Liza Boyd is Back For Blue in Charleston

Six weeks after giving birth to her daughter Adeline, Liza Boyd returned to the show ring during the Charleston Summer Classic I Horse Show, held July 9-13 in Johns Island, South Carolina.

Liza and Eloise win the USHJA National Hunter Derby

It didn't take Liza long to return to her winning ways, as she earned the First Year Green Hunter Reserve Championship with Finally Farm's Trinity, the Performance Hunter 3'6" Championship with Stella Styslinger's Eloise and the Pre-Green Hunter Championship and Reserve with Finally Farm's Diamond Rio and Bridesmaid, among her many ribbons.

To top of her first show back, Liza piloted Eloise to victory in the USHJA National Hunter Derby and Trinity to second place.

"It was awesome, but I was actually kind of surprised," said Liza of her success. "I’m such a planner, and for months and months I’d planned when I would start riding at home and when I'd show, and it was nice when you make a plan and it all comes out the way you want."

Liza decided to get back into the derby arena by competing in Charleston's USHJA National Hunter Derby. One of the show's highlight events, the 45-entry class took place in the evening with a dinner concurrently held under the tent, so it provided lots of atmosphere and ambiance.

"OK, I could have been handier in the Handy Round, but I said, 'Liza, you can't get too picky!'" she said laughing. "It had that feeling of a special class and was a perfect way to feel that show pressure but not be jumping 4'3" fences."

Eloise is a new face at Finally Farm but an old friend, as she'd previously been owned by Finally Farm client Molly Gardner. "I'd known her years ago, and I'm excited to have her back," said Liza of Eloise. "It's great to have Stella as a new client, too. She's doing a study in France right now so she couldn’t attend the show, but we brought the mare to keep her going before Blowing Rock. I'm happy to have her as part of Finally Farm."

Liza had never shown second-placed Trinity before Charleston. Finally Farm owns him in conjunction with Mrs. Janet Peterson, who also co-owns Brunello.

"Trinity won the Classic Hunter Round, and then since he’s still a First Year Green horse he needs a little more practice in the Handy Round. But I'm thrilled for the first show with him," she said.

Diamond Rio was added to the Finally Farm collection this spring, right after Liza had her baby. Liza's mother Lisa Towell spotted him at the Atlanta Spring Classic and brought him home.

"We just love him. We call him my mom's horse," said Liza. "I wasn't crazy about coming back and having another green horse to work with, but after I rode him and he gave me a great feeling, I was like, 'OK, mom, you were right!'"

Liza said Diamond Rio, a 6-year-old by Rio Grande, will show at Blowing Rock and then, if he feels ready, Liza will take him to the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship in Kentucky in August.

Liza also brought out her 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Champion Brunello for a spin around the show ring in the 1.10m jumpers. "He felt amazing! He was fresh and jumped super high and felt crisp. He felt better than ever. That was exciting," she said.

Liza noted that she and her dad Jack Towell have been working on conditioning Brunello in preparation for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships, which is their ultimate goal for him this summer. The 16-year-old Hanoverian took a break from showing when Liza was pregnant, and, before Charleston, his last competition was in September of 2013.

"He's cardio fit, but he needed to be more jumper fit. We've been trotting a ton of jumps, from 2’9” to 3’, to get his stifles stronger. We don't normally do this, but it wasn't a normal year with my pregnancy," she explained. "My dad said it's too easy for him to canter 3'3" to 3'6" fences, so we really need to work on his push from behind. Trotting these bigger fences really helps him to use those muscles, when he has to squat down and really push."

Brunello's next outing will be Blowing Rock, where he'll do the jumper classes the first week before resuming his USHJA International Hunter Derby career during Week 2.

"We won't do any hunter classes before the derby," she said. "I want to keep that really new to him and just do jumper classes, where he has to stay sharp."

The Finally Farm horses and riders filled the tackroom banner overflowing with ribbons, from the pony hunters to the grand prix, where Kasarr and Erin McGuire placed fifth with a double-clear round.

"Everybody did amazing, and it was a really awesome show," said Liza. "We had nine championships and five reserve championships, and I'm so proud of everyone for their performances. The ponies and horses went so well, and I think everyone had a great time."

