Riders Earn Last Minute Points for the Horseware Ireland Grand Circuit Champions at HITS-on-the-Hudson VII

Saugerties, N.Y. – Sept. 3, 2018 – Another week closed at HITS-on-the-Hudson VII in Saugerties, New York as riders competed for wild card chances to qualify for the HITS Championship next week and the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals, September 12-16. The USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships also took place this week with exceptionally turned out horses and riders competing for the gold medal.

The week kicked off in the Grand Prix Stadium with the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome where Emanuel Andrade and Dipssy would take home top honors in a speedy time of 33.899. Andrade also captured the fifth place ribbon aboard Boy IV in a four-fault time of 33.079. Taking home the second place ribbon was Laura Chapot aboard Umberto in a time of 35.075, followed by Christine McCrea and Jasmijn capturing the yellow ribbon in a time of 37.694. Michael Hutchinson would win fourth place honors aboard Golden Dream in a time of 41.273.

Laura Chapot and Out of Ireland win the $10,000 KindredBio Jumper Classic. Photo: © ESI 2018
Laura Chapot and Out of Ireland win the $10,000 KindredBio Jumper Classic . Photo: © ESI 2018

Chapot would rise to the top in the $10,000 KindredBio Jumper Classic aboard Out Of Ireland, crossing the timers in the winning time of 31.384 seconds. Joining her in the winner’s circle to take home the second place ribbon was Cassandra Kahle with Eretto in a time of 32.402, followed by Margie Engle and USA Normande in a time of 32.555.

Andrade would take home the fourth place honors aboard GRN Mamut in a time of 33.616. while McCrea and Dali De Vy would round out the top five with a time of 35.108.

Brian Feigus and Catoki win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Photo: © ESI 2018
Brian Feigus and Catoki win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Photo: © ESI 2018

A competitive field of horses and riders took to the field Friday afternoon for the first of two Grand Prix classes held during the week. The last to go proved to be the best – with a time of 31.214 seconds, Brian Feigus and Catoki would take home the blue ribbon in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Tracy Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis rode to a close second place finish in a time of 31.348. Andrade would take home third and fourth place honors aboard Bon Jovi and Hardrock Z, in respective times of 31.384 and 31.877. Rounding out the top five was Brian Moggre and MTM Vive Le Reve in a time of 32.037.

Andrade picked up another first place ribbon, this time in the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat Co. Jumper Classic aboard Boy IV with a time of 34.631. Taking home second place honors aboard Shooting Star was Chapot in a time of 34.942. Chapot would return to the winner’s circle to receive the fourth and fifth place ribbons aboard Umberto and Cybel II in respective times of 35.797 and 36.531. Capturing the third place ribbon was Hayley Waters aboard Qurint in a time of 35.366.

Isabell Gunningham and Calicool took home top honors in the $2,500 Milea Auto Group Marshall & Sterling Children’s Jumper Classic Wild Card.

Riding to a first place finish in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic Wild Card was Lilly Wilson and Luca.

Taking home the blue ribbon in the $2,500 Pyranha Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.20m Jumper Classic was Elizabeth Kirby and Balotan.

Hayley Waters’ ride aboard Vleaveland would win the first place award in the $5,000 Summit Joint Performance Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.30m Jumper Classic.

Waters would return to the winners circle to receive the blue ribbon in the $7,500 Horseflight Junior/Amateur-Owner/Amateur 1.40m Jumper classic aboard Qurint.

Brian Moggre and MTM Vive Le Reve win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Photo: © ESI 2018
Brian Moggre and MTM Vive Le Reve win the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Photo: © ESI 2018

The stakes increased Sunday afternoon when riders challenged a difficult course for the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Topping the field was Moggre and his ride on MTM Vive Le Reve. Moggre crossed the timers in 29.461, over a full second faster than the red ribbon recipient. Andrade would take home the second place ribbon aboard Ricore Courcelle in a time of 31.951, followed by Alexis Trosch and Cantara Z taking home third in a time of 32.433. The fourth place ribbon was captured by Bryn Sadler with a jump-off time of 33.229 aboard Bon Giorno. Rounding out the top five was Chapot and Chadon Blue, with a four-fault time of 31.107.

Hunter riders were featured in the Grand Prix Stadium Saturday afternoon for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Wild Card. This was the last chance for riders to pick up qualifying points before the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Finals that take place during the HITS Championship, September 5-9.

