of Erin and Kasarr," said Liza. "This little horse has really exceeded everyone's expectations. He wasn't bought to be a grand prix horse, and he did the 1.40m easily. It was exciting, and the whole barn came out to watch the underdog go in there and get better and better. It's been fun to see them grow and rise up the levels together."

Trainer Jack Towell with Emily Gaskin and High Rise

Another pair that has grown and developed is High Rise and Emily Gaskin, of Okatie, South Carolina. Their consistent performances at Aiken resulted in the Children's Hunter, 15-17, championship. High Rise is an 11-year-old pinto Oldenburg (Wradar--Phantom) bred by Cheryl Fincher. Emily and High Rise spent some time on the HITS Ocala Circuit in Florida, and Liza said that mileage over the winter helped them immensely.

"I have to give Emily the major improvement award," said Liza. "We only see her at the shows, and whatever she's been doing at home and over the winter has helped her dramatically. It's been fun to watch her progress, and to put the finishing touches on them here. We had a lot of fun.

"She's a real team player, too," added Liza. "Even though she doesn't keep her horse with us in Camden, she's a real part of the barn at the shows. She's a huge help, and she'll lead horses to the ring and help set jumps. She soaks up everything. This was a really big win for them, and we're so happy for her!"

Elle Boyd showing off her equitation in the Leadline class

Elle Boyd split her time between party hostess and show ring rider, taking Catherine Sharp's I Candy for a spin in the Leadline class.

All in all, it was a great Aiken Spring Finale Horse Show. Special thanks, as usual, to our great Finally Farm photographers for the fun images!

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Aiken Spring Classic Masters

Finally Farm riders and horses traveled to the Aiken Spring Classic Masters, held April 15-19, where they enjoyed this traditional South Carolina spring show as well as Easter Weekend festivities.

Elle Boyd enjoys spring flowers and her Easter Bunny.

A highlight of the show was the debut of Finally Farm and Janet Peterson’s newest derby horse, Trinity. Purchased from Holly Hill Farm, Trinity is a 7-year-old American-bred by the famous hunter stallion Popeye K and out of a Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse mare.

With Liza Boyd currently out of the saddle, Caitlin Venezia traveled to Aiken to show Trinity. They earned top ribbons in the Green Working Hunter section before Trinity made his International Derby debut in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Liza first noticed Trinity last year during in the Pre-Green Hunters and admired his presence and scope. She tried him at Capital Challenge in October. “I really liked him, but the timing wasn’t quite right,” said Boyd. “Then, the last week of Florida, my parents watched him go and really liked him. Holly Hill trainer Patty Harnois noted that she thought he’d make a good derby horse for me.”

This time the timing couldn’t have been better, as Mrs. Peterson had sold her derby horse Quatrain over the winter to junior rider Laura Critz and was looking for a replacement.

“Plus, it’s six weeks to go before my baby is born, so I’ll be riding again soon,” said Liza with a smile. “Caitlin showed him at Aiken for me so I could watch. She also prepared him, and I was able to observe that as well. They won the Handy in the First Years, but in the Derby he had an unlucky rail. But it was his first International Derby, and I thought he went really well.”

In addition to his athletic ability, Liza was also attracted to the bay gelding’s character. “He seems to have the right brain for a derby horse, which is what you want,” she noted. “He looks scopey like Popeye K (his sire), and in my mind I had wanted a 7-year-old. At 5, they’re still so young and far away from the derby ring, and with a 10-year-old, before you know it he’s 12 or 13. This is the perfect age; he’s ready to go and do it all.”

Finally Farm-trained horses and riders collected a variety of ribbons in the Classic, Handy and Overall phases of the International Derby, with North C and Jaime Steinhaus placing sixth overall and Bethel’s Peri and Grace Howard jumping to eighth overall.

Quatrain continued his successes in the Junior Hunters, this time taking the Junior Hunter 3’3” reserve championship with Laura Critz and also the Performance Working Hunter 3’6” reserve championship with professional Daniel Geitner in the irons.