The Charleston successes come on the heels of the NCHJA Annual Show in late June, where Finally Farm riders starred as well. Under the leadership of Assistant Trainer Tamara Berkowitz, they topped a variety of equitation and hunter classes.

Bethel's Peri and Grace Howard captured the lion's share of honors in the Junior Hunters, taking the Grand Junior Championship, the 3'6" Junior Hunter Championship and winning the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. The pair also won the Overlook Farm Perpetual Trophy and the Lois K. Tighe Perpetual Trophy.

Grace Howard and Bethel's Peri collected the Grand Junior Hunter Championship at NCHJA.

Aboard Wahalla, Grace also won the E.J. Haun Memorial Medal and placed second in the WIHS Jumper Phase.

Addison Byrd also made her presence known as she rode Friend Request to victory in the USEF Hunt Seat Medal and the ASPCA Maclay.

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Excellence in Atlanta

The Finally Farm team had one of their most successful shows in recent memory during the Atlanta Summer Classic II, held June 18-22 in Conyers, Georgia.

With four championships, two reserves and more than 20 blue ribbons decorating the tack room banner, the color scheme was definitely primary this week.

Championship winners included: Erin McGuire, who collected the Amateur-Owner Hunter and the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper with Casallo and Kasarr, respectively; Grace Howard who earned the Large Junior Hunter, 16-17, reserve championship and Grand Pubah (yes, that's really the title) championship; and Finally Farm's Chestnut Hill, who made his show ring debut a winning one.

Erin McGuire and Liz Fogleman celebrate first and second in the Amateur-Owner Hunters.

Trainer Liza Boyd was thrilled with all of the Finally Farm results. "My dad said that everyone rode great throughout the week," she said. "It was one of those shows where everyone rose to the occasion, and the horses were all fresh and brilliant in spite of the start of the summer heat."

Liza was especially pleased with Finally Farm's 5-year-old Chestnut Hill, a recent import who stepped into the show ring for the first time under rider Hunt Tosh. Chestnut Hill won both over fences classes and placed second in the under saddle for the Hopeful Hunter tricolor honors.

"He's not that experienced, but he went in and went right around," said Liza of the warmblood gelding by Coriano Z. "He's got a really good brain and is so easy. He came over in April and has really impressed us. Jack bought him from a videotape. He's bred to be a grand prix show jumper, but he moves and jumps like a hunter with a lot of scope."

Grace Howard's success in the hunters also carried over into the equitation, where she won the Pessoa/USEF Medal class aboard Wahalla and placed third in the WIHS Hunter phase.

"Grace has gotten a lot stronger recently," said Liza of the 16-year-old. "She has started working with a personal trainer and with weight training, and you can really tell a difference. She's a lot stronger physically, which helps with the equitation and the hunters."

Jack noted that Bethel's Peri got better and better each day, culminating with the victory in the Large Junior Hunter Classic and the grand title. "I think the horses can really tell a difference with Grace's riding. She's fit, and they're fit, so consequently their confidence level is high. Also, I think riding Wahalla in the equitation has helped Grace become a better junior hunter rider. More time in the ring is really a key component as well."

Elizabeth Fogleman also earned a shout-out from the Finally Farm trainers during Atlanta. In addition to her nickname of "Mommy Liz" for keeping everyone organized, she also rode Fonteyn HF to top ribbons in the Amateur-Owner Hunter section.

"Jack said that they had one of the best rounds the mare has ever had," noted Liza. "She does all of her own horse care, so kudos to Liz for having the mare in such a good program. She's always turned out impeccably, and Liz does a great job."

Although Liza isn't back in the show ring yet, she's back in the saddle at home and preparing for the Charleston Summer Classics, where she'll resume showing. On Monday June 23, Liza rode three young horses and schooled Brunello over fences.

"We're almost back," she said smiling. "Brunello was great. Tamara [Berkowitz, assistant trainer] and the girls have kept him really fit. It was great to jump him again. We did a 3'3" course, and he makes you feel like you're a good rider because it's all so easy for him. We've worked up slowly, from cavaletti exercises to 2'3" and 2'6" courses, to today.

