A WEF Fairytale Ending For Finally Farm

Trainer Liza Boyd described Finally Famr’s final week on the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit as having a fairytale ending for 2016.

“You always want to leave a good note, and this year was especially memorable,” she said. “Everyone had an amazing ending this week, from the short stirrup and ponies to the green and junior hunters.”

Stella Styslinger and Alberto Ramirez

One person who agreed in full was Stella Styslinger, who finished her time in Wellington, Florida, with championship performances aboard two horses. She captured the Large Junior, 16-17, title with Invincible and the Small Junior, 16-17, title with O’Ryan.

“She was spectacular,” said Liza of Stella. “She won two classes on each horse each day and got great ribbons throughout both divisions. I was so proud of how far she’s come this winter on her new horses."

Stella is leasing Invincible from owner Ellen Toon, who rode the bay gelding to much success in the Amateur-Owners, with tricolors at the country’s best horse shows.

“He’s such a great horse and class act and so serious,” said Liza of Invincible. “In the schooling area, we only jump low verticals because he goes in the ring and knows his job so well. It’s actually pretty amazing for an older horse to be so careful and still try so hard. But he really wants to win!

“Ellen was at the ring watching the first day and grinning from ear-to-ear,” added Liza. “She’s so proud. I think she was reluctant and nervous about letting him go, so it was so nice for her to watch him and see the two of them do so well together. They are a great match.”

Stella Styslinger and Invincible

Liza also credited her own Shamrock for finishing his time on the circuit with a reserve championship in the Second Year Green section. The former event horse is a fresh face on the hunter circuit and is figuring out his new job, even jumping right into the Second Years against more seasoned competitors.

“He’s getting so consistent and maturing, and the courses down here really helped him learn his job,” said Liza. “There’s a different course designer each week, and the depth of knowledge in the professional divisions really helps them the rest of the year.

“The past two weeks Shamrock won the Second Year Green Handy class, and those results really showed his growing aptitude,” Liza added. “Those courses are as tough as any derby handy, so it was great for him to see many different jumps and have different tests. The first round courses were no walks in the park, either! There were tough bending lines, so it’s been really good preparation for him as he continues on in the Hunter Derbies this year.”

Liza Boyd and Shamrock

Maggie Hill also used WEF as a springboard up the levels as she spent her first full season on the circuit competing. She moved up from the Low Children’s Hunters at the start to finish with tricolor honors in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, section aboard Co Co Chanel.

Liza credited Maggie for her hard work and also the family for their commitment, relocating from Wyoming for eight weeks of the circuit.

“Maggie said these two months have been amazing and she learned so much,” said Liza. “You couldn’t have planned it any better. She was dedicated, rode every day and probably learned more in these two months than she would in an entire year of showing in a regular program.”

Zola Thompson couldn’t make it down to Florida for the final week, but her pony Elegance still came out on top. “I want to thank Caroline Passarelli for showing her for us and winning the Medium Pony Hunter Classic,” said Liza.

Pony Drive Thru

Liza’s daughter Elle had her moment in the show ring this week as well, riding Otis Spunkmeyer to impressive ribbons in the Walk-Trot section. A highlight of her ride was the ice cream stop on the way back to the barn!

Elle and Hardin celebrate a great performance

Over in the jumpers, the Finally Farm cheering squad had a lot to celebrate as Hardin Towell jumped to fifth place aboard Emilie De Diamant AS in the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO 4* Grand Prix out of a field of 50 top international riders.

“It was so exciting! Hardin was the only American in the jump-off,” said Liza. “We were thrilled to see him do so well.”

This week, Finally Farm packs up their ribbons, tack, equipment and horses to return home to Camden, South Carolina. They’ll spend three weeks there before traveling to the Atlanta Spring Classic Horse Shows in Conyers, Georgia.

A special thanks to this week's photographers: The Book LLC, Noelle Floyd, Tamara Berkowitz, Lisa Towell and Liza Boyd.

Competition, sportsmanship, camaraderie. When eventual $216,000 CSIO4* Grand Prix winner Darragh Kenny (right) passed Hardin Towell after a clear jump-off round on Sunday, March 6th in Wellington, Florida, a moment of congratulations and respect passed between the two. More than just a high-five, the moment between fierce competitors and good friends exemplified the best of a beautiful sport, a shared passion, and mutual goodwill.

Finally Farm Hunters Shine at WEF and Ocala

Liza Boyd and Brunello in the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala (TK Themaneimagephotography)

The hunters were center stage during the past two weeks on the Winter Equestrian Festival and HITS Ocala circuits in Florida, and Finally Farm riders and horses made the most of acquiring World Championship Hunter Rider points.

