Holliday Ryals and Her Gift of a Lifetime Are Grand Hunter Champions, Kennedy Goes One-Two in Welcome Stake at 2025 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular

The Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular honored professional hunter champions on Thursday, July 10, 2025, and wearing the Grand Hunter Champion sash was MTM Le Cadeau, ridden by Holliday Ryals and owned by Lindsay Bensimon. In the Dammerman International Ring, Morgan Kennedy and Beauty Star 6 were the fastest to take the win in the $5,000 Welcome Stake. The Saratoga WIB Spectacular hosts a week full of exciting events and stellar competition through Sunday, July 14, including World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) qualifying opportunities, the USHJA Green Incentive Regional Championship, a “Supporting Women In Business” vendor market and party, kids stick horse egg and spoon races, a Saturday breakfast, and educational opportunities.

The Saratoga WIB Spectacular, held at White Hollow Farm in Stillwater, NY, is the first-ever horse show created by women, operated by women, benefitting women’s health, and showcasing businesswomen throughout the equestrian industry and beyond.

Ryals and MTM Le Cadeau picked up two blue ribbons in the model and the under saddle and were second in the handy, while finishing third in the remaining jumping classes for the championship in the Conformation Hunters. Their top placings led to the Grand Champion Hunter honors.

Eight years ago, Lindsay Bensimon’s husband generously offered to “gift” Lindsay with the horse of her dreams after giving her a drawing of a horse on her birthday following their marriage. After no luck looking in his home country of France, they returned to the United States and kept searching. Ryals called her friends Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney in Texas, where she saw many beautiful horses, but none of them clicked. Ryals asked if there were any left, and they produced a young four-year-old grey horse.

“I knew seeing him walk down to the ring that he was the one,” said Ryals, who works with her sister, Pamela Polk, at Blue Star Equestrian in East Norwich, NY. “I just got a feeling. I said, ‘Tracy, what's his name?’ She said it but wasn’t sure how it was pronounced. Lindsay heard it and she said, ‘It couldn't be Cadeau, is it?’ which means ‘gift’ in French.

“He came with that name, and he's been a gift to all of us,” continued Ryals about the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Levisto. “In so many ways, he's been a gift to me, to work with such a unique horse. He's so wonderful with people, and you know, he just likes life.”

Ryals has developed “Cadeau” (sometimes “Lovebug”) herself, and Bensimon also competes him in the Amateur Hunters. Ryals and Cadeau won a class at the Devon Horse Show this past May.

“I’m thankful to Lindsay, the Bensimons, and Lindsay’s family, the Franks,” expressed Ryals. “They've all been very supportive, and we've had a big team getting him where he is. They have always stood behind the decisions about where he should go to get experience, being careful, giving him time off after shows, and taking our time to develop him. Everybody says he’s coming into his prime.”

Ryals is competing at Saratoga Horse Shows for the first time since she was 16 years old and training with Victor Hugo-Vidal, when the show was at the Saratoga Race Track. With WCHR points available at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular, she felt the week was a great chance to show Cadeau a new venue and enjoy what Saratoga has to offer.

Kennedy Goes One-Two in Welcome Stake

Morgan Kennedy of Patterson, NY, made her debut at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular an impressive one by galloping to first and second place in the $5,000 Welcome Stake on Beauty Star 6 and Diego, respectively, both owned by her MK Sporthorses LLC. Going first in the jump-off with Beauty Star 6, Kennedy set a time of 38.707 seconds that couldn’t be beat, even by leaving a stride out in the last line with Diego, who crossed the timers in 39.117 seconds. They edged out Hannah Isop and King’s Gambit, owned by Tracy Freels, who were third in 39.119 seconds.

Kennedy is happy to have the ride back on Beauty Star 6, a horse she started with a year ago that had been leased out ever since. The 11-year-old German Sporthorse mare by Big Star JR KZ x Clinton is adaptable, having competed in the 1.10m junior jumpers but also up to the 1.45m classes.