"We're getting him back in jumping form, developing his muscles. In between, he does a lot of hill work in the fields," added Liza. "He also spends time on the treadmill, too, but not on jumping days. If he has a light hack or just goes out in the paddock, he'll have a session on the treadmill for further conditioning."

Liza's plan is to give Brunello two solid months back in the show ring before the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships in Kentucky in mid-August, where she hopes to defend her title. "I'll take him in a 1.10m jumper class at Charleston and then, hopefully, be ready for the Derby during the second week of Blowing Rock in North Carolina," she said of their upcoming schedule.

In the meantime, Liza is busy on the farm in Camden with baby Adeline, almost 4 weeks old, and 4-year-old Elle, who is enjoying summer camps and taking lessons on her ponies.

Jack and Lisa Towell left on June 24 for Spruce Meadows in Calgary, Alberta, where they'll spend time with son Hardin and his jumpers.

The next stop for the Finally Farm team is the NCHJA Annual Horse Show, June 25-29 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Summer Shows Kick Off

Finally Farm horses and riders traveled to Conyers, Georgia, for the Atlanta Summer Classic shows and have captured a variety of accolades after week 1.

With Liza Boyd at home on maternity leave, trainers Jack Towell and Tamara Berkowitz have held down the fort with assistance from fellow professional rider Daniel Geitner.

Daniel guided Quatrain to two blue ribbons in the Performance Hunter 3'6" section before owner Laura Critz took over the reins for the Junior Hunter 3'3" reserve championship and second place in the classic. Daniel also jumped aboard Erin McGuire's Casallo and Kasarr for blues in the Low Hunters and Training Jumpers, respectively.

Erin continued her banner season with Casallo in the Amateur-Owner, 18-35, section with championship honors and victory in the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3'6" Classic. Elizabeth Fogleman and Fonteyn HF also collected excellent ribbons in the same section, including a nice blue in the under saddle class.

Larson Mitchener and Graffiti took top call in the NAL/WIHS Adult Amateur Hunter Classic as well as other impressive placings in the Adult Amateur hunter sections.

In the jumper ring, Brie Tiffany and Milky Way added more ribbons to their growing collection in the High Children's/Adult Amateur section, and Erin and Kasarr also jumped to second and fourth places in the Junior/Amateur-Owner section at 1.40m.

Up at Spruce Meadows in Alberta, Canada, Hardin Towell continues to shine in the jumper arena aboard a variety of mounts.

During the opening day of the National Tournament, June 4, he guided Everest De Muze, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood, to victory in the Direct Energy Welcome 1.40m speed class over a field of 35 entries.

That same day he also rode the Swedish Warmblood gelding Cadence to second place in the Friends of the Meadows Welcome 1.30m and Cyraneiky, an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare, to a clear round in the Friends of the Meadow Welcome 1.35m.

Aboard Lucifer V, an 8-year-old Westphalian, Hardin earned a check in the Coril Holdings Jumper 1.30m class that week with a double-clear round that garnered eighth place in a class of 43 starters.

Hardin Towell and Man In Black (pictured at Thunderbird)

Hardin concluded the tournament with the $210,000 CNOOC Nexen Cup Derby 1.50m, where he guided Man In Black to 12th place.

During the Continental Tournament, June 11-15, Hardin piloted Olympe De Brecey, a Selle Francais mare, to eighth place in the Friends of the Meadows Welcome 1.30m, and he also took 13th aboard Lucifer V. Both horses jumped around clear in the field of 28 starters.

He returned with Lucifer V for the Friends of the Meadows 1.30m class the following day and jumped double-clear for seventh place in a field of 36 starters. The pair topped off their impressive week with second place in the ATCO I-Tek Jumper 1.35m class with a double-clear performance that was just .27 seconds off the winning time posted by Olympic veteran Will Simpson.

On the home front in Camden, Liza and baby Adeline are doing well, and with help from family members, Liza and Blake are even getting some much-needed sleep. Liza plans to return to the show ring for the Charleston Summer Classics, July 8-19 in Charleston, South Carolina.

