Category Archives: HITS

Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Margie Engle Returns to HITS Saugerties and Captures the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

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© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 11, 2011) — Margie Engle made a triumphant return to HITS Saugerties this week and reignited her winning streak in the Strongid C 2X Stadium when she captured both the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi on Friday.

On Wednesday, Engle of West Palm Beach, Florida and Lord Spezi beat out 38 starters in the Brook Ledge Open Welcome, with Todd Minikus of Loxahatchee, Florida and Candy Tribble & Windsor Show Stables Inc.’s Sweetheart in second, followed by Richard Moloney of Wellington, Florida with Equinimity LLC’s Alsvid in third.

In Friday’s feature class, Engle, Minikus and Moloney were at it again as three of 42 starters on a course designed by International Course Designer Olaf Petersen Jr. of Muenchen, Germany. After the first round, ten horse-and-rider combinations returned to navigate the short course in an exciting jump-off.

Nicholas Dello Joio of Wellington, Florida returned first in the jump-off aboard his own Geledimar and set the Great American Time to Beat at 41.479 seconds. Dello Joio was joined in the jump-off by his father, Norman Dello Joio aboard Thelma Romero-Cloud’s Notre Star De La Nutria. Father and son finished third and fourth, respectively.

Continue reading Margie Engle Returns to HITS Saugerties and Captures the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix →

Community/Charity, HITS, HITS

HITS-on-the-Hudson Invites Local Children to Annual Purina Mills Kids Day

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$100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, brings riders one step closer to famed Pfizer $1 Million

© HITS Staff. Whoopsy Daisy the Clown participating in last year's horseless horse show with a young visitor.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 7, 2011) — Kids of all ages are welcome at HITS-on-the-Hudson’s annual Kids Day, sponsored by Purina Mills, Sunday, June 12, 2011. The HITS horse show grounds on Washington Avenue Extension in Saugerties, New York will transform into a fiesta of sorts from noon to 2 p.m. where the youngest of visitors will be the guests of honor.

One of the more popular events at HITS-on-the-Hudson, Purina Mills Kids Day welcomes visitors to the grounds to enjoy family-friendly activities including pony rides by Vertical Limit Stables of Saugerties, an appearance by Whoopsy Daisy the Clown, autograph sessions with acclaimed Grand Prix equestrians, arts and crafts, and much more.

The Horseless Horseshow, sponsored by Beval Saddlery, is a returning crowd favorite and will encourage visiting children to get into the spirit of the show and showcase their riding skills. No horse? No problem – competitors will go it alone in this horse show and the top three competitors will receive prizes.

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Sunday’s $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties Hands McLain Ward His Third Grand Prix Victory in a Row

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© ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Oh' D Eole on course in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 6, 2011) — McLain Ward, aboard Oh’ D Eole, has taken HITS-on-the-Hudson by storm, capturing Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and earning his third consecutive Grand Prix victory. Ward also clinched the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson I on his own Oh’ D Eole last Sunday, and Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Blue Chip Bloodstock’s Domino.

The two-time Olympic Gold Medalist of Brewster, New York, outshined 28 starters on Sunday’s course designed by Danny Foster of Canada.

“It’s been incredible. [Oh’ D Eole] is really gaining a lot of momentum in the Grand Prix ring and this circuit has been great for us so far,” said Ward. “Danny [Foster] has always been consistent with building good courses and proved that again today with a really nice track.”

Foster’s first-round course proved difficult as nearly half the 28-entry class fell victim to his double and triple combinations. The course did not see a clear round until the eighth go, when Ward posted a time of 87.380 seconds – 4.619 seconds faster than the time allowed. Overall, the course only produced three clear rounds. Isabelle LaPierre of Breakeyville, Quebec, Canada in the irons of La Chaudiere Farm’s Vicki Vale joined Ward and posted the second clear round after 13 unsuccessful trips. Darragh Kerins of Wellington, Florida on Miranda Fischer’s Hot Wheels joined Ward and LaPierre in the jump-off after posting the third and final clear ride in the first round.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties

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© ESI Photography. Jenny Fischer and Freedom's Storm on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 5, 2011) — For the second week in a row the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix has been the top draw on the schedule at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, proving once again that the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final has ignited a new level of excitement in the sport of hunters. A record high of 70 starters competed in Saturday’s feature class for hunters with Jenny Fischer of Montgomery, New York taking top honors aboard Stormy Good’s Freedom’s Storm.

“I still need a few more Devoucoux classes before I’m eligible to be on the point list,” said Fischer, who now has two of the five classes needed to become eligible for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final. “Winning today’s class with so many in it is a huge step in the right direction. HITS Saugerties is basically my home this spring and summer, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to qualify to compete for $500,000.”

Ten show rings were in action yesterday, as picture-perfect weather had exhibitors out competing in full force. Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York set a stunning course for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix which, in addition to drawing record entries, also drew a large crowd of spectators.

Continue reading Jenny Fischer and Freedom’s Storm Beat Out 70 Starters to Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties →