Kacey McCann Named Best Child Rider at Saratoga Classic Horse Show Series
RELEASE: July 5, 2007
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Phelps Media Group
The victories continued for SBS Farms at the second week of the Saratoga Classic Horse Show on June 27-July 1, 2007. Kacey McCann, 16, of Palmyra, PA, rode Mustique to the Grand Junior Hunter Championship and was named the Best Child Rider. SBS Farms is headed by Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano of Buffalo, NY.
In addition to her grand championship, McCann was champion in the Small Junior 16-17 Hunters with Mustique, who is owned by SBS Farms. She was reserve champion in the division on Pirate, owned by Caroline Moran.
Mustique, an eight-year-old gelding, has been steadily maturing this year, McCann mentioned. "He's not a complicated horse. He's pretty much the same every show."
McCann believed that Mustique enjoyed showing at Saratoga, despite the high temperatures. "It was really hot there, but he's a good hot weather horse. He doesn't get too tired," she said. "He was great both weeks, especially in the handy hunter classes."
Pirate, who was the winner of last week's $5,000 Junior/Amateur Hunter Chianti Cup, is another steady performer. "We've been getting along better and better each show," McCann noted. "He has a fun and lopey canter, and it's easy to find the jumps with him."
In the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters, McCann catch-rode True Grit for owner Ashley Hotz and trainer Louise Serio to the championship. It was the first time she had ever ridden True Grit. "He's a really cool horse," McCann related. "He's pretty big and slow, with a great jump."
In the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunters, Trish Bookbinder of Cazenovia, NY, rode Adaline to the division championship. Their high-point total gave them the Grand Adult Hunter championship for the second year in a row.
McCann will compete next at the I Love New York Horse Show in Lake Placid, NY, on July 4-8, 2007, and will ride with Jimmy Torano.