Liza Boyd Carries on Tradition with Victory in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt & Go

Liza Boyd and Maggie Hill’s Tradition

Liza Boyd, of Camden, South Carolina, and Tradition were victorious in the final week of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF), as the pair captured the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt & Go on Friday, March 29, at Equestrian Village at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.

The “Hunt & Go” derby was one of three major events for hunter riders during Week 12. Hunter derby competitors once again will get a chance at a change of venue as all hunter derbies for the week are being held on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village.

Thirty-five horse-and-rider combinations contested Ken Krome’s course, which was designed in the newer Hunt & Go format, on the grass. The Hunt & Go format was only introduced several years ago as a way to shorten the original derby format while still offering a Classic and a Handy round. Instead of all riders competing through the Classic and then returning at a later time for a Handy, the course is designed as half Cassic and half Handy. Riders are therefore able to highlight their horse’s strengths in both formats.

Krome’s course consisted of four high option fences, a trot fence, and a “bounce” line in the Handy portion of the course. Judges panels included Otis Brown and Ann Braswell in panel one, and Robert Crandall and Rob Bielefeld in panel two.

Kelley Farmer and Larry Glefke/Aizlynn Radwanski’s Closing Statement were the first pair to head into the ring and took the early lead with a combined score of 333.00 points. She and the 6-year-old warmblood gelding (Mr. Blue x Ursula) finished in the fourth place position.

As the 17th entry into the ring, hunter veteran Liza Boyd piloted Maggie Hill’s Tradition to the new lead after totaling 357.00 points with a Classic score of 179.00 and a Handy round producing 178.00 points. Boyd and the 8-year-old Westphalian gelding (Cornet’s Stern x Larix) are no strangers to success in the derby classes as Tradition’s second time in a derby was at the 2018 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, where he placed third.

Tradition with Alberto Ramirez and ringmaster Steve Rector

“He was made to be a derby horse I think,” Boyd explained. “We purchased him from Scott Stewart as a junior hunter mount for his owner Maggie Hill, but Scott had been telling me for a long time that he had a great horse that would be able to do both the junior hunters and the bigger derbies. Clearly, he was right because he does well with his owner in the juniors, but he is also super brave and can jump the bigger tracks, which is exactly what we look for in a derby horse.”

Boyd plans to compete the gelding in the weekend’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby but said she enjoyed being able to use the Hunt & Go format as a way to introduce her horse to his surroundings.

“We haven’t had the Hunt & Go for very long in the International Derby Program, but I think it’s nice to have it once in a while like this,” she said. “I think it’s so special to be able to have the second round in the bigger derby classes where you are able to come back with a new strategy, but for a day like today it was quite nice because you got to give your horse a tour of the venue and practice both Classic and Handy round fences.”

Final Results: $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Hunt & Go

Horse / Rider / Owner

R1 Score / R2 Score | Total

1 Tradition / Liza Boyd / Maggie Hill

179.00 / 178.00 | 357.00

2 Spectacular / Havens Schatt / SHP Barn LLC

172.00 / 168.50 | 340.50

3 Mostly Sunny / Havens Schatt / Caroline Moran

167.25 / 172.50 | 339.75

4 Closing Statement / Kelley Farmer / Larry Glefke & Aizlynn Radwanski

162.00 / 171.00 | 333.00

5 Probable Cause / Keri Kampsen / Quail Run Partnerships

170.01 / 162.00 | 332.10

6 Diamante / Patricia Griffith / Callie Seaman

164.05 / 168.00 | 332.05

7 No Doubt / Victoria Colvin / Mark Woods

159.00 / 173.00 | 332.00

8 Namely / Kelley Farmer / Larry Glefke & Oakmont Stables

165.00 / 165.00 | 330.00

9 Corallo Z / Greg Crolick / Renaud Farm, LLC

166.00 / 162.00 | 328.00

10 Confetti / Sara Taylor / Sherri Crawford

166.50 / 161.50 | 328.00

11 Fig Street’s Duchess / Chaz Harpman / Cynthia Hallman

161.00 / 162.50 | 323.50

12 Carson / Nikko Ritter / Kathryn Haefner LLC

156.60 / 165.00 | 321.60

Special thanks to Jennifer Wood Media, Inc. for the press release.

Meet Liza Boyd

Special thanks to the Winter Equestrian Festival for featuring Liza Towell Boyd and Finally Farm in the “My Story” series!

