Ned Towell Establishes the Wateree Hounds

Ned Towell leads the first field of the Wateree Hounds.

After growing up fox hunting in and around Camden, South Carolina, Ned Towell, the oldest son of Jack and Lisa Towell, took the next logical step—in 2020, he established his own hunt and pack of hounds with co-founders Lea S. Edwards and Vince Paschal.

The Wateree Hounds, a pack of Penn-Marydel Foxhounds, now call Camden home at a kennel Ned established on 7 acres behind his family’s Finally Farm. The Towells built an outdoor COVID-19-safe clubhouse in a cleared area where they have a fire pit, well-spaced seating and host parties with live music. “We’ve created something that’s totally cool,” said Ned proudly.

The Wateree Hunt

The Wateree Hounds hunt Tuesdays and Saturdays, from November to March, on several large tracks of land just outside Camden and already have more than 80 members on the roster.

“This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a long time,” said Towell. “I wanted to create a new model fox hunt that takes history and moves it into the present. It will blend the best of tradition and modern technology. We want to attract new people to hunting.”

Towell, who lives in Camden with wife and fellow fox hunter Mary Katherine, has regularly hunted in South Carolina, around the United States and in the United Kingdom. What he’s observed is that the median age of fox hunters continues to increase, and he fears that one day the sport will disappear unless younger people are welcomed and encouraged to become involved.

“I’ve seen other hunts have ‘Try It Day,’ where they invite anyone to join the hunt. Some come in traditional dress, but more often you’ll see them show up in Western saddles or casual attire. I don’t think that works. I think the beauty of fox hunting is the tradition, and young people aren’t looking for a loosening of traditions. They want to get dressed up, wear pretty stock-ties, shine their boots and show off their horses. That adds to the excitement and makes it meaningful—especially when you post the photos on Facebook!”

The Wateree Hounds are a pack of PennMarydels.

In that vein, the Wateree Hounds follow the long-established fox hunting traditions. There’s a detailed dress code, FAQs on their website (soon to be launched), and they encourage new members to study the “fox hunting bible,” a small book called “Riding To Hounds in America—An Introduction For Foxhunters” by William P. Wadsworth, MFH.

But, unlike other hunts, the Wateree Hounds offer a variety of packages and payment plans (and even accept Venmo!) to enable younger people to become members even if they’re just out of college, establishing careers or juggling riding, work and young families. The Wateree Hounds already have a significant presence on social media, where they showcase their special events, the daily life of horses and hounds and member accomplishments.

Ned Towell co-founder of the Wateree Hounds

“Our hunt is intended to be fun! We have a great Advisory Board of fox hunters and business leaders, a Social and Events Committee and a Tally Ho Wagon Committee to oversee the social aspects of the hunt. We even have a ‘Fifth Field Master’ to oversee the entertainment during hunt breakfasts, so those who don’t wish to ride with the hunt can watch and enjoy the camaraderie,” he said.

In addition to hunting activities, the Wateree Hounds plan to host horse shows, hunter paces, polo matches, hunt parties/balls and become involved in community service to expand their reach and integrate into the life of Camden.

“The old way of fox hunting just isn’t going to survive,” said Ned. “We’re creating a different model that opens fox hunting up to young people, other equestrians and establishes a true community. It’s going to benefit people on so many different levels. Lea, Vince and I all grew up in Camden and hunted as juniors. Now we all have businesses here. We have deep roots here, and our goal is to create a place for future generations to enjoy what we all had growing up—horses, hounds and a love of the countryside around Camden.”

For more information about the Wateree Hounds, please visit their website: www.watereehounds.com.

A Wonderful WEF 1 and 2 for Finally Farm

Mary Caroline Nolan and Exclusive

Weeks 1 and 2 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit are a wrap, and Finally Farm riders and horses showed off their abilities and were richly rewarded with ribbons, January 12-24 in Wellington, Florida.

With the COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, one silver lining is the opportunity for some of the college-age riders to spend more time in Florida and study remotely, becoming stronger and more experienced riders.

