May 21st, 2011 – It was a gorgeous night at the Georgia International Horse Park as the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby took place under the lights in the International Arena with a huge crowd in attendance.  Exhibitors and spectators were treated to a fabulous class featuring 31 of the top horses and riders in the country while enjoying a “Derby Reception” sponsored by Equus Events and the Godard Family.  The course designed by J. P. Godard of Aiken, SC received rave reviews and included inviting natural obstacles such as coups, split rail fencing, gates, wooden logs, and brush boxes.  It is a unique setting for this class being the site of the 1996 show jumping portion of the Olympic Games; it really is quite stunning at night under the lights.

At the end of the night it was no stranger in the winner’s circle as Brunello and Liza Towell Boyd of Camden, South Carolina stepped out to take the blue ribbon.  Boyd’s “Grand Prix” hunter as she has been known to call him jumped brilliantly and earned the highest scores of the night earning a 188 in round 1 and a 189 in the handy round giving them the over winning total of 377.  Brunello, a 13 year old Hanoverian gelding is owned by Boyd along with Mrs. Janet Peterson.  This marks the pair’s 2nd consecutive derby win at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show.  Boyd was joined by 17 month old daughter Elle, her father Jack Towell, and Mrs. Janet Peterson for the ribbon presentation.  Betsy Minton of Dietrich and Company Equine Insurance was also on hand.  Dietrich and Company is a Major sponsor of the 2010/2011 USHJA International Hunter Derby series as well as the “official” insurance provider for Equus Events, Inc. and the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show.

Continue reading Brunello and Liza Towell Boyd Rise to the Challenge in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at the Atlanta Spring Challenge Horse Show →