Taking the Capital Challenge

One of the annual highlights for Finally Farm riders is the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held September 27-October 5 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The show is the first of the major East Coast fall indoor shows and features the finals of the United States Hunter Jumper Association World Championship Hunter Rider Awards program.

After claiming the WCHR Professional Finals victory last year, Finally Farm's Liza Boyd returned to the show for the WCHR Professional Challenge. What a difference a year makes! Liza now has a new daughter named Adeline, and last year's mount Quatrain, now owned by Laura Critz, earned the WCHR National 3'3" Reserve Championship with his new rider.

Because Liza was out for most of the season on maternity leave, she wasn't able to qualify to defend her WCHR Pro Finals title, but she did contest the WCHR Pro Challenge. And Laura generously lent her Quatrain for the class.

"He was great, and it was a fun class," said Liza, who earned scores of 88, 86.25 and 90 from the panel of judges. "The competition was fierce, and I was thrilled to take fourth place in such tough company. The scores were outstanding!"

Finally Farm's Junior Hunters collected impressive ribbons throughout the week, including Quatrain and Laura, Summer Place and Maddy Thatcher, Bethel's Peri and Grace Howard and Eloise and Stella Styslinger.

Pony rider Catherine Sharp guided Church Mouse to solid rounds in the Small Pony section and qualified for and competed in the WCHR Pony Challenge, where she had some impressive jumps!

The Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Capital Challenge are always super competitive, and Maddy was right in the mix with her mounts. A highlight was fourth place in the North American 1.35m Challenge with Licapo.

In the Amateur-Owner Hunters, Erin McGuire and Casallo added to their ribbon collection with top placings in the 3'6", 18-35 section, and JoAnn Loheac and Chestnut Avenue earned several ribbons in the competitive 3'3", 36 and over, section.

Liza also made her debut as a commentator, working with Tom Brennan during the WCHR Professional Finals on the USEF Network's live feed, where she earned rave reviews!

The WCHR Southeast Regional Awards were finalized at Capital Challenge, with Finally Farm riders receiving multiple championships, including:

Tracey London - Adult Amateur
Erin McGuire - Amateur-Owner 3'6"
Laura Critz - Junior 3'3"
Grace Howard - Junior 3'6"

Trainer awards included:

Jack Towell and Liza Boyd - Amateur-Owner, 3'6"
Jack Towell, Liza Boyd and Courtney Goldstein - Adult Amateur
Jack Towell and Liza Boyd - Junior 3'3"
Jack Towell and Liza Boyd - Junior 3'6"

Finally Farm would also like to congratulate Hardin Towell for jumping to third place in the $55,000 Land Rover Grand Prix of Sacramento aboard Jennifer Gates' Silence. The class, an FEI World Cup Qualifier, was one of the featured events of the Sacramento International Horse Show, September 30-October 5, in California.

Finally Farm's next stop is the Pennsylvania National Horse Show, which runs October 10-18 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Hardin Towell Clocks Wins at Longines LA Masters

Hardin Towell and Jennifer Gates' Lucifer V fly to victory at the Longines Los Angeles Masters.

The Masters Grand Slam is one of the most prestigious show jumping series in the world, and Hardin Towell and student Jennifer Gates made their presence known during the debut of the Longines Los Angeles Masters, held September 25-28 in California.

Hardin made his mark from the first day, winning the Barons de Rothschild Prestige Trophy speed class. He guided Lucifer V to an untouchable round, taking the victory by more than 2 seconds.

“It’s one of my younger horses,” Hardin said of the 8-year-old Westphalian by Lord Dezi. “And in the past couple of months he’s come from jumping the 1.30m to jumping the 1.45m, so it feels good that he’s come and done that.

“I walked the course and a couple of other inside turns,” Hardin explained. “I realized I was on a younger horse and didn’t need to take those, so I took one, but left out the others.”

His efficient yet speedy round was good enough to clinch an impressive win on the event’s first day for owner Jennifer Gates.

Hardin and Jennifer also competed at the Masters Grand Slam in Paris, so Hardin was thrilled that the series traveled to the United States, and especially the West Coast where he’s based in San Diego. Jennifer took time off from her studies at Stanford University to join Hardin at the show.

“I said, ‘Well, let’s buck up and show here.’ And I'm happy; it's a fantastic show,” he said. “Jennifer showed in Paris, and if we did speak French, we'd still be there! It's so nice having a show like this in America. We were glad to be here.”