During WEF Week 6, held Feb. 17-21, one highlight was O'Ryan's 3'6" Performance Working Hunter Championship with Liza Boyd aboard. The pair clinched the tricolor and a place in the starting lineup in the 20th edition of the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, and they eventually placed 10th overall.

Liza, a three-time winner of the class (including the inaugural event aboard her Junior Hunter Monday Morning), was thrilled to achieve a spot in the class and qualify among the top-12 for the second round. The class was held Saturday night, under the lights with packed stands cheering on the show hunters.

Liza Boyd and O'Ryan collected the 3'6" Performance Working Hunter Championship during WEF Week 6.

"It's always fun to compete in the class, and at this point to be in there and stay up in the game is great," said Liza, crediting Stella Styslinger for allowing her to qualify O'Ryan. "The courses were great, and the class received rave reviews. It was really nice to see the crowd entertained the whole time, and it was one of the best in many years."

Finally Farm clients and horses enjoyed many ribbons during WCHR week, with everyone savoring in the opportunity to have the hunters featured in the International Ring and competing in the spotlight usually reserved for the jumpers. 

During Week 7 of WEF, Liza split her time between Wellington and Ocala. She brought 18-year-old Brunello out in the High Performance Hunters one day during WCHR Week 6 as a warm-up before tackling the HITS Ocala $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on February 27. The pair, three-time winners of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, placed fifth overall in their first derby since claiming their third championship title in Kentucky last August.

Liza Boyd and Brunello

"I was super happy with fifth place and really happy to get a check," said Liza with a smile. "It was fun, and I'm glad we went up to Ocala for the class. Anytime I can show him is now icing on the cake. We both went for the win in the handy, but we were a step late on a lead change (after the trot fence). But, you have to go for it! If that inside turn would have worked out, I think we might have moved up to challenge one of Kelley Farmer's top three finishers. Unfortunately, I made that little mistake, but it was a blast to show him again."

"Ike" will now travel home to Camden, South Carolina, where he'll rest and relax until his next show ring outing, which Liza thinks might be in one of the spring USHJA International Hunter derby classes in Aiken or Tryon.

WEF Week 7 also featured some impressive performances, with Laura Critz's Quatrain sweeping the Small Junior, 15 and under, over fences classes to earn the championship with McKayla Langmeier aboard.

Liza also piloted Finally Farm's young Shamrock to the reserve championship in the Second Year Green Hunter section.

In the jumper ring, Hardin Towell was on fire on a variety of mounts, earning top 10 finishes in some impressive international-level company. Hardin and New York placed  seventh of 76 entries in the $86,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship, and he guided Lucifer V to fourth of 71 in the $130,000 Ruby Et Violette WEF Challenge Round VII before the pair placed 10th in the $380,000 Suncast CSI 5* Grand Prix to conclude the weekend.

Finally Farm also wishes to congratulate new rider-and-horse partnerships that were made recently. 

Pony Lane Farm's newest hunter, Like I Said with rider Kelley Farmer

Pony Lane Farm and Maddy Thatcher welcomed Like I Said, purchased from Glefke and Farrington, LLC. With Kelley Farmer in the irons, Like I Said was a superstar during WEF 6 and placed second in the $100,000 WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular. Kelley will continue to show the mare for the remainder of the WEF circuit, while Maddy will take the reins in the Amateur-Owner Hunters during Week 9 for their debut.

"I"m thrilled for Maddy; she's an incredible mare," said Liza. "I'm leaving Wellington a few weeks earlier than Maddy, so I'll get to know the mare at home when they return,."

Grayanna Grigg leased A Propos from trainer and grand prix rider Michael Tokaruk, who competed him in the smaller grand prix classes. Grayanna and A Propos made their debut during Week 7 in the Low Children's Jumpers, and she plans to learn the ropes and move up the levels with this veteran jumper.

Maggie Hill and Co Co Chanel will be joining forces in the hunter ring, with a lease from trainer David Oliynyck. "My dad (Jack Towell) imported the mare as a 4-year-old, and she was later sold to a client of David's. It's nice to have her back in the barn. She will be fun for Maggie."

Liza also showed five horses for trainer Peter Pletcher of PJP Farm because he's out of the saddle due to an injury. She collected numerous tricolors and top ribbons for a successful week. "It's always fun to help out other riders, but also a little bit stressful," she said with a laugh. "Peter has had such success with these horses, and as you’re riding around you think, 'What would Peter do?' But we had a really good time, and it was great teamwork."

For a gallery of photos from WEF Week 6-7, please click see the carousel below. Special thanks to TK The Mane Image Photography and The Book LLC for additional photographs.

Finally Farm Shows Star Power During WEF 5

In addition to continuing their impressive performances in the show ring, Finally Farm riders exhibited their star power during the extracurricular activities of Week 5 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida.

A highlight of the week was the eight Annual Kids Lip Sync event, a charity fundraiser for Danny & Ron's Rescue, where some of Finally Farm's smallest riders took the big stage.

Participating riders included Ruby Sloan, Zola Thompson and their sisters, along with trainer Liza Boyd's daughter, Elle. The charity event featured disco queen Gloria Gaynor, who invited the kids on stage to sing "I Will Survive" with her, seen here.

"All of our girls did a super job," said Liz. " The costumes were beautiful, and the choreography was great. It was fun to watch!"

Liza was in front of the camera herself this week as a sponsored rider for Ariat. She modeled apparel while Brunello participated as a prop on a shoot that took place at Grand Prix Village.

"It was so much fun!" said Liza. "I felt like a real model, getting my hair and makeup done. They were so excited that we brought Ike, too. I think he enjoyed all of the attention!" 

Indeed, Ike had his fair share of the spotlight this week as he made his 2016 show ring debut in a Schooling Jumper class.

Brunello, Liza and Alberto

"He felt great," said Liza. "I thought before we go to HITS Ocala for the USHJA International Hunter Derby we both need to do something. So, I’m glad we got started. We’ll also do Wednesday of Week 6 in the High Performance Hunters. I probably need the practice more than he does! 

"I think it will be good for us," she said, adding that she was currently riding him home from flatting in the International Ring on Monday morning. "He was playing and wild, not your typical hunter! He feels good, though, and is happy. We galloped a while to stretch his legs, and I think he had a really good time."  

Justified and Kelly Maloney continued to enjoy themselves in the Don Little Masters Jumper section, claiming two blue ribbons, 10th in the Classic and tying for reserve champion.

"They were so consistent," said Liza. "I don’t think the mare has had a rail down since she’s been here. I saw the first round of the Classic, and she was great."

Stella Styslinger and Victoria Press combined forces to claim the Small Junior, 16-17, reserve championship with O’Ryan.  "I have to give a shout-out and credit Victoria for riding him Day No. 2," said Liza. " Stella had strep throat, so she was unable to show the second day. Victoria stepped up and was great. She had catch ridden him before, so it all worked out."

Maggie Hill moved up to the Children's Hunters this week and ended up second on Tasty and sixth on Equanimity on the second day of competition. "It was a competitive division, and she really has improved so much," said Liza of Maggie. "She made a few minor mistakes on the first day, and she came back and really improved. I told her that once you move up, it's not as much about finding the distances to the jumps but about achieving a more technical ride. You have to start learning the details that help the horses to jump a better fence. It's good for her to start learning these next steps and adding in the finer points to her riding."

Clemson University student Maddy Thatcher brought her full string of horses out for WEF 6 and collected multiple top ribbons, including a win in the Low Amateurs on Dolce Vita and in the Modifieds with Skilliane De Varnel. 

"She was super consistent with all of the others, including ribbons on Summer Place in the Amateur-Owner Hunters," said Liza. "She rode really well, and the horses were great."

Coronado Makes an Impressive Derby Debut

Liza Boyd aboard Pony Lane Farm's Coronado

Finally Farm took a short hiatus from Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit to experience The Ridge at Wellington’s Hunter Derby Day, held Friday February 5 in Wellington, Florida.

Trainer Liza Boyd entered her young derby mounts Coronado and Shamrock in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the first major derby outing for both young horses.

“It was a great experience for them,” she said. “They were both a little green at times, but it was a new place and in a covered arena, so it was totally understandable.”

In the end, Pony Lane Farm’s 6-year-old Zangersheide stallion Coronado (Coriano Z—Chinchilla Overringe’s Z) placed eighth overall out of the field of 31 horses.

“I couldn’t be happier for him. Once again. people thought I had shown Brunello in the class because they look so much alike!” she added laughing.

Liza was pleased that photographer Andrew Ryback selected a photo of Coronado as one of his favorites from the day and posted it to his social media sites.

Famous faces at The Ridge at Wellington's Hunter Derby included, from left, Bill Schaub, Nona Garson, Bucky Reynolds and Jack Towell.

“Coronado really stepped up this week. He also did the High Performance Hunters on Wednesday, a section that had a lot of really good horses. He placed third and third over fences over some impressive courses designed by Phillip DeVita. He really proved his scope that day,” she said.

McKayla Langmeier added a few more tricolors to the Finally Farm banner during the week as she guided Maraschino to the Small Junior, 15 and under, championship for owner Lily Bennett, who was out of town.

It was a special show for McKayla and “Cherry” as they were reunited for the first time since Lily purchased the mare from her after the 2014 Pennsylvania National Horse Show where they were champions.

“It was fun to see her back on Maraschino, and she was so excited to ride Cherry again,” said Liza, who also guided Cherry to a score of 89 in the 3’6” Performance Working Hunter Handy class that week.

“The mare has really matured and gotten better and better,” she said. “I was able to do some turns and things I couldn’t have done last year, when she was a First Year Green horse.” 

McKayla dominated the Small Junior, 15 and under, section, winning every over fences class—three aboard Maraschino and one with Laura Critz’s Quatrain, who finished as the reserve champion with two seconds over fences as well.

Maggie Hill added another Low Children’s Hunter tricolor to her collection, taking a championship aboard Black Ankle LLC’s Equanimity this week. Liza praised Maggie for her consistent riding, which has now resulted in multiple tricolors aboard three different horses.  

‘The other two horses (she rides) needed a week off, so this was perfect. Our friends from Savannah, Georgia, trainer Courtney Goldstein and owner Ansley Johnson, allowed Maggie to show the mare. We’ve seen ‘Cha Cha’ for quite a long time because she does the Adult Amateurs with her owner. She’s a lovely mare, and it was nice of them to allow Maggie to show her this week.”

Hardin Towell and his jumpers earned a variety of placings during Week 4, with a highlight being 11th place out of 59 aboard Emilie De Diamant A in the $35,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round IV. They had just one rail down in the jump-off. The pair also had just one rail in the first round of the $216,000 Ariat CSI4* Grand Prix.

Brunello Named Chronicle's Show Hunter Horse of the Year

Finally Farm congratulates Brunello for his title as The Chronicle of the Horse magazine's Show Hunter Horse of the Year!

Owned by rider Liza Boyd and Janet Peterson, Brunello, also known as "Ike," received the award by virtue of his stellar performances in 2015, including his third consecutive victory in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

To read more about the 2015 honorees in the Chronicle's American Horses in Sport issue, please visit www.chronofhorse.com.

Jack Towell Nominated to Show Hunter Hall of Fame

Jack Towell with daughter Liza Boyd and Brunello

Finally Farm is proud to announce that owner/trainer Jack Towell has been nominated to the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame! 

The announcement was released on February 1:

"The National Show Hunter Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that the nominees for induction into the Hall of Fame this year are Pam Baker, Leslie Burr Howard, Terry Rudd, Elizabeth Solter, Lu Thomas and Jack Towell.

The four nominees with the most votes will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Merion Cricket Club on May 31, 2016. If you would like a ballot, please contact showhunterhalloffame@gmail.com We look forward to hearing from you. Please vote on this outstanding list of horse persons."

The NSHHF was founded in 1995 as a tax-exempt organization with the following goals:

• Educating the equestrian public and competition spectators on the standards of horse and rider grading and judging
• Providing information on the horses and riders who have achieved excellence in show hunter competition
• Fostering the appreciation of this sport through the establishment and maintenance of a National Show Hunter Hall of Fame with the appropriate related ceremonies and awards

To be eligible for induction, a person must have participated in the Show Hunter Industry for a minimum of 15 years and distinguished themselves by the nature of their contributions or achievements.

We hope you'll support Jack and help vote him into the NSHHF!

"Jack Towell has been one of the must successful trainers and developers of young riding talent in this country. He’s trained more than 75 champions/reserves and 14 Best Child Rider winners at the Devon Horse Show, Capital Challenge and the East Coast fall indoor shows. In addition, he’s trained three WCHR Hunter Spectacular winners (Monday Morning, Fiyero and Brunello), overall champions at the U.S. Pony Finals and the U.S. Junior Hunter Finals and the great Brunello to three consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships (2013-15)."

For more information on the NSHHF, to join, support and to vote, please visit the website.

Top Finishes For Finally Farm at WEF 2

McKayla Langmeier and Quatrain

Finally Farm added a variety of tricolor ribbons to the collection during Week 2 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida.

Champions during the show, held January 20-24, included Nevada and Maggie Hill in the Low Children’s Hunters, Quatrain and McKayla Langmeier in the Small Juniors and Aruba Z and Liza Boyd in the Pre-Greens.

Reserve champions included Look Again with Ruby Sloan and Liza, taking reserve honors in the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under section and the WEF 3’ Open Hunters, respectively, and Cellino and Liza in the 3’6” Performance Working Hunters.

