Finally Farm Returns Home For Camden Wins

Liza Boyd and Sterling, right, celebrate their USHJA International Hunter Derby performance with winner Kelley Farmer aboard Mindful.

After a successful winter in Florida, the Finally Farm team returned home to Camden, South Carolina, just in time for the Camden Spring Classic, April 1-5.

Maddy Thatcher's Sterling continued his new career in the USHJA International Hunter Derby events, where in his second start he placed third in a competitive class with Liza Boyd aboard.

The class was dominated by Kelley Farmer, the USHJA International Hunter Derby Lifetime Money-Won Leader, with her string of top derby mounts.

"It turned out to be a smaller class, but when you have Kelley in it with five, it's very competitive," said Liza with a smile.

Liza Boyd and Sterling

In the Classic Round, Liza said Sterling, a First Year Green horse, earned valuable mileage while also trying his best to please.

"This horse show is an old-fashioned show with a hill where spectators sit," she said. "Sterling is still green about things outside the ring. He never spooks at the jumps, but he does get distracted with people around the ring. He never does anything wrong, but he stares and might rub a jump. With 100 people sitting on the hill, it was a lot to take in. So I trotted in the ring, and I could feel him kind of freeze."

Liza said the first half of the course was on the side away from the hill, but eventually they made their way to that side of the ring. She reassured Sterling by giving him a soft but steady ride while also choosing to take one of the lower height fence options to keep his confidence. They placed third in the Classic Round and entered the Handy Round with Kelley in the top two places.

"I knew Kelley would do every high option on every horse in the Handy Round, so I decided to do the same," she said. "He was great and very settled in the ring. He had huge handy scores. I felt at this point I had to go for it, and he has to learn. If he made a mistake he’d learn from it and be a better horse. But he was quite good. He tied for second, but because I didn't take that high option in the first round that was the tie breaker. But second or third to Kelley and Mindful, we’ll take that!"

When Liza works with a green hunter, she focuses on giving the horse confidence but also slowly provides them with the freedom to make more of their own decisions. She said Sterling is a fast learner who is becoming more focused in his job. By the second round of the Camden Derby, she was able to feel that he no longer worried about the people.

"This horse show was great for him and his education," she said. "It sets him up well for Devon (Pennsylvania), for example, where you have the fair and lots of people walking around and standing by the rail. Now that he had such a good experience in Camden, I don't think it would be asking too much for him. But we have two more derbies, one in Aiken (South Carolina) and one in Tryon (North Carolina) before Devon, so we'll see how those go. With the green horses, you have to take one day at a time."

Pony Lane Farm's newest hunter Topaz also shined in Camden. With Liza aboard, the liver chestnut earned the 3' Pre-Green Hunter Championship and also won the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Stake class.

"We're really excited to have this talented horse in the Pre-Greens this year," said Liza. "Our biggest challenge will be keeping this scopey horse sharp over the small fences until the USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship next August. He's going to go on and do more; he will be a great Amateur and Derby horse in the future."

Grayanna Grigg and Beaujolais with Liza Boyd

After many ribbons in Florida in the 3'3" Junior Hunters, Grayanna Grigg and Beaujolais moved up to the 3'6" Junior Hunters and clinched the championship.

"We felt like she was ready to move back up in Camden," said Liza. "Grayanna has really matured in her riding. She made a mistake in the first class each day, but she didn't let them get to her. She really dug in and pulled through and didn’t let it happen again. That's a great example for riders to emulate. When things don’t go well in the first class, don’t fall apart, because you can still come back. And she did!"

Grayanna and Beaujolais also clinched second place in the Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic.

Even half of the U.S. continent isn't a deterrent to dedicated young rider Maggie Hill. The 12-year-old from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, joined the Finally Farm team this winter. She plans to spend time riding with trainers Margie Boyd and Jessie Lang in Wyoming while also meeting Finally Farm trainers at the East Coast shows.

Maggie, who focuses on eventing and dressage at home, leased Cayenne from Suave Pony LLC and traveled to Camden on her spring break to show. She was rewarded with the Pre-Children's Hunter championship and the Pre-Children's Equitation reserve championship. 

