Linck and Hagerty Go for Grand in the Junior Hunter Divisions
Junior hunter riders took center stage during the daytime session at The Show Place Arena on Friday as champions and grand champions were crowned at both the 3’3” and 3’6” division heights. With the most overall points in the Junior Hunter 3’3” divisions, Kaitlyn Linck of Clinton Corners, NY, catch rode Sundown to the title of Grand Champion, while Brooke Hagerty of Terrebonne, OR, and longtime partner Casino Cash were named the Grand Junior 3’6” Hunter Champions.
The 3’3” divisions came to a close first, and Linck was invited to return with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 10-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Sundown, to accept the Small Junior Hunter 3’3” championship and the Grand Junior 3’3” Hunter Championship. An impressive feat in any circumstance, Linck’s win was even more incredible knowing this was their first show together.
“Don Stewart called last week while I was at the New England Equitation Finals and asked if I could show Sundown and Mirage this week,” she explained. “I rode him yesterday for the first time and he won both classes, then today he was second in the under saddle.”
Despite being unfamiliar with Sundown himself, Linck is no stranger to riding new, green, or developing horses, and the gelding’s way of going proved to be one she is already comfortable with.
“Something that I noticed about him was that he was very similar to a couple of my horses that I have in the stable,” recalled Linck. “He’s a bit colder to your leg, which is a ride that I’m very familiar with and good with. I’ve ridden several horses for Don over the past five years. He always thinks about me, which I’m very grateful for.”
While many would be rattled by just getting to know a horse at a major championship, Linck detailed it is often a process she actually prefers.
“I think for me, it’s easier to ride a horse I don’t know as well because I don’t put so much pressure on myself to do well,” she added. “I just always want to give the horses the best ride I can, especially if they’re a little bit greener. I try and tell myself that while I can’t control what’s going to happen in the ring, I can control how I do it. At these types of shows, anything can happen.”
Hunter competition concluded for the day with Hagerty and The Hagerty Family’s 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding Casino Cash, her partner of four years, donning the attire for the Grand Junior 3’6” Hunter and champion of the Large Junior Hunter 16-17 division.
“He’s so consistent; he does everything I ask, so it’s fun to step into the ring with him every time,” expressed Hagerty. “I can truly trust him with everything. I love competing in the junior hunters because I love him, and I love riding him.”
While the win is one of the most rewarding for Hagerty, it follows a string of success throughout the indoors season for the pair.
“John is the best; he’s so competitive and so smart,” she said of longtime trainer John French. “He really is calm and trusts me, and I trust him. This weekend I really wanted to stay consistent. I had a great Harrisburg, so I just wanted to stay the same. Winning both classes yesterday felt really good and put me in a good place to come here.”
Hagerty and Linck will also contend for the top prize in Saturday’s WIHS Equitation Final.
