Celebrating the Aiken December Classics

Elle Boyd and Boheme Du Moulin

Saved the best for last! The Aiken December Classics culminated Finally Farm’s 2025 show season, and our horses and riders celebrated many wonderful achievements at Bruce’s Field!

At their final show of the year, Elle Boyd earned her biggest career win aboard Boheme Du Moulin in the $9,999 Jingle Bells 1.30m Jumper Classic during week III. Elle also won the WEC Equitation riding Magic Castle 39 and was fifth in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go) with AF Strategy!

Elle Boyd and Boheme Du Moulin receiving their awards

We are so proud of everything you have accomplished, Elle! We can’t wait to see what next year brings! 

Frances Kelly took the reins on Didi Blue to show in the Children’s Hunters for the first time at the Aiken December Classic II, and the pair earned a second, third and sixth in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic! Frances also secured champion riding Blue Fame in the Small Pony Hunter division.

Frances Kelly and Didi Blue

Aboard two catch rides, Patchwork Little General and Musbury Special Edition, Frances earned the reserve champions in the Small Pony Hunter and Small/Medium Green Pony Hunter divisions! Thank you @electsporthorses for the wonderful rides on these amazing ponies!

Erin McGuire and Balraj jumped to top honors in picture-perfect form. This pair secured the win in the Jingle Bells 1.30m Jumper Classic at Aiken December Classic II. We’re so proud of these two! Congratulations, Erin!

Erin McGuire and Balraj

Erin McGuire and Balraj receiving their awards

Meredith Huddle and Carnac 19

Meredith Huddle and Carnac 19 continued their top performances with great placings both weeks of the December Aiken Classic and capped it off with a second in the Junior/Amateur 1.20m Jumpers. Meredith also claimed the win in the THIS/NHS Adult Medal on Kellog to top off the final show of the season.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Finally Farm! We are deeply thankful for our horses and team, who helped make this year so special. Wishing everyone a safe and wonderful holiday season with friends and family!

We’re also thankful to our generous sponsors: CWD, ProElite Feed, Platinum Performance, Success Equestrian, Ice Horse, Charles Ancona, KASK equestrian, MDC Stirrups and Ariat Equestrian!

Duke Jump For the Children Benefit Blues

So much to be thankful for during this holiday season, including all the great results and memorable moments experienced during the Duke Jump For the Children Benefit I and II at the Tryon International Equestrian Center November 5-19.

Eloise Ervin and Speaking Of

Eloise Ervin and Speaking Of claimed the reserve championship in the 3’3” Junior Hunter, 15 & Under, division during their first show together. The pair earned a first and third to secure the tricolor! We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these two!

Mary Caroline Nolan and her horses returned to the show ring in style after a break. MC and Malbay Dreamer put in competitive rounds and finished in the top-10 in the Amateur 1.0m Jumper Classic. Liza Boyd piloted MC’s Ferrari to championship honors in the Performance Hunter 3’6” division during the first week to secure the Performance Hunter Grand Championship and the Walk The Line Perpetual Trophy! So great to have you back in the show ring, MC! Congratulations on a super show! 

MC Nolan and Malbay Dreamer

Frances Kelly added two tricolors to her collection during the Duke Jump for the Children Benefit at Tryon! Riding Blue Fame, Frances secured the reserve championship in the Small Pony Hunter division and also took home top honors in the Classic. Frances also piloted Champagne Blue to reserve champion in the Children’s Pony Hunter division with a first and three thirds. Thank you to First Blue LLC for the ride on the fantastic pony! 

Frances Kelly and Champagne Blue

George Kelly made his horse show debut on two new mounts during the Duke Jump for the Children Benefit.

On The Bay was champion in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, with two wins and a third. Didi Blue earned the reserve championship with two blues and won the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic. George was also second in the THIS National Children’s Medal out of 27 competitors. What a fantastic way to kick off these new partnerships!

George Kelly and On The Bay

Meredith Huddle earned top placings in the hunter, jumper, and equitation rings Meredith and Kellog topped the Ariat Adult Medal, won the Adult Equitation 3’ Over Fences, placed second in the NHS THIS Adult Medal and were third in the Adult Equitation on the Flat.