Maggie Hill and Elle Boyd with their ribbons from the Camden Spring Classic.

"One of her trainers in Wyoming is my sister-in-law Margie, and Maggie came over and had lessons with me over the winter. She and her family fell in love with the area while they were here, so she decided to lease a horse and join us at some shows," said Liza.

While Cayenne was leased as a Children's Jumper, he's versatile enough for Hunters and Equitation, so Liza chose to have Maggie tackle the latter in Camden.

"Maggie has a great foundation and just needs to learn the finesse of Hunter riding," said Liza. "We wanted to teach her the Hunters, from the courtesy circle to striding and finding distances, and some things eventers don't do, such as under saddle classes. She had a lot thrown at her, but she was like a sponge and soaked it all up. She'll go on to do more Jumpers, but the Hunters are a great foundation for becoming a better Jumper rider."

Finally Farm welcomed back Kelly Malone to the team during Camden. Kelly previously trained with the Towells but retired her last competition horse. "She now has a mare ready to show that she bred. Justified did the 1.0m classes because they hadn't jumped in a month, but they'll be moving to the Adult Jumpers very soon. It was great to have her back!" said Liza.

To view some of the wonderful photos from Camden, including a special Easter shoot from photographer Nichole Sloan, please view the gallery below.

Hardin Towell Takes Artisan Farms Trophy at Global Champions Tour

It was a home win for the USA in the featured class of the day on Thursday, April 2 during the Global Champions Tour in Miami, Florida.

In the competition for the Artisan Farms Trophy, Hardin Towell and Cadence, owned by Jennifer Gates, were just too fast for the rest of the combinations who took to the testing Uliano Vezzani course. The pair stopped the clock at a lightening 37.15 seconds, while second place went to Steve Guerdat and Concetto Son in 38.25 seconds, with third to Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Arera C in 38.71 seconds.

The American really showed just how fast he could be to beat two of the quickest European riders on the circuit!

The first round of the class was a deceptively testing course with no real bogey fences, though a smattering of tricky rails caught out many. Of the 56 starters, 13 jumped clear in the stunning arena, watched closely by the crowds drawn to the to see these fantastic riders in action.

The jump-off course offered some daring turn-backs and risky gallops but Hardin never faltered, taking a commanding win.

With tomorrow's American Invitational and Saturday's Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix still to come, the home team are on flying form and we could well see another big U.S. victory over the coming days.    

Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.

Class 05: Miami Beach 2015 CSI5* 1.50m
RK     CNR     Rider/Horse         EUR     USD     Round A    Jump-Off        Time
1     109   Jack Towell Cadence 25,594     27,885     0.00    0.00        37.15
2     45    Steve Guerdat Concetto Son 15,512     16,900     0.00    0.00        38.25
3     37    Maikel van der VleutenVDL Groep Arera C 11,634     12,675     0.00    0.00        38.71
4     164  Emanuel Andrade Hardrock Z  7,756     8,450     0.00    0.00        40.35
5     23   Simon Delestre Chesall   4,653     5,070     0.00    0.00        41.89
6     41    Bassem Hassan MohammedPalloubet D Halong  3,490     3,803     0.00    0.00    42.97
7     13     Karim El Zoghby Amelia 2,327     2,535     0.00    4.00        36.95
8     10     Marlon Módolo Zanotelli Zerlin M 1,939     2,113     0.00    4.00        37.96
9     139   Laura Kraut Nouvelle  1,551     1,690     0.00    4.00        41.25
10     28   Michael Whitaker Valentin R  1,551     1,690     0.00    4.00        42.17

Atlanta Spring Classics Bring Blue

Finally Farm riders and horses had one of their best outings in recent memory during the Atlanta Spring Classic I and II, held March 18-29 in Conyers, Georgia.

Maddy Thatcher and Liza Boyd celebrate Sterling's USHJA International Hunter Derby debut.

After an exceptional winter on the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida, the Finally Farm team returned home to rest and regroup before traveling to the Georgia International Horse Park. There, they picked up more than a dozen championships and reserves, along with USHJA Derby victories, classic wins and countless blue ribbons.