Joey Rose, a University of South Carolina student, jumped into the circuit full force—starting her jumper career and showing in the hunters. “Joey was great!” said trainer Liza Boyd. “She was reserve champion with Davillant H in the Low Adult Amateur, 18-35, Jumpers Week 2.

“After being a hunter rider for a long time, going fast was new to her. The first week she thought she was flying but really wasn’t,” added Liza with a laugh. “Then, all of the sudden, she kicked into gear and understood the tight turns and galloping away from the jumps. It’s great for her that she has the jumper and her 3’6” amateur hunter now. She also has a nice young prospect that she’s producing herself with Jack and me, and she wants to eventually be a pro in the industry. It’s nice she’s getting all of this exposure to the two rings and bringing along a young horse who will soon make his debut in the low adults. She’s a good rider and game, and this is what she wants to do. She can do it all!”

Likewise, College of Charleston’s Camilla Grover-Dodge is making the most of her time in Florida with her young horse Jaguar, and the pair picked up excellent ribbons in the Adult Amateur Younger section both weeks. “He’s 6 this year, and he’s really come a long so well. The Adult Hunters showed in the Grand Hunter Ring, and for a green horse that’s fantastic mileage. She’s doing a great job with him,” said Liza.

Grace Ann Nolan is doing the same thing with her studies and picked up yet another championship on her Malbay Dreamer, also claiming the Low Adult Amateur Jumper Classic victory in a field of 35. “Grace Ann is so good about coming early in the morning and flatting her horses and then going back and studying. She also has Bolero D’Armanville in the High Adult Jumpers and has had consistently good rounds on him,” said Liza.

Mary Caroline Nolan and Custom Made

Mary Caroline Nolan welcomed Custom Made to her family, a horse she’s leasing for the year from Hallie Grimes. The new partnership started out strongly, earning good ribbons in the 3’3” Younger Juniors. “She’s just learning him, and I think they’re going to be a great pair for the future,” said Liza. “He won a lot in the juniors with Hallie, and we thank her so much for letting us have him. He’s a good mover, great jumper and replaced O’Ryan for Mary Caroline. He’s an older horse who has been there and done that.”

The veteran O’Ryan is recuperating at home in Camden, South Carolina, after an injury, and Liza hopes he’ll return to be Elle Boyd’s Children’s Hunter. “If not, he doesn’t owe anyone anything, and he’ll have a great retirement,” she said.

Mary Caroline was thrilled with the start of her WEF circuit with Custom Made, Cleopatra’s Smile, Exclusive and Kumano. “‘Red’ (Custom Made) was absolutely amazing during our first show together!” she said on Instagram. “Cleo took the win in the 3’3 Juniors out of 30! Kumano jumped into scores of 84, 82, and 81! Clue was 3rd and 4th in the 12-14 eq out of 23! Thank you @finally_farm for an amazing Week 1 and cannot wait for the rest of the circuit!”

Exclusive, nicknamed “Clue,” is Mary Caroline’s new equitation horse she’s leased from Northrun. “She’s already done super on him,” said Liza. “It’s been great for her to get going in the equitation division and doing the more challenging courses. It’s only going to make her a better rider. This horse has been there and done that, including the International Hunter Derby Championships. He’s a great all-around horse for her to learn on.”

During Elle Boyd’s first week on the circuit she won the Small Pony Handy on Baby Blue and was second in the Small Pony Hunter Classic out of 28 entries. She also took excellent ribbons aboard her Medium Pony Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue, including second out of 29 in an over fences class.

Liza showed Gigi Manigault’s Walk-Off in the 3’6” First Year Greens and earned nice ribbons in three of the four over fences classes. “He was so good in his first time in the Grand Hunter Ring. The first year greens are super hard this year because of the pandemic and the many people who reinstated their green horses. He’s a true first year horse and didn't show down here last year. I’m super proud of him and look forward to seeing him make even more progress when Gigi comes down.”

Lourdes Low and Sienna

Sienna debuted with Lourdes Low Week 1 in the 3’3” Younger Junior Hunters and picked up top ribbons. “They stepped right up right out of the box. They’re going to be a formidable partnership,” noted Liza.

Rebekah Warren and Cassico hadn’t shown since the fall, but you never would have guessed. The pair earned a ribbon in every over fences class in the Older Adult Amateur Hunters. Liza took the reins for one 3’3” Performance Hunter class and placed second of 53 with a score of 91. “Rebekah was great and will move back up to the 3’3” amateurs next week,” said Liza. “They’re ready to keep progressing.”

Elle Gibbs’ new horse Attaboy started Week 2 and earned nice ribbons in the 3’3” Greens with Liza and the 3’3” Junior Hunters with Elle, including a score of 86. Similarly, Alexandra Dastjerdi began her circuit Week 2 with Conto Blue in the Children’s Hunters and equitation, earning ribbons in the older section.

Quicksilver Party Wave, Finally Farm’s Medium Green Pony, earned tricolor honors both weeks with Mckayla Brombach aboard. “We’re so excited about this young pony and thank McKayla for doing such a great job,” said Liza. The pair placed first or second in every over fences class for the Week 2 championship.

Special thanks to our sponsors! #ariat #cwd #icehorse #irhhelmets #mdcstirrups #proelitefeed #platinumperformance #ruespari #successequestrian #equifit #charlesancona

Quicksilver Party Wave and McKayla Brombach

Wateree Hounds Raise $4,000 for United Way

The United Way of Kershaw County received a Boxing Day gift from Wateree Hunt members, from left, Mary Reames, Ned Towell and Lea Edwards.

The United Way of Kershaw County in South Carolina received a bonus for Boxing Day when the Wateree Hounds presented the organization with a check for $4,000. The money was raised for the United Way’s of Kershaw County’s Mobile Nutrition Center.

Boxing Day, which is celebrated on December 26, is thought to have grown out of the British tradition of charitable giving and good will. In the world of fox hunting, on Boxing Day hunt club members honor their Huntsman with tips.

Wateree’s Boxing Day meet drew more than 50 people whose monetary donations were then donated to the UWKC by Huntsman Vince Paschal.

The Wateree Hounds, of Camden, South Carolina, was established in 2020 by Towell, Edwards and Paschal.

Erin McGuire and Kasarr Take Aiken Blue--Again

Erin McGuire and Kasarr continued their years-long winning streak with yet another victory, this one during the Aiken Winter Classic I, held January 10 in Aiken, South Carolina.

Kasarr, a 16-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, and Erin have been partners since 2013 and continue to prove to be a long standing force to reckon with at Aiken. They topped the Brookledge $9,999 Mini-Prix over Summersby and Doug King, with Quantum Leap and Doug Payne placing third.

The pair returned the following week to claim second in the Aiken Winter Classic II Welcome Stake, just behind Starr Witness and Doug Payne.

From Erin’s Facebook page: “Go team, good game 🦁 Fierce competition having Doug and Maryann in the jump off, can’t wait to do it all again next time!”

Erin McGuire, Kasarr and Nutmeg

For those of you asking about Nutmeg: Long story short, the Finally Farm handyman found her, and she was supposed to be a barn cat but I’m a pushover. I have a dumb sense of humor and treat the cat like a dog, so she walks on a leash, rides in the car, has a Barbour coat, etc. Her lifelong goal is to make it on Ellen, but until then you can follow her on Instagram at @nutmeg_the_horse_show_cat.

A Great Start at WEF Premiere

Adeline Boyd and Hakuna Matata

The Finally Farm team traveled to Wellington, Florida, for the winter of 2021 and began their show season with championship results during the WEF Premiere, January 5-10.

Adeline Boyd made her Short Stirrup debut a winning one aboard Hakuna Matata to start the show season on a great note. “We didn’t show a lot of horses this week, so I knew this was the week for her to show. There weren’t many clients, either, so it was her time,” said mother Liza Boyd.

Liza said the night before Adeline was to show, she noticed the course was set as they were leaving the show. So the two walked over and checked out the ring. “We named all the jumps to help her remember the course,” said Liza. “Then the next day I could say, ‘Remind me of the colors.’ The outside line is the orange line, and the blue jumps are on the diagonal. It makes it easier for her to learn the course.”

On Sunday morning, Adeline woke up meaning business. “She said, ‘It’s not dark outside, which means we’re late. Hurry up, mom!’ She was super focused when she went in the ring and then obviously came out of the ring smiling and on Cloud 9. It was funny to see how her personality changed on show day. Game on! Elle was a good big sister and Uncle Hardin came over to cheer her on.”

Adeline Boyd with her sister Elle, uncle Hardin Towell and grandfather Jack Towell.

Liza also showed Eight Oaks’ horses for trainers Kitty and Johnny Barker, of Middleburg, Virginia, as well as those for Bridget Hallman, of Oyster Bay, New York.

Aboard Ashley Hodges’ Infinity G, Liza earned championship honors in the3’ Green Hunters. “Kitty and Johnny found her this lovely horse, and I really enjoy working with them,” said Liza. “Ashley was also champion on him in the Adult Hunters. He’s a good mover, great jumper and light in the hand. He’s a nice ride for a girl. I always appreciate having such nice horses to ride, and it was a great way to kick off the circuit.”

Liza piloted Sherry Crawford’s Carento to fifth in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. “He was second going into the Handy Round and then had a rub after an inside turn. But he was great, and it was a wonderful start for him. Sherry’s a great owner, and he comes to ‘the office’ ready to work every day. He’s a great guy, and I’m so grateful for the ride on him in the derbies. He’s seen it all, and you can do the handy turns and have fun on him. He’ll show again Week 4 in the Hunt and Go Derby and during WCHR Week 6.”

Liza’s daughter Elle Boyd showed Bridget’s Large Pony Days Of Our Lives to top ribbons, including a score of 85 and second place over fences. “This is a super pony and is now available for lease,” said Liza. “We’re so appreciative and thank the Hallmans for allowing Elle to show this special homebred. Bridget showed the pony’s mom successfully in the Adult Hunters, and this pony goes like a little horse. It was also fun that Penny, Bridget’s mom, was able to be there to watch and cheer her on.”

The Finally Farm team has settled in and is looking forward to 12 weeks of fierce and fun competition! Thanks to our sponsors who have us ready to rock this winter circuit! #ariat #cwd #icehorse #irhhelmets #mdcstirrups #proelitefeed #platinumperformance #ruespari #successequestrian #equifit #charlesancona

Settling in for 12 weeks of fun in Wellington!

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Finally Farm Reins In Many Zone 4 Titles

Mary Caroline Nolan with O’Ryan and Kumano

The Finally Farm riders and horses concluded their 2020 show season with bountiful year-end awards in USHJA Zone 4.

Highlights included the USHJA Zone 4 Championships, held November 11-15 at the Aiken Zone 4 Finals North in Aiken, South Carolina.

“It was fun to show against new people and meet members of the Zone we didn’t know,” said trainer Liza Boyd. “I think fun for the kids, and with the Covid pandemic and with no real year-end championships, such as Pony Finals and indoors, this was a great experience. All the kids took photos with their ribbons, and it was especially nice for the younger kids. This was a great bonus!”

Elle Boyd and Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue celebrated one year together in style by winning the Medium Pony Hunter championship and Zone 4 Finals championship with consistent performances. Elle also guided Quicksilver Party Wave to the Children’s Pony Hunter Championship and Zone 4 Finals reserve championship. “This is one of our Green ponies that we’ve brought along for a few years,” said Liza of the 6-year-old Welsh (Land’s End Adagio—Misty Morns Lily Of The Valley). “He’ll move up to Geens next week when the new show season begins (December 1, 2020). This was a great accomplishment for Elle and a nice reward for her hard work.”

Zone 4 Medium Pony Hunter Champion Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue

Lourdes Low and new mount Sienna took championship honors their first time out in the Younger Children’s Hunters. “We’re excited to see what this new match can do!” said Liza, who also thanked Elizabeth Phillips for entrusting Finally Farm with the lease of Sienna, an 11-year-old Westphalian mare. “We’re grateful to have her, and they’re a great match right off the bat first. They will eventually move up to 3’3” Juniors for the rest of the year.”

