By Maggie Junkin
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| Maggie Junkin and her horse Tommy Bahama entering the back gate of the Saratoga Springs Horse Show in 2017. |
Saratoga Springs, NY has always been one of my favorite
venues for a horse show. I have been
coming to Saratoga to show since I was 8 years old. The wooded atmosphere
always made for a unique change to the horse shows usually hosted in large open
fields.
Stabling “behind the scenes” of the racetrack is also
different and so much fun. I love my walk behind the track making my way to the
schooling rings while watching the Thoroughbreds breeze on by.
The town of Saratoga Springs is also something to look
forward to. With its shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes there is plenty to
explore during my downtime.
My favorite horse show here is the Saratoga Springs Horse
Show, a charity horse show held for three weeks in May. What makes this show different
than most of the shows I attend is that the Saratoga Springs Horse Show is non-profit
and supports local Saratoga area charities. This past year I was happy to
spearhead a supply drive and money collection for the Saratoga County Animal
Shelter with the help of horse show management.
It was during the 2017 show that I discovered this would be
the last year the show would be held at this venue. I was disappointed to think we wouldn’t return; however, I am happy to
learn that the Saratoga Casino Hotel and the Capital Fund of Saratoga County,
Inc. have entered into a joint venture to keep the Saratoga Springs Horse Show within
the city of Saratoga Springs. The three-week horse show will take place in May, 2018 at the Saratoga Casino Hotel, not far from the original venue. As an exhibitor
I look forward to enjoying the many new amenities of this venue while
maintaining the traditional feel of the original Saratoga Springs Horse Show.
I know so many of my fellow equestrians, spectators, and
vendors love this show, but in order for this move to take place by 2018 they
are accepting tax deductible donations to defray relocation costs. For more
information contact Tom Fueston, President/CEO at (518) 490-1214 or Tom@SaratogaSpringsHorseShow.com
Another way to help is to host a BARN CHALLENGE at your
barn. My barn family is joining together to help raise money for this great cause.
The Saratoga Springs Horse Show has given back to so many charity organizations
in the Saratoga community over the years. It is time for us to come together
and help them continue their mission.
Maggie Junkin is a 15 year-old hunter rider. She began
riding at the age of four and her first horse show was the leadline class at
Devon. She has competed all over the country, including Pony Finals, Devon,
Harrisburg, and WIHS. She loves showing in different venues and has competed in
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7 and hopes to complete that list someday. She continues
to show large pony hunters and also shows her horse Tommy Bahama in the
Children’s Hunter Horse Division.
Maggie trains with John Mastriano of Tustin Farm in NJ. She
lives with her family, six rescue dogs and three cats in Jenkintown, Pa.
A Junior Changemaker and avid fundraiser, Maggie is
committed to animal rescue. In fifth grade Maggie started “Mags For
Wags” an initiative to help homeless pets across the USA; their mission is to
fundraise for shelters and rescues to help homeless pets in need. Her favorite rescue to support is Danny and
Ron’s Rescue.