Caitlan Brooks and In The Air Soar to $10,000 Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic Victory at Saratoga Summer and USHJA Zone 2 Finals

Hunters and equitation were a main focus on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the Saratoga Summer and United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 2 Finals. Caitlan Brooks and her own In the Air triumphed in the $10,000 Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic. Five Zone 2 equitation champions were also crowned, and memorial trophies were presented.

Brooks found In The Air, known as “Doug” in the barn, through his racing connections in 2024 as a three-year-old. The gelding by Warrior’s Reward had five starts as a racehorse before retiring. Brooks saw potential in him and brought him to the Retired Racehorse Project Thoroughbred Makeover, where he won the field division and was second in the show hunter division.

“He’s a remarkable five-year-old,” said Brooks. “This was only his third time doing 3’. He spent his four-year-old year with a junior client, but I bought him back this year. He’s back into a professional program and getting to show again.”

When Brooks saw the prize lists for the 2026 Saratoga Horse Shows, she was eager to enter. Brooks is based out of her River’s Ridge in Glyndon, MD, and this was her first year competing at Saratoga Horse Shows.

“I was excited to see the purse money, I love supporting Take2, and I've always wanted to come to Saratoga,” she explained. “It seemed like a great opportunity when we first came up in July. I unfortunately had a surprise appendectomy two weeks prior, so my friend Rachael Lively rode both of mine for me that week. It inspired me to want to come and try it myself.”

In The Air finished second in the $10,000 Take2 Thoroughbred Hunter Classic with Lively at July’s 2026 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular, while Jersey Fresh was third. Both horses made a move up the ribbons, with Jersey Fresh finishing second this week. Brooks also rode Meadow Magic, owned by Alissa Facciolo, to third place.

Although the prize money was a welcome benefit, the experience of winning with In The Air was especially meaningful.

“It means a lot because I knew early on that he was something special,” she expressed. “I'm glad that he earned the win today. He continues to step up and rise to the occasion time after time. I'm really excited for his future.”

Zone 2 Equitation Champions

Adult 3’ Equitation: Paulina Terranova and Perseus

Children’s 3’ Equitation: Marni Bogdanoff and Galileo

Low Adult Equitation: Mackenzie Perkins and Aragorn van Schuttershof

Low Children’s Equitation: Ela Musser and Logical

Children’s Pony Equitation: Sadie Zylstra and Greystone’s Star Bright

Zone 2 Trophy Winners

The Secretary’s Trophy, awarded to the Adult Hunter 18-35 champion: Cessino, ridden and owned by Sarah Grella

Significant Other Trophy: awarded to the Adult Hunter 36-49 champion: Sunward, ridden and owned by Samantha Thren

Dutch Clown – Finer Things Trophy, awarded to the Adult Hunter 50 & Over champion: Waterfront, ridden and owned by Mary Canner

Susan Cordell Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Best Adult Amateur Hunter Rider: Samantha Takacs

George Patterson Trophy, awarded to the Grand Adult Amateur Hunter Champion: Sunward Z, ridden and owned by Samatha Thren

The 2026 Saratoga Summer and USHJA Zone 2 Finals continue on Saturday, August 15. Due to inclement weather, Friday’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby has been postponed to Saturday.