Meredith and Bluewater took second and fourth in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”, while she rode Carnac 219 to third in the Junior/Amateur 1.20m Jumpers. Well done, Meredith, and congratulations on such a successful week!

Meredith Huddle and Bluewater

Adeline Boyd and Kensi dominated the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under. For their consistency throughout both weeks, Adeline and Kensi were awarded the Grand Championship and the Rex Eatman Perpetual Trophy! Adeline earned multiple top placings on both Kensi and Sochi in the division. Wonderful job, Adeline!

Adeline and Liza Boyd with Kensi

George Kelly and the lovely 5-year-old Beverly Blues took home a blue and second over fences in the Low Children’s Hunter division with great performances. We are so impressed with the confident and beautiful rides George gave this young horse. A huge thank you to First Blue LLC for the ride on Beverly Blues!

Excellent results for Frances Kelly as well. She and Blue Flame secured championship honors in the Small Pony Hunter division with two wins, three seconds, and a win in the Classic! Riding Golden Goose, Frances claimed first over fences in the Children’s Hunter Pony division and also topped the Children’s Hunter Pony Challenge. In the jumper ring, Frances and Charlemagne put in two fault-free efforts for a fourth in the Non-Pro .90m Jumpers.

Olivia Murray and Speaking Of

Olivia Murray and Speaking Of captured the Performance Hunter 3’3” championship during the first week. This pair received a first and second to claim the tricolor! Liza Boyd also piloted Meredith Huddle’s Bluewater to reserve champion with a class win.

Superb Performances at the National Horse Show

The Finally Farm team finished up their fall indoor show season during the National Horse Show in Lexington, Kentucky, on a high note.

Addy Grace Anderson and MTM Crossed My Mind

Addy Grace Anderson and MTM Crossed My Mind jumped in beautiful style and produced lovely rounds in the Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, division. We are so proud of the year this duo has had together!

Ally Ludemann and Didi Blue added nice results to their resume at the National Horse Show with a second place in the Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17 Handy! They also received a fourth in the Stake and an additional fifth over fences. The pair also produced a lovely round in the ASPCA Maclay National Championship to close out their successful week!

Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy

Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy had a successful week in the Small Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under division, earning a second in the Handy and a third over fences out of a competitive group!

Elle Boyd wrapped up her fantastic first year in the 3’6” equitation division with a great round in the ASPCA Maclay National Championships! We are so proud of how Elle has stepped up to this next level with poise, style, and graciousness. Throughout the year, she rode a variety of different horses to top placings—including three different horses at the Capital Challenge, Harrisburg, and the National Horse Show—learning so much along the way.

Elle Boyd and Kosher

We extend a tremendous thank you to all of the wonderful horses and people that have helped Elle this season. The long list includes: Missy Clark, John Brennan, and Maggie Gampfer of North Run; Berry Porter and Eleanor Runicki of Brookside Pine Farms; Georgy Maskrey-Segesman at Whitethorne; Olivia Murray; Meredith Huddle; and the entire Finally Farm team. None of this would be possible without this very large network of a support team. Congratulations on a super year, Elle! 

Rising to the Capital Challenge

George Kelly and Glasgow in their awards presentation

The Finally Farm riders made the most of their time in the show ring during the Capital Challenge Horse Show, held September 24-October 5 in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.

September 28 was a night to remember for George Kelly. At their final show together, George rode Glasgow to scores of 87 and 85 to top the podium in the $10,000 North American League (NAL) Children’s Hunter Finals! This pair has had an extremely successful and consistent year, and we were thrilled to see their hard work paid off! It was a fantastic way to end a such a special partnership!

Frances Kelly and Ever So Blue

Frances Kelly and Ever So Blue capped off their Capital Challenge on a high note, too. This adorable duo received two 88s and an 87 to secure reserve championship honors in the WCHR Pony Challenge! Incredible riding, Frances! Thank you to First Blue LLC for helping make this magical weekend possible.

Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy shined at Capital Challenge! The pair earned 85.25, 84.25, and 84 in the WCHR Junior Hunter 3’3” Challenge to secure fourth place against a very competitive field. 

Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy

Gigi Manigault piloted Illusion Imperio Egipcio to scores of 87 and 86 to claim an impressive sixth in the Ariat National Adult Medal Finals at the Capital Challenge Horse Show! We are so proud of this pair’s consistency and hard work.

Gigi Manigault and Illusion Imperio Egipcio

Meredith Huddle and Invitation Only showed picture perfect form on the way to securing a third over fences in the Adult Amateur Equitation out of a competitive group of horse-and-rider combinations.

Meredith Huddle and Invitation Only

Impressive Performances at Blowing Rock

Liza Boyd took care of business at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show during our summer escape to the mountains of North Carolina.

Liza Boyd and MTM Crossed My Mind

Liza paired up with Hodgkiss Farm LLC’s MTM Crossed My Mind to win the USHJA International Hunter Derby! Liza and Meralex Farm’s Hillsborough Bay secured four firsts in the Green Hunter 3’6” division as well as a win in the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive to earn Grand Green Hunter 3’6” title and the Januarys Best Trophy.

Riding EMO Stables’ El Porvenir Zara, Liza claimed three firsts and a win in the Green Incentive to secure Grand Green Hunter 3’-3’3” as well as the Margaret Cameron Edge Trophy. Liza also received the Bernard Larocque Perpetual Trophy Style Award. We’re so grateful for all of the owners of these wonderful horses. It would not be possible without their incredible support.

Erin McGuire had many things to celebrate at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show. In addition to celebrating a birthday, Erin and her own Balraj earned great results. During the first week, the pair claimed two top-10 finishes in the Russell Hall Memorial Classic and the 1.30m Welcome Jumper Stake. The duo also put in great, competitive rounds during the second week. We are so impressed with how Erin has produced this lovely horse herself, and we are so grateful for everything she does for the Finally Farm team! 

Gigi Manigault and Illusion Imperio Egipcio

Gigi Manigault and Illusion Imperio Egipcio proved consistency is key at Blowing Rock. Gigi placed second in the competitive Ariat National Adult Medal and also clinched second in the Bryan Jones Memorial Adult Medal.

Rebekah and Charlotte Warren had a successful Blowing Rock to share together. Riding Whiskey, Rebekah secured three seconds in the Adult Amateur Hunter, 50 & Over, division. She also piloted Cassico to fifth in the $7,500 Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby (Hunt N Go) out of 38 competitive horse-and-rider combinations.

Charlotte and Why earned multiple blue ribbons in the Low Adult Hunters to secure the circuit championship and Grand Championship honors as well as the Kiara Barnett Memorial Trophy! Charlotte also earned great results aboard MTM Hand Him Over. Well done, Charlotte!

Addy Grace Anderson and MTM Crossed My Mind showed off their style with beautiful, consistent rounds in the Junior Hunter 3’6” division, earning a second in the Stake and third in the under saddle.

George Kelly had a super two weeks. He and Glasgow claimed the reserve championship in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, division during the first week. During the second week, the duo received two firsts, a second in the Classic, and a third for another championship.

In the jumper ring, George piloted Charlemagne to fifth in the Junior/Amateur 1.0m Jumper Classic. 

It was a very memorable Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show for Adeline Boyd, as well. In the Low Children’s Hunter division, Adeline claimed champion honors aboard Kensi and was reserve champion riding Sochi during the second week. Adeline also secured the reserve championship with Sochi during the first week. Adeline and Sochi capped off their two weeks with the Circuit Championship in the Low Children’s Hunters and the Devise Trophy, and they were also Grand Overall Low Child/Adult Hunter Champion to earn the Mr. Darcy Trophy.

Bridget Hallman and Brentwood

It was also a grand two weeks for Bridget Hallman and Brentwood. After earning the reserve championship two weeks in a row in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” division, Bridget and Brentwood secured the Grand Championship and were awarded the Marie M. Reynolds Challenge Trophy. The pair put in consistent rounds throughout both weeks, earning several blue ribbons and top placings along the way. 

