Ondine D'Orleans Earns Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. High Point North American-Bred Horse Award at the 2024 Capital Challenge Horse Show

In a special presentation on Friday, October 4, 2024, Ondine D’Orleans, ridden and trained by Elizabeth (Liza) Towell Boyd of Camden, SC, and owned by Boyd’s Finally Farm and Neill Sites, received the sixth annual Connaway & Associates Equine Insurance Services, Inc. High Point North American-Bred Horse Award at the Capital Challenge Horse Show (CCHS).

With Boyd in the irons, the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, bred by Monique Huntington-Keitz, of Beaver Creek, CO, scored an 88 over fences in the Green Hunter 3’6” division to capture the award.

“Recognizing North American breeding is important because we should be looking for horses in our own backyard and working to improve the quality of American-bred horses,” shared Huntington-Keitz. “[The sport horse community] continues to buy horses from Europe when we have fine-quality horses in the States.

“You have to do your homework to get the right sire-and-dam match,” she continued. “Of course, you never know what you are going to get, but it’s very important that we continue to develop breeding programs in North America. We have very high-quality performance horses, and we have the capability to produce talented hunter, jumper, and dressage mounts.”

“I am ecstatic to sponsor the High Point North American-Bred Horse Award for the sixth year at Capital Challenge,” said Connaway & Associates President Laura Connaway of Little Rock, AR. “Congratulations to Ondine D’Orleans as well as to Liza Boyd, Neill Sites, Monique Huntington-Keitz, Casey Martino-Anzalone, and everyone who has played a part in developing this outstanding American-bred mare. I’m honored to help acknowledge the time and dedication it takes to produce quality sport horses. As someone who has bred my own mounts, I’m very passionate about breeding responsibly on home soil. I understand the commitment that is needed, and I hope our community will join me in recognizing North American homebreds and the efforts of those who are instrumental in their achievements.”

Ondine D’Orelans is sired by Vigo D’Arsouilles and out of Coco Chanel Z, a mare purchased by Huntington-Keitz for the specific purpose of breeding to Vigo D’Arsouilles. Huntington-Keitz had seen the stallion win individual gold and team bronze with Belgian rider Philippe Le Jeune at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington, KY, and knew she wanted to produce a foal by him.

“I was so impressed by the stallion in the medal ceremony,” Huntington-Keitz explained. “He had the reins draped around his neck, and despite other horses acting up, he was calm and beautiful.”

At the recommendation of her trainer, Casey Martino-Anzalone of Wellington, FL, Huntington-Keitz purchased Coco Chanel Z, a jumper mare that was experienced up to the 1.50-meter level, with the purpose of breeding to Vigo D’Arsouilles. Soon after, in 2014, Ondine D’Orleans was born.

For the first 10 years of “Ondine’s” life, Martino-Anzalone led the charge in her development. Martino-Anzalone was quick to note, however, that Ondine had some quirks so it was important that they took their time with her.

“I was there for every jump of Ondine’s life,” noted Martino-Anzalone. “When we talk blood, sweat, and tears, there was a lot of it. Ondine likes things her way. You can’t demand anything; she’s a chestnut mare. You have to ask her. You don’t train Ondine; you just have to stay out of her way.”

Beginning in 2021, Ondine was campaigned by adult amateur rider Ella Bostwick, and the pair earned championships in the adult amateur division. During the 2024 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) in Wellington, FL, Sarah Duhon took over the ride for the mare’s Green Hunter 3’6” debut, and that’s when Liza Boyd first set her eyes on Ondine. The mare had a style and way of going that reminded her of Brunello, the horse that carried Boyd to victory in the USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship for three consecutive years.

“I saw the mare walking by in passing, and then I saw one jump, and I thought she was interesting,” said Boyd. “I saw her a second time, and then I bugged Casey [Martino-Anzalone] until she let me try Ondine. I sent a video to my mom [Lisa Towell], and she is quite picky, and she immediately said she loved her.”

Though Boyd was quick to express interest in Ondine, it took some convincing before Huntington-Keitz considered selling her.

“A lot of it was my ego; I really wanted to stay the owner of Ondine,” shared Huntington-Keitz. “But my friend Scot Evans convinced me that if anyone else were to own Ondine, Liza was the right home. And it most certainly is the right home. I couldn’t be happier with the care she’s receiving and the progress she’s made in such a short time.”

Martino-Anzalone agreed with this sentiment.

“I knew Ondine needed a soft ride, and [I really appreciated that] Liza came up to me and said, ‘I know she’s not everyone’s ride, but I’d really like to try,’” stated Martino-Anzalone. “I miss the horse. It’s an amazing feeling to go to the ring with her. So, it had to be the right situation for us to agree to sell her.”

The sale to Boyd and Neill Sites became official in March 2024, and since then, Ondine has flourished under Boyd’s guidance. In August, the combination placed second in the classic round of the Platinum Performance/USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in Lexington, KY, with scores of 93, 93.5, and 94. Going forward, while Boyd is aiming Ondine toward more hunter derbies, she is taking the advice of co-owner Sites and plans to have fun.

“The nice thing about Neill [Sites] is that there isn’t any pressure. When we bought the horse, she told me the only rule was that this had to be fun. I couldn’t ask for a better owner,” said Boyd. “I’m planning to do the hunter derbies with Ondine, and I’ll have a lot of fun with her. I’m just going to enjoy having a really nice horse.

“I think this award is really special for Casey and Monique,” concluded Boyd. “My work is really icing on the cake. Casey and Monique spent 10 years with Ondine and did right by her. They took their time. They should be really proud of themselves and their baby.”
 

Previous Connaway & Associates High Point North American-Bred Horse Award Recipients

2023 — SVF Inaugural and Maria Rasmussen; bred by Heidi Smilde of H2 Sport Horses LLC

2022 — Duke of Argyll and Hunt Tosh; bred by Betsee Parker

2021 — Mr. Manhattan and Daniel Geitner; bred by Emil Spadone of Redfield Breeding

2020 — Monday Balous and Cassandra Kahle; bred by Karin Morgenstern Jimenez and Carlos Jimenez DVM of Sporting Chance Farm

2019 — Monday Balous and Cassandra Kahle; bred by Karin Morgenstern Jimenez and Carlos Jimenez DVM of Sporting Chance Farm