Camilla Grover-Dodge rode her Jaguar to championships in the Younger Adult Amateur Hunters and Zone 4 Championships. The College of Charleston student has brought the green Dutch Warmblood along this year, and this was a fitting way to finish their season. “He’s a young horse she’s been producing, and he’s coming a long so nicely. They’ll go to Florida this winter and move up to the Amateur-Owners,” said Liza.

Lourdes Low and Sienna

Mary Caroline Nolan claimed both championship on O’Ryan and the reserve on Kumano in the 3’3” Junior Hunters in the Zone 4 Championships.

“It was a great show for her,” said Liza. “This was a year-end goal for her, and she worked so hard all year long. It was a fun way for her to wrap up the season with these two very special horses.”

Kasarr and Erin McGuire added another line item to their resume with victory in the Welcome Stake. “As always, Erin has a plan and thinks so far in advance and it paid off,” said Liza. “She’s methodical about planning what classes they’ll do and keeping him fit and prepared. I’m so proud of her as a horseman for continuing her success.”

Kassar loves his latest blue ribbon!

Gigi Moynihan Captures Third in ASPCA Maclay Final

Gigi Moynihan was thrilled with her third place in the ASPCA Maclay Finals.

Gigi Moynihan topped 254 horse-and-rider combinations for victory in the first round of the ASPCA Maclay National Championship and ultimately placed third overall after the flat and testing phases concluded. Her precise riding and beautiful style was well rewarded throughout the day, and after more than 12 hours of competition, trainer Hardin Towell proudly escorted her to center ring with Christy Johnson’s Quantico to receive her awards.

Gigi’s performances were only topped by winner Dominic Gibbs and second-placed Taylor Griffiths-Madden (the winner of this year’s Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final).

Held at the National Horse Show at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Nov. 1, the last major equitation final of the year drew a record number of competitors. Course designer Bobby Murphy set a technical and beautiful course in the Alltech Arena that drew rave reviews.

As reported by Phelps Sports:

Faced with the tough job of ranking the multitude of riders seen throughout the day, judges Mark Jungherr and Emil Spadone ultimately settled on a final standby list of 24 juniors ahead of the second phase of the competition, the flat round.

Gigi Moynihan and Quantico

Thanks to her exemplary performance over fences that demonstrated correct, precise riding, Gigi Moynihan sat superior to her peers as the frontrunner following the challenging first fences round, leading ever since she tackled the pattern as the 36th in the start list. Behind Moynihan, the remainder of the top of the callback list included Gibbs, Taylor Griffiths-Madden, Mimi Gochman, Alexia Rule, Sophee Steckbeck, Ellie Ferrigno, Skylar Wireman, Chase Finizio, Hannah Dodd, Hannah Hoch and Zayna Rizvi.

Headed into the flat, those top 12 high-scoring riders were sectioned off to compete against each other under saddle, while the latter half of the standby list rode in another section.

Excited to have made the top of the standings but with more tests to master, both sets of riders took to the Alltech Arena to compete in the flat phase of competition, during which they were challenged to show off their balance and strength via a series of directions from the judges that included all three gaits; working, extended and collected sitting trot; simple change of lead to the counter-canter in front of the judges and walking to the line on a long rein.

The leaderboard did not remain unchanged, as Gibbs leapfrogged up to the first spot, followed by Gochman, Griffiths-Madden, Steckbeck, Moynihan and Ferrigno, in that order. Kierstin Antoniadis and Natalie Jayne moved their way up the list the most, advancing to 10th and 11th, respectively, after previously holding the 13th and 16th spots.

Returning in reverse order of the judges’ preference, the top 25 contenders each displayed their skills over Murphy’s second course, which asked for a long approach to fence one at a hand gallop, two counter-canter fences, a triple combination and a forward 6-stride bending line. Not cutting any breaks for the qualified horse-and-rider challengers, the second jumping portion of the event served to further trim down Jungherr and Spadone’s ticket of premier performers.

Wanting one last look at four entries, the judges requested that Steckbeck, Moynihan, Griffiths-Madden and Gibbs, in that order, complete a final work-off. The test consisted of cantering fences 4 and 5, trotting fence 6, cantering the original fence 8C and 9, trotting fence 10 and hand galloping fence 12 before leaving the ring.

