May 19th, 2012~ Conyers, GA- It was a bustling evening at the acclaimed Georgia International Horse Park as the crowd watched 25 of the country’s top hunter riders compete under the lights in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby presented by Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance. No stranger to the winner’s circle, Liza Boyd took home the blue ribbon last evening aboard Mrs. Janet Peterson and Finally Farm’s Quatrain while capturing the second place on her and Mrs. Janet Peterson’s Brunello. The team from Finally Farm in Camden, SC just came off a one, two win at the Aiken Spring Classic Derby and the Camden Spring Classic Derby back in April with Brunello taking the top spot over Quatrain in both of those classes.
Quatrain and Liza Boyd, Megan and Maddie Godard, Lilly Geitner, Mrs. Janet Peterson and Hardin Towell (Photo by Shawn McMillen)
It was finally Quatrain’s time to shine as the 8 year olds boldness and consistency garnered he and Boyd the top scores of the night. In round 1 they received an 87 and 88 plus 8 high option bonus points from the judges and in the second handy round received an 84 and 88 plus 8 bonus points and 13 bonus handy points giving them the winning total of 376 over Brunello’s 370. Towell was pleased at how far Quatrain has come along this spring. Just this past February he was competing in the jumper ring in Palm Beach. The pair also captured the High Performance Hunter Championship earlier in the week that division sponsored by Fenwick Equestrian. Julie Curtain and Morgan Connely’s Hanover On The Rocks took home the third place ribbon in the Derby and Alamo and Mariah Friedland rounded out the top 4.
The course was designed by seasoned course designer JP Godard and included many natural obstacles and stylish jumps reminiscent of the hunt field including coups, brush boxes, gates, and walls. Godard enjoys having the hunters on center stage in the big ring (the 400×410 International Arena home to the 1996 Show Jumping in the Olympic Games) because it gives horses and riders a chance a show off their skills under the lights in a special setting that isn’t your average hunter ring. It is also a treat for the crowd to watch!
Quatrain and Liza Boyd (Photo by Shawn McMillen)
During the class exhibitors and spectators alike were treated to a Derby party and Exhibitors Dinner catered by Proof of the Pudding and sponsored by Equus Events and the 2012 Atlanta Spring Challenge Hospitality Sponsors;
-Arbor Hill Farm and the Boggio Family
-Booth Parker
-The Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue
-Brad Spragg and the Atlanta Hunt Club
-DFG Stables and Daniel and Cathy Geitner
-Don Stewart Stables
-Finally Farm and the Towell Family
-Elizabeth Warmington and Brooksgate Stables
-Equestrian Connect
-The Friedman Family and Aaron Vale, Inc.
-Highridge Farm and the Fried Family
-Hot To Trot Boutique
-Janet Salem and Patchwork Farm
-Juan and Jennifer Gamboa
-Liz Tarumianz
-Meadow Hill Stables and the Porath Family
-Proof of The Pudding
-Sunny Stevens and Stevehaven Stables
-Terry Brown and Showcase, Ltd.
-Windermere Farm and The Kasper Family
-Windy Oaks Farm/Market Place Sales and Wendy Livingston and Matt Martin
The action continues this weekend in the hunter and jumper ring featuring the $25,000 Atlanta Spring Challenge Grand Prix Saturday evening along with Preakness Party sponsored by Daniel F. Geitner Stables and Cathy and Daniel Geitner. Equestrian Connect will also be sponsoring and ice cream party under the hospitality tent at 2 pm on Saturday.
For complete results and more information please log on to www.equusevents.com
