With her trusted equine friend by her side, Mackenzie Campbell has been making amazing strides in her speech therapy and has even secured a spot at the prestigious Hampton Classic.

A 5-year-old (turning 6 in October) Bayport resident, Mackenzie was first diagnosed with a speech delay at 1-and 1/2. Mother Erica raced to find special programs to help her child and found the most effective exercise to be something that she had loved since childhood—horseback riding.

“To say horses are in her blood is a fact,” said Erica. “I started horseback riding at the age of 5 also, and still own and ride a horse today at Good Shepherd in Yaphank.”

Pamela Marsden, a trainer and equestrian who has trained Erica and her horse, Saffron, for over 15 years, also trains Mackenzie on her aptly named steed, Macaroni.

Every lesson with Marsden involves work on words.

“Mac is so much more motivated by the horses than simply sitting in a classroom; she tries very hard,” Erica said.

Macaroni has an impressive pedigree of helping young riders.

“Macaroni is a special pony at the farm, as he has carried so many of the older riders around when they were Mac’s age,” said Erica.

Mackenzie was invited by Marsden to join her team at the Hampton Classic Horse Show, after she and Macaroni won first and second place at their last competition.

According to Mackenzie, her favorite thing about Macaroni is that “he likes to eat carrots and cereal.”

The Hampton Classic Horse Show is one of the largest non-qualifying horse shows in the country. Any equestrian who feels prepared is eligible to sign up and compete, but thus requires extensive practice with the sheer number of competitors.

Mackenzie will be competing in the Lead Line Division for 5- to 7-year-olds. “While the class can be entered by any child, it requires practice and confidence, as the children will be competing in The Grand Prix Ring of the Hampton Classic, the biggest and most frightening for horses,” Erica explained. “To prepare, we practice at home, have done some other horse shows, and we even sit on a horse stand to practice our position and language while at home.”

Both lovers of speeding horses, Mackenzie, like mom, Erica, is rewarded for her dedication to her speech lessons and riding prowess with going faster on Macaroni.

“You just love to go fast, just like your mom,” Marsden said. “Working with Mackenzie is rewarding, especially when I can find that small key to communicating with her, and she gets it. It is a fun challenge to find ways to help her understand and thrive!” added Marsden of her lessons with Mackenzie.

Mackenzie’s father, Shane, said that his daughter was always athletic and is overjoyed to see how riding has helped her speech.

“Seeing how much language horses, and animals in general, bring out in Mackenzie is the best thing for me as a parent; I am relieved and thrilled she is learning so much in a sport that means so much to me,” said Erica.