She's already back at the barn on a limited schedule and has resumed teaching and training. "I've actually ridden Ike [Brunello] already," she said with a smile. "I just wanted to get on and walk around the field, but, of course, I had to canter a cavaletti, just to make sure I could still see a distance. I was like, 'OK, there it is!' It feels good to be back and active again."

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Platinum Performance Cover

Finally Farm thanks Platinum Performance for featuring Liza Boyd and Brunello on the cover of the Spring/Summer 2014 Equine Catalog!

We appreciate the support from Platinum Performance. To view their products for horses, pets and humans, please click here.

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

New Addition

The Finally Farm family, Liza and Blake Boyd welcomed Elizabeth Adeline Boyd on Friday, May 30. She weighed in at 7 lbs. 13 oz.

Liza Boyd with new daughter Elizabeth Adelline

Older sister Elle, age 4, was excited to meet her new little sister, who will be called Adeline.

Liza has already returned to the farm to visit and hopes to be teaching lessons and back in the saddle soon. In the meantime, there's no doubt baby Adeline will soon see her first horse and become a regular fixture at Finally Farm.

Posted on May 31, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Wilson Wins at Atlanta Spring Challenge

Emma Wilson with Goodman and Cover Charge

Finally Farm horses and riders took Atlanta by storm in May, taking three champions, three reserves and 23 blue ribbons. New and old may have combined at the Atlanta Spring Challenge for Emma Wilson, but her results were the same: tricolor honors.

Emma guided her own Cover Charge to the Children's Hunter, 15-17, championship and rode Kathryn Coster's Goodman to the reserve championship. As icing on the cake, Emma and Goodman collected the WIHS/NAL Children's 15-17 Hunter Classic blue ribbon.

"She had a really great weekend," said Finally Farm trainer Jack Towell. "Emma did especially well riding her older horse that she’s had and that she knows. But she also rode another horse and won the classic. I'm really proud of her. Goodman was a new horse for her, and I don’t think she’d ever shown him. To do that well on a horse she’d never shown, really showcased her growing talents."

Jack also credited Emma's trainer Courtney Goldstein, of Black Ankle, LLC, who works with her at home in Savannah, Georgia. At 20 years of age, Cover Charge, a Hanoverian gelding by Contender, still shows off his winning form.

"Courtney does a good job with those horses," said Jack. "She doesn't miss a beat, they're well trained, ready to show and look great. When they arrive at the show, they're just right. She does quite a good job."

Tracey London also works with Courtney at home and meets Finally Farm at the shows. She also collected tricolor honors at Atlanta, taking the Adult Amateur, 36-49, section title with The Bristol Bay Co. LLC's Kayak. In addition, she guided her own Smile to top ribbons.

Grace Howard and Bethel's Peri continued their top performances in the Large Junior Hunter section, taking the championship with three blue ribbons, including victory in the Large Junior Hunter Classic.

The pair also tackled the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, where Grace was one of just two junior riders to finish in the top 12 overall. Bethel's Peri is now qualified for the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championships to be held in Kentucky in August.

"Before the derby, Grace was debating whether to ride herself or have [professional] Harold Chopping take the reins," said Towell. "In the end, she did it herself, and she did great."

Erin McGuire and Casallo contributed to the Finally Farm championship collection with the tricolor in the 3'6" Amateur-Owner Hunter section. Erin also piloted Kasarr to impressive performances in the High Amateur-Owner Jumper section.

"She was third in the classic and jumped the 1.40m really well, going double clean," said Towell. "She had done one grand prix with that horse in Aiken, but I thought this course was bigger and harder. In fact, I think this was the biggest course that horse has ever jumped. He was like cat, so athletic, and she was as aggressive as she could be. They really did a great job together."

In the Adult Jumper Classic, Paige Burton impressed Towell with her technical riding and attention to pace. Aboard her Kolette, Paige jumped double clear and galloped to a well-deserved second place over a course Towell described as "plenty big and hard." Paige also captured another red ribbon in an Adult Jumper class earlier in the week.

"I'm really happy Paige is back in action. Her father is a race car driver, and she was having time faults! It doesn't look very good," he said with a smile. "She rode super this week and also got excellent ribbons in the hunters."