“I don't really remember a time that I wasn't riding... They brought me home from the hospital and put me right up on a horse. It's a family business, and we've been doing it a long time." - Liza Towell Boyd from Finally Farm

Every rider has a story. Hear about Liza’s journey from leadline to the International Arena with our #MyStory features this season. #WEF2019

Wonderful Performances at WEF and Deeridge

Kelly Maloney and Condero 3

The Finally Farm team enjoyed two successful and fun weeks during WEF 7 and 8 and attended the Deeridge Derby in Wellington, Florida.

Kelly Maloney and Condero 3

Highlights included during Week 7 included Kelly Maloney’s impressive championship in the Don Little Masters Adult Amateur Jumpers with Condero 3.

Kelly purchased Condero through Hardin Towell and trains with Hardin and his father, Jack Towell.

The new partnership of Gigi Manigault and Major Key made their debut together with great success, earning fantastic ribbons in the 3’3” Junior Hunter, 16-17, section and the reserve championship.

Ellen Addison and El Tindo put in gorgeous rounds in the older Adult Amateur Hunters, receiving excellent ribbons both days.

Bridget Hallman’s hunters shined during Week 7, with Who’s It taking the 3’6” Green Hunter reserve championship with Liza in the irons. The pair won two over fences classes on the way to the tricolor.

Bridget then took Who’s It’s reins and also captured a blue in the middle section of the Adult Amateur Hunters, for an excellent finish to their week. After earning ribbons in the Conformation Hunter section with Liza, Halston carried Bridget to two second places in the competitive Adult Amateur Hunter classes.

Cassanto and Maggie Hill added yet another championship to their collection, taking the 3’6” Large Junior, 16-17, title.

Maggie Hill and O’Ryan at the Deeridge Derby

During the Deeridge Derby, Liza Boyd and Maggie Hill traveled over to nearby Deeridge Farm to compete on their gorgeous grass field. Maggie and O’Ryan started out strongly, placing eighth in the $2,500 USHJA International Welcome Stake.

In the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, held on Saturday and Sunday, Liza and Maggie both qualified to compete in the Handy Round the following day. Liza and Maggie’s Tradition stood third going into the Handy Round, but an unfortunate rail kept them out of the overall ribbons. Maggie and O’Ryan also ticked a rail in the Handy Round but otherwise had a stellar round.

During WEF 8, Vistano and Libbie Gordon earned great ribbons in the 3’6” Small Junior, 15 and under. In addition, Vistano captured the reserve championship in the 3’6” Performance Hunters with Liza.

Maggie continues to solidify her partnership with new equitation mount Eclipse, and the pair placed second in the WIHS overall out of 63 competitors.

Libbie Gordon topped the Medium/Large Green Pony Hunter section with Haribo, taking two firsts and two seconds.

Family time with Elle, Liza and Adeline!

Please enjoy our fun photo gallery from WEF and Deeridge!

A Spectacular Time at WEF 6

Liza Boyd and Maggie Hill’s Tradition

Finally Farm had a fantastic WCHR Week 6 on the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit, with top honors from the International Ring to Pony Island, from February 13-17.

Highlights included Liza Boyd’s top-10 finishes aboard Maggie Hill’s Tradition (fourth) and Cassanto (eighth) in the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular, respectively.

Liza also earned the week's Professional High-Score Award with a 92, and Tradition received the Charlie Weaver Memorial Award for the highest-scoring Conformation Hunter in Round 1 with an 86.66.

Maggie Hill with Jack Towell and O’Ryan

In addition, Maggie earned a spot in the prestigious class on Saturday night by virtue of her Grand Junior Hunter and Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, championships aboard O’Ryan. She and O’Ryan won four of the five section classes and placed second in the other for the grand tile.

The mother/daughter duo of Paige and Mckenzie Miller shared tricolor honors. Paige rode Shamrock to a reserve championship in the Low Adult Hunters, and Mckenzie and Otis Spunkmeyer captured the Crossrail Hunter (Younger) championship.

The Finally Farm team concluded Week 6 with a star appearance in the 11th Annual Kids Lip Sync Show that benefits Danny and Ron’s Rescue. Elle and Adeline showed off their many talents and helped to raise money for a great cause!

Mckenzie and Paige Miller with Otis Spunkmeyer

Paige Miller with Shamrock

The 11th Annual Kids Lip Synch Contest

Please enjoy this gallery of images from WCHR Week 6!