"It was an amazing show," said trainer Liza Boyd. "Everyone who went to Florida came back with valuable mileage and raised their performances to another level. Those that stayed home worked hard on their homework and were ready to get out and show off their improved skills as well. It was a win-win for everyone!"

One highlight came in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during Week 2, where Pony Lane Farm's Sterling made his debut a winning one. Boyd and owner Maddy Thatcher decided at the last minute to enter the First Year Green Hunter in the derby for some mileage and exposure.

"It was his first International Derby, and he was a little overwhelmed during the first round," said Liza who noted the derby was held on the International field and on a windy and cold evening. "It's one of the hardest venues to start a derby. It's not a ring he’d been in before, and he'd never even been down there. He was a nickel’s worth fresh, so I overrode him a little bit not knowing how he would be. I think he was thinking, 'Help me mom! Hold my hand."

Sterling kept his composure, winning the Classic Round and returning for the Handy Round as the class leader.

"In the second round, he took a deep breath and marched around," said Liza. "It was darker and later, but he galloped straight to the first jump and just jumped higher as he went. I was conservative and did all the low height options. I didn’t think it was necessary to take the risk with him; I wanted most of all for him to have a good experience." 

Liza's strategy paid off, and Sterling won the Handy Round and Overall victory. "He had high enough base scores that he didn’t need the high option points," noted Liza. "I was so proud of him for stepping up and thankful to Pony Lane Farm for allowing me to show him in the derby. Sterling is going to be one to watch with Maddy in the Amateurs."

Maddy added Hunter accolades of her own to the Pony Lane Farm collection with Summer Place, earning the Amateur-Owner 3'6" Championship. Their Scripted, with Liza aboard, also topped the Conformation Hunter and Second Year Green/High Performance sections.

In addition, Liza won the USHJA National Hunter Derby aboard Tracey London's Smile.  

"He was sent to me to show and sell. Tracey's busy with her family and consumed with being a mom, so she's taking time off from riding," said Liza. "He’s ready to go on to be a nice Junior or Amateur Hunter."

Knowing Smile's talents and experience, Liza chose to take some chances in the second round of the derby. "I went early in the order, and then I left to go to the jumper ring," she said. "I took all of the high options and tried to be as handy as possible. He landed on all the correct leads and was super smooth, so I had a good feeling after going. It was great to hear that he'd won!"

Liza was also thrilled with the consistent performances by the 3'3" Junior Hunter riders, with Too Cool and Addison Byrd earning the championship and Quatrain/Laura Critz, Trinity/Mary Carton Mitchener and Maraschino/Lily Bennett all earning top ribbons. 

Grace Howard and Houdini

In the Jumper Rings, Finally Farm collected additional wins. Grace Howard and Hiho Houdini returned from Florida with confidence and collected the High Children's/Adult Amateur Jumper tricolor.

"She's a perfect example of a rider who earned valuable mileage in Florida," said Liza of Grace. "Her division was super competitive in Florida, where they fly around the jump-offs and the numbers are huge. She won low ribbons there, and then she came home and really rocked it. The courses here in Conyers are less technical than in Florida, so she was over prepared and really shined.

Grace just started the jumpers in Florida and is leasing Houdini to gain experience. "He's a great teacher and the epitome of solid Irish horse," said Liza. "He comes out ready to do his job every day and is forgiving but competitive. Grace is really learning to kick and go and ride off the seat of her pants! I'm really proud of her."

Erin McGuire traveled to Conyers for more blue-ribbon results with Kasarr. "She stayed this winter and went to the Aiken shows and did the mini prix classes. She had Daniel Geitner help her at shows, but she managed her horse by herself. She did all the flatwork, training and conditioning on her own, managed his schedule and arranged for shipping to shows," said Liza. "She did a great job!"

Erin won the Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic the final day and was champion with Kasarr. In addition, Maddy picked up second place in the Classic and the reserve championship with her newest mount, Skilliane De Varnel, a horse she just purchased. "For her first show on the horse, it was awesome," said Liza. "I want to thank McLain Ward for this exceptionally nice mare. She’s a winning machine. She's fast and careful and brave. I think she’ll make Maddy a top high Amateur horse.

