With her nine-year-old Warmblood gelding, Bolero, Champagne, who bought the horse last spring, has amassed all those Medal points at shows in Ocala, Florida in Saratoga, New York and Chagrin Falls (Ohio). Look for her to be a major contender in the Maclay Finals, also at this fall's indoors circuit.

Champagne has also been earning kudos in the junior jumper division with a leased horse, "Coastal," a 13-year-old Thoroughbred veteran, who toured her at HITS Catskills. Her own jumper is Hot City, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood.

The daughter of a riding mother and father, Eileen and Bill, Champagne figures her attraction to horses "just kind of happened," and it all began for her, as with many others, with that first inexpensive pony.

The toughest lines (to the jump) for Champagne? "Bending, especially long ones, like eight or nine strides. I don't judge my horse's stride so well because he has a huge step. When the line is long, it's so easy for him. He can do anything!"

It seems that no-stirrup work is de rigueur for most equitation champions, and that tortuous practice predominates in Champagne's routine. "I usually hack all the horses without irons, and jump some, too. But, when practicing the eq. courses, I do use them.

"Before Finals, I do eq. course after eq. course on lots of different horses. I think each horse can teach you something different, whether they're green or more experienced: It all helps.

What would her trainers say about Champagne? That hard work and commitment are no stranger to her. But, like all of us, she's had her moments. "Yes, I've gone off course a few times, like this year, the fourth week in Ocala (Florida). I went into the open eq. class with 10 jumps, and I missed at every single one of them. It was a bad day. I shouldn't have been nervous, because prior weeks, I had done very well, but that Friday...

"I always just try to ride my very best. I love riding, and I focus on that and just smile."