All four final contestants turned in valiant showings over the work-off track, leaving the judges the final job of separating the top contenders. The top 10 returned to the ring for the awards presentation and as the reserve champion was announced as Griffiths-Madden, who just weeks previously won the 2020 Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Final, it became clear that Gibbs had clinched the coveted title following four rounds of textbook riding. The champion rider piloted Cent 15, an 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding he worked with Beacon Hill trainer Stacia-Klein Madden, a former Maclay National Championship winner herself, to transition from a jumper to a successful equitation horse.

Emil Spadone – Judge

On judging a larger field than usual:

“It was a long day. There were many more than usual and I think that the qualifying process was a little bit different this year. I think that they were all very excited; it was part of their dreams to show here so I think in that sense it was great. I think the course was challenging enough and, as I think you could see with the results out there, some people had a hard time. In general, the best riders rose to the top and they held their own the entire time. That top group was all excellent and Dominic was on Gigi’s tail the whole way. The flatwork kind of slowed Gigi down and then she could not get back in after that. In the last round, they all came in and we felt like they were close. There was a little room if someone maybe wanted to move up. They all held their own but there was not enough of a change for us to change our order.”

Mark Jungherr – Judge

On the top four:

“They were very close. We did have the option to make a change but we did not think that anyone took control enough to change the opinion from the second round. The top three were all a point to a point a half apart.

2020 ASPCA Maclay National Championship, presented by Chansonette Farm

1. Cent 15 / Dominic Gibbs

2. Mac One III / Taylor Griffiths-Madden

3. Quantico / Gigi Moynihan

4. Itteville / Sophee Steckbeck

5. Any Given Sunday / Alexia Rule

6. Hot Pants / Skylar Wireman

7. Charisma / Natalie Jayne

8. Quite Cassini / Skyler Fields

9. Fanta / Kierstin Antoniadis

10. Empire / Chase Finizio

A "Spooktacular" Time at Bruce's Field II

Finally Farm enjoyed the new fall season shows at Bruce’s Field in Aiken, South Carolina in October, and they couldn’t have been more fun! In addition to adding more wins and accolades to the year’s collection, the riders spent some creative time preparing for the Halloween festivities.

And that hard work and left brain activity paid off with multiple wins!

Adeline Boyd captured the Individual Costume class victory riding Amy Nolan’s Little Boy Blue. “She was so proud of herself. It was her big win,” said mother and trainer Liza Boyd. “She rode the adorable green pony Elle showed, and Amy dressed him up with cobwebs and bats. It was so cute!”

Big sister Elle Boyd contested the group class with her friends. They dressed their ponies as Starbucks baristas and the kids were the frappacinos. Their amazing efforts resulted in the Group Costume Class victory!

“Then, Amy and Theresa Tolar who works for us, stayed up late and decorated the tack room, so we were one of the winners,'“ added Liza. “Theresa meets us at the horse shows now and rides and teaches. She lives in the Tryon area and has her own barn. She rode with us as a kid, and it’s fun having her back to help.”

The Finally Farm team also added a few new faces to the roster this fall, with students from the University of South Carolina and College of Charleston honing their skills with trainers Jack Towell and Liza in between classes and riding on their respective equestrian teams.

Joey Rose, of USC, rode Cassino to the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunter championship, and Sydney DeGrazia, of USC, and her own Reveille Z put in consistent efforts to clinch the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter reserve championship honors. Sydney also won the Ariat Adult Medal aboard Reveille Z. In addition, Joey earned tricolor honors with championship honors aboard Cracker Jack in the Adult Amateur, 18-35, section, and Camilla Grover-Dodge, of CofC, took the reserve championship aboard Jaguar.

Joey Rose and Cassino received the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Grand Championship

“These kids come out and lesson a few times a week. It’s super fun to have them. They ride on their teams but come to Finally Farm since it’s close enough from Columbia and Charleston. When we show at Aiken, it’s so close that the kids from USC can come down and do ticketed warm-ups during the week and then show on the weekends,” said Liza.