There were fist pumps and blue ribbons for Meredith Huddle. Meredith and Carnac 219 sped to first in the Junior/Amateur 1.20m Jumpers as well as a second in the Classic to receive reserve championship honors in the division. In the equitation ring, Meredith and Invitation Only claimed the win in the Ariat National Adult Medal and second in the USEF Adult Equitation. Meredith also produced lovely rounds aboard Bluewater in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 & Over for great results.

There were high scores for Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy during the Blowing Rock. The pair Emma secured two wins in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under, as well as an impressive score of 90! These results helped the pair claim the reserve championship in the division.

Emma Barsosky and AF Strategy

Mary Caroline Nolan piloted her longtime partner, Ferrari, to three wins in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” 18-35 division to secure championship honors as well as the Grand Championship and the Jack Daniel Cup Trophy. This duo earned impressive scores and super results during both weeks.

We are so proud of Eloise Ervin during Blowing Rock. Eloise had a consistent two weeks with both of her mounts. Riding Pagani, Eloise secured first in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, Stake and an additional third over fences in the division. The pair also took home third in the THIS National Children’s Medal the first week. Eloise and Watermark put in super rounds both weeks, earning great ribbons in the division. 

WEF Wraps Up With Wonderful Wins

Jack Towell finished the 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival with the Leading Hunter Trainer Award.

The Finally Farm team concluded the last half of the Winter Equestrian Festival with fantastic results. A special congratulations to our fearless leader Jack Towell for receiving the Jeff Wirthman Memorial Trophy as the Leading Hunter Trainer for the circuit! 🏆

We had an incredible season and would like to thank all of our horses, clients, staff, and sponsors for such a memorable start to the year! 

George Kelly and Glasgow

Capping off WEF 2025 with a tricolor was George Kelly who rode Glasgow to a first, second and third in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, division to secure championship honors during WEF 12! We are so proud of this pair’s consistency! Throughout the season, George and Glasgow produced great rounds and earned wonderful scores. Well done, George! 

Frances Kelly and Blue Flame

WEF 12 was also a blue-ribbon week for Frances Kelly and Blue Fame. After receiving a score of 88, Frances and Blue Fame took top honors in the Small Pony Hunter Classic. The pair earned an additional first and second in the division to secure the reserve championship. Great riding this season, Frances!

Elle Boyd closed out her WEF 2025 with excellent results! In the equitation ring, Elle and SWS Questionnaire scored an 88.5 to place second in the WIHS Hunter Phase to help them claim second in the WIHS Equitation Overall. The pair also received fourth in the ASPCA Maclay. Thank you to North Run for all of the help! Elle also rode Hardrock Hamonie SIH to a score of 88 to take home the win in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under Handy! Congratulations on a fantastic season, Elle!

Jack Towell and Elle Boyd

Liza Boyd concluded her consistent season with Ondine D’Orleans and MTM Crossed My Mind with more ribbons in the derby ring! In the $15,000 International Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go) on the grass field, Liza rode MTM Crossed My Mind to fourth and placed fifth with Ondine D’Orleans. Both horses also took home top-10 ribbons in the $50,000 USHJA International Derby.

Rebekah Warren and Cassico showed off their style to capture second in the $10,000 USHJA National Amateur Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go) on the grass field during WEF 11! The duo earned an impressive Handy score of 86! Congratulations, Rebekah! 

Rebekah Warren and Casino

Elle Boyd and Boheme du Moulin were on fire during WEF 10. This pair started their week going double clear to secure fifth place in the 1.20m Junior Jumpers and then ended with a top-10 finish in the $10,000 NAL 1.25m Junior Jumper Classic on Sunday. Nicely done, Elle! 

WEF 10 was a 10 out of 10 for Rebekah Warren and Whiskey! This duo received two firsts and a third in the Low Adult Amateur Hunters to earn championship honors in the division! Rebekah piloted Whiskey to a high score of 87 on the second day of competition as icing on the cake. 

Adeline Boyd and Charlie Brown

Adeline Boyd had a successful WEF 10 on Pony Island! She rode Charlie Brown to first and second in the Small/Medium Children’s Pony Hunter division for the reserve champion honors! Thank you to Lauren Gridley and Gray Horse Farm for the ride!

