PrintCompeting in her final year as a junior rider at the Keswick Horse Show, Kacy Jenkins was honored as the best child rider on a horse after earning the small junior, 16-17, championship with her Signature.
The award is determined by a vote of the judges, and Jenkins said she was surprised and pleased by the recognition she received during the show, held May 17-21 in Keswick, Va.
"It's one of those things that you always hope for," she said.
Jenkins, 17, Sterling, Va., also won the Toff Challenge Trophy, awarded to the older small junior hunter champion. Signature is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood that she purchased in 2001 from Ashmont Farm.
"He's my baby," said Jenkins of Signature, who is known around the barn as "Comet."
Jenkins lost her horse, Jahari, in 2002 to deterioration of the cartilage in one ankle. "I got to see him before the surgery, so I got to say good-bye. But I knew that would be the last time I saw him. That was hard. I said I could never love a horse like I loved him, but I do. Comet surpasses everything. He was the one that got me through it all."
Jenkins also brought her 10-year-old, Holsteiner mare, Chanteuse, to Keswick. "They're both great but completely different," she said. "But that's one of my favorite things about riding--learning to ride the different types of horses. I love getting on different horses, having to change my style, and trying to figure what each horse needs to help it do its very best."
Jenkins said on Comet she barely touches the reins. "All I have to do is just look pretty," she said. Chanteuse "likes to stay connected, with a little more leg to hand feel. She's my princess."
When she turns 18, Jenkins said, she plans to ride as an amateur. She will attend a college with a strong riding program and then decide whether to turn professional.
"I have a strong competitive drive, and I love the horses," Jenkins said. "I guess you have to love the horses in order to make the sacrifices and do this. But nine times out of 10 they will give you their all. So I try to give my all 100 percent of the time. I'm hard on myself, but it makes me ride up to my standards."
Jenkins attributed much of her success to the support of her mom, Dana Jenkins, and her trainer, Pam Baker. She said Baker has focused on helping her "go in the ring and get it right the first time. It's all about having the spirit and being positive."
Megan Fellows and On Star starred in the small junior, 15 and under, division, taking the championship and the Coat Of Arms Perpetual Trophy.
Fellows, 15, shows On Star, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, for her older sister, Jillian. "He's just the best, such a pet," Megan said. "We'll never let him leave the family."
Megan started riding On Star after Jillian outgrew him. "He has so much scope," she said. "You can leave from any distance, and he'll always do it and take care of you. He's just about perfect that way."
Megan, Great Falls, Va., has worked with Jenny Graham for the past eight years. "She's helped me so much to get me where I am today," Megan said. "We have a lot of fun together, but we also get things done. It's just a cool combination."
The award is determined by a vote of the judges, and Jenkins said she was surprised and pleased by the recognition she received during the show, held May 17-21 in Keswick, Va.
"It's one of those things that you always hope for," she said.
Jenkins, 17, Sterling, Va., also won the Toff Challenge Trophy, awarded to the older small junior hunter champion. Signature is a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood that she purchased in 2001 from Ashmont Farm.
"He's my baby," said Jenkins of Signature, who is known around the barn as "Comet."
Jenkins lost her horse, Jahari, in 2002 to deterioration of the cartilage in one ankle. "I got to see him before the surgery, so I got to say good-bye. But I knew that would be the last time I saw him. That was hard. I said I could never love a horse like I loved him, but I do. Comet surpasses everything. He was the one that got me through it all."
Jenkins also brought her 10-year-old, Holsteiner mare, Chanteuse, to Keswick. "They're both great but completely different," she said. "But that's one of my favorite things about riding--learning to ride the different types of horses. I love getting on different horses, having to change my style, and trying to figure what each horse needs to help it do its very best."
Jenkins said on Comet she barely touches the reins. "All I have to do is just look pretty," she said. Chanteuse "likes to stay connected, with a little more leg to hand feel. She's my princess."
When she turns 18, Jenkins said, she plans to ride as an amateur. She will attend a college with a strong riding program and then decide whether to turn professional.
"I have a strong competitive drive, and I love the horses," Jenkins said. "I guess you have to love the horses in order to make the sacrifices and do this. But nine times out of 10 they will give you their all. So I try to give my all 100 percent of the time. I'm hard on myself, but it makes me ride up to my standards."
Jenkins attributed much of her success to the support of her mom, Dana Jenkins, and her trainer, Pam Baker. She said Baker has focused on helping her "go in the ring and get it right the first time. It's all about having the spirit and being positive."
Megan Fellows and On Star starred in the small junior, 15 and under, division, taking the championship and the Coat Of Arms Perpetual Trophy.
Fellows, 15, shows On Star, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood, for her older sister, Jillian. "He's just the best, such a pet," Megan said. "We'll never let him leave the family."
Megan started riding On Star after Jillian outgrew him. "He has so much scope," she said. "You can leave from any distance, and he'll always do it and take care of you. He's just about perfect that way."
Megan, Great Falls, Va., has worked with Jenny Graham for the past eight years. "She's helped me so much to get me where I am today," Megan said. "We have a lot of fun together, but we also get things done. It's just a cool combination."