Camilla Grover-Dodge and Jaguar and Joey Rose and Cracker Jack

Camilla, the newest arrival from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, comes from a successful eventing background. She trained with Phillip Dutton and Molly Kinnamon and won the Area II Training Young Riders Championships. Additionally, she became the youngest rider to win the Junior Olympics 1* eventing title and then won the 1* Eventing Individual and Team Gold medals for Area II at the 2015 North American Junior and Young Rider Championships.

“We welcome Camilla to the barn and look forward to helping her get back into the hunters and work with her Pre-Green Hunter,” said Liza.

Grace Ann Nolan also attends CofC and had a successful show at Aiken, winning multiple Children’s/Adult Jumper classes aboard Malbay Dreamer and Bolero D’Armanville, respectively.

Sister Mary Caroline Nolan took top ribbons with Cleopatra’s Smile and O’Ryan in the 3’3” Small Juniors and Kumano in the 3’3” Large Junior Hunters.

Gigi Manigault, who will attend USC next year, topped the Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic riding Walk-Off. They also earned top ribbons in the section.

In the Adult Amateur Hunter, 50 and over, section, Amy Nolan rode Sampson to the reserve championship with two blue ribbons over fences among other excellent placings.

Elle Boyd continued her Medium Pony Hunter tricolor streak with Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue. The pair earned three firsts and two seconds in the section to dominate over a competitive field. Elle and “Darla” also placed third in Pony Hunter Classic, and Elle was second aboard Bridget Hallman’s Days Of Our Lives.

“It was a great horse show, and the management did such a wonderful job with the social distancing, yet having parties and allowing us all to enjoy life back to “almost” normal,” said Liza with a smile.

Adeline Boyd wins the Individual Costume Class with judges Ron Danta and Danny Robertshaw and mom Liza.

Cassino and Joey Rose were champions in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters.

Sydney DeGrazia and Reveille Z earned the reserve championship in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunters.

Honorable mention in the Costume Class went to Grace Ann “Carole Baskins” Nolan and Malbay Dreamer.

Adeline Boyd and Little Boy Blue

Triumphant Times at Tryon For Finally Farm

Liza Boyd and The Nolan Family’s Ferrari

From the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby to the Pre-Children’s Hunters, the Finally Farm team earned top ribbons during the Tryon Fall 3 and 4 Horse Shows in Mill Spring, North Carolina.

Finally Farm welcomed Ferrari to the farm this month, and he arrived with a bang, winning the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with Liza Boyd aboard.

Invite Only takes blues at Tryon

“We purchased him sight unseen though Hardin for Mary Caroline Nolan,” said Liza. “We bought him to be a Junior Hunter. He was one of the Bluman’s jumpers, and Michael and Lourdes Morrissey took him to Traverse City over the summer and turned him into a hunter. Lourdes did a great job. Obviously, he has the scope and maturity for the derbies. Hardin tried him for us, and the Nolans bought him. Mary Caroline will start showing him in November.”

Another highlight at Tryon was Alex Dastjerdi earning the championship in the Pre-Children’s Hunters aboard Invite Only in a competitive field of 15. “It was great that she wrapped up the year with such great rides,” said Liza. “It was also her last show with him and nice way to finish up her time with him.”

Alison Thorpe was champion on Justified in the Adult Hunters despite the inclement weather, taking first or second in all of the jumping classes. “It’s always fun for them, and this jumper turned hunter mare is great,” said Liza. “Alison doesn’t get to show as much as others, but she practices a lot, and they’re a such a cute pair. It’s great fun for her to step right in there and be champion.”

Alison Thorpe and Justified

Elle Boyd had a good two weeks and earned championships both weeks on her Sugarbrook Pink-N-Blue, while Elle Gibbs and Candid put in consistent performances during Tryon, earning top placings and the reserve championship honors in the Large Juniors.

