The Tribune

KACY Lyn Smith continues to power up through the junior jumping ranks on her way to her ultimate goal - a return to the FEI North American Youth Jumping Championships, representing The Bahamas.

Aboard her new horse D’Angelo 6, the pair were spectacular indeed during two weeks of competition at the World Equestrian Center Winter Spectacular in Ocala, Florida, turning in their most impressive performances to date.

Last year Kacy and her former mount, Chicago M, were just days away from the FEI Championships when a technicality derailed their entry and she was forced to withdraw.

On the heels of that tremendous disappointment, finding D’Angelo 6 – a 14-year old Oldenburg gelding Kacy affectionately calls ‘Angel’ - was a blessing and a whole new learning experience. Imported from Germany this past October, Angel comes with speed and strength and experience of big classes – just what Kacy needed to help her achieve her goals. So together with her parents and her trainer Kama Godek, Kacy laid out a detailed training plan.

In January she and ‘Angel’ began finding their footing in the show ring in Low Junior classes - well down from the High Junior classes that Kacy had been excelling in all last summer.

“He is so powerful to jump,” she explained. “[At first] he was a bit hard for me to control.”

Competing steadily through the winter, the pair began to click and rise through the ranks.

“We had some miscommunications,” admitted Kacy. “He’s such a saint. I had a lot of homework to do.”

The homework has begun to pay off. In Week VIII of the Ocala Winter Spectacular Kacy and D’Angelo 6 dominated the 1.30-1.35m (Medium Juniors) Jumper Division by winning the Speed class on Friday, posting a double clear to win the two-phase competition on Saturday, and then continuing the sweep of clear rounds with another double clear to place 6th of 39 starters in the $5000 1.35m Jumper Classic. In the end their consistency earned a division-high 21 points and champion honours.

That success carried through to Week IX, when for the first time in nearly a year, Kacy found herself back in familiar territory – in the 1.40m High Juniors – and in the ribbons, taking 6th place.

The pair finished the week strongly, nearly going clear in the last round but with one fence down for four faults.

“Totally my fault,” admitted Kacy, praising her horse for his efforts. “Angel makes it so easy! I’m really proud of how fast I’ve gotten back into the Highs!”

Now that she and Angel are back on the international competition track, Kacy is looking forward to enjoying a week off.

After getting some rest, she plans to represent The Bahamas in the CSI1* Show Jumping event at The Live Oak International Horse Show in Ocala, Florida, in March.