"The first Friday of the show, Finally Farm riders were first, second, third and fourth in the Junior/Amateur-Owner jumper classes. It was so cool!" Liza added. "I was so proud of us! I said, 'I’m a little jumper trainer! Watch out Hardin!'"

3'3" Junior Hunter Riders

Finally Farm continues their spring show season at the Camden Spring Classic Horse Shows in Camden, South Carolina.

Hardin Towell and Lucifer V Win $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup 9

Courtesy of Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Wellington, FL - March 5, 2015 - Hardin Towell (USA) and Lucifer V earned victory in Thursday's $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9 at the 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. The highly contested, weekly competition saw a 17-horse jump-off with few clear rounds in the tiebreaker. Towell and Jennifer Gates' Lucifer V were victorious over Ramiro Quintana (ARG) and Whitney and Charlie Jayne (USA) aboard Valeska.

Douglas Elliman is the title sponsor of week nine's CSI-W 5* competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. Week nine runs March 4-8, 2015, featuring the $372,000 FEI World Cup™ Grand Prix CSI-W 5*, presented by Douglas Elliman, on Saturday, March 7. 

Ireland's Alan Wade set the course for Round 9 of the WEF Challenge Cup Series with 67 competitors on Thursday. He narrowed the field down to 19 clear rounds, but two opted out of the jump-off. Seventeen advanced, and only four were able to clear the short course without fault.

Richie Moloney (IRL) was the first rider to take his time and clear the jump-off course without fault in 43.47 seconds aboard Equinimty LLC's Slieveanorra, and his clear round eventually paid off for fourth place honors. Quintana and St. Bride's Farm's Whitney were next to go clear and finished second in their time of 38.76 seconds. Jayne and Pony Lane Farm's Valeska followed in a slower time of 40.42 seconds to place third. Towell and Lucifer V were the last pair to clear the short course, and jumped the winning time of 38.21 seconds. First to go in the jump-off, Kent Farrington (USA) finished fifth with the fastest round of the day in 38.09 seconds with one rail down on Willow.

Lucifer V is a 9-year-old Westphalian gelding (Lord Dezi x Grandeur) that Towell began riding at the end of the horse's 7-year-old year, but has taken some time to move up.

"I had him down here last year, and he was a bit of a handful," Towell detailed. "He was spooky, and he liked to buck a lot. It took awhile; not a lot of people believed in him. He does it his own way, but I always knew that he tried quite hard and he was very careful. It was kind of a learning experience with him here, and then at Spruce Meadows I just jumped 1.30m and 1.35m. After Calgary we started to step up and do some bigger classes. I did him in the 2* in L.A., and he won two classes there. I did him in his first World Cup qualifier in Las Vegas, and he had the fastest time but one down in the jump-off. He was fifth in that. Then I gave him some time off."

Lucifer has shown lightly throughout the WEF circuit and stepped up to do last week's grand prix, but it did not go quite as planned.

"It was quite big for his experience. He had 12 faults, but it was just green mistakes," Towell explained.

For his winning round on Thursday, Towell trusted his horse's speed, but was also wary of a rail coming down.

"A lot of times you get a jump-off like this and you get a lot clean and everybody thinks they have to go so fast, and before you know it, the class is halfway over and everybody has tried to go so fast they have a rail," he noted. "I think Richie set the pace by just jumping clean and then I thought, 'Ok, Richie wasn't flying.' Kent went in 38 seconds and Richie went in 43, but then I saw that Ramiro was 38 and change and I watched Kent go and he went about the same, so I knew kind of what I had to do.

"I did not see Ramiro go, but my horse is a very fast horse. My issue is that I'm always quick, but I have one down," Towell admitted. "I did eight strides from one to two. Then I really wanted to get straight for the in and out because that was a problem for a lot of people, and I actually got him straight, but I was pretty deep and he gave me a great jump there. Then I know he is good at long gallops. I galloped him to the vertical and the oxer and then the last line he was just great. It makes it a lot of easier with a horse that quick."