Casallo and Erin McGuire added to their ribbon collection in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, taking the tricolor, and Casallo also earned top ribbons in the Performance Working Hunter 3’6” section with Daniel Geitner.

In the jumpers, Brie Tiffany and her new jumper Milky Way continued to get to know one another with excellent results, receiving top ribbons in the 1.0m and Adult Amateur Jumper classes. “Brie was second in the Adult Amateurs, and it was really exciting,” said Liza. “She rode out on the grass field, up and down the hills, and did a great job.”

With the show concluding on Saturday, Finally Farm trainers and clients were able to spend Easter Sunday with family and friends.

Special thanks to the Finally Farm photographers and friends for these wonderful photos!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

I Candy Claims Pony Classic at Camden

I Candy and Catherine Sharp enjoy the spoils of their great show at the Camden Spring Classic.

When reflecting on the great successes of the Finally Farm riders during the Camden Spring Classic, April 2-6, in Camden, South Carolina, trainer Liza Boyd was especially proud of one of their smallest riders, Catherine Sharp.

Catherine guided I Candy to the Small Pony Hunter reserve championship and won the Pony Hunter Classic.

“She scored an 84 in the first round, which was so fun to see,” said Boyd. “We don’t have many children start with us as young as she did. She’s been with us for a year now, and it’s been so rewarding to see how her riding has improved and how educated she’s become in that time.

“She’s very dedicated in her lessons and also traveled to Florida to show with us,” added Boyd. “This pony is a little harder to ride than her others, so it’s been a huge transition in her riding. She’s like a little sponge, though, and soaks it all in.”

Boyd said lately she’s been helping Catherine to focus on her position. “If she’s in the right place in the saddle, she has better body control, and her consistency in finding [the takeoff spots to] the jumps is so much better.”

Boyd noted that many pony riders slide their leg way back behind the girth to kick their ponies forward. That motion in the saddle can throw the rider out of balance, and she can lose the proper position. Instead, Boyd advises riders to keep their leg underneath them and turn their toes out and squeeze right behind the girth instead of taking their leg off the pony.

“It’s those little things that can make a big difference between getting the distance correctly or getting a chip,” said Boyd. “Body control in the air is also important, so we worked on that as well in the ticketed warm-up classes. We worked on rollback turns and having Catherine step into the outside stirrup to prevent her pony from diving in during the turns. It’s all about position and track, and if you’re in a better position on the backside of the fence, it will help you find the next jump correctly.”

The equitation riders also benefitted from trainers Boyd and Jack Towell, who continued fine-tuning their positions and performances.

Sarah Isgett guided Vasco to the blue ribbon in the Pessoa/USEF Medal class, while Grace Howard rode Wahalla to third place. Addison Byrd and Friend Request rounded out the Finally Farm domination with fourth place.

Byrd also collected second places in the ASPCA Maclay and WIHS Overall, while Isgett took third and Howard fifth in the Maclay.

“All three girls are really progressing this season in the equitation,” said Boyd. “Two had never done the equitation before this year, and they’re really figuring it all out and riding very well.”

Isgett and Howard also tackled the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with their equitation horses to experience the added pressure under the lights as well as the more technical courses.

Howard and her Junior Hunter Bethel’s Peri rose to the derby challenge, claiming 10th in the Handy and Overall. They also earned the reserve championship in the junior section.

“The Derby was really good for him,” said Boyd of Bethel’s Peri. “He can be lazy, and on Saturday we had our first summer-like day, and he was really lethargic. Then, after jumping the derby that night, he was so much better on Sunday. He woke up with more spark and won both classes. Stepping up and having him do the derby in that atmosphere made him a better junior hunter the following day.”

The Finally Farm trainers also enjoyed helping some horses and riders who met them at the show, including Jamie Steinhaus with North C, who placed sixth in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Emily Gaskin also traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to work with Finally Farm, and picked up top ribbons in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, section with her flashy pinto and fourth in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic.

New horses also made their debuts with Finally Farm students. Sarah Orberson and Clark 57 and Brie Tiffany with Milky Way both competed in the Children’s/Adult Jumper section.

