Stella Styslinger and Cassiana
The Finally Farm training team of Jack Towell and Tamara Berkowitz traveled to the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami to soak in some sun and secure some ribbons with the backdrop of waves washing ashore.
"Miami was great," said Jack. "It's really an amazing venue. Right outside the arena you see the water, the yachts and all of the people on the beach."
In addition to training Stella Styslinger who competed in the 1.10 and 1.15m classes, Jack cheered on his son, Hardin, who piloted Lucifer V and New York in the 5* events. Miami was the second of the 15-leg Championship Tour, which attracts the best grand prix riders in the world. Hardin is right among them, placing fourth in the Saturday's Table A 1.55/1.60m class.
Hardin Towell and Lucifer V
"Hardin is in the biggest league now and riding against the best there is in the world," noted Jack. "He was in the top 10 three times and fourth in one class at Miami. He just had some bad luck in the last grand prix, where his horse cut in a little around one corner, shifted and had a jump down. But he was great and was right there."
Hardin is currently ranked ninth in the GCT 2017 world rankings, with earnings of more than $43,000 this seasin so far.
Stella made attending the Longines GCT in Miami one of her primary goals for 2017, and she achieved it with success. Aboard Cassiana, Stella competed in the 1.10m and 1.15m classes, with a highlight being their fifth-placed finish with a double-clear performance.
Stella Styslinger and Cassiana
"Stella rode really well. She had one time fault in one class and was fifth and double clear in another. She'd never done anything like this before, so I couldn't have been happier," said Jack. "The courses were really hard and technical, with related distances. She hasn't been doing the jumpers long, and only practiced in Florida, but she was very comfortable doing it. She brought her whole family, too, and I think they really enjoyed the whole experience."
Special thanks to The Book LLC for the fantastic photographs!
