Isop Caps Record Week with Grand Prix Win, Kellogg Sweeps Amateur Awards at 2025 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular

Hannah Isop of Brewster, NY, recorded one of her best weeks ever with victory in the $25,000 Winslow Grand Prix in memory of Leann Kelly after two hunter derbies wins earlier in the competition. Also on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular, Caroline Kellogg swept the Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Championships with Minturn Mile and Alistaire. The Saratoga WIB Spectacular had a week full of exciting events and stellar with World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) qualifying 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.

Hannah Isop was third of four clear rounds to go in the jump-off for the grand prix, chasing a time of 45.976 seconds set by Angelo Danza and Midas R T.N., owned by A Danza Sporthorses, who would finish in second place. Isop had in her mind to ride a smooth course as she would in a handy round of a hunter derby, like she did to win both derbies this week at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular with Something Else and Selene. The plan worked, as they cleared the course in 43.802 seconds.

“I was toying with not doing the inside turn to the second jump, but Angelo did,” said Isop of her winning ride. “Angelo made me go for it a little bit more to the last jump than maybe I normally would have too. The newer thing that we've been working on is some of the tighter turns and letting go a little bit more, which paid off today in the jump-off.”

This was the first 2a-format class for King’s Gambit, where they had to wait to return for the jump-off, and it led to the horse’s first grand prix win along with his first victory gallop. “I think he enjoyed it,” said Isop with a smile. “I do, too. He gets very pleased with himself. He's a proud guy.”

While Isop is known in her professional career for riding hunters, she grew up riding the junior jumpers. Isop had a previous 1.45m jumper that did the national grand prix classes and was looking for another jumper when she and Tracy Freels found “Fig” as a four-year-old Selle Francais gelding by Jivaro du Rouet and bought him off a video along with Mieke van Waveren.

“We knew he was a very good jumper and imported him from France. I'll never forget, he unloaded off the trailer, and he looked a little different than some of the other horses,” recalled Isop, “but he makes up for it with his heart.

“He's a little bit of a heavier type and on the stronger side, which is a bit of a learning curve for me,” she continued. “We weren't sure what he was going to be when he grew up. With young horses, we kind of let them choose. I usually like a little bit of a lighter horse. It has been a lot of flat work and a lot of me learning to bring my shoulders back. Bringing him up and learning to ride his style has been a great learning experience for me as a rider and as a horseman. Taking the time and learning from each other is starting to pay off.”

The joy of working with young horses and bringing them through the ranks makes Isop appreciate the process even more when it all comes together. “Having Tracy as a trainer and an owner with Mieke, as people that trust the process and give you the space to allow them to develop in their own time is truly something important and special,” she stated. “I'm grateful that I have people in my life that allow us to do that.”

Kellogg Sweeps Amateur Grand Championships with Minturn Mile and Alistaire

Caroline Kellogg of New York, NY, started her banner day by sweeping the Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’6” division with her horses Minturn Mile and Herodios V in champion and reserve champion, respectively. With four blue ribbons and a second place, Minturn Mile easily won the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’6” Hunter Championship as well.

Kellogg has been riding Minturn Mile, known as “Kodiak” in the barn, for two years after the big bay spent a year under the saddle of trainer Jennifer Bauersachs in the professional divisions.

“She's taught me a lot about how he likes to go, because he likes a certain way,” said Kellogg of the 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Diacontinus. “He's a really big horse. When he was doing the jumpers, he was super powerful, and I had to not get intimidated by that. I had to let him have his mouth and not pull too much.”

Despite his size, Kodiak is a sweet teddy bear in the barn that loves bananas and can tell the difference between regular and organic carrots. “I don't know why they taste different to him, but he literally won't eat them unless they're not organic, so he's not a health nut, I guess,” laughed Kellogg.

With Herodios V, a 13-year-old KWPN gelding by Vittorio, Kellogg placed first, second, second, and fourth over fences and third under saddle. Kellogg took over the ride on Herodios V from Charlotte Jacobs in 2019 and while Kellogg described him as quirky and particular in his ways, their long-term partnership has made it easy for her to feel comfortable with him even when it’s hard for her to find time to ride during the year.