“They had a great show on their jumpers,” said Boyd. “Brie had never done jumpers, so it was great for her to go in there and get nice ribbons. Sarah’s young horse will be great amateur horse with some more mileage.”

Boyd always enjoys the Camden Spring Classic, held just down the road from their Finally Farm.

“Everyone comes and sits on the hill and watches the derby at night. It’s actually the first show where I thought, ‘I’m ready to get back in the ring again,’ ” said Boyd, who is expecting her second child in June. “It’s a really fun spring show, and show manager Rick Cram does a good job and sets nice solid derby courses.”

Special thanks to the Finally Farm resident photographers for their great images this week!

Posted on April 10, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Equitation Riders Shine at Atlanta

The Finally Farm team traveled to Conyers, Georgia, for the Atlanta Spring Classic I, held at the Georgia International Horse Park, March 19-23. And the riders and horses returned home with a variety of ribbons and awards, including three championships and two reserve championships.

"Everyone rode so well," said trainer Liza Boyd. "It was one of those shows where each person had one of their personal best performances throughout the week."

Trainer Liza Boyd and the Finally Farm equitation riders celebrate their USEF Medal performances.

The Finally Farm equitation riders made their presence known, taking first, second and fourth places in the Pessoa/USEF Medal class, out of a field of 27 riders. Sarah Isgett took the blue riding Vasco, with Grace Howard second and Addison Byrd fourth. Byrd also won the WIHS Hunter, Jumper and Overall phases (scoring an 86 in the jumper phase!) aboard Friend Request, and Howard was second in the WIHS Hunter Phase.

"They have all progressed so far this year," said Boyd. "All three attended the WEF circuit, where doing those technical courses paid off. The courses at Atlanta weren't easy, but they were all riding really sharp."

Boyd said all three riders are competing on relatively new horses that they're leasing for the season. "In fact, Grace just got her horse this week to try, and we quite like that horse," said Boyd of Wahalla. "She’s ridden three or four different horses this winter and found one that clicked. I'm really proud of them all. Two have only been hunter riders, and they've really learned the hand connection needed in the equitation, and it's great to see them progress. To have all three in the USEF Medal test was rewarding as a a trainer."

In the hunter sections, Finally Farm collected championships in the Amateur-Owner, 18-35 section (Erin McGuire and Casallo), the 3'3" Junior Hunter section (Laura Critz and Quatrain) and the Large Junior, 16-17, section (Grace Howard and Bethel's Peri).

"Erin didn't take Casallo to Florida and instead did the Aiken shows this winter," said Boyd. "She and Casallo have started out strongly this spring, and they had lovely performances on their way to the championship in the younger Amateurs."

Boyd was also proud of McGuire for stepping up her game in the jumpers. She and Kasarr moved up to the 1.40 meter height and won a class as well as placing third over that height in the combined Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

"She rode smart. She didn’t go as fast in jump-off and had a double-clear performance," said Boyd. "It's the biggest she’s jumped with Kasarr. She rode it very educated. We didn’t know if he could jump this height because he was bought as low horse, so he's really exceeded everyone’s expectations. We're really happy with him."

Laura Critz also had a breakthrough week during Atlanta, where she and Quatrain have further solidified the partnership that began over the winter. Their efforts were rewarded with the section championship and blue ribbon in the classic.

"She has really clicked with Quatrain," said Boyd. "It's the most consistent she's been so far with him. Before, she would win a class and then make a mistake in the next one. But here, every single class was consistent, and she truly deserved to be champion."

Grace Howard also picked up a well-deserved tricolor on Bethel’s Peri in Large Juniors, winning three of the five classes in the section.

"It was so nice to see everyone ride so well this week," said Boyd. "This is a great group, and they all watch each other and cheer each other on. Everyone was there watching from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and then they all went to dinner together. It’s so great to see them all enjoying it so much, from the riders to the families and even the dads! There's a lot of camaraderie."

Special thanks to the Finally Farm team for the fantastic photographs.

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Three's A Charm For Erin McGuire

Erin McGuire picked up her third $10,000 Mini Prix blue ribbon of the winter during the PSJ Aiken Challenge Series in Aiken, South Carolina.