Quatrain and McKayla were featured in the Equestrian Sport Productions News on January 24, distributed by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

McKayla Langmeier and Quatrain Win the Equestrian Sotheby's Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under Division Championship

The Equestrian Sotheby's Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division wrapped up on Sunday morning in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring with championship honors awarded to McKayla Langmeier, of East Granby, CT, and Quatrain. The pair earned first, second, and two third placed ribbons over fences on their way to the division championship. Daisy Farish rode Casares, who is owned by James Lala and Virginia Confer, to the reserve champion honors. Farish and Casares were the victors of Sunday's stake class. The pair also placed sixth, third, and fourth over fences.

Quatrain is a Westphalian gelding owned by Laura Critz and trained by Jack Towell. Winning the tricolor honors this week was especially exciting for Langmeier because it was her inaugural show with the 12-year-old gelding. While Langmeier had never shown Quatrain before this weekend, she hopes this win secures her the opportunity to show him again in the future. Langmeier has piloted other horses trained by Towell to success in the past, including championships aboard Khaki Run LLC's horse, Castelli.    

"He is really awesome and easy to ride," Langmeier explained about riding Quatrain. "I had a blast riding him."

Langmeier especially enjoyed the courses set in the E.R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring on Sunday. "They were suited to my horse. He has a big, easy stride and that made the lines easy,” she said.

Langmeier hopes to continue showing Quatrain over the next 10 weeks of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival. She also aims to secure a spot in the $100,000 WCHR/USHJA Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, which will be held in the International Arena during WEF 6.

Liza and Jack chose McKayla to ride Quatrain this year because owner Laura Critz went off to college in the fall and regretfully is selling him.

“McKayla’s a wonderful, soft rider, and she rode him like she’d been showing him forever,” added Liza “Their performance was also a testament to his adaptability, and they were super together in the handy. I’m really thankful to McKayla and her family for working with us.”

Zola Thompson, Ruby Sloan, Liza Boyd and Maggie Hill

Maggie Hill continued her winning streak, moving up to earn the Low Children’s Hunter tricolor aboard Nevada after excellent ribbons last week. This year, the Wyoming-based rider is staying in Wellington for the circuit, and Liza sees steady improvement from the consistent riding and training she’s receiving.

“It’s wonderful that she’s down here and being exposed to all of the great riders and practicing every day,” said Liza. “We’ve really been working on lessons and training in between the show days.

“Maggie’s challenge is that she has a ‘long eye.’ Meaning, she looks for the longer distances to the fences instead of adding a stride,” explained Liza. “Here, we’ve focused on how important it is for her to ride between the fences. Sometimes Nevada lands low, so she’s learned to give him a half-halt so he rocks back on his hind end while also keeping that medium canter around the turns so she has choices in her distances. She’s really progressed well after just two weeks.”

Look Again rose to the occasion for owner Ruby Sloan and Liza with two reserve tricolors. Look Again had never attended WEF, so last week Ruby competed him in the Low Children’s Hunters at 2’6” before tackling the Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, section at 3 feet.

“I was so proud of them both,” said Liza. “He’s a first year green horse and new to WEF, and there’s so much activity here that he was bug-eyed that first week so we were conservative. This week, I did him in the WEF 3’ hunters and felt he was ready to move up.” 

Maggie Hill, Jack Towell and Ruby Sloan

Ruby and Look Again collected a first and two thirds over fences and sixth in the under saddle for the reserve championship out of 41 entries.

“She rode smartly and had to hold his hand in the first class, and he got stronger and more confident in every class after that,” noted Liza. “There’s so much to look at around the ring, but by the second day he took a deep breath. She’d only shown 3’ once before, so she’s green, too. But she stepped up, got better and ended up with some great results.”

Liza and Pony Lane Farm’s stallion Coronado earned excellent ribbons in the First Year Green and Regular Conformation sections.

“He has such a good brain that I thought it would be nice for him to jump the 3’9” in the Regular Conformation,” she said. “He had the top call in the second over fences class on the first day and then moved back. He was also fourth in the model, which was a very nice ribbon in that company.”

Liza was especially pleased that his best performance was over the handy course, since her goal is to point Coronado toward the USHJA International Hunter Derby classes.

“He really showed me that he’s going to excel in the handy classes,” she said. “The handy course was really was hard. I saw experienced horses that were green in that class, and I was thrilled that he got the high score. He also got an 87.5 in the First Years, which ended up third.”

Liza chose not to show Coronado in the Regular Conformation on the second day of competition after he did so well in the First Years.

“I think you have to be more careful with a stallion to keep his mind good,” she said. “From my own limited experience with them, I’ve found they really try for you, and once they do what you want you don’t want to mentally fry them. It would be interesting to ask someone who deals with stallions on a regular basis. I’ve found that sometimes I have to be more assertive with him and sometimes I play with him and give in and do it his way. You can’t be too easy on them, but you also don’t want to break their spirits. It’s a fine line, but I couldn’t be happier with him this week.”

Liza also returned to her roots this week, showing a 3’ Pre-Green Hunter named Aruba Z for trainer Andrew Lustig. Liza purchased her famous junior hunter Monday Morning from Andrew way back in the 1990s, and he sought her out for this particular mount.

“Andrew told me that this one feels like Monday Morning to ride, and he does,” said Liza laughing. “It’s like a blast from the past! He ended up champion and is a lovely horse. Andrew prepares his horses so well, so I literally walked up, hopped on, jumped four fences and went in the ring. It was fun to ride for him.”

Out of 40 entries, the pair earned a first, two seconds and a fourth over fences for the title.

Liza’s young horse string this week also included Sawyer, a 4-year-old Holsteiner owned by long-time client Elizabeth “Liz” Fogleman. The pair earned ribbons in every class of the Pre-Green 3- and 4-year-old Hunters.

Sawyer modeling his ribbons!

Liz traveled to Europe last fall and picked out Sawyer (Casall—Iskia V) from Hans Dings Stables, and Liza has high hopes for the talented young horse.

“She’s been riding with us for six years, and is an amateur, who works so hard,” said Liza. “Liz was so excited. He’ll go on to be a nice 3’6” horse for her. He was quite green when she got him, and he’s come so far with help from Jeanne Smith of Clear View Farm, who we think of as the ‘lead change queen of the south!’ He lives with Liz most of the time, and it’s so nice to see someone like that who does it all herself.” 

Hardin Towell also made his 2016 WEF debut with excellent ribbons aboard a variety of mounts. A highlight was his victory with Jennifer Gates’ Cadence in the $8,000 1.45m, sponsored by Douglas Eilman Real Estate.

Kenneth Kraus, of PhelpsSports.com, also featured Hardin in a January 24 profile piece titled “A Conversation With Jack Hardin Towell,” which touched on Hardin’s past, present and future in the show jumping world. A special thanks to Ken for the wonderful article!

Hardin Towell and Cadence

Shamrock Stars During WEF 1

Shamrock

In between attending the USEF Annual Meeting to receive the USEF Emerson Burr Trophy, Liza Boyd and her father/trainer Jack Towell, enjoyed the first week of the annual Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida, from January 13-17.

Finally Farm horses and riders had an especially successful Week 1, with multiple tricolor ribbons as well as blues now adorning the tack room banner.

Liza started the week out strongly with the championship in the 3’6” Performance Working Hunter section aboard her newest chestnut hunter, Shamrock.

Finally Farm purchased Shamrock after the fall indoor horse shows, and Liza hopes the former event horse will become one of next derby stars. “He’s a very nice horse, and we’re super excited about him,” she said.  

Shamrock and Liza made their debut at WEF on Wednesday in the Grand Hunter Ring, where Liza said with a laugh, “He jumped ridiculously high.”

Nevertheless, several horsemen at the rail noticed him and gave Liza the thumbs up. “He jumped so high and careful that we decided not to do Second Year Greens at 3’9” with him this week,” she said. “There’s no rush.”

Instead, Liza and Jack pointed Shamrock to the 3’6” Performance Working Hunters on Thursday.

“I really wanted him to show one more day,” she said. “So, he went in and was brave and careful and won both classes and was champion. Mentally, he’s still a little green, but on Thursday he was so focused and relaxed. I was so proud of him.”

Liza will assess Shamrock’s progress each week before deciding which section he will show in. She’s also doing the same with Pony Lane Farm’s Coronado, the third chestnut in her string who competes in the First Year Green section. She hopes the trio will be ready to compete in some of the USHJA International Hunter Derby classes later in the circuit and also during WCHR week in mid-February.

“I don’t know if Shamrock and Coronado will be ready for the WCHR Hunter Classic Spectacular under the lights in the International Ring, but if they do qualify and compete they would leave here better horses,” she noted. “I hope to take all three to HITS Ocala for the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. In addition to the greener horses, I will still have Ike, so the pressure is on him. He can handle it! Shamrock and Coronado can go in learn and go home by the spring ready to rock and roll in those derbies.”

