Syquia Leads Grand Prix Victory Gallop with Mikitha at 2026 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular
The feature class of the day on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the Saratoga Women In Business (WIB) Spectacular was the $25,000 Winslow Grand Prix, in memory of Leann Kelly. Colin Syquia had a smooth transition from the hunter ring victory gallop on Friday to being the only double clear to win with Mikitha, owned by Chilmark Farm LLC.
The Saratoga WIB Spectacular hosts a week full of exciting events and stellar competition through Sunday, July 12, including World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) qualifying opportunities, the USHJA Green Incentive Regional Championship, a “Supporting Women In Business” vendor market and party, kids hobby horse egg and spoon races, a Saturday breakfast, Sunday Wellness Hour, 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.
With five clear in the first round to contend the jump-off over a course designed by Hailey Rogge of Pinehurst, TX, Syquia returned first in the second round on Quintano TF, owned by Virginia Strauch. An unfortunate rail left them in third place with a blazing time of 44.932 seconds. Katie Lynch and Keagan, owned by AS Farms USA Inc., were able to leave the jumps up, but two time faults in 56.817 seconds gave them second place. Matt Heinzle and Catch the Dark Z, owned by Blue Line LLC were eliminated for fifth place, and Heinzle was also fourth with Kinky Boy van het Gildenhof, who had a slower four-fault round in 47.696 seconds.
Mikitha and Syquia were tidy throughout the jump-off course, coming home with no faults in 47.700 seconds for victory.
Mikitha was imported three years ago, and his owner brought Mikitha to Syquia just this summer to develop past 1.35m. This was the horse’s first grand prix with Syquia.
“We have been bringing him along while working on speed and getting him to carry a rhythm all the way around the course, which I thought he did really well today,” he said of the nine-year-old KWPN gelding by Lavallino ter Klomp. “The jump-off course was very challenging in the fact that the beginning was sort of a serpentine, and the centrifugal force was getting you to slow down. It was slowly taking impulsion away.
“I had to remind myself after the rollback to not turn back too tight because I wouldn’t have enough to get over the oxer and then down the seven strides,” he continued. “I thought to myself, ‘Both the horses are really handy and turn quick, so don’t outturn yourself. Be a little wide so you can get a little impulsion.’”
Syquia and Quintano TF have a much longer relationship together. Strauch was gifted Quintano TF as a foal; the 10-year-old American Performance Horse (BWP/NA) gelding by Contendro I was bred at Takoda Farm by Kate MacPhail in New York. He stayed there until the age of six and has been showing with Syquia “since day one.”
Cheering on Syquia from the sidelines was his father Victor, who introduced him to horses. Victor took Colin to his first riding lessons, and although Colin was timid at the beginning, he grew to love the horses and the sport.
“He’s my lucky charm,” he said of his dad. “It means a lot that he’s here. This business takes so much time that if he didn’t come to the shows, it would be hard for me to see him all the time. It’s a privilege and an honor to have him here.”
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Syquia Leads Grand Prix Victory Gallop with Mikitha at 2026 Saratoga Women In Business Spectacular
