Finally Farm is proud to announce that Liza Towell Boyd has been awarded the 2013 Emerson Burr Trophy! The award is presented by the United States Equestrian Federation to a rider in the hunter divisions in any breed over fences.
Known as the USEF Equestrians of Honor, Liza is one of eight stars of equestrian sport across the USEF's breeds and disciplines. Just one of them will win the distinguished grand prize and be named the "2013 USEF Equestrian of the Year."
Liza Boyd and Jack Towell celebrate her WCHR Professional Finals victory.
From the USEF press release distributed December 11: Liza has long been regarded as one of the top hunter professionals in the industry, and in 2013 she added to her legacy with a season of which many could only dream. Boyd paired with multiple horses over the last 12 months to earn top prizes at many of the United States' most prestigious competitions in coveted classes. She got the season off to a strong start at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival claiming Champion and Reserve Champion honors in the Gold Coast High Performance Working Hunter division in February. In the fall, she showed her skill and adaptability by winning the WCHR Professional Finals, where riders competed with donated horses over the first two rounds.
However, August would host Boyd's biggest career victory when she bested a star-studded field in the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships with longtime partner Brunello. This was the pair's fifth International Hunter Derby win in as many months after topping fields in the Camden Spring International Hunter Derby, the Atlanta Spring International Hunter Derby, the Atlanta Summer International Hunter Derby, and the BRCHS International Hunter Derby. Boyd and Brunello kicked off their championship season with strong second-place finishes in the Jacksonville Finale International Hunter Derby before placing second in the WCHR Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.
This is the first year Boyd has been awarded the Emerson Burr Trophy.
USEF members are invited to select the winner, and, of course, we hope you'll vote for Liza! Please click here to vote!
The winner will be announced when the horse world meets at the United States Equestrian Federation's annual Pegasus Awards gala. This year's gala will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Lexington in Lexington, Ky., and broadcast live on the USEF Network, presented by Smartpak.
Liza Boyd and Brunello winning the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship
