This week’s World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s Sunday Spotlight shines on three-time USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals Champion Liza Boyd. Boyd joins us from Camden, South Carolina where she runs Finally Farm Inc. with her father Jack Towell, mother, Lisa Towell, and brother, Hardin Towell. This week Boyd brought 30 horses to World Equestrian Center – Ocala’s 2022 USEF Summer Series. We caught up with Boyd to learn more about her career and the horses that she brought to the show.
WEC: Tell us about yourself.
I rode as a kid and grew up in the business. As a junior, I was successful at pony finals and in the junior hunters. I received second in the Washington International Equitation Finals and won the Best Child Rider Award at the Washington International Horse Show four times.
After college, I became a professional and continued to grow in the industry. I have won the USHJA International Hunter Derby Finals three times with a spectacular horse named Brunello. I was also named Overall World Champion Hunter Rider three times. I have been remarkably lucky to have had some amazing horses in my career and a great team behind me that has made my list of accomplishments possible.
WEC: What does a horse show day look like with 30 horses?
I am so lucky to have an amazing team with me including my assistant Theresa Tolar, Olivia Murray and Randi Button. With a horse show this large you must be organized, and they do an incredible job. They tell me where to go and the horses just show up. I don’t know what I would do without them!
WEC: Tell us about some of the horses that you have been competing this week.
I have been riding a bunch, but I rode an incredible First Year 3’6” horse named Bettina. She is an incredible mare owned by Mary Caroline Nolan. Mary and Bettina received Champion this week in the Junior Hunters. We are very excited for Bettina’s future.
I also have some up and coming young horses that I have been bringing along. It has been such a great opportunity for my clients and the horses to show at a venue like this. Being from the South, we barley ever show in indoors, so it is incredible to have air-conditioning, amazing footing and beautiful jumps like this in the dead of Summer.
WEC: Tell us about Elle and Adeline.
Elle is my oldest. She is 12 years old. She was Champion in the Small Ponies and Reserve Champion in the Medium Ponies this week. She is loving it here. Elle is prepping for Pony finals and Indoors, so being here is a great experience for her. Adeline is eight years old. She is going to show next week.
The girls are loving it here. We are staying in the RV park, and they love being able to ride their bikes around and I don’t have to worry because it is so safe here. We will definitely be back!
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us Liza! We hope you have another successful week at World Equestrian Center – Ocala.