Lucifer V will now have a couple weeks off and show in some smaller classes at the end of the WEF circuit as Towell gears him toward the first leg of the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas in April.

Towell thanked his staff and barn manager Chris Howard as well as his father Jack Towell and owner Jennifer Gates.

"Chris is one of my best friends and I couldn't do it without him, and thanks to Jennifer for all the support," Towell stated. "It has been fun for her with Lucifer because he has had his ups and downs, and she has really been behind me when I believed in him so much. Last year there were some questionable moments, so it is nice to have someone with so much patience, and it is nice to have such a great team behind you."

###

Jack was thrilled with Hardin's winning performance and credited him for his patience as a trainer and rider.

"Hardin picked that horse out by himself two years ago," said Jack. " He had a bit of a rough start. He was a young and playful horse, and being green he jumped a lot of jumps in different ways. But Hardin kept believing in him and brought him along slowly."

The confidence Lucifer exhibited in the WEF Challenge class was a tribute to Hardin's careful planning and not over facing the horse as he rose up the levels.

"The week before he won this class he'd done a big class with a double combination of vertical-vertical, three strides after a big oxer," said Jack. "There were just three black rails stuck up on each of the two verticals, and that horse didn’t know how to jump it. He hit it hard and carried the rail in. Hardin debated what to do next to restore his confidence. So he did him in a 1.40m class on Wednesday, and he loped right around comfortable and quiet, so he knew the horse wasn’t going to be afraid."

Hardin took that lesson into the $127,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 9, where he spent extra time in the jump-off lining up Lucifer in preparation for the double combination. Their clear round and winning time was a great reward, as was the horse's increased confidence level.  

"Hardin’s a smart jump-off rider, and I was really glad to see the horse responded so well," said Jack. "I'm proud of Hardin for sticking with that horse and making him up."

Lucifer will now have some time off from big classes in preparation for the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami and Longines FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.

"If all goes well, Hardin will use Lucifer in the speed round (first round) of the World Cup Finals," said Jack. "It's all about getting experience. This is Hardin's first trip to the World Cup Finals, too, and it will be a great opportunity to get in there and experience it all."

Grand WEF Finale

Finally Farm concluded their 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival experience during Week 8, February 25-March 1 in Wellington, Florida, and it was yet another banner show for horses and riders.

Stella Styslinger and Eloise

Highlights included a sweep of the Small Junior Hunter, 15 and under, section with Khaki Run LLC's Castelli and Stella Styslinger's Eloise. Both riders were included in the Equestrian Sport Productions News on February 28. 

McKayla Langmeier and Castelli Dominate the Equestrian Sotheby's International Reality Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under

Before the rain cancelled the end of classes on Saturday, McKayla Langmeier, from East Granby, CT, piloted Khaki Run LLC's Castelli to championship honors in the Equestrian Sotheby's International Reality Small Junior Hunter 15 and Under. Castelli won both over fences classes the first day and was second in both over fences classes on Saturday. "He [Castelli] is so much fun to catch ride! I'm thankful that I get to ride him," Langmeier said.

McKayla Langmeier and Khaki Run LLC's Castelli

Finishing the day as reserve champions was Eloise, ridden and owned by Stella Styslinger. The duo finished first and third over fences, combined with a second place finish in the under saddle. Styslinger was also awarded the owner/rider championship in the division.

Langmeier started riding Castelli during WEF 4 and has enjoyed getting to show him in the Small Junior Hunters. When talking about Castelli, Langmeier said, "He [Castelli] has a really big stride and is really brave."

A highlight for Castelli this week was his winning handy round. "He's a blast in the handy. I can do any inside turn I want, and I know he will stay with me," Langmeier noted.

McKayla Langmeier and Castelli

When Langmeier isn't competing with Castelli in the hunters, she also shows in the Junior Jumpers and 3'6" equitation. "Showing in the hunters helps me stay smooth when I'm showing in other divisions," Langmeier said.

Special thanks to Jennifer Wood Media for the great press!

Langmeier is showing Castelli while owner Alley Millam takes a break from riding to be a Senate Page on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  

Maddy Thatcher and Dolce Vita also collected tricolor honors during Week 8 when they won a Low Amateur-Owner Jumper class of 70 and earned the section reserve championship.

