Tag Archives: HITS-on-the-Hudson

USEF National Junior Hunter Championship Continues

©ESI Photography. Lillie Keenan rode to victory for the second time in Tuesday's $4,000 Large Junior Hunter 15 & Under Classic Round aboard Madison.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 3, 2011) – On Tuesday, the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast at HITS-on-the-Hudson welcomed Junior equestrians to the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium for the first phase of competition. Riders vied for individual Champion awards as well as Wild Card Berths in September’s Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

Riders in Small Junior 15 and Under, Large Junior 15 and Under, Small Junior 16-17, and Large Junior 16-17 completed the first two phases of the three-phase format on Tuesday. The initial standings were established after the scores from a $4,000 Classic Hunter Round, worth 40% of the overall score, were then coupled with the scores of the $2,000 Under Saddle Phase, worth 20% of the overall score. After the third and final phase, the top ten overall in each section will be pinned, and the champion rider of each section will receive a Wild Card Berths for September’s Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

Small Junior Hunter 15 & Under

Lillie Keenan of New York, New York aboard Don Stewart’s Confidential established a strong hold on the top spot of the overall rankings in the Small Juniors 15 and Under, winning both the Classic Round with a score of 88 and the Under Saddle with an impressive 92.

“My goal is to qualify for the [Diamond Mills] $500,000 [Hunter Prix] Final and winning the Wild Card would be great,” said Keenan, who trains with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm. “I would love to show Confidential in the Hunter Prix Final. He is so much fun to ride and the class will be a great match for us.”

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Opening Day of USEF National Junior Hunter Championships – East Coast Crowns Winners in ASPCA Maclay, WIHS Equitation Classic and USEF/Pessoa Medals

©ESI Photography. Kendell Adelberger and Redfield Farm’s Werner took home the top honors in Monday's ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 2, 2011) — This week, HITS-on-the-Hudson is host to some of the best junior riders in the country as it welcomes the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast to the Saugerties show grounds.

Action got underway yesterday with four equitation classes and will continue through Wednesday as Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17, and Large Juniors 16-17 will compete for the National Championship as well as a Wild Card berth in the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII this September.

“The Junior Hunter National Championships have been a highlight of the HITS-on-the-Hudson Summer Series and we are pleased to welcome the event back to Saugerties,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “We felt strongly that this year’s Champions deserve a spot in the Hunter Prix Final and we hope this will help to contribute some additional excitement and attention to the Junior Hunter Finals.”

ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal
Kendell Adelberger of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania kicked off three days of Hunter competition with a win in the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal, aboard Redfield Farm’s Werner. Adelberger is trained by Emil Spadone and topped a field of 15 to capture the blue. The group faced a technical course in HITS’ Hunter Stadium and then their equitation was put to the test on the flat.

Continue reading Opening Day of USEF National Junior Hunter Championships – East Coast Crowns Winners in ASPCA Maclay, WIHS Equitation Classic and USEF/Pessoa Medals

Sarah Milliren Captures the USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup at HITS-on-the-Hudson

©ESI Photography. Sarah Milliren captured this year's prestigious USHJA/Essex Classic Hunterdon Cup at the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championships - East Coast aboard Don Stewart's War Eagle.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 3, 2011) — Sarah Milliren of Sapula, Oklahoma was all smiles when the number 515 – her number – was announced as the winner of Tuesday’s USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup, the jewel of the equitation competition at the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast at HITS Saugerties.

Milliren, trained by Bibby Hill and Don Stewart, rode to victory in the three-round class aboard Stewart’s War Eagle. According to Milliren, her smiles were both of joy and a little bit of shock as Lillie Keenan of New York, New York was pinned second aboard Catherine Cowie’s Vidarco.

“I was so surprised when we won the class – I thought Lillie had it,” said Milliren. “I have never won anything like this before, so it is really exciting.”

She finished the first round with a score of 85 to sit sixth, and then scored an impressive 90 points in the second round, which placed her in third with a total of 175 points going in for the final test.

Milliren posted a score of 89 points in the third-round test of eight fences. Per the specifications of the class, judges Hap Hansen and Russell Frey had riders switch horses, to serve as the deciding factor for the class. Milliren, therefore, rode Scott Stewart’s Vip Z to the blue, originally ridden in the class by Victoria Colvin of Loxchatchee, Florida. Milliren, however, couldn’t deny her original mount the credit he was due.

“[War Eagle] made the course seem simple,” she added. “He was amazing and I could not have asked for a better performance from him.”