On the heels of the first day’s success, Hardin repeated on day No. 2 in the Amalaya Investments Trophy aboard Lucifer.

Hardin Towell and Lucifer V show great form in Los Angeles

The pair jumped double-clear, just edging Saree Kayne with Rexar du Houssoit by .05 seconds for the top prize.

As a grand finale, Hardin and Lucifer jumped to second place during the Airbus Grand Prix, just .14 seconds behind the winners, Paige Johnson aboard Luke Skywalker 48.

Jennifer wasn’t without her own accolades during the LA Masters. She placed an impressive fifth in the Airbus Grand Prix aboard Lord Levisto, with 4 faults in the jump-off in 37.57 seconds.

Earlier in the week, she also claimed second in the Masters Grand Slam Trophy

1.35m speed event aboard Everest de Muze and third place in The Hollywood Reporter Trophy, 1.45m speed, riding Lord Levisto.

As a highlight of her week, Jennifer also jumped to third place in the costumed Pro-Am Charity with partner Richard Spooner for the Mustard Seed Ranch.

Special thanks to Rebecca Walton of Phelps Sports for providing the wonderful photos.

Hardin and Jack Towell contemplate a strategy during the Longines LA Masters

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Goals Met at Maclay Regionals

The Finally Farm team traveled to the Kentucky National Horse Show, September 17-21 in Lexington, for one of the fall's highlight horse shows and the Region 4 ASPCA Maclay Regionals.

After a long but enjoyable week of showing, many ribbons returned home to Camden, South Carolina, from the ponies to the open jumpers.

Sarah Isgett and Addison Byrd contested the Maclay Regionals, which drew 89 riders to vie for a spot in the ASPCA Maclay Finals, to be held during the National Horse Show. After a round over fences and a flat phase, both girls secured a coveted place at the finals.

Trainers Tamara Berkowitz and Jack Towell celebrate two great performances by riders Addison Byrd and Sarah Isgett.

"I'm really proud of them; they rode great," said trainer Liza Boyd. "They were both really prepared and had done their homework--all of their hard work during the year paid off."

Sarah contested the Maclay Regionals last year, but this was Addison's first year competing in the equitation division, and despite a block down on the wall she made the cut.

"The course was nice. It was short but asked quite a few questions," said Liza. "I was pleasantly surprised with the course because it was like flatwork over jumps. The riders had to close up their horses' strides and shorten to the end jump, which was a big wall, and then hand gallop to the last jump. Everyone seemed to have a good experience, and it wasn't one of those courses that won."

What made the show even more special was an email that Liza received from Sarah's mother, Donna Isgett, the morning after the Maclay Regionals.

"I still remember that day we rode in your golf cart in Atlanta and you asked me my goals for Sarah," read the email. "My response was, 'I want her to be a great horse woman.'

"You and your parents have done an amazing job of helping her to work toward that goal! She called me after her Maclay round and was so excited about how perfect Vasco had been--she said, 'I don't care how we place--he was so brave and perfect, and I turned every corner and the jump just came to me.' That's what I wanted! A kid that loved the sport and the partnership it required. I'm so proud and thankful to you all! You are truly making a meaningful difference in her life."

The Finally Farm team travels next to the Capital Challenge Horse Show in Maryland, where competition takes place September 27-October 5. Best of luck to all of our riders!

Junior Hunter Champion Quatrain and Laura Critz enjoyed some down time on the Kentucky Horse Park's cross-country course.

Posted on September 22, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

A Grand Time at Aiken II

Finally Farm's horses and riders continued to collect honors during the second week of the Aiken Fall series, the Equus Events' Aiken Fall Festival II, September 11-14 in South Carolina.

Trainer Jack Towell with Mary Carton Mitchener and the Grand Junior Hunter Champion Trinity.

Grand championship awards were offered for the two-week series, and Finally Farm collected four grand awards, among many others.

Ruby Sloan and Patchwork Farm LLC's Burberry earned the Grand Pony Hunter Championship for their stellar performances in the Medium Pony Hunter section. As icing on the cake, Ruby also won the WIHS Pony Medal to conclude her two-week show.

"She started riding with us at Blowing Rock in July. She lives in Atlanta, and the pony lives with us in Camden, and it's all working out very well," said trainer Liza Boyd. "She's super enthusiastic and dedicated. She's another great example of a student who doesn't live nearby but commutes 3 1/2 hours. She and her parents [Michael and Nicole] didn't know how it would all work out in the beginning, but it's been a great experience so far."

Ruby Sloan and Burberry, Grand Pony Hunter Champion.

Liza described Ruby as a sponge who soaks up knowledge quickly. When not showing with Finally Farm, Ruby and her parents travel to Camden on the weekends when Ruby takes comprehensive lessons to further her skills. "She had great basics from her trainer at home, so she was able to jump right in and learn," said Liza.

Burberry, a 10-year-old Welsh-Thoroughbred cross (Loafers Lodge Spring Ahead--Patroness) mare, earned a variety of top ribbons on the way to the grand championship. "Ruby's strongpoint over the two weeks was her consistency," said Liza. "Already we can see that her dedication, hard work and practice is paying off. Burberry has been a great first pony for her, and this grand championship was an excellent accomplishment."

In the Children's Hunters, Finally Farm collected accolades with horses and ponies. High Rise and Emily Gaskin finished up the Aiken series with the championship in the Children's Hunter, 15-17, section and captured the Grand Children's Hunter tricolor as well.

"Emily had an excellent show, but she also experienced a valuable lesson in horsemanship," said Liza. "In the THIS Children's Medal class, she was called in for testing but didn't quite get her horse going to the first fence after standing and waiting for the instructions. She chipped it and was popped off. She got mad after that and realized she needed to ride. She ended up winning in the hunters, and she rode great. I was really proud of her for bouncing back so well and improving her rides."

Catherine Sharp and Carolina Chrome, with rider Megan Rosenthal.

Catherine Sharp's Carolina Chrome, in his show ring debut at Aiken, swept the Children's Pony Hunter section, winning all five classes with rider Megan Rosenthal.

Carolina Chrome, an 8-year-old Welsh cross (Carolinas Red Fox--Rosebud) is a flashy chestnut medium who has a striking resemblance to Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome.

"We bought him in Florida this year, and it was right when California Chrome was so hot, so we couldn't resist naming him that," said Liza.

The Sharps, of Vienna, Georgia, keep the pony at the Towell's farm in Camden where he received a solid foundation before starting his showing career.

"They let him live with me, and he was the pony that I trained up before USHJA Derby Finals," said Liza with a laugh. "My dad was itching to train before the championships, and we didn't want to overwork Brunello, so Carolina Chrome became our project. He received a lot of training and is making up quickly."

Liza thanked Megan Rosenthal, a talented junior rider, for taking the reins in the show ring and giving Carolina Chrome an excellent first experience. "She couldn't have done a better job," said Liza. "He'll be one to watch next year in the Green Pony section with Catherine."

Liza earned her own grand championship at Aiken aboard Avatar Realestate LLC's Dalliance, the Performance Hunter 3'3" champion and Grand Hunter Champion.

Dalliance, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood by the famous jumper stallion Indoctro, was following in his sire's footsteps in the 1.25m-1.35m jumpers until he transitioned into the hunters in May.

"His owners and trainer Karen Flynn sent him to us because they thought he would make an excellent derby horse," said Liza. "He's quiet and scopey, and it's nice to have him here to show for a while until he finds a new owner. He hasn't been a hunter for very long, but he's got all of the good qualities from being a jumper, such as bravery, and he's quiet going around the ring. I think he'll make up into an excellent junior/amateur hunter and derby mount."

Trinity and Mary Carton Mitchener finished their show debut together with the Junior Hunter Grand Championship and the 3'3" Junior Hunter tricolor.

"I couldn't be more thrilled to see my own horse be so successful with his new owner. It's like sending your kid off and seeing how well behaved and grown up he's become," said Liza. "He's come so far as a First Year Green horse, and I'm so proud of Mary Carton for stepping up and figuring him out so fast. It's a great match and partnership."

Stella Styslinger also made her two matches at Aiken winning ones. She guided her own Eloise to the 3'6" Junior Hunter and Zone Junior Hunter Championships and took the show reserve championship with Kacie Fogg's Echo.

"She leased Echo for the two weeks so she could get more ring time, and they also placed second in the ASPCA Maclay and third in the Pessoa/USEF Medal," said Liza. "It just shows how time in the tack and time in the ring gives a rider more confidence."

