Marshall and Amanda Lyerly (Anne Gittins Photography)

Wellington, FL - Third time was a charm for Marshall and Amanda Lyerly in the Gold Coast Baby Green Hunter division at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF). Week eleven marks the third time the pair has competed together and their first time earning championship honors for the division. Lyerly piloted Marshall to first place under saddle and consistently strong over fences rounds, jumping to third, first, and two second place ribbons.

Reserve championship honors went to Champagne, ridden by Ryan Roy and owned by Leigh Stewart. Champagne and Roy were third under saddle and won two of four over fences rounds, earning third place ribbons for their final two courses.

Lyerly and Marshall also collected two reserve championship titles the last two weeks of the FTI WEF. Marshall may have just started his show career, but he is clearly off to a promising start. The six-year-old Warmblood gelding is owned and trained by Jay Golding of Gordonsville, VA. Lyerly, based in Gates Mills, OH, is pleased with the gelding's adjustment to life as a show horse.

"I rode him a little bit down here [at the FTI WEF] last year. He had just started jumping and he didn't show. This is his third week showing. He's still new to it all, but he's very mellow and brave. He's almost ready to do something bigger, I think. He's got a great brain and is very quiet," Lyerly commented.

Marshall's calm and collected demeanor was especially evident among a large class of green horses, many of whom became distracted or nervous in the surroundings of the busy Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC).

"For his experience level, he's very consistent. He started that way. He knows his job and nothing ever really fazes him," Lyerly explained. "Once in a while, he'll be a little distracted by someone driving by, but he really is a quick learner."

In addition to his easygoing attitude, Lyerly described Marshall's striking movement as his biggest strength in the show ring. "He has a beautiful canter between the jumps and is very elegant looking," she stated.

The future is bright for Marshall and Lyerly, who hopes to keep their winning strike alive next week in the FTI WEF's final week of competition. "He'll show [week twelve] and maybe move up to the 3' next week. I think he's getting a little bored in the 2'6"," Lyerly revealed.

Marshall's competition schedule after the FTI WEF is up in the air, as owner Jay Golding hopes to find a new home for the promising young prospect. Golding focuses on sales of young horses, but is also eager to move Marshall up to the Pre-Green 3' divisions.