Continue reading Sarah Milliren Captures the USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Cup at HITS-on-the-Hudson

Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

© ESI Photography. Margie Engle and Ashland Farms' Lord Spezi on course in Friday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (July 23, 2011) — With competition taking place in 10 different show rings and more than 1,600 horses on the premises, the opening week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson summer series is going like gangbusters, proving that Saugerties, New York is the place to be this summer.

Olympian Margie Engle picked up right where she left off upon her return to HITS-on-the-Hudson when she piloted Ashland Farms’ Lord Spezi to an exciting victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Engle and Lord Spezi had a very successful start to their season in Saugerties back in June when they won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and finished sixth together in the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix during HITS-on-the-Hudson III.

“He [Lord Spezi] had the winter off and we showed together here Week III where we did really well together,” said Engle. “We’re back for the summer and looking to qualify for the [Pfizer] Million. He’s a funny horse, he has a cocky attitude, but in a good way. He knows when he does a good job. Sometimes, after a jump he’ll let out a little buck, showing off like ‘Wow! Look what I did’. He’s not a very big horse, but he has a very big personality.”

Friday’s win did not come easy for Engle as 39 other starters stood in her way at the outset of the class, including fellow Olympians McLain Ward, Peter Leone, Todd Minikus, Kevin Babington and Manuel Torres. International Course Designer Marina Azevedo of Brazil set a challenging course in the roomy Strongid C 2X Stadium that included a double combination early in the track, a water jump mid-way through the route and a triple combination at the second-to-last fence, which proved to be the downfall of many riders on the course.

Continue reading Margie Engle Beats Out 40 Starters to Take the Win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson IV

Entries for the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast Close Today and Marks the Return of the Event to Saugerties

©Lili Weik Photography. Danielle Cooper and Frank Madden enjoy a moment in the winner's circle after Amalfi and Cooper were named the 2009 Grand Champion.

Saugerties, NY (July 13, 2011) – Junior riders will make an anticipated return to Saugerties, New York this summer to compete in the USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast. The three-day event will kick off August 1 and entries must be post-marked by today.

Young talent from all corners of the country will meet at the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds to compete for almost $50,000 in prize money as well as a chance to earn a wild card spot in the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, coming to Saugerties this fall. The Champion Rider from each of the four sections of the Junior Hunter Final will be given a Wild Card berth in the inaugural Hunter Prix Final – a chance to compete for a record-breaking $150,000 winner’s purse.

The Championship features competition for Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17, and Large Juniors 16-17 in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

The Championships will also feature the prestigious USHJA/Essex Classics Hunterdon Equitation Cup Classic. Since its inception, the Hunterdon Cup has grown in importance and has become one of the most coveted titles for junior equitation riders. Equitation classes will consist of the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Class and the WIHS Equitation Classic.

HITS will roll out the red carpet for the championships and will treat these up-and-coming equestrian stars VIP treatment with gourmet catering. Giuseppe Napoli, Executive Chef at the new Diamond Mills Hotel scheduled to open in Saugerties this fall, will spearhead the catering efforts.

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

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

© 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.

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Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties

© ESI Photography. Danielle Torano and Katina cruise to a victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (May 28, 2011) — The road to the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix made its highly-anticipated return to HITS-on-the-Hudson on Friday with the first of 14 Grand Prix Qualifiers that will take place in Saugerties this show season. Danielle Torano of SW Ranches, Florida captured the win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard her own Katina to kick off what promises to be a fantastic weekend of show jumping at HITS Saugerties.

A night of wild thunderstorms rolled through the Hudson Valley on late Thursday night and paved the way for a beautiful day of warm weather on Friday, which set the stage for a perfect afternoon of show jumping in the beautiful Strongid C 2X Stadium. The course for the class was set by Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida. Two-time Olympic Medalist Leslie Burr Howard of Darien, Connecticut was the first rider of the class to go clear aboard The Utah Group’s Utah. Andrew Bourns of Wellington, Florida soon joined Burr-Howard in the jump-off with a clear ride of his own aboard Gowran Park. By the end of the first round nine riders advanced to the jump-off, including Torano and her relatively new horse Katina.

“The triple combination was by far the most difficult,” explained Torano of the first round. “It was heading toward the in-gate and came at a slight bend, so you really needed to focus and get your horse to focus. But Katina is the sort of horse that really gives you her all and puts her heart into the ride.”

Continue reading Danielle Torano and Katina Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties