Danielle Flavin and Layla Score Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship

Danielle Flavin and Layla secured the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championship on Sunday, July 16, 2023, during the final day of World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular, held during the 25th anniversary of Saratoga Horse Shows at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY.

Flavin, of Valatie, NY, and Layla, owned by Leann Kelly, won two classes to earn the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3”/3’6” division championship and claim the overall Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion title.

“She won the handy round yesterday,” shared Flavin. “She’s very handy, and I do feel like a lot of that comes from her previous jumper experience. We joke and call the handy rounds ‘the hunter jump-off.’ She’s comfortable making short turns and was great rolling back to the two-stride. It was one of the best trot jumps she’s ever done. We were really on point together.”

Layla is not only a wonderful partner for Flavin in the show ring, but also an important part of the family.

“She is our last homebred out of my mom Leann Kelly’s old little grand prix horse Gigi,” said Flavin of the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood/Holsteiner mare sired by Ariadus. “We did jumpers with her when she was younger and started doing the hunters around 2020. She’s quite a cute little mover. We were not expecting her grand prix-jumping mother to produce a whole flock of hunters. She has had four very successful hunter and equitation horses as well as a few other jumpers.”

Flavin, who works full-time as a nurse, is planning to continue enjoying her time in the show ring with Layla while staying consistent in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division.

“She has a beautiful rhythm,” explained Flavin. “Once we are locked into that it’s very hard to make a mistake on her. She takes you right up to the jump and feels great in the air. She’s pretty well-seasoned at this point. We have been fine-tuning our partnership. We got along really well naturally, and she has matured a lot this year.”

Sydney Smith of Madison, CT, rode her own Chaplin Z to reserve champion in the Amateur-Owner Hunter division.

Ella Tamilio and Empreza Impress To Win the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal

Ella Tamilio of Sudbury, MA, piloted her own Empreza to victory in the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal. Riders were first tested over fences and then returned for the flat portion where they were asked to show a lengthening and shortening of stride as well as the counter canter. The duo stayed consistent through both phases of competition to secure the win.

“I got Empreza about three years ago, and she was very green when I first started riding her,” said Tamilio of the 11-year-old Hanoverian mare sired by Castor Cooper. “She had just been imported when we got her, and we have really worked our way up together. She is really sweet and will jump anything you put in front of her. She always jumps her heart out and tries her best. This was actually our first time showing in the USHJA 3’3” Jumping Seat Medal. My goal was to just stay as smooth as possible.”

Second place was awarded to Avery McGurren of Norwalk, CT, and her own Joey Pepperoni. Caroline Little of New Suffolk, NY, and her own Caro received third place.

Sunday marked the final day of the Saratoga WIB Spectacular. Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition will resume on Wednesday, July 19, with the Saratoga Summer Celebration.