Towell also thanked professional Harold Chopping and Finally Farm Assistant Trainer Tamara Berkowitz for their assistance while daughter Liza Boyd is at home and expecting a baby. Among his many ribbon winners, Chopping guided Susan Ross' Wicked to the championship in the Baby Green Hunter section.

Special thanks to the Finally Farm photographers for their wonderful images!

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Liza Boyd Featured in The Plaid Horse

The Plaid Horse interviewed Finally Farm's Liza Towell Boyd for their special anniversary issue, which was published in May.

We hope you enjoy this glimpse into Liza's life, including her thoughts on a professional rider and trainer's career, horsemanship and family.

Posted on May 19, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Grand Finale at Aiken Spring Finale

The Aiken Spring Finale, held April 23-27, was a celebration of spring, ribbons and birthdays. Trainer Liza Boyd celebrated her birthday during the show and received a combination birthday party/baby shower.

Elle Boyd oversees Liza's baby shower/birthday party.

"This was my last horse show before I go into nesting," said Liza, whose due date is six weeks from today. "When I left the show, everyone said, 'We'll see you in July!' I'm taking my six weeks off before the baby is born, which is the opposite. Only in the horse world! After I have the baby, I want to be back in the barn as soon as possible."

Liza won't actually be slowing down too much during her maternity leave. She'll still be giving lessons at home in Camden, South Carolina, but won't be on the road. Her father Jack Towell will hold down the fort and travel with the horses and students to the upcoming shows.

"It will be great, and I'll have the time to do more lessons with the people locally who want to come but don't have the opportunity when we're traveling to the shows," added Liza.

During the Aiken Spring Finale, the Finally Farm clients and friends enjoyed a baby shower/birthday party with Liza's 4-year-old daughter Elle as the hostess.

"Elle really wanted this party," said Liza smiling. "My mom helped, of course, and she said, 'I haven't worked this hard on your birthday since you were a child!' They brought cakes and cookies and baby shower gifts. And Elle received presents, too, so she thought it was all pretty neat."

In the show ring, Finally Farm riders and horses collected a bounty of tricolors and top prizes, including three championships and five reserves.

Highlights included the Hunter Style Award and the Sportsmanship Circuit Championship.

Grace Howard with the Aiken Spring Hunter Style Award

Grace Howard, 16, of Concord, North Carolina, earned the Hunter Style Award, presented to the professional, junior or amateur rider who displays the best hunter style.

Liza credited Grace's hard work and her foray into the equitation division for her added polish. "The equitation has been extremely helpful for Grace," said Liza. "She always had a good eye and nice feel, but the equitation has sharpened up her style. The equitation horse we got for her can do the derbies and jumps well, so she did the derbies and equitation classes on her over the past two weeks.

"Wahalla has done a really great job for Grace, and the experience has made her better on her hunter, Bethel's Peri, because of it. She's not stiff but more polished and neater," noted Liza. "She’s always been a very poised rider with a nice position, but everything has come together the past couple of months. This award was a nice little bonus."

Grace and Wahalla won the WIHS Hunter, Jumper and Overall phases, the E.J. Haun Medal and placed eighth in the USHJA National Hunter Derby among other ribbons. Grace was also Large Junior, 16-17, reserve champion with Bethel's Peri.

Erin McGuire had an especially rewarding week, winning the Sportsmanship Circuit Championship as well as making her grand prix debut with Kasarr and earning the Amateur-Owner Hunter Circuit Championship with Casallo.

Erin and Kasarr had one rail in the first round of the $25,000 Carolina Real Estate Co. Grand Prix and were just out of the ribbons.

"We were so proud of Erin and Kasarr," said Liza. "This little horse has really exceeded everyone's expectations. He wasn't bought to be a grand prix horse, and he did the 1.40m easily. It was exciting, and the whole barn came out to watch the underdog go in there and get better and better. It's been fun to see them grow and rise up the levels together."

Trainer Jack Towell with Emily Gaskin and High Rise

Another pair that has grown and developed is High Rise and Emily Gaskin, of Okatie, South Carolina. Their consistent performances at Aiken resulted in the Children's Hunter, 15-17, championship. High Rise is an 11-year-old pinto Oldenburg (Wradar--Phantom) bred by Cheryl Fincher. Emily and High Rise spent some time on the HITS Ocala Circuit in Florida, and Liza said that mileage over the winter helped them immensely.