Erin McGuire and Kasarr with their $10,000 Mini Prix blue ribbon.

Erin and her Dutch Warmblood Kasarr jumped double-clear over the 1.30m course and edged professional Daniel Geitner for the victory, during the final event of the series, held March 5-9.

Professional Jason Berry posted the first clear jump-off ride with Wanderer, which set the pace. Erin and trainer Liza Boyd watched intently as he tackled the course and then further formulated their plan.

"After we watched Jason fly around, I told Erin to go for it," said Liza with a smile. "She had to ride really smartly. During the course, her horse landed from one fence and started bucking. Erin realized she was losing time, so she chose to take a daring inside turn. You could go inside a tree or around it. It was a tricky turn because the next jump came up quickly, but she did it, and her horse jumped amazing."

Erin and Liza then waited and watched Daniel try and take over the lead. "Daniel's horse is bigger, so he was able to leave out strides in the first and second lines," said Liza. "But he lost some time because his horse is slower in the turns. In the end, he couldn't catch Erin. It goes to show that sometimes leaving out strides doesn't help you as much as taking neat inside turns.

"Daniel was a great sport and joked when he came out of the ring, 'I'm tired of risking my life for second place,' " added Liza with a laugh.

To read more about Erin's victory in the Aiken Standard, please click here.

Casallo returned ready to win after a break!

Erin's success also continued in the hunter ring, where she and Casallo picked up the Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship and second place in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. Casallo was returning to the ring after a winter break of two months.

"This was the longest break he's ever had," said Liza. "Erin rode him every day to keep him fit, but he hasn't shown since the beginning of January. Here, he was very bright and crisp and jumped high. He looked really refreshed."

The riders and horses who recently returned home from the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Florida made great strides in Aiken, taking top ribbons and showing newfound confidence.

Mary Mitchener and Waccamaw jumped up to claim the reserve championship in the 3'3" Junior Hunter section.

"She was so consistent this week and rode so well," said Liza. "When she first started the 3'3" section in January, her eyes were big. You might not think that 3" can make such a big difference when moving up from the Children's Hunters, but it's a combination of factors. In the Junior Hunters you jog and have a Handy Hunter course, so there's more pressure.

Mary Carton Mitchener and Waccamaw jumped to success in the 3'3" Junior Hunters.

"After going to Florida for three weeks and doing the World Championship Hunter Rider week there, coming back to Aiken seemed like a piece of cake," added Liza. "In the Handy, she did the one hard turn that was really tricky. She could have gone the easy route, but she didn't, and there was a huge difference between her riding in January and now."

Emma Wilson's Ajax also returned from Florida with more mileage, and that experience was evident as he earned the Pre-Green Hunter championship with Daniel Geitner aboard and also partnered with Emma as she made her debut in the 3' Children's Hunter section.

"Daniel noticed right away how much the horse had learned in Florida," said Liza. "It's amazing what a couple of weeks in a row will do in that environment for a young horse. Daniel gave him a great ride, and it was wonderful that Emma was able to move up. Every class got better and better, and by the end she was right where we hoped she'd be."

Bethel's Peri and Grace Howard won two classes on their way to the Junior Hunter reserve championship. "Grace did the equitation classes in Florida, so she was on her game during Aiken," said Liza. "He's a very seasoned horse, and she has a strong partnership with him, so it was great to see them come back so strong after a nice winter break."

Laura Critz and Quatrain showed great form in the 3'3" Junior Hunters.

Laura Critz and Quatrain continued picking up blue ribbons in the 3'3" Junior Hunters, and a strong third-placed finish in the Junior/Amateur Hunter Classic capped off their weekend. "After the classic, Erin said, 'Laura was third and only 1 point behind me. She's catching up!' " said Liza. "That was really cute!"

Finally Farm horses and riders will be home this week for lots of lessons. Many riders will be on spring break, so Liza looks forward to "Camp Finally Farm" as riders spend time in Camden ramping up for the upcoming Atlanta Spring Classic Horse Show in Conyers, Georgia.