Luminare Lights the Way, Young Riders Capture Grand Prizes at Saratoga Classic I

The final day of the 2026 Saratoga Classic I Horse Show on Sunday, June 14, was packed with hunter, jumper, and equitation competition. The highlights included grand championships for a variety of hunter divisions.

Luminare Lights the Way to Grand Championship

Luminare and Julie Hogan, riding for Linda Evans, took home the Grand Adult Hunter Championship. Riding in the 36-49 division, they posted two firsts, second, and third over fences and added first under saddle to tally the win. They were presented with the Gary Zook Memorial Perpetual Adult Amateur Hunter Award. Reserve champion in the division was Watermark, ridden and owned by Kiley Prime.

Hogan, who is a real estate and equine lawyer based in Hadley, MA, has ridden with her trainers, Kim Ferro and Linda Evans, for 35 years and counts them as family. When the opportunity came to ride Luminare, known as “Enzo” in the barn, she seized the chance. That decision has paid off with a circuit champion award this year at the Winter Equestrian Festival and now the grand championship in Saratoga.

“He has a beautiful jump and really fluid movement,” said Hogan of the 12-year-old American Performance Horse gelding by Disconto. “I feel like he's kind of found his people, and he really likes his crew that he has at our barn. He always gives it all and puts in such a beautiful effort. He floats around out there. He's lovely to look at and lovely to be around.”

Hogan and her trainers are regulars at Saratoga Horse Shows and enjoy the opportunity to have a “horse show vacation” by spending time at Saratoga Lake and in downtown Saratoga Springs. “It’s an added bonus,” she explained.

Powers Catch-Rides to Grand Championship

Accomplished pony rider Lacey Powers of Royal Palm Beach, FL, received Grand Pony Hunter Championship honors after riding Got Lucky for Jet Show Stable LLC to two firsts and two seconds under saddle along with first in the under saddle for the Small/Medium Green Pony Hunters. They were also presented with the Diana Hall Elliott Memorial Perpetual Award, donated by Cathleen Elliott Ellington. Reserve champion in the division was Prime Time Sports, ridden and owned by Luca Tai. For her excellent performances this week on eight different ponies, 14-year-old Powers was named Best Junior Rider on a Pony.

Powers met Got Lucky, a 16-year-old Welsh Pony gelding trained by Jennifer Jones, this week. After a warm-up ride, they were ready to compete. “He was really good about all the jumps and lead changes, and he was just really sweet about it,” she noted.

One of Powers’s goals this week was to win a grand championship, and she was excited to have accomplished it. “I really wanted to show that I could do it,” she said. “I love being able to ride the different ponies and learning how to ride each one differently. I think it helps my riding skills a lot. Some of them, you have to slow down in the lines and some you have to go down the line; some you have to support to the jump and some you have to help jump higher. It's just kind of seeing what they need.”

Alina McLean Learns and Succeeds in Grand Fashion

The Grand Children’s Hunter Championship was awarded to North Beach, ridden and owned by 14-year-old Alina McLean of Newark, DE. They led the Children’s Hunter 14 & Under division with three firsts and a third over fences along with second under saddle.

When North Beach was imported to Florida in January, McLean and her trainer Trevor Hawthorne thought they would make a good pair. McLean started riding the six-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Cornet de Semilly x Quidamo three months ago and showing one month prior to Saratoga.

“He was really beautiful,” McLean remembered thinking of her first encounter with North Beach. “He was a good mover, and Trevor said that he would be a good one to buy and get going since he's young, too, so he has a long way to go.

“He's really fun and kind of bouncy, I would say, but overall he's really pretty easy,” she continued. “He taught me that I need to work and try harder with him. He’s still a baby, so I have to really be focused. It feels cool to win because he's a green horse, and I feel like I've accomplished something as a rider.”

Capano Sweeps Junior Hunters

The Grand Junior Hunter Championship, along with the Maryann Malarkey Grand Junior Hunter 3’3” Perpetual Award, donated by Erina Malarkey, was awarded to 13-year-old Seraphina Capano of Haverford, PA, on her own Double Fantasy. Riding in the Junior Hunter 3’3” 15 & Under division, they won three over fences classes and were second in the remaining class, along with third in the under saddle. Capano made a sweep of the division riding her mother Christine Capano’s Delancey to the reserve championship. They picked up first, second, fourth, and fifth-place ribbons over fences and won the under saddle.

Capano has been riding Double Fantasy, known as “Kevin” in the barn, for two years. They started out in the 2’6” hunters and have moved up together to the 3’3” hunters thanks to their partnership.

“He’s my baby, and my favorite,” said Capano of the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding by Chacco’s Son II. “He's really sweet and loves hugs, kisses, and snuggles. We did very well together, and we continued to move up. It’s really special to win here. I feel like I've been working so hard. I was here last year, doing the three-foot hunters, and now to be able to move up and be grand champions is amazing.”

With Delancey, or “Milo” in the barn, Capano has a newer relationship. “I just started riding him about a month or two ago,” explained Capano. “He was my mom's horse, but I went on to ride him. I hope to continue that relationship. I always thought Milo was really handsome and looked really fun, so I'm glad I get the chance to ride him now.”

Gallery of Champions

Saratoga Amateur Style Award, sponsored by Bill Rube: Sydney Giordano

Trainer of the Week Award: Keirstin Scott

The Grand Low Children’s/Adult Hunter Championship was presented to Chandra Bernhardt riding Cristiano de l’Eau Z,
owned by Brenna Doherty.

Natalia McCarthy was named Best Junior Rider on a Horse.

Olivia Leone and Corleone won the $2,500 Non-Pro Hunter Derby.

The Saratoga Classic II Horse Show will be held on June 17-21, and highlights include:
$25,000 Grand Prix
$15,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby Regional Championship
$10,500 Jr./Amateur 1.20-1.40m Jumper Section
$5,000 Welcome Stake
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
$5,500 TAKE2 Hunter/Jumper Prize Money
$1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Stake
$1,000 Non-Pro 2’3”/2’6” Hunter Derby
$1,000 Junior and A/O Classics
High Score Awards, Exhibitor Parties, and More!