"I have to give Emily the major improvement award," said Liza. "We only see her at the shows, and whatever she's been doing at home and over the winter has helped her dramatically. It's been fun to watch her progress, and to put the finishing touches on them here. We had a lot of fun.

"She's a real team player, too," added Liza. "Even though she doesn't keep her horse with us in Camden, she's a real part of the barn at the shows. She's a huge help, and she'll lead horses to the ring and help set jumps. She soaks up everything. This was a really big win for them, and we're so happy for her!"

Elle Boyd showing off her equitation in the Leadline class

Elle Boyd split her time between party hostess and show ring rider, taking Catherine Sharp's I Candy for a spin in the Leadline class.

All in all, it was a great Aiken Spring Finale Horse Show. Special thanks, as usual, to our great Finally Farm photographers for the fun images!

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

Aiken Spring Classic Masters

Finally Farm riders and horses traveled to the Aiken Spring Classic Masters, held April 15-19, where they enjoyed this traditional South Carolina spring show as well as Easter Weekend festivities.

Elle Boyd enjoys spring flowers and her Easter Bunny.

A highlight of the show was the debut of Finally Farm and Janet Peterson’s newest derby horse, Trinity. Purchased from Holly Hill Farm, Trinity is a 7-year-old American-bred by the famous hunter stallion Popeye K and out of a Thoroughbred-Quarter Horse mare.

With Liza Boyd currently out of the saddle, Caitlin Venezia traveled to Aiken to show Trinity. They earned top ribbons in the Green Working Hunter section before Trinity made his International Derby debut in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Liza first noticed Trinity last year during in the Pre-Green Hunters and admired his presence and scope. She tried him at Capital Challenge in October. “I really liked him, but the timing wasn’t quite right,” said Boyd. “Then, the last week of Florida, my parents watched him go and really liked him. Holly Hill trainer Patty Harnois noted that she thought he’d make a good derby horse for me.”

This time the timing couldn’t have been better, as Mrs. Peterson had sold her derby horse Quatrain over the winter to junior rider Laura Critz and was looking for a replacement.

“Plus, it’s six weeks to go before my baby is born, so I’ll be riding again soon,” said Liza with a smile. “Caitlin showed him at Aiken for me so I could watch. She also prepared him, and I was able to observe that as well. They won the Handy in the First Years, but in the Derby he had an unlucky rail. But it was his first International Derby, and I thought he went really well.”

In addition to his athletic ability, Liza was also attracted to the bay gelding’s character. “He seems to have the right brain for a derby horse, which is what you want,” she noted. “He looks scopey like Popeye K (his sire), and in my mind I had wanted a 7-year-old. At 5, they’re still so young and far away from the derby ring, and with a 10-year-old, before you know it he’s 12 or 13. This is the perfect age; he’s ready to go and do it all.”

Finally Farm-trained horses and riders collected a variety of ribbons in the Classic, Handy and Overall phases of the International Derby, with North C and Jaime Steinhaus placing sixth overall and Bethel’s Peri and Grace Howard jumping to eighth overall.

Quatrain continued his successes in the Junior Hunters, this time taking the Junior Hunter 3’3” reserve championship with Laura Critz and also the Performance Working Hunter 3’6” reserve championship with professional Daniel Geitner in the irons.

Casallo and Erin McGuire added to their ribbon collection in the Amateur-Owner Hunters, taking the tricolor, and Casallo also earned top ribbons in the Performance Working Hunter 3’6” section with Daniel Geitner.

In the jumpers, Brie Tiffany and her new jumper Milky Way continued to get to know one another with excellent results, receiving top ribbons in the 1.0m and Adult Amateur Jumper classes. “Brie was second in the Adult Amateurs, and it was really exciting,” said Liza. “She rode out on the grass field, up and down the hills, and did a great job.”

With the show concluding on Saturday, Finally Farm trainers and clients were able to spend Easter Sunday with family and friends.

Special thanks to the Finally Farm photographers and friends for these wonderful photos!