Stella Styslinger made news during WEF 1 with her championship in the Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, section, and was featured with O’Ryan in the Equestrian Sport Productions News on January 16, distributed by Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Stella Styslinger and O'Ryan Top the Field in EnTrust Capital Small Junior Hunters 16-17

The EnTrust Capital Small Junior Hunter 16-17 division finished today, and a new combination took the championship. Sixteen-year-old Stella Styslinger of Birmingham, AL, and O'Ryan won the top tricolor after winning two over fences classes, adding fourth and fifth place ribbons, and placing second in the under saddle.

Stella Styslinger and O'Ryan (Sportfot Photo)

Styslinger is still getting to know O'Ryan as their partnership just formed two weeks ago. "This is my first horse show with him," she said with a smile. "I have two large juniors. He rides pretty similar to them. I've had [them] for a bit longer, so it's helped me ride [O'Ryan] better. He almost rides like an equitation horse, but he jumps and moves well enough for the hunters. He's so easy and is as quiet as he can be. He's easy to deal with."

While she is still learning about him and his quirks - "He likes to be by himself and do his own thing. We give him treats, but he likes to be alone," she described - Styslinger is excited about the great start to her second year at WEF.

Stella Styslinger and O'Ryan (Sportfot Photo)

"It feels like it's going to be a great season down here. I'm excited," she said.

Liza was also thrilled with Stella’s debut week at the show. “She has a whole new group this year with three really nice horses,” she said of O’Ryan, Invincible and Cellino. Stella is leasing her three new hunters—in addition to her equitation horse, Centerfold K—and Liza expressed her thanks to the owners for allowing their horses to join the Finally Farm team.

Liza also guided O’Ryan to a blue ribbon in the 3’6” Performance Working Hunters and described him as a fun horse to ride with a great jump.

Lily Bennett also made a debut during WEF 1. With her partner, Croft Original, Lily jumped to eighth of 62 in the Low Children’s Jumper Classic.

“Lily had never done the jumpers ever, and she did so well,” said Liza. “It was a great welcome to the jumper ring for her. She has a big future in this ring, and I was really proud of her. This mileage will make her a stronger Junior Hunter rider, and I think she’ll have a lot of fun, too,”

In the Masters jumpers, Justified and Kelly Maloney scored some excellent ribbons, with a highlight fourth in the $10,000 Don Little Masters Jumper Classic. Kelly bred the 9-year-old bay Dutch Warmblood mare, who is out of her Amateur-Owner jumper Kisses and by the top Dutch stallion Indoctro.

“This is a really special horse for Kelly. The mother passed away recently, and for the daughter to step up and do so well is a testament to Kelly’s breeding and training,” said Liza. “I see a great partnership ahead for the two of them.”

Maggie Hill and her two hunters Nevada and Tasty took top ribbons in the Low Children’s Hunters. The Wyoming-based young rider will spend the winter in Wellington, Florida, and Liza looks forward to seeing her progress in her riding.

“This will be the first year she’ll be staying down here for the entire circuit, and it will give her time to focus on some great lessons in addition to showing,” said Liza. “Spending time in the ring is wonderful, but often the behind-the-scenes learning is just as important.”

Alberto Ramirez with, from left, Ellie and Maggie Hill, Ruby Sloan and Zola Thompson enjoyed the first week of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit.

Brunello Is USEF National Horse of the Year Again!

From:  The United States Equestrian Federation

January 16, 2016 - Lexington, Ky. - On a night dedicated to the horse, two special athletes were recognized for their excellence in 2015 during the USEF's Year-End Awards Gala. In a year that witnessed equestrian athletes excel, PVF Peace of Mind and Brunello reached the pinnacle of their sports and for their achievements were named International and National Horse of the Year, respectively.

Voting was open to the public through January and both horses, already fan favorites, were rewarded for their tremendous results throughout 2015 with support from voters.

Brunello: National Horse of the Year
1998 Hanoverian gelding
Owners: Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd

Janet Peterson and Liza Boyd's Brunello has been turning heads in the hunter ring with his signature style and consistent top placings for years. With Boyd in the tack, the pair has been a fixture in USHJA International Hunter Derby competitions since the program's inception and scored their biggest victory in August when they won their third consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in Lexington, Ky. The pair won both the Classic Hunter Round and the Section A Handy Hunter Round on their way to securing this unprecedented victory.

U.S. Equestrian Federation interim CEO Bill Moroney presented the USEF Emerson Burr Trophy to Liza Boyd, who owns National Horse of the Year Brunello with Janet Peterson. (Nancy Jaffer)

Boyd was on-hand for the Equestrian of the Year proceedings on Friday night, January 15, for which she won the USEF Emerson Burr Trophy for the third consecutive year.

