Only three weeks after their memorable win in the $150,000 WCHR Peter Wetherill Palm Beach Hunter Spectacular under the lights on the International Arena, Liza Towell Boyd and Ondine d’Orleans were back in action, this time on the grass derby field at Wellington International. The pair jumped to the win Saturday in the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies.
Among a very competitive field of international derby contenders, Boyd had two rides in the hunt-and-go format, taking on a course designed by Ken Smith. Still building up the partnership with Ondine d’Orleans, owned by Finally Farm and Neill Sites, Boyd ultimately closed the day on a one-two finish.
“This is her first time on this grass field,” Boyd, who resides in Camden, SC, said of Ondine. “I wasn’t too worried. She flatted great this morning. The footing is amazing for this late in the circuit.”
Taking to the ring earlier in the order with MTM Crossed My Mind, owned by Addy Grace Anderson, Boyd grabbed the high scores to that point of 88.5 and 97 for the classic and handy portions, respectively. Returning with Ondine, she didn’t take every risk there was, but it turned out to be their lucky day.
“I did opt to do one small option with her,” Boyd said of her chosen track. “The swoop jump was a tricky obstacle; it’s tall and the ride to it was a little funny. I thought, ‘I am winning on the other horse, so if I’m second or third with her I’m okay with that.’ She’s had a great season, and even jumping the small option she jumped so well that we gained points elsewhere.”
The scores to follow were a pair of 95s, for a two-round total of 190. In second at the close of the class was MTM Crossed My Mind with a score of 185.5. Emily Williams and Autumn Janesky’s Damas de Tennerre, who won the first International Derby of the WEF season in January, finished third.
“We’re still working,” said Boyd. “Andrew Lustig helps me with the flat on her. Even if we win, we still have things we can do better. I think that’s the beauty of this sport; we’re always learning. After the night class, we did a lot of working hunter trot transitions, counter canter, haunches in, haunches fore. We're always striving to work on her flatwork.”
Now 11 years old, Ondine is starting to become the superstar Boyd knew she’d be. Still ahead of them is the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby on the grass during WEF 11.
“We’ve been really lucky down here at Wellington as hunter riders this season,” concluded Boyd. “They’ve highlighted hunters and given us a lot of opportunities. I’m really grateful to the horse show for that.”
To see full results from the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Bainbridge Companies, click HERE.