“I was lucky enough that she came back to me, so I'm just playing with her until she gets purchased or leased out again,” said Kennedy. “She’s so game and so much fun. She's funny because when you flat her, she goes around like a hunter. Then, as soon as you start jumping, the blood pumps up and she gets so game. She's always looking for the next jump, which makes it nice in a jump-off with tight turns because you just show her the way. She’s careful and really likes the job.”

While Beauty Star has the experience, Diego is still gaining it. Kennedy started riding the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Diarado x Quidam’s Rubin at the end of February 2025 and is taking it slow.

“He is a very green nine years old,” she explained. “He wasn’t super experienced at the shows and got a little nervous. I've just been trying to make it fun for him and helping him learn to enjoy the job and the atmosphere. He'll probably end up jumping three stars. He's super, super talented, just needs the time and experience.”

Coming back in the immediate jump-off format favored Kennedy’s two horses. With Beauty Girl, she took advantage of the mare’s “massive stride” to pass up an inside turn and stuck to her plan.

Kennedy explained, “She has a ton of foot speed, and she's easy to do inside turns on, but you're almost better off just galloping around. There was potentially an inside turn after jump seven, but it was just a little tight for me. I'd rather land and not pull the reins and just gallop all the way around. I also considered doing the five strides and leave out in the last line on her, but I kind of chickened out. I was sort of saving her and her carefulness for Saturday. It all played out in the end with the win.”

Kennedy will return on Saturday with Beauty Girl 6 for the $25,000 WIB Grand Prix.

Gallery of Champions

Hannah Isop rode Selene, owned by Christine Watkins, to the Green Hunter 3’6”/3’9” championship.

The Performance Hunter 3’3” championship went to Beantown, ridden by Jennifer Hannan and owned by Louisa Attenborough.

Jennifer Hannan and Prospero, owned by Stephanie Bulger, were the WCHR High Point Professional Score with 90 in the Green Hunter 3’ division.

The championship in the Performance Hunter 3’6” division was awarded to Minturn Mile and Jennifer Bauersachs, owned by Caroline Kellogg.

Special Events
All events are free and open to all members of the public. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Friday, July 11 – Big Top Observation Tent
3 p.m. – “Supporting Women In Business” Vendor Market and Equestrian Businesswomen Meet-Up – Meet local and equestrian women-owned businesses, enjoy wine and light bites, shop, enter to win a gift basket full of amazing items from vendors, and network with guests, spectators, and competitors.

3:30 p.m. – Kids Stick Horse Egg and Spoon Race – fun and prizes for racers!

Saturday, July 12 – Big Top Observation Tent
8-10 a.m. – Breakfast and Coffee Bar – Everyone is welcome to enjoy iced coffee, pastries, granola, yogurt, and more.

9 a.m. – Ask the Veterinarian – Bring your questions about a career as a vet

10 a.m. – How to Become a Steward – Sue Blessing talks about being a show steward, how to become one, and why the role is so important

Competition Highlights

Friday, July 11 – Bainbridge Main Hunter Ring
8 a.m. – $10,000 USHJA 3/3’3” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship
$5,000 USHJA 3’6”/3’9” Green Hunter Incentive Regional Championship
Approx. 4 p.m. – $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, Hunt and Go Format

Saturday, July 12 – Bainbridge Main Hunter Ring
8 a.m. – $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby

Saturday, July 12 – Dammerman International Ring
$25,000 WIB Grand Prix

Sunday, July 14
USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, Hunter and Jumper Classics

Looking for horse show photos? Visit official photographer Dashing Paws Photography at www.DashingPaws.net to view all of your show proofs!

For more information on the Vendor Market and EQBW party, please contact Jennifer Connor at connor@eqbusinesswomen.com.

For more information on the Saratoga Horse Shows, visit www.saratogahorseshows.com.