Aboard Sydney, Adeline earned a second in the M&S/USEF Pony Medal, a third in the WIHS Pony Equitation and nice ribbons in the Medium Pony Hunter division. Nice work, Adeline! 

Elle Boyd dominated in the hunter and equitation rings during WEF 10! Riding Swing Easy, Elle claimed first and second in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under division. Thank you to Ocean Echo for the ride on this lovely horse!

Elle Boyd and Swing Easy

Elle also piloted SWS Questionnaire to second in the Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal and earned fourth in the WIHS Equitation Hunter Phase with a score of 88. We are so appreciative to North Run for all the help in the equitation! 

WEF 9 was all about the nines! George Kelly piloted Glasgow to a high score of 91 for the blue ribbon in the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under! The pair earned a second blue ribbon and two seconds in the division to claim championship honors!

There were many Grand Hunter moments during WEF 8, with Meredith Huddle aboard Bluewater and Gigi Manigault riding Illusion Imperio Egipcio garnering great ribbons. Meredith and Bluewater produced lovely rounds in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” 36 & Over division, earning super ribbons both days of competition. Gigi and Illusion Imperio Egipcio claimed second in the competitive Adult Amateur Hunter, 18-35, section with a fantastic round. Well done, ladies!

George Kelly and Glasgow continued their winning ways during WEF 7. This duo received two firsts and a second in the Children’s Hunter, 14 & Under, division to secure championship honors! George rode Glasgow to an impressive score of 89 to win over fences.

Sister Frances Kelly jumped to her own tricolor aboard Girl On Fire. These two claimed the reserve championship in the Small Pony Hunters during WEF 7 with a second and three thirds in the division. Super riding, Frances! 

We had fun on the derby field with Rebekah Warren and Cassico during WEF 7. These two produced a beautiful round in the $10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby Junior/Amateur (Hunt-N-Go), earning a classic round score of 86! 

Elle Boyd and Cato 90 had a fantastic week in the equitation ring on their way to top 🔝 results during WEF 7. They claimed the win in the USHJA 3’3” Junior Jumper Seat Medal (Sec. A) and the Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Medal (Sec. B) with two scores of 86. A big thank you to North Run for sharing this special horse with us! 

Meredith Huddle and Bluewater

Gigi Manigault and Illusion Immperio Egipcio

Liza Boyd and Ondine D'Orleans Capture the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by Bainbridge Companies

Liza Towell Boyd & Ondine d’Orleans are presented as winners of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, Presented by Bainbridge Companies. Photo ©Sportfot

Only three weeks after their memorable win in the $150,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights on the International Arena, Liza Towell Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans were back in action, this time on the grass derby field at Wellington International. The pair jumped to the win Saturday in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies.

Among a very competitive field of International Derby contenders, Boyd had two rides in the Hunt-and-Go format, taking on a course designed by Ken Smith. Still building up the partnership with Ondine D’Orleans, owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites, Boyd ultimately closed the day on a one-two finish.

“This is her first time on this grass field,” Boyd, who resides in Camden, South Carolina, said of Ondine. “I wasn’t too worried. She flatted great this morning. The footing is amazing for this late in the circuit.”

Taking to the ring earlier in the order with MTM Crossed My Mind, owned by Addy Grace Anderson, Boyd grabbed the high scores to that point of 88.5 and 97 for the Classic and Handy portions, respectively. Returning with Ondine, she didn’t take every risk there was, but it turned out to be their lucky day.

“I did opt to do one small option with her,” Boyd said of her chosen track. “The swoop jump was a tricky obstacle; it’s tall, and the ride to it was a little funny. I thought, ‘I am winning on the other horse, so if I’m second or third with her I’m OK with that.’ She’s had a great season, and even jumping the small option she jumped so well that we gained points elsewhere.”

The scores to follow were a pair of 95s, for a two-round total of 190. In second at the close of the class was MTM Crossed My Mind with a score of 185.5. Emily Williams and Autumn Janesky’s Damas De Tennerre, who won the first International Derby of the WEF season in January, finished third.