A Delightful WEF 5 for Finally Farm

Abbie Gordon and Delightful

The Children’s and Adult Hunters earned accolades during WEF 5, February 6-10 in Wellington, Florida. And Abigail Gordon and Delightful claimed their first Children’s Hunter, 14 and under, championship as a highlight of the week.

“I want to thank the Barnett family and Joey Norick for sending the horse our way,” said trainer Liza Boyd. “He’s the greatest little horse. Jack said he could have sold him five times in the schooling area. He’s so wonderful,, especially for Abbie, who’s coming off of a pony.

“I’m really proud of her for going from the pony ring straight to the Children’s Hunter ring so fast,” added Liza. “They have a great future ahead. He was doing the 3’6” Junior Hunters at the National Horse Show, so he’s overqualified, which we always like for the kids.”

Paige Miller continued to forge a strong bond with her new mount, Shamrock, whom she purchased earlier in the circuit. The pair earned excellent ribbons in the Low Adult Hunters, including a third and fifth place over fences in a field of 34 competitors.

“People have said the Low Adult Hunter division is one of the most competitive on the circuit,” said Liza with a smile. “There are some amazing horses, and to get a ribbon is a big achievement down here. I’m really happy with how Paige and Shamrock are really getting to know one another and improving every time out.”

Libbie Gordon and Vistano continued their solid performances in the 3’6” Small Junior, 15 and under, section, with top ribbons highlighted with a second place in the stake class.

Maggie Hill and her new equitation mount Eclipse also added to their ribbon collection. They placed fifth out of 66 in the WIHS Overall and were fifth in the Jumper Phase, as well.

Finally Farm is now gearing up for Week 6, which features WEF’s WCHR Week as well as the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular.

Hunt & Go Highlights WEF 4 For Finally Farm

Liza Boyd and Tradition

Liza Boyd and Maggie Hill continued their successful Winter Equestrian Festival Hunter performances during Week 4’s featured $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby “Hunt & Go”. Liza guided Maggie’s Tradition to third place overall, and Maggie made her debut in this class format with 11th place in the Classic phase.

“We used this International Hunter Derby to help the horses peak for WCHR Week 6,” said Liza, of the class held on the expansive ring. “The horses will now have a relatively easy WEF 5, and a lot of the them will have the week off. They will be fresh and ready to go for Week 6.”

Liza was proud of Maggie’s skillful ride in the Hunt & Go, in which the first eight fences were jumped in the Classic format, and the remaining six fences were scored as a Handy.

Maggie Hill and O’Ryan

“She did a great job on O’Ryan,” said Liza. “She had high scores in the Classic part, but there was a tricky turn in the Handy, and you had to be cautious to hold the horse’s lead. You had to canter in between hay bales, and because of that (small mistake), she had an error at the next high option.

“But after doing the derby, Maggie came right back and was champion aboard O’Ryan in the Junior Hunters,” continued Liza. “She’s just a lucky kid to have him; O’Ryan is a derby specialist, and he’ll give her great experience. The horses don’t ride the same around a derby course. You have to learn to manage their strides when they’re up and more nervous. It requires a softer but also stronger ride, because the fences are bigger. It’s a lot different than riding around a 3’6” hunter course in the Rost Ring.”

Liza explained that the Hunt & Go format also requires a different strategy than the typical two-round USHJA International Hunter Derbies.

“It took me a while to walk the course, because it’s a little trickier to figure out your plan,” she said. “First, it’s a longer course, and you have to think about everything all at once. It also requires a fitter horse, because they start to get tired, flat and strung out, so you have to manage them. I don’t think the high options weigh quite as much, either, and you also don’t get handy bonus points. You don’t see as many people risking a difficult inside turn like you would in the other format. It’s just a different strategy.”

In addition to earning championship honors with O’Ryan in the Small Juniors, Maggie also guided Cassanto to the reserve championship in the Large Junior, 16-17, section and received excellent ribbons aboard Tradition.

Just after finishing in the Junior Hunters, Maggie ran over to the Medium Junior Jumpers for the $10,000 NAL Classic, where she had just one rail and made the time allowed aboard the mare, Hope. “She just moved up, so I’m really proud of her for that round. It was well done, and she’s fortunate to have Hardin (Liza’s brother) and Darragh Kenny to help her, in addition to Jack,” noted Liza.

