Taylor and Never Better Are Best at 2026 Saratoga Summer & USHJA Zone 2 Finals

The 2026 Saratoga Summer and United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 2 Finals continued on Saturday, August 15, with top hunter and jumper classes at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY. Sara Taylor and Never Better, owned by Anne Keesler, were best in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby over a field of 28 competitors. In the $10,000 All-In-One Jumper Classic, Alexis Bodo and her own Dreamgirl crossed the timers fastest to win.

Taylor and Never Better scored 91 in the first round and 86.5 in the second round to win with a total score of 177.5, just half a point above the second-place finishers, Samantha Takacs and Serafina, owned by Emilio Mora, who had 87 and 90 for a 177 total. Chris Brown rode Tiny Dancer, owned by Sara Hogan, to third place with 89 and 85.5 for 174.5.

Never Better had second- and third-place finishes earlier in the summer at Saratoga Horse Shows in national derbies. This week’s derby was a Hunt and Go format, with the second half of the course judged as a handy round.

“He came out even better today,” said Taylor of the nine-year-old Warmblood gelding by Arko Junior PMS. “He's grown up a lot. I think he was having a lot of fun with the course, and the jumps were a little different than they have been all season. He felt excited to be there. He loves the handy, so the fact that they made it a hunt and go, that really got him excited.”

Taylor found Never Better four years ago from trainer Emil Spadone, and the gelding, who competed in the Amateur-Owner Hunters with his owner, has become a special part of Keesler’s life. While Keesler is pregnant, she and Taylor decided to try Never Better in the derby classes.

“She just adores him,” said Taylor. “She had tears of joy this morning when I sent her the photo of him winning. Anne has a lot of goals for herself. It's exciting for us professionals to have a horse that we can compete at the top level on, but I wanted to make sure that I got to the point with him where his owner could enjoy him. He'll do anything for her, and the same is reciprocated right back at him. He doesn't owe us anything; he's already ticked every box. It’s been really rewarding.”

Taylor is a regular competitor at Saratoga Horse Shows. “The management makes these derbies feel really special,” she explained. “They pull together a lot of prize money every week, they have fun courses, and they use really nice jumps. It’s a big deal to us. Some of my horses came home with money, and that doesn’t happen anywhere else. I’m a fan.”

Gallery of Champions

Kathy Scholl High Score Trainer Award/Trainer of the Week Award: Katie Uloth

Little Buddy Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Grand Children's Hunter Pony Champion: Greystone’s Star Bright, ridden by Sadie Zylstra and owned by Bethany Zylstra

Erin Jenkins Memorial Trophy, awarded to the Children's Hunter Pony Large champion: Scamander, ridden by Marni Bogdanoff and owned by Dachis Sporthorses LLC

Glory Days Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the junior hunter champion: Chakrulo, ridden by Addison Rosenquest and owned by Lisa Williams

Ray Francis Best Turned Out Award for Junior Rider: Cece Henes

Ray Francis Best Turned Out Award for Amateur Rider: Jonathan Martin

Best Child Rider on a Pony: Alexandra Haines

Adult 3’ Equitation: Paulina Terranova and Perseus

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

Special Events

$1,000 Sit-A-Buck class winner, out of 32 entries: Cody Valberg and Holiday Lights, owned by Allegra Valberg