Liza thanked trainer Daniel Geitner and Kacie for allowing Stella to lease Echo, which helped her to achieve her goals with Eloise. "That mare just gets better and better," said Liza of Eloise. "She did the USHJA Derby Championships with me and is great with Stella in the juniors. They've had a super year so far and qualified for all of indoors through the National Horse Show, so I'm really proud of them."

Posted on September 15, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

In Stride September 2014

Liza Boyd and Brunello were featured in the United States Hunter/Jumper Association print publication In Stride and pictured on the cover during their victory gallop!

If you're a USHJA member, look for the magazine in your mailbox soon if you haven't yet received it.

Posted on September 12, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Awesome at Aiken I

Erin McGuire thanks Kasarr for placing second in the $15,000 1.35m Open Jumper Classic.

The Finally Farm team collected a variety of great wins and placings during the Equus Events' Aiken Fall Festival I, held September 4-7 in Aiken, South Carolina.

One of the highlights was the return of Addison Byrd's Too Cool. After nearly a year off from the show ring due to an injury, the 8-year-old bay warmblood came back to tricolor honors. With Addison in the irons, Too Cool earned the 3' Hopeful Hunter and Children's Hunter, 15-17, championships and collected six blue ribbons along the way.

"It was really exciting to see Addison and Too Cool back together again," said trainer Liza Boyd. "This was the first time we've taken him to a show, and he was great. They're a wonderful team. Addison has been doing the equitation on a leased horse while Too Cool was getting better, and she learned a lot and really progressed in her riding. At this rate, it won't be long until they're back in the junior hunters."

Addison Byrd and Too Cool celebrate their return to the show ring.

Addison, of Greensboro, North Carolina, also collected ribbons in the equitation with Friend Request. She placed second in the WIHS Jumper Phase, and third overall in the WIHS.

A new partnership was also born at Aiken, and it immediately became a winning one: Mary Carton Mitchener purchased Finally Farm's Trinity, an 8-year-old Warmblood-Thoroughbred cross (Popeye K--Comic Story). They made their debut in the 3'3" Junior Hunters, winning an over fences class in the section and collecting other top ribbons.

Finally Farm purchased Trinity last year as a hunter derby prospect for Liza, but after working with 16-year-old Mary Carton for several years and then competing Trinity this summer, Liza realized they might be the perfect match.

"It was fun to train Trinity and have him go so well this summer," said Liza. "He's learned so much, and then to see him go on and compete with a young rider is really gratifying. I want to congratulate Mary Carton on purchasing Trinity and winning their first class at their first show."

Mary Carton joins Laura Critz (with Quatrain) as 3'3" junior hunter competitors now successfully competing Liza's former derby mounts.

"It's hard to let them go," said Liza of her derby horses, "but I know it's a win-win for everyone. It means so much to see them doing so well with their kids. I know both of these horses can jump the big 4' fences, and I like to have my juniors over qualified. If they make a small mistake at that level, these horses can still do well and even win. We love our kids and want to see them have the best show ring experiences possible."

Laura and Quatrain continued their impressive winning streak, taking the 3'3" Junior Hunter Championship at Aiken, coming on the heels of their championship at Kentucky and grand championship honors at Blowing Rock. They currently stand third in the United States Equestrian Federation National Horse of the Year standings in the 3'3" Junior Hunters.

Maddy Thatcher returned from Clemson to earn great ribbons in the $15,000 1.35m Open Jumper Classic.

Maddy Thatcher took a short break from her first month at Clemson University to compete at Aiken, and she made her presence known with multiple championships and top prizes aboard her hunters and jumpers.

"We hadn't seen Maddy since Blowing Rock in July, because she was getting acclimated to school, but she didn't miss a beat," said Liza. "She made the riding team at Clemson, so we were so excited about that as well. She's been diligently practicing while at school, and she came to the show fit and prepared. We keep her horses fit and ready at home, so it all works out beautifully."

A few of Maddy's highlights included the Large Junior Hunter championship with Summer Place and fourth and sixth in the $15,000 1.35m Open Jumper Classic with Licapo and Show Show, respectively.

"Summer Place is her soulmate. My dad always says he goes better for her than anyone else. It's fun to watch them show together, and this week they won four out of the five classes, which says a lot about their strong partnership," added Liza.

Liza also gave kudos to Zola Thomson for her excellent performances at Aiken aboard Mr. McGregor. Zola, from Birmingham, Alabama, also commutes to train and show with Finally Farm, and her dedication and hard work continue to pay dividends.

"I'm so proud of Zola. She won the Pony Hunter Classic with her small pony out of all of the smalls, mediums and larges. That's quite a feat for a little 10-year-old," said Liza.

Liza also noted that Zola has worked especially hard during her weekend lessons, which prepared her well for the competition. After practicing handy hunter-type rides with rollbacks and inside turns at home, Zola used that new-found knowledge to also win the Small Pony Handy Hunter class on her way to the reserve championship.

"The lessons at home have really set her up well, and we make it all harder than it is at the shows," said Liza. "I feel like she was extremely prepared, and even though it was a technical handy course it seemed easier for her. It's also fun to stand at the pony ring and talk about having them jump 'left of center' and 'right to left' and know that they all understand the lingo because we work on it so much at home."

Finally Farm will also show in Aiken for the Equus Events' Aiken Fall Festival II, September 11-14.

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Hardin Towell Flies at Thunderbird

Hardin Towell and Lucifer V at Thunderbird Show Park

Hardin Towell made his presence known at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, B.C., Canada, in August. He and student Jennifer Gates collected a variety of top ribbons and honors during one of Canada's premiere summer shows.

A highlight of their show was Hardin and Man In Black's second-placed finish in the $55,000 CSI** Bryan Anderson Memorial Grand Prix. After an even dozen qualified for the jump-off, it turned into quite a horse race for the top spot, with just fractions separating the top competitors.

Californian Susie Hutchison just edged Hardin through the timers in what veteran Thunderbird attendees called one of the best jump-offs in recent memory. It was so fast that World Cup champions Flexible and Rich Fellers placed third!

Hardin didn't return to the States without a victory at Thunderbird, however. He guided Lucifer V to top honors in the $10,000 Keg Steakhouse & Bar Welcome over 37 other competitors and also topped a competitive Open Jumper 1.35m class aboard Saskia.

On the heels of her team gold medal at the North American Junior and Young Rider Championships in July, Jennifer enjoyed a variety of excellent placings at Thunderbird with a third aboard Silence in the 1.40m High Junior/Amateur-Owners and fourth in the $2,500 1.40m Open Jumper Classic.

She also galloped to fourth place in an Open Jumper 1.35m class riding Cadence, whom she also piloted in the $50,000 Dianne Tidball Legacy Grand Prix. Aboard her Young Riders mount Lord Levisto, Jennifer also tackled the grand prix with a solid performance.

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Back-to-Back Derby Championship Titles For Boyd and Brunello

Liza and Brunello won their second consecutive USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship.

Courtesy of the United States Hunter Jumper Association:

Lexington KY - August 17 - When Liza Boyd returned to the saddle on June 12 after having her daughter Adeline on May 30, she had a goal.

After a nine-month break from riding and showing, she wanted to return to the $180,040 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship, August 14-16 at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington with Brunello.

"At first, in the beginning after I just started flatting around, I wanted to be in the top 10. I said, 'That's my goal after having a baby,'" said Boyd. "Then, a week after that I thought, 'Definitely the top three. I'm feeling a little better. We're going to up the goal a little.' And then, more recently, I said 'I'd really like to win.'"

Her plan worked to perfection.

Boyd and Brunello became the first back-to-back winners of the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship after posting the best scores in the Section A Handy Hunter Round. Their scores of 94, 93, 94 with all four high options and handy bonus points of 9, 8 and 8 moved them to the top of the class after placing third in yesterday's Classic Hunter Round.

Liza and Brunello fly over the final 4'8" oxer on the Handy Hunter course.

"I feel like it's a bit of a dream. Pinch me," she said. "I'm just a little bit in shock. He's an amazing horse, and I have an amazing team."

Boyd, of Camden, SC, co-owns the 16-year-old Hanoverian with Janet Peterson. Boyd credited her team at Finally Farm for helping to keep Brunello fit and strong while she was out of the tack.

"I'm just so happy for this horse," said Boyd. "He deserves this. He's an amazing horse and tries so hard."

Tonight's competition at the Kentucky Horse Park featured a beautiful Handy Hunter course by acclaimed designers Steve Stephens and Allen Rheinheimer. The fences and decorations created a feeling of cantering through hunt country, with natural jumps of planks and logs, abundant trees and shrubbery and decorative elements such as carriages and barns. The fence heights ranged from 3'6" to 4' and offered riders an opportunity to pick up bonus points by taking any one or all of the four option fences set at a minimum of 4'3".

The 12-obstacle course featured several areas where riders could show off their handiness with tight turns and rollbacks, a trot fence at 8, and for the grand finale, Stephens set an oxer center ring, where riders could choose the safe 3'6" oxer or the imposing higher option to impress the judges one last time.

The judges included Hap Hansen and Chris Wynne (Panel 1), James Clapperton and Scott Williamson (Panel 2), and Jeanne Marie Dunford-Miller and Julie Winkel (Panel 3), who were placed in strategic positions around the Sheila C. Johnson Ring at the Rolex Stadium.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy, the 2012 International Hunter Derby Championship winners, leapfrogged up the standings from seventh to second after posting another trademark Handy Hunter Round that garnered scores of 93, 92 and 86.50 with all four high options and handy bonus points of nines across the board.

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy in perfect form on the Handy Hunter course.

"I'm thrilled with Lewis. He was so great tonight," said Alfano of SBS Farms' 12-year-old Hanoverian. "I was pretty far behind, so there was nothing to lose."

Alfano, of Buffalo, NY, said she had a bad warm-up, so she walked into the ring with a good feeling.

"So he didn't school well, which is usually a good sign for him," she said laughing. "The worse your school is, the better he is in the ring. When you're in the schooling ring it's a little hard mentally. He was nervous and spooky and holding off the jumps. I think the biggest jump we jumped was 3'9". But I knew when he stepped in the ring and sighted in on the first jump that it would be OK."

The Finally Farm team celebrates with Liza and Brunello center ring.

This year the riders once again contested a tiered Handy Hunter Round format. The top 25 pairs from Friday's Classic Hunter Round returned for action in the Section A Handy Hunter Round, with 10 horses shown by Tier I Riders and 15 horses shown by Tier II Riders.

The Section B Handy Hunter Round included a field of 20 riders, with five jumping for Section B money only. The scores for the 15 Tier II Riders in the Section A Handy Hunter Round carried over to the Section B Handy Hunter Round and Overall Standings.

Junior rider Morgan Ward impressed everyone with another stellar performance aboard Comissario and claimed the Section B championship, which was open to Tier II riders only.

Ward, 17, of Milford, NJ, has owned Comissario, a 9-year-old warmblood, for two years and purchased him through trainer Emil Spadone. The pair began their partnership in the junior jumpers and then transitioned to the hunters. They currently lead the USEF Horse of the Year standings in the Small Junior, 16-17, section.

"I was looking for a horse at the time, and I was up in the air for whatever, and Emil told me this was the horse for me," said Ward. "And, sure enough, it was. He was right. Like always!"

Ward and Comissario placed 16th in the Classic Hunter Round and won the top Junior Owner Rider Award after going first in the 75-horse field and setting the pace.

Sandy Ferrell and Stephanie Riggio Bulger's Mayfair jumped to the reserve championship behind Ward and Comissario. This was just Ferrell's second derby with the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding.

"Stephanie shows him in the younger 3'6"amateurs, and that's truly his job," she said with a smile. "I just get to have fun once in a while.

"I'm not a veteran like Jen and Liza, who do this all of the time," added Ferrell. "I was like, 'Wow, these jumps are looking really big.' But when he went as well as he did yesterday, I wasn't worried about anything tonight. He went, and he was fantastic. The jumps were big. I did this two years ago, but I think the specs have gone up since then because I don't remember them being this big!"

The $10,000 Derby Challenge, supported by Moyer Farm LLC, attracted 36 competitors and allowed those who didn't qualify for the Section A or Section B Handy Hunter Rounds to return with a clean slate. The class was held at 3:45 p.m., prior to the Section A and B Handy Hunter Rounds, and gave competitors another shot at one of Stephens' and Rheinheimer's challenging handy hunter courses.

Martien Van Der Hoeven will now return home to Spring, TX, with a blue ribbon and a check for $3,000 after claiming victory in the Derby Challenge with Julie Thompson's Cellino.

Callie Seaman, of Greenwich, CT, finished in 24th place in the Classic Hunter Round and earned the top Amateur Owner Rider Award aboard Carrico. When combined with her Handy Hunter Round score, Seaman and Carrico earned sixth in the Section B Overall results.

Additional awards presented included the 2013-14 Championship Qualifying Series winners.

Virginia-based professional Kelley Farmer once again won the 2013-14 Leading Rider of the Qualifying Series with $145,448.

Mythical, owned by David Gochman, won the 2013-14 Leading Horse of the Qualifying Series with $51,756.

Kristy Herrera earned the Leading Developing Pro Rider of the 2013-14 Qualifying Series with $11,200.

The 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship is generously sponsored by: Major Sponsor Dietrich Equine Insurance; Official Cooler:Blue Ribbon Custom Blankets; Challenge Prize Money Donor: Moyer Farm LLC; Awards Sponsors: Essex Classics, Dover Saddlery, Grand Prix,McGuinn Farm, Gifted Paddock, Shapley's and Ariat; Hospitality Sponsor:SmartPak,; Gift Donors: Janet Peterson. The USHJA Official Sponsors include: Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Nutrena, Standlee Hay Company and Charles Owen. USHJA Contributing Sponsors including Perfect Products and Crown Equine Services.

For additional information on the 2014 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship and complete results, please visit www.ushja.org.

For full coverage please look for the USHJA International Hunter Derby and Pre-Green Incentive Championships In Stride Digital Special Edition arriving in your email as well as the September print issue of USHJA In Stride.

Posted on August 19, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

NAJYRC Junior Show Jumping Team Gold

Finally Farm congratulates the Zone 1/9 combined team that claimed the Junior Team Gold Medal at the Adequan/FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships, held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington last month.

The Zone 1/9 Junior Show Jumping team (from left, Sara Nordstrom, Jennifer Gates, McKayla Langmeier and Victoria Arute) collected the gold medal at the 2014 NAJYRC.

Trainer Hardin Towell's student Jennifer Gates, 18, of Medina, Washington, rode Lord Levisto, her 12-year-old Brandenburg gelding, to scores of 0 and 4 faults in the two-round Nations Cup-format team competition.

The combined team of Zone 1/9 also included Sara Nordstrom (17, Medina, Washington) who rode Coningtion to a double-clear performance. With a pair of four-fault rounds, McKayla Langmeier (14, East Granby, Connecticut) finished her first NAJYRC experience with HS Classic Care with 8 faults. Victoria Arute (18, Avon, Connecticut) ran into some trouble in the first round when Aletta’s hackamore bridle broke, and they tallied 17 faults. They improved in the second round, collecting 12 faults.

The team finished on 12 total faults to edge Zone 5 by 1 fault for the top podium spot.

“It was really exciting,” Nordstrom said of Zone 9 being paired with Zone 1. “I know [Arute and Langmeier] have really capable horses, and we came into this competition with just Jennifer [Gates] and I, but to be able to compete in the team competition as a team is really exciting and really fun.”

Of going double clear, Nordstrom said, “It didn’t quite sink in until after I had jumped the last jump each time and it was so, so exciting.”

In the Junior Individual Overall standings, Gates finished fourth and was the highest-placed team member. She and Lord Levisto jumped double-clear on the final day to end their NAJYRC experience on a perfect note.

Posted on August 10, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Blowing Rock is a Blast

The Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show in North Carolina is a highlight of the summer for the riders and horses of Finally Farm. The two weeks of Blowing Rock offer an old-fashioned horse show atmosphere with Southern hospitality, cool mountain weather and lots of great competition.

Fun and camaraderie abounded during the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show

This year the team brought home championships and blue ribbons from the small ponies to the USHJA International Hunter Derby to the Blowing Rock Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and everything in between! It was an amazing two weeks of camaraderie and learning, from July 22-August 3, all wrapped up in the fun of being on summer vacation with horses.

"It was an amazing two weeks," said trainer Liza Towell Boyd. "Everyone did so well and enjoyed the show."

Liza Towell Boyd and Brunello win the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Liza certainly enjoyed her return to the hunter derby ring. She and Brunello picked up right where they left off last fall when Liza took a break to have baby Adeline. She and "Ike" took the featured $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby class during Week II, and as an exclamation point to her return, Liza picked up second place aboard her new mount, Trinity.

"Ike is right where I want him to be," she said with a smile. "It was really foggy that evening, and I was glad I was on him. You could hardly see. He felt great. I had done him in a jumper class during the week, and he bucked because he was so excited to be back in the ring. It was like he was 7 years old again! So, I think he’s fit and ready for the Derby Championship next week in Kentucky."

Liza described the derby courses as challenging enough for her first time back, with some technical elements. "There was some pressure, too, because there was a big crowd watching," she said. "It was good to get my feet back in the water. We had an 89 or 90 in the first round, and then in the second round, he was great. I was a little too deep to one jump, but it worked out."

Liza had the opportunity to go first on Trinity in the Classic Round and when the top-12 returned for the Handy Round, so she could get a feel for the ring. Despite this being Liza's first derby with the 7-year-old, they performed consistently well in both rounds to claim second.

"I was really proud of him to go in there so late in the evening and in the conditions, the footing was a little soupy," she said. "He was quite good and to be second was great."

Laura Critz, WCHR Southeast Region 3'3" Junior Hunter Rider Award winner, and Quatrain

The Finally Farm team also celebrated after the USHJA/WCHR Southeast Regional Rider Awards were presented at Blowing Rock. Laura Critz earned the 3'3" Junior Hunter Award, Grace Howard the 3'6" Junior Hunter Award, Erin McGuire the 3'6" Amateur-Owner Award and Tracey London the Adult Amateur Awards. Great job ladies!

In one of the featured jumper classes, Erin McGuire and Kasarr topped the field in the $3,500 Blowing Rock Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic during Week II, and they also won the Lucky One Trophy for the Grand Champion Junior-Amateur-Owner Jumper. During Week I, they also placed second in the $10,000 Russell Hall Memorial Jumper Classic.

Erin also took home additional memorial trophies, this time with her lovely gray Casallo. Casallo won The Jack Daniels Cup as the Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter, 18-35, and the Mrs. R.J. Reynolds III Memorial Trophy as the Grand Champion Amateur-Owner Hunter.

Joann Loheac and Chestnut Avenue with The EMO Agency's Martha Hall

Joann Loheac and Chestnut Avenue also garnered a variety of awards, including the Mystery Man Trophy for the Grand Champion 3'3" Amateur-Owner Hunter. They earned the tricolor in the 3'3" Amateur-Owner, 36 and over, section.

"That was one of the most competitive divisions at the show. It was like the 3'3" Olympics!" said Liza laughing. "There were scores of 90 and one nice horse after another, so for Joann to do so well is incredibly rewarding. The two of us have brought this horse along from his Pre-Green years."

Liza credited Joann for her excellent eye and consistency in the show ring as well as the excellent care she provides Chestnut Avenue, who lives at home with Joann, her husband Steve and daughter Olivia in Tryon, North Carolina.

"Joann is really fun to go to the ring with, and this was so cool for her," said Liza. "He’s got a great expression and is beautiful going around. He’s turned into a really nice horse, but she had to bring him along herself to see this end result."

Finally Farm welcomed Madeline "Maddy" Thatcher, of Pony Lane Farm of South Jordan, Utah, to the team during Blowing Rock. Maddy, who is an incoming freshman at Clemson University in South Carolina, brought her hunters and jumpers and added lots of ribbons to the tack room banner.

"We're happy to have Maddy join us. She fits right in with all of our juniors and young amateurs, and she gave us all a bit more competition!" said Liza, noting Maddy and her Stuck On You earned the Small Junior, 16-17, championship during Week II, and she also rode Summer Place and Stuck On You to fourth and sixth places, respectively, in the Week I Kathryn G. Clark Memorial Challenge of Champions.

Lisa Towell tended to the ponies during Blowing Rock, and in addition to cheering granddaughter Elle Boyd and student Lowe Thompson on in the Leadline class, she oversaw the many ribbons and trophies won by Catherine Sharp with Church Mouse, Zola Thompson with Mr. McGregor, Ruby Sloan with Burberry and Lily Bennett riding Tantallon Co-Captain.

"The pony riders really rose to the occasion," said Liza. "I would have to give a special shout-out to Zola, who has come a long way in the two weeks she's been working with us. She's practiced a lot, and her hard work really paid off.

Catherine Sharp and Zola Thompson celebrate their championships!

"It was also great to see my mom getting into the ponies again," added Liza. "She loves watching them and said it’s her favorite division. I think she’s getting prepared for Elle! She was really getting into it and even helping us all with the training."

With so many great performances by so many Finally Farm students and horses, Liza said she wasn't able to mention them all. But with the help of the talented Finally Farm photographers who caught some awesome shots, please enjoy this slide show that captures some of the many special moments.