Because she was unable to stay for the Horse of the Year award, Bill Moroney read a tribute Boyd wrote for Brunello, "Everything has been said already about his career and his achievements," she noted, "so I thought about what makes him so special to me and all of the special attributes he has. I came up with this:

"Brunello--B: Brave to gallop under the lights. R: Rideable, to turn oh-so-tight; U: Unique, not your typical hunter type. N: Naughty-In his stall he will bite. E: Ego he thinks he's always right. L: Longevity-At 18 he's still jumping with height. L: Lexington-three times he has had a magical derby night. O: Owl-For his wisdom and insight." 

To see the video honoring Brunello at the USEF Year End Awards Gala on USEF Network, please click here.

Fantastic in Florida

The Finally Farm team traveled to Wellington, Florida, last week to prepare for the 2016 Winter Equestrian Festival where they'll be based for the winter season.

Elle Boyd and Stella Styslinger relaxing in Florida

In contrast to the fun and excitement of a new show season, the Finally Farm family spent time this week mourning the loss of friends and fellow equestrians Andres "Chepito" Rodriquez and Sophie Walker, who died on Monday January 4 in an automobile accident in Wellington. Their memorial services were held on Friday.

"It was a really tough week. Andres was one of my brother's best friends," said trainer Liza Boyd of her brother Hardin Towell. "They were all so close, along with Sophie and her husband Brian Walker. Hardin spoke at Andres' service and we all attended. Their loss was huge, and we will miss them terribly."

Liza and her dad Jack Towell spent the weekend teaching lessons and riding the horses and ponies that traveled from Camden, South Carolina to Florida. "Our horses are settled in now and doing well," she said. "Typically, we don't come down a week early, but it was so nice to let the horses settle in and have the clients came down in time to have lessons. Everyone’s getting back into shape. The lessons were super, and the horses look great."

Liza expects to have about 28 horses showing on the circuit under the Finally Farm banner, including a few new faces as well as some veterans, including her three-time USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion Brunello, who is making the trip to Florida this year for the first time in several years. 

Elle takes a break from the heat!

Liza and Assistant Trainer Tamara Berkowitz have spent time hacking "Ike" around the show grounds, drawing lots of double-takes from his many fans. "It's fun  riding him around the horse show because you get a lot of attention," said Liza laughing. 

Liza intends to show Ike in a few jumper classes on the WEF circuit and then travel to HITS Ocala for the Ocala Masters IV featuring the WCHR week and the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on Saturday March 27.

"I think he feels amazing," said Liza of the 18-year-old Hanoverian. "He's fresh and happy, and you can tell how glad he is to be here."

Liza  is also thrilled to travel to Kentucky at the end of this week to accept her third Equestrian of Honor/Emerson Burr Trophy during the United States Equestrian Federation Annual Meeting. She and Brunello have also been nominated for the USEF Equestrian and Horse of the Year titles, which will be awarded based on votes cast. 

"What an honor it is to receive the Emerson Burr Award once again. When I went to the awards ceremony last time I realized how special it was and how everyone winning these trophies in the various breeds and disciplines are equally as important," said Liza. "I plan to give a little acceptance speech and let everyone know how much I appreciate receiving this amazing honor." 

This winter Liza is also looking forward a new partner in the barn named Shamrock and seeing where his talents take him. Finally Farm purchased the former event horse, now a 7-year-old, last fall as a derby prospect, and he will make his WEF debut in the Second Year Green Hunters.  

"For me, he’s a perfect age," said Liza. "He's also a big chestnut like we like! I want to thank J.M. Durr who sold him to us," she added. "He brought him a long nicely in the eventing world and did the 6-year-old young jumpers with him. He has a good foundation and has been out there and seen a lot. From his cross-country background, Shamrock should step into the derbies with confidence. He's also competed in the International Ring at the Tryon Horse Show, so he has solid experience.. He's still green as a hunter, but he’s got the ability and now he just needs some mileage. I really like this horse, and that’s so important in a partnership. When you believe in a horse you can go a long way together."

Finally Farm's new derby prospect, Shamrock.

Shamrock joins Ike and Pony Lane Farm's Coronado, all chestnuts, in the open sections under Liza's guidance.. "It's funny. They look very similar, but they’re all different to ride," she said. "I'm very excited to have these up-and-coming youngsters in addition to Ike. They're both super scopey, which I love." 

Finally Farm horses and riders will step into the show ring this week for WEF 1. "The energy is high, and everyone seems so happy to be here," noted Liza. "I want to wish our clients the best of luck in the New Year, and I'm looking forward to a successful and fun circuit together!"