National Horse Show Kentucky 2023
The final few indoor horse shows of the year each come with their own allure and prestige. Horses and riders work diligently all year in preparation to show what they have learned on a national stage. These shows begin in September with the Capitol Challenge Horse show and come to a close with the National Horse Show, home of the ASPCA Maclay Championship. The Maclay finals have run the first Sunday in November every year since 1983, with many of the competitions using this moment as the catalyst needed to jumpstart a successful professional career. This class is the pinnacle of hunter seat equitation in America. Many past winners represented their country in international competition all the way up to the Olympic Games. Needless to say, competing in such a distinguished event requires years of hard work and preparation. All the junior riders competing are highly accomplished in their own right, this event being a chance to showcase their talent, dedication, and athleticism.
True North Stables attended the event with a young combination: Emma Lackey and her nine year old warmblood Lucero. The pair have spent the last year competing in the qualifying classes to be able to attend the finals, as well as posting an impressive sixth place finish in the Maclay Regional Championship.
Emma and Caruso entered the arena the 16th combination out of more than 200 expected to compete. The course inspection before competition began revealed many questions being asked by the course designer (an open six stride line to a collected five stride, the double of oxers, then four strides to a double of verticals to name a few) making it known that he and the judges wanted to see how adjustable your horse was from nose to tail. Luckily for Emma, she had been working all year with her trainers at True North on the adjustability of her horse and she felt very confident that they would be able to execute accordingly. This became evident as the pair was on course, meeting the first jump perfectly and easily getting six strides done to then be able to collect enough to make the five stride line look easy. Finishing down the last bending five stride line in the same balance and rhythm that the course started with capped off a well ridden trip for the pair, the commentators praising Emma for her track work as well as entering the ring with a good plan. This was both Emma and Lucero’s first time at a big equitation final. They held their own while gaining valuable experience, and most importantly, lasting memories. The momentum created by a positive result at Maclay Finals is exactly what will carry the two into the season ahead, it being Emma’s last as a junior rider. Now it is time to rest for both horse and rider so they will be poised and ready for preparations for the upcoming 2024 season.
