Charlotte Warren and Jack Towell
You can’t beat two weeks at the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show! This show in the mountains of North Carolina is always a highlight of the summer, and this year was no exception.
We’re grateful for the whole team at Finally Farm for a successful, fun, and rewarding show. So proud of the hard work everyone put in and the progress they made. And, of course, we are so thankful for our incredible horses that always give their all.
Liza Boyd once again dominated the standings in the USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Blowing Rock Horse Show. She topped the card aboard Meralex Farm’s Hillsborough Bay and placed second aboard Finally Farm’s Jacks Are Better. She also captured sixth place with Artemis Farm LLC’s Reston. A huge thank you to Bryan Baldwin and Artemis Farm LLC for the rides.
Liza Boyd and Bryan Baldwin with Hillsborough Bay
Liza dominated the Green Hunter divisions at Blowing Rock with a lovely group of horses this year. Karsten Z jumped to championship honors in the Green Hunter 3’ division, ultimately earning the Margaret Cameron Edge Trophy as the Grand Champion Green Hunter 3’/3’3”. We extend our sincere thanks to Hardin Towell and Simon McCarthy for producing Karsten in Europe, always with an eye toward the hunter ring. We are so thrilled with his ability to step into the show ring with such style and confidence.
Meralex Farm’s Hillsborough Bay also secured grand honors as the Grand Green Hunter 3’6’/3’9” Champion, receiving the Januarys Best Trophy. His handy score of 91 earned Liza Thursday’s Peak of Excellence Rider Award. Meralex Farm’s Oakley continued his winning ways, too, earning the Green Hunter 3’3” Circuit Championship honors.
Bridget Hallman’s Soreal and Pattie Archer’s Man Of My Dreams jumped to great scores in the Green Hunter 3’3” division to take home second places over fences. We’re always grateful for the support of such wonderful owners and Team Finally Farm.
Liza and Hillsborough Bay also jumped to Reserve Championship honors in the Green Hunter 3’9” division. The pair’s top honors also earned them a spot in the Kathy G. Clark Memorial Challenge of Champions, and Liza received the Goshen Hill Foundation Peak of Excellence Rider Award.
Liza and Oakley dominated the Green Hunter 3’3” division on their way to championship honors, earning wins over fences, in the Stake, and the USHJA Green Hunter Incentive. Soreal finished right behind with the reserve championship.
It was so great having Grace Ann Nolan back in the show ring. Grace piloted Cruse to fifth in the Adult Amateur Hunter, 18-35, Stake and also finished top-10 in the Classic. Thank you to MC for sharing Cruse.
It was a fun time at the Amateur-Owner Hunter ring during Blowing Rock. Bridget Hallman and Brentwood secured the championship in the Amateur-Owner 3’6” 36 & Over, section. Gigi Manigault rode Walk-Off to the reserve championship in the Amateur-Owner Hunter, 3’6” 18-35 section. Rebekah Warren and Banks received a third over fences in the Amateur-Owner Hunter, 3’3” 36 & Over section in a competitive field.
Meredith Huddle and her two mounts took on Blowing Rock in style. In the jumper ring, Meredith and Carnac 219 secured fourth in the Junior/Amateur 1.20m Jumpers and were sixth in the Classic. Meredith and Bluewater claimed a blue and two thirds in the Amateur-Owner Hunter, 3’6” 36 & Over, section with great rounds.
Friends Liza Boyd and Rachel Kennedy
Erin McGuire and Balraj did what they do best at Blowing Rock—jumping clear rounds! These took home two fifth-place finishes in the Welcome Jumper Stake and the L.P. Tate Jumper Classic. We were thrilled to welcome Erin back to the show ring, as she worked incredibly hard to get back in the saddle post-injury. We also love celebrating Erin’s birthday every year at this show. Way to go, Erin!
Charlotte Warren braved the fog with her three mounts for excellent results. Charlotte claimed nice ribbons on Why, Cassico, and Beaucoup De Bliss in the Low Adult Hunter division, including a win and second aboard Why.
It was multiple tri-colors at Blowing Rock for Elle Boyd. Riding Boheme Du Moulin, Elle secured the win in the Classic and was champion in the 1.20m Junior/Amateur Jumper division as well as earning the Lucky One Trophy for the Grand Championship. Elle also piloted Artemis Equestrian Farm LLC’s Reston to championship honors in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 16-17 division after picking up three blue ribbons!
Meredith Huddle and Carnac 219
Callie Kelly made her return to the show ring a winning one. After taking a three-year hiatus, Callie and Didi Blue scored an impressive 86 to take the win in the Ariat National Adult Medal during the second week of Blowing Rock. We love seeing Callie back in the ring - she might have to steal George’s horses more often!
George Kelly wasn’t to be denied his time in the winner’s circle, as well. George and On The Bay received two wins on their way to the reserve championship in the Junior Hunter, 3’3” 15 & Under division for the second week in a row. The pair was also awarded the Grand Champion Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under award. George also picked up three seconds and a third in the division aboard Didi Blue.
Eloise Ervin and Speaking Of made it a memorable Blowing Rock. This pair claimed two class wins and a third in the Classic to secure the championship in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under division. We’re so incredibly proud of these two and love to see all of Eloise’s hard work paying off.
Addy Grace Anderson and MTM Crossed My Mind secured three blues and two thirds in the Junior Hunter 3’6” division to easily take the championship. Such a consistent week for Addy!
Congratulations to all on a wonderful two weeks at Blowing Rock!
Blowing Rock—Where Friends Compete