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Tricia Booker.

I Candy Claims Pony Classic at Camden

I Candy and Catherine Sharp enjoy the spoils of their great show at the Camden Spring Classic.

When reflecting on the great successes of the Finally Farm riders during the Camden Spring Classic, April 2-6, in Camden, South Carolina, trainer Liza Boyd was especially proud of one of their smallest riders, Catherine Sharp.

Catherine guided I Candy to the Small Pony Hunter reserve championship and won the Pony Hunter Classic.

“She scored an 84 in the first round, which was so fun to see,” said Boyd. “We don’t have many children start with us as young as she did. She’s been with us for a year now, and it’s been so rewarding to see how her riding has improved and how educated she’s become in that time.

“She’s very dedicated in her lessons and also traveled to Florida to show with us,” added Boyd. “This pony is a little harder to ride than her others, so it’s been a huge transition in her riding. She’s like a little sponge, though, and soaks it all in.”

Boyd said lately she’s been helping Catherine to focus on her position. “If she’s in the right place in the saddle, she has better body control, and her consistency in finding [the takeoff spots to] the jumps is so much better.”

Boyd noted that many pony riders slide their leg way back behind the girth to kick their ponies forward. That motion in the saddle can throw the rider out of balance, and she can lose the proper position. Instead, Boyd advises riders to keep their leg underneath them and turn their toes out and squeeze right behind the girth instead of taking their leg off the pony.

“It’s those little things that can make a big difference between getting the distance correctly or getting a chip,” said Boyd. “Body control in the air is also important, so we worked on that as well in the ticketed warm-up classes. We worked on rollback turns and having Catherine step into the outside stirrup to prevent her pony from diving in during the turns. It’s all about position and track, and if you’re in a better position on the backside of the fence, it will help you find the next jump correctly.”

The equitation riders also benefitted from trainers Boyd and Jack Towell, who continued fine-tuning their positions and performances.

Sarah Isgett guided Vasco to the blue ribbon in the Pessoa/USEF Medal class, while Grace Howard rode Wahalla to third place. Addison Byrd and Friend Request rounded out the Finally Farm domination with fourth place.

Byrd also collected second places in the ASPCA Maclay and WIHS Overall, while Isgett took third and Howard fifth in the Maclay.

“All three girls are really progressing this season in the equitation,” said Boyd. “Two had never done the equitation before this year, and they’re really figuring it all out and riding very well.”

Isgett and Howard also tackled the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby with their equitation horses to experience the added pressure under the lights as well as the more technical courses.

Howard and her Junior Hunter Bethel’s Peri rose to the derby challenge, claiming 10th in the Handy and Overall. They also earned the reserve championship in the junior section.

“The Derby was really good for him,” said Boyd of Bethel’s Peri. “He can be lazy, and on Saturday we had our first summer-like day, and he was really lethargic. Then, after jumping the derby that night, he was so much better on Sunday. He woke up with more spark and won both classes. Stepping up and having him do the derby in that atmosphere made him a better junior hunter the following day.”

The Finally Farm trainers also enjoyed helping some horses and riders who met them at the show, including Jamie Steinhaus with North C, who placed sixth in the $15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Emily Gaskin also traveled from Savannah, Georgia, to work with Finally Farm, and picked up top ribbons in the Children’s Hunter, 15-17, section with her flashy pinto and fourth in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic.

New horses also made their debuts with Finally Farm students. Sarah Orberson and Clark 57 and Brie Tiffany with Milky Way both competed in the Children’s/Adult Jumper section.

“They had a great show on their jumpers,” said Boyd. “Brie had never done jumpers, so it was great for her to go in there and get nice ribbons. Sarah’s young horse will be great amateur horse with some more mileage.”

Boyd always enjoys the Camden Spring Classic, held just down the road from their Finally Farm.

“Everyone comes and sits on the hill and watches the derby at night. It’s actually the first show where I thought, ‘I’m ready to get back in the ring again,’ ” said Boyd, who is expecting her second child in June. “It’s a really fun spring show, and show manager Rick Cram does a good job and sets nice solid derby courses.”

Special thanks to the Finally Farm resident photographers for their great images this week!