Holly Orlando and Soane Secure Grand Hunter Championship

Holly Orlando and Soane claimed the Grand Hunter Championship on Thursday, July 13, 2023, to start off World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY.

Orlando, of Wellington, FL, and Soane, owned by James Anderson, earned three blue ribbons on their way to the championship honors in the Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” division to be named the overall Grand Hunter Champion.

“He was great both days of the division,” said Orlando of the eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding sired by El Salvador. “He really likes the handy classes. It was a twisty and turny course, which was a lot of fun. The trot jump was the second jump so that came up early in the course and got the horses’ attention. For such a big horse Soane is very agile and turns easily. He also shortens and lengthens well so you can really take a shot with him in the handy rounds.”

Orlando has brought Soane along since he was imported as a five-year-old, and the pair began their partnership in the Pre-Green Hunter division.

“Soane has always been a really nice horse,” explained Orlando. “Brian Walker helped us find him. His owner James also shows him in the 3’6” Amateur-Owner Hunters. Next year he will mainly compete with James, and I will probably show him a little in the High Performance Hunter division.”

Throughout his development, Soane has proven to be a reliable partner in the show ring.

“He is a ‘Steady Eddy,’ and you can always count on him,” continued Orlando. “He is also so scopey. It’s fun to have a horse where nothing looks big. If you come up to the ring and the jumps are built more solid, you have an advantage on a horse like him which is always a nice feeling. He is a gentle giant.”

Orlando is no stranger to Saratoga Horse Shows and after attending the WIB Spectacular in 2022, she made sure to mark it on her calendar for this year.

“We love to support the WIB week,” shared Orlando. “Saratoga also feels more old-fashioned than some of the other shows we go to, which we really like. There are a lot of places to ride, there’s grass, the horses like it, the footing is great, and the jumps are solid and big. We like that there are classes for everyone. Of course, we also love the town and being by the lake.”

Orlando also claimed reserve champion in the Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” division aboard Kalvarie, owned by the Kalvarie Group.

Elizabeth Kirby and Elke Maria M Prove Unbeatable in the $5,000 1.30m Welcome Stake

Elizabeth Kirby of Wellington, FL, rode Elke Maria M, owned by E.K. Equestrian LLC, to the top of the podium in the $5,000 1.30m Welcome Stake. The pair produced a clear first round over the track designed by Hailey Rogge (USA). In the jump-off, Kirby and Elke Maria M managed a second fault-free effort in a quick time of 36.767 to take home the win.

“I’ve had her for two or three years now,” said Kirby of the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare sired by Cornet Obolensky. “She was great today. My plan for the jump-off was to do the inside turn to the third fence. I wanted to do nine strides there but I ended up doing ten because I wanted to protect the vertical a little. For the rest of the course, I did as planned and left out a stride in the last line. I thought the courses were really nice today.”

Robert Lee of Ocala, FL, and Spice of Life, owned by Brook Run Farm LLC, received second place after stopping the timers in 39.481 seconds. Kirby also earned third place aboard Quinn, owned by E.K. Equestrian LLC.

Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition continues on Friday, July 14, highlighted by the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, and the 1.20m Jumpers.