“We’re still working,” said Boyd. “Andrew Lustig helps me with the flat on her. Even if we win, we still have things we can do better. I think that’s the beauty of this sport; we’re always learning. After the night class, we did a lot of working hunter trot transitions, counter canter, haunches in, haunches fore. We're always striving to work on her flatwork.”

Now 11 years old, Ondine is starting to become the superstar Boyd knew she’d be. Still ahead of them is the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the grass during WEF 11.

“We’ve been really lucky down here at Wellington as hunter riders this season,” concluded Boyd. “They’ve highlighted hunters and given us a lot of opportunities. I’m really grateful to the horse show for that.”

Liza Boyd and Ondine D'Orleans Featured in USHJA In Stride

Liza Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans. Photo by Tricia Booker/USHJA

Behind WCHR Hunter Spectacular Champion Ondine D’Orleans Is A Village

Marciano Villalon and Ramon Costilla with Ondine D’Orleans

By Sarah Eakin

On February 15, Liza Boyd and Ondine D’Orleans wowed the crowd and the judges during the $150,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular at the Winter Equestrian Festival. But behind this incredible mare is a team of grooms who work hard to adjust to her needs. Learn more about the village behind the WCHR champion.

Finally Farm’s team of grooms are all involved when it comes to the preparation for WCHR Hunter Week at the Wellington International Festival [WEF]. And that especially rang true for the $150,000 USHJA/WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular where Liza Towell Boyd produced a win on Ondine D’Orleans.

The prize money of $500 for the grooms was also shared as a team. “We just usually just split that with all of our boys since we all work as a team,” said Olivia Murray, who has a series of job titles including rider, assistant manager and assistant trainer. She is joined on the team by Randi Button, Gavino Ochoa, Carlos Manzon, Luis Silva and two sets of brothers, Ramon and Rojelio Costilla and Marciano and Herminio Villalon.

Saturday night’s preparation in the warm-up ring sent off good vibes for the team. “She did everything that we expected and more,” said Murray. “We could tell that she really wanted to win. She can be sassy in the schooling ring sometimes, which is normal for her. But she really didn’t show much sass. She was trying her little heart out in the schooling ring, and we just had a really good feeling.”

To keep the focus, Boyd talks to ‘Ondine’ – not just a little, but the whole time they are showing, giving her a blow-by-blow account of what is coming up. “It’s so that she pays attention to Liza instead of looking at the people watching her,” said Murray.

Boyd recites the whole course at the in-gate and then talks her through each jump “Liza really believes she really listens to her,” Murray said.

The Important Hay Net

Once the show is over, Ondine’s main focus is to get back to the barn and her stall – and to the ever-present hay net that has become a deal-breaker for the chestnut mare. “If it’s not there, she has a little meltdown,” said Murray, while citing that preferably they would do away with the hay net, to avoid stress in the back and neck. “She’s all about the winner’s circle, but then she wants to get back to the barn and have her own space. All she wants is food. And whether she eats from it, or not, the hay net has to be there so that she has food at all times.”

Ondine – owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites – came to the barn about a year ago. The 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, bred in Florida by Monique Keitz, was reserve champion in the 3’9” Green Hunter division during the week. “She is different every day,” said Murray. “Because she is a chestnut mare. Liza likes to say it’s Ondine’s world, and we’re just living in it.”

Learning to Understand Her

When Ondine arrived, the team had to learn to understand her – that the mare’s quirks were something to be accepted rather than addressed.

“We had to learn that her quirks are what makes her good and not something to be worried about,” said Murray. “Oh she’s doing this today – what is she trying to tell us? No, that’s just her.”

Next stop for Boyd and Ondine will be the derby field as they compete in some of the hunter classes on the grass, coming up later during WEF circuit. It will be the first time they have shown the mare on that surface. Ondine loves the polo field at the barn and often goes on trail rides, which indicates that grass may be something she will relish. “I think she will like it,” said Murray. “We are excited to see how she goes out there.”

This article is a part of a collaboration between HorseGrooms, Wellington International and Paper Horse Media.