Cassandra Kahle and Atlantico win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Wild Card. Photo: © ESI 2018
Cassandra Kahle and Atlantico win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Wild Card. Photo: © ESI 2018

Taking home top honors in the class would be Kahle and Atlantico. Kahle would receive a score of 82 in the first round and an 84 in the second round for a two-round total of 166 to take the blue. Second place honors were awarded to David Oliynyk and Eleventh Hour with a score of 84 in the first round and an 81 in the second round, for a cumulative score of 165. Rounding out the top three in the Prix was Jennifer Ritucci and MTM Mini Cooper with scores of 83 and 81, for an overall score of 164.

Emma Fraser and McGraw win the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Wild Card. Photo: © ESI 2018
Emma Fraser and McGraw win the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Wild Card. Photo: © ESI 2018

Capping off the featured hunter classes was the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Wild Card on Sunday afternoon. Junior and Amateur riders took to the outside course on Sunday afternoon is hopes of capturing the blue ribbon and earning last minute qualifying points for the Platinum Performance $100,000 Hunter Prix Finals. Emma Fraser would be awarded the blue ribbon for her ride aboard McGraw, scoring an 82 in round one and a 157 in round two for a cumulative score of 157. In second place was Paige Jones and Sha Neigh Neigh with scores of 76 and 78 in her two rounds, for an overall score of 154. Rounding out the top three was Nicole Oliynyk and IL Conte O with scores of 71 and 80 awarded for a two round total of 151.

USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships Presented by SmartPak

It was a special week for Children and Adult Hunter riders as they joined us for the USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships presented by SmartPak. The Championships took place over a period of two days, consisting of three phases each day where riders competed for team and individual medals.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Teams of the Team Competition portion of the USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Children's and Adult Hunter Championships presented by SmartPak. Photo: © ESI 2018
Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Teams of the Team Competition portion of the USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Children’s and Adult Hunter Championships presented by SmartPak. Photo: © ESI 2018

On Saturday, riders entered the Grand Prix Stadium for team competition, which began with the under saddle phase. Riders then returned for two classic-style over fences rounds. The Red Team would take home the gold medal in the team competition with an overall score of 1068. Riding for the Red Team was Caroline Saunders and Skip Day, Zoe Santilli with Dundee, Nancy Ballou aboard Hey Hot Shot and Campbell Hudkins riding Humor Me.

The Silver Medal was awarded to the Blue Team, scoring 1049.5. Representing the Blue Team, was Morgan Munz riding Louis, Kaili Gore and Bridgton, Brynn Topolski with Chunky Monkey and Allison Palmisciano aboard Quibajo. Rounding out the top three and taking home the bronze medal in the Team Competition was the Purple Team with a score of 994. Mia Poppinga and Guitar Hero, Emily Weis aboard Celebration and Maya Schneider and Aurelius would make up the Purple Team.

Riders would move to the Hunter Stadium on Sunday for individual competition, where riders would once again compete in three phases, including the under saddle, derby round and handy hunter round.

Brynn Topolski and Chunky Monkey win the Individual Children's Competition of the USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Hunter Championships presented by SmartPak. Photo: © ESI 2018
Brynn Topolski and Chunky Monkey win the Individual Children’s Competition of the USHJA Zone 1 & 2 Hunter Championships presented by SmartPak. Photo: © ESI 2018

Taking home the gold medal in the Children’s competition was Topolski and Chunky Monkey with a score of 385 between the three phases. With second and third place finishes over fences, Topolski received scores that would secure her gold medal win. In second and taking home the silver medal was Munz and Louis with an overall score of 378. Munz received third place ribbons in the under saddle and derby round, as well as a fifth in the handy hunter round. Rounding out the top three was Santilli and Dundee with a score of 375. Santilli finished second in the under saddle, fifth in the derby round and fourth in the handy hunter round.

Adults would follow with Mercy Paine and Encore B capturing the gold medal scoring a 401 across the three phases. Paine picked up the second place ribbon in the under saddle, finished first in the derby round and rounded out her ribbons with a third in the handy hunter round. The silver medal was awarded to Ballou and Hey Hot Shot with an overall score of 366. Ballou won the under saddle phase and was third and fourth in the respective over fence phases. Katrina Bowe and Kirkwood would take home the bronze medal in the Individual Adult Competition with an overall score of 359. Bowe was third in the under saddle, fifth in the derby round and finished with a second in the handy hunter round.

Competition will return for the final week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson series with Week VIII highlighting the HITS Championship which features the Saugerties $500,00 Grand Prix and the Black Barn $250,000 Jr/AO Jumper Prix. Hunter competition will culminate with the Platinum Performance $100,000 Hunter Prix Final and the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

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