“I'm getting my MBA at Columbia Business School, and I'm interning this summer at Condé Nast,” explained Kellogg. “It’s been fun but busy, and it’s hard to balance everything. I get out to Jen’s barn in New Jersey when I can, and my family is in Bedminster, which is 45 minutes away. My retired junior hunters are there, so I can get my horse fix. It is hard to ride as much as I want, but it's okay.”

Alistaire is Kellogg’s newest ride but is an exciting one for the future too. They capped off a stellar week with three wins over fences, second in the handy class, and fourth under saddle in the Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunters for the division championship, won the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic, and took home the Grand Amateur-Owner 3’3” Hunter Championship.

The stunning grey was imported by Kellogg’s fellow amateur rider Lannie Lipson, who also trains with Bauersachs. Kellogg purchased him a year ago. The pair developed quickly and were the Winter Equestrian Festival circuit champion, scored a 90 for second place at the 2025 Devon Horse Show, and scored a 92 on Saturday to start their grand championship journey at the Saratoga WIB Spectacular.

“He's probably the best-jumping horse I've ever ridden,” stated Kellogg of the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Untouchable. “It is really a special feeling to go around on him. He is the most fun horse to ride, and he's super comfortable. He knows his job, and he always knows which lead to land on; it's kind of amazing. He loves bananas, so he's very food driven.”

Kellogg also rode Rafiki, a horse formerly campaigned by her aunt, Lee Kellogg Sadrian, to three second-place finishes in the 3’3” division. Kellogg noted that even when she was in the junior hunters, she has never had four horses to compete at the same time. While fun, it is also a challenge to adapt her riding to each horse’s style and needs so quickly in one day.

“I think Alistaire is definitely like Rafiki. They're both kind of ‘kick rides,’ which is fun, and what I like the most is being able to ask them to go around the course,” she explained. “My 3’6” horses are very, very different. It definitely takes some brain power, and I get tired on the second day of showing and have to remind myself that they don't all go exactly the same.

“Rafiki has been in the barn for 10 years since when Lee had him,” she continued. “I usually ride him first. I'm super comfortable on him, so it's nice to get some of those nerves out. Alistaire is a little bit newer, and he's a very, very careful horse. He doesn't really like to make mistakes, so it's nice to have Rafiki to go on first, just to make sure my eye is there.”

At most shows, Kellogg feels equally tired physically and mentally after competing all four horses but also grateful for the opportunity to ride and compete them.

“I've been doing this for so long. I think I started the 3’6” juniors when I was 12 years old,” she remarked. “Now I'm 28, so I've essentially been in the same division for 16 years. You would think it would get easier, but it doesn't. Every day is different. I don't get to ride that much, so I try to work out a lot outside of the ring to stay in shape. But I trust my horses a ton, and Jen does an incredible job with them. I know as long as I'm physically fit and making good decisions, that the horses are going to be super.”

Saratoga Horse Shows continue next week with the Saratoga Summer Celebration on July 17-20, 2025. The National/J3-rated show will award an amazing $74,450 more in hunter prize money and host the Northeast Pony Hunter Championship, $15,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, $25,000 Grand Prix, and more.

Gallery of Champions

The Grand Junior Hunter Championship went to Lucky Luuk, ridden and owned by Anna Klee after they were the Junior Hunter 3’3”/3’6” 16-17 champions.

Chrysopylae Locke was named Best Junior Rider on a Horse after she rode her own Call Me Cool to the championship in the Junior Hunters 3’3”/3’6” 15 & Under.

Beatrice Klemann and Limerick, owned by Madeline Schaefer, dominated the Small Pony Hunter division to take the Grand Pony Hunter Championship.

Beatrice Klemann was given the Best Junior Rider on a Pony Award at Saratoga Horse Shows.

Grand Children's Hunter Champion.

Utoo de Roton, ridden by Elsie Esposito for Northern Ridge Stables LLC, was named the Grand Low Children's/Adult Hunter Champion.

Stephanie Bulger was given the Amateur Style of Riding Award, presented by Bill Rube.

The Adult Style of Riding Award, presented by Bill Rube, was presented to Katharine Warden.

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