Libbie Gordon added to her ribbon collection aboard Tybee this week. The pair won a Large Junior, 15 and under, class and then added a second and three third-placed ribbons. This was their second week showing together. “They’re really cute going around and a great match,” said Liza. “They’ll have Week 5 off and aim for WCHR week.”

Gigi Manigault continued her excellent performances in the Low Children’s Jumpers with Cassiana, and Libbie competed her two mounts, Athletic Lady and Can-Do, in the High Children’s Jumpers.

Elle Boyd and Blue Moon

Liza’s daughter, Elle, had success aboard Blue Moon in the competitive Children’s Small/Medium Pony section. “She was second in the last class with 30 kids and is really working on learning to manage the canter,” said Liza. “In the last line coming home, she’s sometimes too fast. So we’re working on her slowing down before she makes the turn for the next corner. She’s immediately landing and getting the pony back to the rhythm.

“A real light bulb went on this week for her,” added Liza. “At this point, we’re teaching her about track and pace and not as much about finding a distance. If you get the right track and pace, there will be a distance presented to you. Rachel Kennedy also helped me with that, which was really nice.”

The Finally Farm team then wrapped up Week 4 with a barn Super Bowl party. Special thanks to the Hill family for hosting!

Stand-Out Performances During WEF 3

Libbie Gordon and Tybee

Despite the rainy conditions over the weekend during WEF Week 3, the Finally Farm horses and riders shined brightly, January 23-27 in Wellington, Florida.

Bridget Hallman had a banner week with her horses, claiming a championships in the Adult Amateur Middle section aboard Who’s It. She guided the 9-year-old Selle Francais to victories in both over fences classes and second in the under saddle for a commanding win.

In addition, Bridget piloted Halston to two third places over fences in the same section. The 7-year-old Holsteiner also earned excellent ribbons in the Green Conformation section with trainer Liza Boyd in the irons earlier in the week.

Liza rode Maggie Hill’s Tradition to championship honors in the High Performance Working Hunters, including an impressive win in the Handy Hunter class. Maggie continued her own tricolor streak this week, earning the 3’6” Large Junior Hunter, 16-17 championship aboard Tradition, as well. Her Junior Hunters O’Ryan and Cassanto, tricolor winners in the previous two weeks, took some time off, and Tradition stepped right up to fill their shoes.

Libbie Gordon and Vistano’s consistency paid off in the 3’6” Small Junior Hunters, as they earned a reserve championship with top ribbons in most every class. In addition, Libbie rode Tybee to impressive ribbons in the 3’6” Large Junior Hunters.

“We added a new gentle giant to our barn,” said Libbie’s mother, Susanne, of the fancy chestnut Tybee.

More Wins at WEF 2 For Finally Farm

El Paso and Clara Saad

More ribbons were added to the Finally Farm banner during Week 2 of the Winter Equestrian Festival with more riders and horses joining in the fun, January 16-20 in Wellington, Florida.

The Gordon sisters, of Statesville, North Carolina, traveled south to escape the cold and snow and were justly rewarded. Vistano ands Libbie Gordon received excellent ribbons in the 3’6” Small Junior, 15 and under, section. “She had a great first week on him,” said trainer Liza Boyd. “He’s still relatively green and wasn’t imported until last summer, so we’re still working on teaching him to be a hunter. He’s a great little horse and has come a long way this winter.”

“Physically, he’s getting stronger, too,” she added. “He became a hunter in June or July and has been a fun project. We see him as being a derby horse for her, and I’ll do him in the beginning. He’s game and scopey and has a great character. He really gallops and backs himself up to the jumps. They’ve had a lot of snow at home, so they haven’t gotten to do a ton of practicing. Libbie hadn’t jumped a course in a while before coming here, so she’ll have a fun circuit and keep progressing.”

Abby Gordon piloted her new mount Delightful to championship honors in a section of the Low Children’s Hunters. The pair impressed, with two blue ribbons over fences and second in the under saddle out of 41 entries. “She’s only done the ponies, and he’s overqualified for the Children’s, but we like for them to be this way,” said Liza, smiling. “Now, she’s going to move up and do the regular Children’s at the next show.” 

Maggie Hill and Eclipse

Hamim Ourai and Annika Singh once again took blue ribbon honors in the Equitation 15-17 section. “She did really well, and now, in the second week, we’re getting to know her and her horses,” said Liza. “She’s a beautiful rider, and she’s fun to work with.”

