January 11, 2023 
“She’s the best mare I’ve ever ridden.”
So said trainer Sean Leckie (USA) of his winning mount in the $10,000 Platinum Performance Welcome Speed 1.35m at Desert International Horse Park (DIHP) in Thermal, CA on Wednesday.
Leckie and Bec Alter Ego topped a 29-horse field in the Colm Quinn-designed speed course, carving a speedy inside track to stop the clock at 60.902. They were the only pair to cross the timers in under 61 seconds.
Savannah Jenkins (USA) and Casallantum took third in 62.231. Lauren Kolbe (USA) and Dots & Dashes finished third in 62.653.
Purchased from Ilan Ferder, Bec Alter Ego is owned and shown by Leckie’s student Sarah Freedman in the Amateur Jumpers.
“Right away when [Sarah] sat on her, she knew that was the horse for her,” he said. “And she’s probably one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden. She’s smooth, easy, careful, very modern, and in the barn, she’s just like a dog. She follows you around.”
Leckie’s job is to keep Bec Alter Ego “sharp and going in the ring” for his student.
Both have every reason to be excited about the 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare. Previously campaigned by Paris Sellon (USA), Bec Alter Ego boasts at 86% clear round rate in 14 FEI appearances at the 1.35m height and has competed internationally up to 1.45m.
“I see in her future doing the National Grand Prix with Sarah. That’s kind of the goal for her,” shared Leckie, who’s business is developing aspiring professionals.
“When I train young riders to hopefully become professionals, it’s a real journey. It’s a real process. We start most of our kids in the 1.0m [division] and bring them up through the ranks. For me, that’s super exciting. I love seeing them go achieve their goals.
“Last year, we were lucky [all our students] all got medals [at the North American Youth Championships] and this year we’re hoping and hungry to go back and do the same thing again.”