Please enjoy this gallery of images from the past few weeks. Finally Farm now returns home to South Carolina to prepare for the spring shows!

Maraschino Makes it Two During WEF 7

At the end of the seventh week of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, Maraschino was the most decorated horse in the Finally Farm barn. The chestnut mare earned the Performance Working Hunter 3’3” Championship with Liza Boyd and the Junior Hunter 3'3" Championship with owner Lily Bennett.

With Liza, Maraschino, nicknamed Cherry, won four of the five classes, topping the 50-horse field each time.

"She was amazing and so consistent," said Liza. "The first day she won all three classes. She's such a lovely mare going around and a good jumper, so it's hard not to like her when she goes well. She really tries to please. There's something about a good mare--when you have a good one, they’re really special."

Lily then hopped aboard Cherry over the weekend for tricolor results of her own.

"That mare gets better and better every week," said Liza. "She’s really into it down here. She’s gotten so easy. Lily’s really figured her out, too. They competed in the Grand Hunter Ring both days, which is a big step up from the smaller rings. They had to jump the same courses as the 3'6" juniors before them, and they were technical, with a lot of bending lines." 

Liza said the experience in the larger ring was great for Lily, who is new to the junior hunters, and their partnership is growing stronger each day. The pair even won the Handy class, proving their confidence together. "Even though Cherry was champion at Harrisburg [The Pennsylvania National] last year, she was just a First Year Green horse. She's still a little bit green, but she’s really coming around," she said,

Lily purchased Cherry last fall after rider McKayla Langmeier had success with her, and this week McKayla joined the Finally Farm tricolor contingent with Castelli in the Small Junior Hunter, 15 and under, section for owner Alley Millam and Khaki Run LLC. McKayla is partnered with Castelli while Alley spends six months in Washington, D.C. as a page on Capitol Hill.

"What’s funny, is this all ties everything together," said Liza. "With McKayla riding Castelli for us, I can see why Cherry is the way she is. McKayla's parents are great horsemen, and she’s such a soft rider, similar to myself and Lily. I think that’s why the transition with Cherry worked so nicely. Plus, besides Brunello, Cherry is one of the best-trained horses on the flat in our barn. She'll counter canter on a dime, and that says a lot about the emphasis they have on training and flatwork." 

Liza also credited the Millam family for allowing Castelli to remain in Florida while Alley is out of the saddle. While Alley gains experience in the workings of government, Castelli will remain in competitive fitness and ready upon her return. 

Alley, a page for Senator Burr from North Carolina, started in January and has already seen history in the making.

"We do anything from setting up for speeches (which includes getting water and lecterns--each senator has specific preferences for both) from the senators of the majority, since I'm a Republican Page, to running amendments all over the Capitol and roll call votes," said Alley. "So far, we've seen some noteworthy history here. Some of the highlights--in what has been called one of the busiest weeks for pages in history--were attending the State of the Union, the senate staying in session until 12:30 a.m., seeing Senator McConnell, McCain and many more speak, along with being literally sat on by Senator Booker."  

Liza added: "I think it was smart of Alley to take this opportunity. She has one more junior year, so she can do the internship now and next year focus on showing. This is an incredible experience for her future. I know it wasn't an easy decision because she loves to ride, but for a kid to make such a big decision, I give her a lot of credit."

Amateur rider Joann Loheac completed the Finally Farm tricolor collection when she guided her Chestnut Avenue to the Amateur-Owner 3’3”, 36 and over Championship. 

"She was so consistent," said Liza of Joann. "She'd taken two weeks off and hadn’t shown in a bit, but she knows that horse really well and it’s all coming together. When we get home, she plans to move up to the 3'6" Amateurs, and this was a great way to give her even more confidence for the transition." 

Elle and Adeline with grandfather Jack Towell and Liza Boyd.

Liza's daughter Elle Boyd made her second appearance in the Walk-Trot section and won the Walk Trot Pleasure class aboard Orchard Hills Hidden Treasure.

"She wanted to show one more time down here," said Liza. "She had a lot of fun."