Clara Saad and El Paso continued to gain great mileage and top ribbons in Low Children’s Hunters. “Clara and El Paso tied for Reserve Champion in a huge division this weekend at WEF- only his second show in the States. I think he likes it here,” said Clara’s mom on her Facebook page.

“I was really happy for her,” said Liza. “Clara only got to come these first two weeks, and they’re already headed home. She did a really good job, and the horse has come a long way in a short amount of time.”  

Paige Miller and Shamrock made their debut together in the Low Adult Hunters during Week 2. “It was a fun first show for them, and they’re a great match for the future,” said Liza.

Maggie Hill had an exceptional show during WEF 2. In addition to claiming the 3’6” Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, tricolor with O’Ryan, Maggie guided Cassanto to excellent ribbons in the Large section and piloted Eclipse to top ribbons in the big equitation classes.

“Maggie and Eclipse really hit it off,” said Liza of their new addition, leased from Northrun. “She was second in the ASPCA Maclay and was fantastic. Everything was seamless. I want to say a huge thank you to Northrun for Eclipse, and Maggie’s going to be a competitive one in this division. He’s a wonderful horse.”

Monday “Fun Spa Day” with Elle, Liza and Adeline Boyd.

Finally Farm Has Great Debut at WEF 1

Bridget Hallman’s Who’s It

Finally Farm had a fantastic start to the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival circuit with top prizes and tricolors in the Hunters, Jumpers and Equitation rings during Week 1, January 9-13.

Bridget Hallman, of Oyster Bay, New York, made her WEF debut with her newest horse Who’s It a winning one—earning championship honors in the Adult Amateur Hunter, 36-49, B section with two firsts and a second. Bridget also captured top ribbons with her Halston in their first time together in the show ring.

“This week was so exciting for Bridget. She rides them both so well, and Bridget and Who’s It are a great match,” said Liza.

Barn manager Katie Wood noticed the 9-year-old Selle Francais (Lamm De Fetan—Kaline De Cantilly), last year in Tryon, North Carolina, during a ticketed warm-up class and suggested Liza check him out. Grand Prix rider Todd Minikus was transitioning the bay from the Jumpers to the Hunters.

“I think I drove Todd crazy chasing him around the show grounds to get it lined up for Bridget to try him,” said Liza, laughing. “Bridget gave him the barn name ‘Woody’ after Katie’s last name. He’s a really game horse with a great personality. He was born to be a hunter and could definitely do the hunter derbies.”

Liza also credited Bridget’s team, including Ivan Rakowsky and Jacob Pope, for helping to prepare Who’s It for WEF. Minikus also gave Bridget a flat lesson on Who’s It in preparation for the show season.

Maggie Hill and O’Ryan

“Ivan and Jacob took care of her in November and December before I got down to Florida,” said Liza. “Jacob did a lot of work with him and ticketed warm ups, and I think that’s why he transitioned so well. I did him in the 3’6” Greens as well, and he was great. We’re all very excited about him.”

Maggie Hill started her show season just where she left off last year—with tricolors. She guided O’Ryan to the Small Junior Hunter, 16-17, championship and Cassanto to the Large Junior Hunter, 16-17, title.

“It’s now a year later, and she knows those horses so well,” said Liza. “It’s so amazing how far they’ve come, and I’m so proud of these horses. They come through for us every year. O’Ryan, at 17, is as fresh and crisp as ever, and he looks fabulous. And Maggie has learned to sit still on him and has mastered the different rides between the two horses. With O’Ryan, you don’t have to use as much leg and keep a connection on him like you do with Cassanto. Her riding has become so sophisticated.”

Like Bridget, Maggie has also been settled in Florida for a while and has been riding a lot and training with Liza’s brother, Hardin Towell.

“Hardin’s been helping her on her jumper, Hope. It’s a nice balance between Jumper lessons from Hardin and Hunter lessons from us. She’s riding really well. Hardin and (business partner) Darragh Kenny of Oakland Stables are within riding distance of us here, so it’s nice to take the Jumpers over there to their big grass field.”

Finally Farm welcomed Annika Singh from Medina, Washington, to the family during WEF 1. Annika is spending three weeks with the Towells from her home base with trainer Morgan Thomas in the Seattle area. Although it was Annika’s first foray to Florida, she wasn’t fazed by the cross-country journey and captured an Equitation, 15-17, championship out of 50 competitors in a California split.

“She focuses on the equitation and brought two lovely horses, Charlie and Hakim Ourai,” said Liza. “It was fun to get to know her and her horses this week. She’s a very talented rider and a pleasure to work with.”

In the Children’s Jumpers, Ruby Sloan and Libertina jumped to fifth place in the Highs, while Gigi Manigault and Cassiana placed 11th in the Low Children’s Jumper Classic.

Gigi also moved up to the 3’6” Large Juniors on Bastille and had solid performances. “We’re very excited that she’ll spend the circuit competing down here with these two wonderful horses,” said Liza.

Liza’s daughter Elle Boyd made her WEF debut with Blue Moon in the Small Pony Hunters with impressive performances, including an eighth-placed ribbon over fences and ninth place in the classic. In addition, Elle is following in her mother’s footsteps and had her first-ever catch ride. She guided Delovely to second, fourth and fifth in the Children’s Pony Hunters.

Finally Farm also congratulated Paige Miller on the purchase of Shamrock and wishes her the best of luck as she shows him next week in the Adult Amateur Hunters.

WEF Fun Week 1 Gallery

Hardin Towell Leads Winning Team in USHJA Gold Star Clinic - East

The winning team of Cathleen Driscoll, Cameron Tague and Sydney Stephenson with Chef d’Equipe Hardin Towell and Lead Clinician Richard Spooner. Kaitlyn Karssen/USHJA Photo

From December 27-30, a group of 2018 USHJA Zone Team Championships Individual Medalists and select wild card recipients expanded their equestrian horizons by participating in the USHJA Gold Star Clinic-East Coast at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Towell, of Wellington, Florida, was one of the expert show jumping athletes chosen to help educate the clinic attendees and lead a team through the culminating Nations Cup-style competition.

After three days of mounted and unmounted instruction from top clinicians, covering a variety topics including stable management, horse health, breeding, press relations, flatwork and gymnastics, the clinic culminated with seven teams competing. Earning the victory was the team of Sydney Stephenson, Cameron Tague and Cathleen Driscoll, led by Chef d'Equipe Hardin Towell.

Driscoll, from Elk Mills, Maryland, received her spot in the clinic after winning the 2018 USHJA Emerging Athletes Program National Training Session. "[This sport is] not just about showing up every day and riding your horse; you have to want it. You have to want it more than anything else, and you have to be willing to sacrifice your time and money and put everything you have into this," she noted. "It really needs to be a whole-hearted passion."

The USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Gold Star Clinics are part of the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, launched in 2017 in conjunction with the USHJA Zone Jumper Team Championships.

Tague, of Cream Ridge, New Jersey, clearly sees the benefits. "I'm already planning my show schedule leading up to the championships next year, so I can try to make it again,” she said. "The opportunity is just incredible. The amount of information we're getting is unparalleled to any other program this sport offers right now."

Each team consisted of three riders: one at 1.10m/1.15m, one at the 1.20m/1.25m and one at 1.30m/1.35m. One minor adjustment to the format was that all riders rode a full course in Round 1 and then an abridged jump-off course in Round 2, again allowing them another opportunity to put their knowledge to work. Continuing the invaluable experience, lead clinician Richard Spooner provided feedback and commentary following each rider's course.

"It's an absolute necessity for these young riders to have this opportunity," said Spooner, 47, who was a star in the equitation as a junior rider, and has generated his own successful show jumping career via years of hard work, and plenty of watching and learning. "It's a program I wish I had when I was younger," he continued.

Throughout the packed four days of mounted and unmounted instruction, riders learned from Spooner, Olympian Anne Kursinski, and their Chefs d'Equipe in the ring. They also participated in in-depth educational sessions outside of the ring, including horse care, stable management, course design and a highly informative roundtable discussion with show jumpers Lillie Keenan, Anne Kursinski, DiAnn Langer, Richard Spooner, Hardin Towell and veterinarian Geoff Vernon.

The USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program serves as the entry point for the Show Jumping Athlete Pathway, a joint USHJA-USEF effort that identifies and nurtures Jumping athletes as they advance through the sport to enhance future success for Olympic and international teams representing the United States.

For more information about the USHJA Emerging Jumper Rider Program, please visit: www.ushja.org

For more information about Hardin Towell and his availability for clinics and coaching, please click here.

Special thanks to the USHJA for the press release.