Liza sporting her new lucky shadbelly courtesy of @charlesancona winning the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby aboard The Nolan Family’s Ferrari! Thanks to our team of sponsors, staff, and owners for keeping our team in top shape! #ariat #cwd #icehorse#irhhelmets #mdcstirrups#proelitefeed #platinumperformance#ruespari #successequestrian #equifit#charlesancona

Liza Boyd and Ferrari Cruise to $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Win

Liza Boyd and Ferrari - Sportfot

Liza Boyd (Camden, SC) and Ferrari claimed the win in the $20,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at Tryon International Hunter Derby, adding a handy round score of 202 to a 181 first-round result in order to receive 383 points total.

With 379 points to earn second, Victoria Colvin (Loxahatchee, FL) guided William Lyles’ Avatar Z, the 2012 Zangersheide stallion (Arko III x Chang Lee van Berken Broeck), to a handy round score of 204, while Danielle Torano (Wellington, FL) achieved the podium with Faldo II, Jimmy Torano’s 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Baltic VDL x Rienaldine), after producing a total score of 378.5 over the Lewis Pack (USA) course design.

From placing in Grand Prix competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) to scoring big in the Grand Hunter Ring at TIEC, Boyd revealed that the 2010 Dutch Warmblood gelding (Thunder van de Zuutehoeve x Sipora) is actually very new to the Hunters, and was purchased for a client sight-unseen as a Junior Hunter prospect.

“Ferrari is amazing. He just became a Hunter right after COVID-19 hit. At the end of WEF, he got a ribbon in a Grand Prix with Ilan Bluman. After that, Michael Morrissey and his wife, Lourdes, bought him and turned him into a Hunter.” After a few national derbies under his belt, “my brother, Hardin Towell, saw him and tried him. We actually bought him for our client sight-unseen. It was a little scary! He actually just came up to me and said, ‘Finally, you listen to me!’ He’s the one who told us to buy him. It’s fun because it’s a family affair. Even though my brother is a Jumper, he loves the Hunters and sells a lot of top Hunters.”

Liza Boyd and Ferrari - Sportfot

In the future, Boyd explained, Ferrari will be a Junior Hunter mount for owner Mary Caroline Nolan, and she’s only made slight adjustments to his training since taking over the reins. The biggest change she’s made, she admitted, has to do with equipment for both herself and Ferrari:

“I have to give all of the credit to Lourdes and Michael Morressy,” she emphasized. “They really spent the time with him during COVID-19 and were methodical about transitioning him. The only thing I changed from what Lourdes did was put Brunello’s bit on him. It may be lucky! I get a little superstitious, so I wanted to use his bit.” Tack wasn’t the only thing that might’ve brought her some luck, Boyd mused. “I actually just started being sponsored by Charles Ancona, and today was the first day I used their new shadbelly. It’s always a little bit nerve wracking riding in something new, and it proved to be very lucky!”

Boyd said she felt some pressure heading into the Handy round, and made some last-minute adjustments to her plan based on what she saw happening in the ring: “I always look at the Handy sort of like a jump-off, as far as who went before you, who went double-clear, and how fast they go,” she detailed.

“I changed my plan a little bit right before I walked in. I was going to not risk the high option at the last in-and-out, but then after Tori [Colvin] put such a nice round in, I had to go and do that. I was surprised at how much the horse followed my eye and trusted me, because it’s such a new partnership. I think with all those years with different riders, he really comes off of your aids and is so good on the flat,” she analyzed. “That’s what we need for the Hunters: they have to be rideable, capable, and brave. Clearly, he’s quite brave from all of his Jumper miles. I think he’s found his calling in life! I have to thank the Nolans for giving me the time to produce him and get him ready to be a Junior Hunter.”

Boyd, who has been sticking to regional show venues for safety in uncertain times, reported that she has gained a new appreciation for flatwork and switching up her routine between shows. “I’d say a positive thing about COVID is I’ve gotten better with my flatwork. Because of that, my horses are more rideable and mentally, they’re happier. They’ve done a lot of trail rides and a lot of flatwork, so it’s been good going back to basics. If anything, I’ve learned through COVID that you have to stay on top of your flatwork. Horse shows can kind of get in the way of that. You really have to go back and reset both you and your horse’s flatwork.”

Special thanks to the Tryon International Equestrian Center for the press release.