Holly Orlando Seizes the Day at Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular

Holly Orlando had a banner day competing on Friday, July 12, 2024, at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular by taking home two major wins. Riding Copper Canyon, she topped the $5,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by KeyFlow Feeds USA. With Kalvarie, she won the $5,000 USHJA 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship. John French continued his winning ways of this week in the $10,000 USHJA 3’/3’3” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship with Kaiden.

The Saratoga WIB Spectacular hosts a week full of exciting events and stellar competition through Sunday, July 14. Special events still on the calendar include Saturday’s breakfast and coffee, presented by Dechra and a special dedication of the new Winslow Grand Prix and celebration of life for Leann Kelly on Saturday.

The Saratoga WIB Spectacular, held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY, is the first-ever horse show created by women, operated by women, benefitting women’s health, and showcasing businesswomen throughout the equestrian industry and beyond.

The $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by KeyFlow Feeds USA, was held in a “Hunt and Go” format, where the first half of the course is a hunter classic style, while the second half of the course is the handy portion.

Orlando rode Copper Canyon to equal scores of 89 in both halves of the round for a total of 178 for the win. It was a fun first-time ride for Orlando, who knew Copper Canyon but had never ridden him before.

“I had seen him go before with other riders,” recalled Orlando. “Last year, Adele became friends with my daughter Logan, and she got to ride him a few times and hack him. I did know him a little bit.

“I think he really enjoys [the derby],” she said of the seven-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Irish Wiskey Z owned by Adele Einhorn. “He’s very game; his expression is great. He’s an adorable horse. He’s got the looks, the jump, all of it.

Orlando admitted to nerves due to “filling the shoes” of Copper Canyon’s previous riders but knew she could rely on her mount to stay steady through the course while she chose to make tighter turns in places on course from other riders.

“I thought I had better not screw this up!” she said. “I felt very comfortable making the inside turns. I was going back and forth between playing it safe and making sure I didn’t screw it up or being a big hero and going for it. I’m filling in, so I thought I made the right decision and tried to be very handy everywhere else.”

Orlando is a regular at Saratoga Horse Shows but proclaimed that the Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular is her favorite week. “We love the town and everything about it. It’s a really nice horse show, and they do a great job,” she remarked.

Merry Hardin and Gotcha, owned by Newsha McCarthy, were second in the USHJA National Hunter Derby with a total of 175. Chrysopylae Locke Youngman and Call Me Cool, owned by Macquarie Simon, finished third on 168.5, while Nicole Lindquist and her own Come Monday were fourth on 168 points. Rounding out the top five was Paige Nyren riding her own Haribo Blue with 167 points.

With Kalvarie, owned by The Kalvarie Group, Orlando had scores of 90 and 87 in the $5,000 USHJA 3’/3’3” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship for a total of 177 and a seven-point margin over second place-finishers, Quincy Hayes and Follow Suit, owned by Tania Burrows. John French and Kalvador, owned by Montana Coady, finished in third place with 165 points.

The same three riders finished in the top three in the $10,000 USHJA 3’/3’3” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship. French took the win with 176 points on Kaiden, owned by Little Brook LLC. Orlando was second with a two-round total of 172.5 on Creed, owned by Sheena Firestone. Hayes and Intracoastal, owned by Tania Burrows, were just behind in third place on 172 points. Halie Robinson and Commodore, owned by 3P Equine Partners, LLC, were fourth with 168 points.

The Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular continues on Saturday, July 13, with a full schedule of competition including highlight classes, the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $25,000 Winslow Grand Prix.

Special Events
All events are free and open to all members of the public. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Saturday, July 13 – Big Top Observation Tent
8-10 a.m. – Breakfast and Coffee Bar – Everyone is welcome to enjoy iced coffee, pastries, donuts, yogurt, and more.

Saturday, July 13 – Dammerman Grand Prix Arena
Grand Prix Dedication and Celebration of Life for Leann Kelly

Competition Highlights

Saturday, July 13 – Bainbridge Main Hunter Ring
8 a.m. – $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
Hunter Ring 2
$1,000 2’3”/2’6” Non-Pro Hunter Derby

Saturday, July 13 – Dammerman Grand Prix Arena
$25,000 Winslow Grand Prix

Sunday, July 14
Hunter and Jumper Classics

Looking for horse show photos? Visit official photographer Dashing Paws Photography at www.DashingPaws.net to view all of your show proofs!

For more information on the Saratoga Horse Shows, visit www.saratogahorseshows.com.

About Saratoga Horse Shows

Now in its 26th year, Saratoga Horse Shows will offer nine USEF-rated competitions on the 2024 show calendar, along with an additional seven schooling show dates. Managed by Southbound Saratoga Management Group and held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, New York, Saratoga Horse Shows is situated on more than 100 acres and located eight miles from downtown Saratoga Springs. With eight large arenas featuring state-of-the-art drainage and all-weather performance footing, permanent and tented stabling, and turnout paddocks, it is the ideal place to show during the spring and summer months. Visit www.saratogahorseshows.com to learn more.