Liza said baby Adeline, now almost nine months old, had her own milestone recently. "She came down here and was such a good baby. She wasn't mobile and didn’t crawl, but now she’s zooming around the house and into everything.

"She’s very aggressive and bossy!" added Liza laughing. "She’s so different from Elle; I can’t even describe it. I told Elle that Adeline's going to be our jumper rider. She’s wild!"

WCHR Week in Photos

The Finally Farm team enjoyed World Championship Hunter Rider week during Week 6 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida.

Liza Boyd and Hardin Towell qualified three mounts for the $100,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular and other Finally Farm riders competed in the many WCHR Hunter Classics during the week. Congratulations to everyone for a wonderful week!

Here's a collection of images!

Maddy Thatcher Stars During WEF 5

"Maddy Thatcher has done an amazing job balancing school and riding," said trainer Liza Boyd. 

And her dedication didn't go unnoticed during Week 5 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida, February 4-8. 

Maddy, a freshman at Clemson University (South Carolina), guided Summer Place to the Amateur-Owner Hunter, 18-35, championship and also tied for championship honors in the Medium Amateur-Owner Jumper section aboard Show Show.

"Maddy was champion in the Amateur-Owner hunters, and her sister was reserve champion, so the sisters dominated the division. It was so cute!" said Liza. "I was super happy for Maddy because she and that horse are a great match." 

Maddy Thatcher and Summer Place with Alberto Ramirez. Photo Courtesy of The Book LLC

Liza competed "Summer" in the High Performance Hunters one day as a part of their weekly preparation. "He’s so athletic and scopey that the 3’6" height that the Amateurs jump gets too easy for him," noted Liza. "If we jump him 4’ occasionally, it keeps him sharp and thinking. Then, when he returns to the Amateurs, while it's easier for him, he's sharper and on his game."

Liza was especially pleased with their third place in the handy class. "He’s so good in the handy classes. Even though he's slow and a big-moving horse, it's amazing how tight he can be on course," she said. "Maddy is strong in the handy classes as well. She’ll do the inside turns on him that we don’t even see!"  

While everyone at Finally Farm knows Summer is a star in the show ring, they also know that like many celebrities he has certain wants and needs. In fact, Summer will only allow Alberto Ramirez to escort him to the show ring. If anyone else tries to lead him there, Summer will let them know the error of their ways.

"He'll politely grab the bit and just get loose from anyone but Alberto," said Liza laughing. "He doesn't run away. He just stands there and looks at you. He walks like a puppy dog, but he just has that funny personality and knows what he wants. So, Summer has become Alberto's special horse for the winter circuit."

Maddy's strength in turning and jumping paid dividends in the Amateur-Owner Jumpers, when she topped a class of 59 entries in the Medium section with Show Show. Maddy also placed fifth in the same class with Licapo and placed third in a Low Amateur-Owner Jumper class riding Dolce Vita.

Maddy Thatcher aboard Show Show. Photo Courtesy of The Book LLC

"She was super consistent on her jumpers," said Liza. "She rode great all week." 

In the big Sunday grand prix, Hardin Towell jumped to 11th place in the $127,000 Ariat Grand Prix CSI3* aboard Jennifer Gates' Silence. The pair had an unfortunate rail in the first round, but with a fast time they picked up a ribbon and a check.

Larson Mitchener moved up to 3’3” Amateur-Owner, 18-35, Hunter section for the first time and rose to the challenge aboard Graffiti. "Down here, the jumps are big," said Liza. "She also had to show in the expansive Grand Hunter Ring both days. She had never done a handy before, and by the second day she was third in a class over fences, which was a great ribbon. I was really proud of her."

Ruby Sloan also made a breakthrough during WEF 5, and Liza was thrilled with the progress she's made on the circuit. The sixth-grader picked up ribbons with Highlands Heaven Sent in the Medium Pony Hunters and the WIHS Pony Equitation. 

"She’s a really fast thinker, and I always tell her to slow her mind down," said Liza. "And then this week all of the sudden she was so much better, slower on course and not as nervous. So I said, 'Ruby, what happened?' She said she was sitting in school taking a math test and told herself she wasn't going to hurry, make a mistake and not get a good score."

