Kacey McCann and Trebuchet Win Division and Top Ten Classic at Show Circuit Magazine/USEF Junior Hunter East Coast National Championships

The top junior riders and hunters east of the Mississippi gathered this past August 1-2 in the town of Saugerties, NY, to battle for the title of Show Circuit Magazine/US Equestrian Federation Junior Hunter National Champion.  Only one horse and rider combination rose to the top during the classic featuring the top ten horses from all four junior divisions.

Kacey McCann and Trebuchet, Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under champions and Top Ten Classic Winners at Show Circuit Magazine/USEF Junior Hunter East Coast National Championships. Photo by Lili Weik.

Fifteen year old Kacey McCann of Palmyra, PA, rode Trebuchet for Jonathan and Jeffrey Phillips of Potomac, MD, to the win in the Top Ten Classic and the championship in the Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under division.

In Monday’s competition, the nine year old Dutch warmblood was fifth in the Handy Hunter class and twelfth under saddle.  The striking chestnut returned for the Large Junior 15 & Under Classic on Tuesday and finished in second place.  The classes were scored as follows: Handy Hunter class worth 30% of the final division score, Under Saddle class worth 20%, and the Classic worth 50%.  McCann and Trebuchet’s combined scores gave them the tricolor ribbon.  SBS Farms trainer/rider Jennifer Alfano commented, “It was a nice format, and I loved that they had a handy class.”

The Junior Hunter National Championships brought many of the top junior horses in the country together.  McCann enjoyed the format that focused on the hunters.  “There were lots of really, really nice horses there,” she related.  “The courses were very challenging, and it was definitely harder to only have three classes to compete in.”

Thanks to their championship, McCann and Trebuchet were invited to compete in the Top Ten Classic, which featured the top ten scorers of all four divisions at the show.  After turning in amazing scores of 86, 90, and 90, they were awarded first place in the classic.  “It was the first time I had ever gotten scores in the 90’s in a junior hunter class!” McCann declared. Alfano expressed, “I thought she was great and stayed really consistent over both days.”

 

Trebuchet and McCann have only been paired together at three other shows, but they have been reserve champion every time out.  “He used to do big jumper classes, so the jumps in the hunter classes are really easy for him,” McCann explained.  “He’s an incredible horse.”  After the presentation of awards, McCann and Trebuchet led the victory gallop. “I think he thought he was in for a grand prix again!  He galloped around and loved it,” she exclaimed.

Although it was a big competition, McCann tried to think of the Top Ten Classic as just another class.  “I rode it like I had nothing to lose,” she divulged.  Alfano added, “The horse had gone so well all week, so we thought she should just have fun in that class.  I think it took the pressure off.  She went in and had a good time, and it paid off.”

In the Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under division, McCann rode By The Way, owned by SBS Farms.  By The Way finished ninth in the under saddle class and fourth in the Small Junior 15 & Under classic.  These ribbons made them 10th overall in the division.

Jimmy and Danielle Torano, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, sent Trebuchet for McCann to ride as a junior hunter.  McCann’s other mount, By The Way, was also purchased from them.  “They really have a lot to do with both horses,” stated SBS Farms trainer, Susie Schoellkopf.  “They sent Trebuchet for Kacey and it was a match.”

“I got to talk to Jimmy and Danielle before I showed Trebuchet,” McCann said.  “I really owe them a lot, and I appreciate what they’ve done for me so much.”

McCann and Trebuchet have cemented their partnership in the show ring and have become friends in the barn.  “He’s so sweet,” she disclosed and added with a smile, “He’s a little bit spoiled, but wouldn’t hurt a fly!”

McCann also attributes her success at the Junior Hunter National Championships to trainers Susie Schoellkopf and Jennifer Alfano.  “Jen’s been riding Trebuchet, and it has definitely helped with him in the ring,” McCann affirmed.  “I really appreciate all of their help.”

McCann will stay at Saugerties this week to show at HITS-on-the-Hudson VI from August 3-7 and will return to Buffalo, NY, for the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center Series on September 10-11.

Trainer Susie Schoellkopf and the rest of the SBS Farms team are also preparing for the 59th Annual Buffalo International Horse Show (BIHS), to be held at their home base in the Buffalo Equestrian Center, on September 14-18. The show is USEF rated and will benefit the Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center.

The BIHS will feature a $2,000 Handy Hunter Classic and $1,500 Children/Adult Jumper Classic on Saturday evening. VIP seating in The Red Carpet Club and Box seats surrounding the indoor ring will also be available for the week. The show is a great prep for equestrians headed for the fall indoor circuit and zone finals.