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.

Photo – Holly Orlando and Soane captured the Grand Hunter Championship (Dashing Paws Photography)

“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.

Steady Eddy

Holly Orlando and Soane in their Grand Hunter Championship presentation. (Photo: Dashing Paws Photography)

“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.