Ruby brought this thought process to the show ring, too. "She said, 'If I'm slower in my mind and I think things out, I’ll get a better score.' Sometimes it's funny how things click," said Liza. "Ruby was sitting in math class, and she realized how she could ride better, too. It's all connected."

The Carolinas Equestrian

The Carolinas Equestrian magazine featured Finally Farm and the Towell family in their February/March issue with a wonderful story that chronicles their journey in horses right from the start.

Lisa and Jack celebrate their wedding with friends at Harmon Field in Tryon, North Carolina.

 To read the article, "The Towell Family Means Horses Whole-Heartedly," click here.

Sweet Victories For Maraschino at WEF 4

Maraschino made her mark during Week 4 of the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit in Wellington, Florida, when she earned the 3'3" Performance Working Hunter championship with Liza Boyd and the 3'3" Junior Hunter reserve championship with owner Lily Bennett.

"I think we finally figured the mare out, and she figured us out," said Liza. "It was a great week."

Lily, 14, purchased Maraschino after the Pennsylvania National Horse Show last fall following the mare's championship performance in the Small Junior Hunter, 15 and under, section. They started their show career together during the Atlanta Fall Classic series in the Children's Hunters to get to know one another. Then, at home over the winter, Lily and Maraschino spent time taking lessons in preparation for WEF. 

"This was our second week showing Maraschino here, and it just took us a week to get to know her," said Liza. "Although lessons at home are great, there's no way you can emulate the time in the ring for the horse and rider."

While the chestnut mare is talented, Liza described her as a quiet horse with just a few little quirks. "It was nice for me to have her down here and figure her out," said Liza. "After I showed her, I was able to explain to Lily how to ride her. Lily was great, and she listened to everything I said. The first day, she had a little mistake in each over fences class but then won the hack. And then she came back the next day and was so rock solid. It's been fun to see their partnership come together.

"I was especially proud of Lily in her last class," Liza continued. "The mare came through the turn to the diagonal line and fell behind her leg. I think she thought she was done. I wondered what Lily was going to do. There was a long distance, that would probably result in a chip, or a deeper option. She settled back and fit the deep one in, and it became a beautiful distance. When you see a rider do that you think, 'Did she know or get lucky?'

When Lily came out of the ring, Liza asked her what happened, and it was an excellent teaching moment. 

"Lily said she saw both distances and knew the long one would be too long," said Liza. "The other one might not have been an A+ distance but a B+, and this is where a partnership between horse and rider becomes critical. The mare helped her out and jumped it like an A+. A few months ago, Lily would have tried for the long one and chipped and lost the class. But this time she fixed it, and that mare really helped her out. It takes a good rider to make a decision like that, and she ended up winning the class."

Liza noted that not every turn to a jump results in that perfect distance, and it's what you do when that happens that determines the outcome. "My dad always says, 'It's not what you see but what you do with what you see.' And I think that's so true. An educated rider can fix a distance and still win the class."   

Laura Critz concluded her WEF season with Quatrain during Week 4 and also picked up top ribbons in the 3'3" Junior Hunters. "Laura was very consistent, solid and got nice ribbons throughout the circuit," said Liza. "She had an excellent third-placed ribbon on the final day, and it was a good note to end on. We'll catch up with Laura and Quatrain when we go home on March 2, after Week 8."

Elle Boyd and trainer Charlie Moorcroft

Liza's daughter Elle Boyd made her WEF debut a winning one. Elle, under the watchful eye of trainer Charles Moorcroft, competed in the Walk-Trot section. She earned a blue in the Walk class, second in the Walk-Trot Pleasure and fourth in the Walk-Trot Equitation aboard the pony Orchard Hills Hidden Treasure.

"She learned a lot from Charlie over the past few weeks in his lessons," said Liza. "I just tried to be a mom and stay behind the scenes. I think I was more nervous than she was! I was trying to compare it to something, and I don't think I've been that nervous since the 2013 USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals. Elle was great, though, really stayed focused, and she had a lot of fun!"