Tag Archives: Patricia Griffith

Hunter/Equitation, Jump Media, Show Jumping

Daniel Bluman and Sancha LS Claim $35,700 Old Salem Farm Jumper Classic CSI3*

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Daniel Bluman riding Sancha LS. Photo by The Book LLC.

North Salem, NY – Two-time Olympian Daniel Bluman (ISR) piloted longtime mount Sancha LS to victory in the $35,700 Old Salem Farm Jumper Classic CSI3* on Saturday, May 18, at the 2019 Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows, running through May 19 at Old Salem Farm in North Salem, NY.

Bluman and Sancha LS, a 16-year-old SLS mare (Chin Chin x Polydor), have been competing as a team for ten years and their strong partnership paid off at Old Salem Farm. The final pair to tackle Ken Krome’s (USA) jump-off course from an original field of 28, Bluman and Sancha LS were chasing Madison Goetzmann (USA) and her own Prestigious. They sat as the current leaders on a time of 38.10 seconds with only Bluman to return in a seven-horse tie-breaker.

“I knew what I had to do and she has done it for me so many times,” said Bluman of Sancha LS after saving the best for last and posting a winning time of 37.97 seconds. “Madison put up a good target, but I used Sancha’s big stride and gave it a go. I’m happy that it worked out for us. I can only say good things about her. It’s been a blessing to have her and I consider every chance I have to go in the ring with her a blessing. She owes me nothing!”

Patricia Griffith Tops $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby

The plan at the start of the week was for Lexi Maounis to pilot her own Sonder in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, presented by The Gochman Family. When a scheduling conflict prevented that from happening, Heritage Farm trainer Patricia Griffith got the call asking her to take on the ride. The last-minute switch proved a positive, and Griffith rode Sonder to scores of 90 and 94 in the two-round derby to take the win over Michael Zukerman and Cue The Blue.

Griffith and Sonder bested a field of 50 over courses set by Nick Granat of Palm Beach, FL. Their total score of 184 took the lead by nearly 10 full points.

“For these classes you need that super brave, good jumping, athletic horse and he’s all of that,” said Griffith of Sonder, a six-year-old Westphalian gelding by PR.H. Valeron. “He’s up for the challenge and really gets into the handy. When you challenge him like that it always makes him better.”

Sydney Shulman and Villamoura Reunite for Under 25 Grand Prix Victory

While competing at the 2018 American Gold Cup at Old Salem Farm, Sydney Shulman’s mount Villamoura sustained an eye injury and has been sidelined for the past eight months. They returned to the show ring at the Old Salem Farm Spring Horse Shows and scored a win right out of the gate in the $10,000 Under 25 Grand Prix, presented by Miller Motorcars.

Shulman, 24, and Villamoura were one pair of seven to jump clear over the first round and advance to the jump-off. They returned and stopped the clock clear again in 35.340 seconds for the win over Jeremy Sweetnam (IRL) aboard Cliff Z for owner Gotham Enterprizes.

“This is a huge deal for me because she’s my best horse, my favorite horse, and this was our goal to be able to show here this year,” said Shulman, whose mother Jill has owned Villamoura for four years. “We brought her back nicely and made sure she was fit enough for this. I’m beyond thrilled and so happy to have her back. I really missed her this winter.”

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jennifer@jumpmediallc.com

Championships, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, USHJA

Patricia Griffith and Sandy Ferrell Earn Top Honors in USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship

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Photo: Patricia Griffith and Endeavor.

Lexington, Ky. – Aug. 16, 2018 – The final phase of riding for both the 3’/3’3” and 3’6”/3’9” divisions of the 2018 Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship took place Thursday afternoon, bringing back eligible exhibitors to the Walnut Ring for one final time around the course and a shot at the greatest purse of the three-day competition. Patricia Griffith and Endeavor added to their two previous performances with an uncatchable score in the 3’/3’3” competition to ride away with the victory, while Sandy Ferrell and Hemingway followed suit with the highest score of the entire competition to emerge as the inaugural winners of the 3’6”/3’9” section.

Entering the ring just slightly more than halfway through the order in the 18th slot, Griffith and Callie Seaman’s Endeavor were up against the leading score at the time of 263, earned by Sara Taylor and Ingrid Avera’s Noah who rode eight trips earlier. Displaying an excellent show of precision and consistency, Griffith and the 9-year-old bay gelding made their way smoothly around Bobby Murphy’s 11-fence track at the 3’3” height to the tune of scores of 88, 88.5 and 88.5 for a cumulative 265 points from the judges to take over the top spot on the leaderboard. The talented pair was chased by their subsequent counterparts, and although a handful would lay down solid performance to earn scores in the high 80s, ultimately none could catch them on the scorecard, solidifying Griffith and Endeavor as the blue ribbon and biggest prize money winners of the afternoon in their section.

One of the last to ride and Wednesday’s class winner, Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM First Dibs jumped their way into the reserve spot with a total tally of 264.50, just half of a point behind Griffith and Endeavor. Fenney and MTM First Dibs edged out the 2019 champions in terms of prize money by just a few hundred dollars thanks to their top rankings in each of the three phases. Though Taylor and Noah were bumped from the top of the podium, the duo maintained a top finish to finish with the bronze medal, trailed by three-time champion Scott Stewart with Rivers Edge’s Everwonder in fourth position. Kim Buzby, in the saddle aboard Catherine Cox’s Final Cut, took fifth position.

Earlier in the morning, the first round of the two-phase 3’6”/3’9” section of the Platinum Performance/USHJA Green Hunter Incentive Championship determined the top 30 finishers out of the 42 original entries that would return for a stake at more prize money and the top honors. Over the first course, Hunt Tosh rode Ceil Wheeler’s Bastogne to the high score of 268, followed by Ferrell with the reins aboard Stephanie Bulger’s Hemingway with marks of 265 from the three panels of judges. Though the second round operated with riders returning with a blank slate, Tosh and Ferrell, along with other top contenders Stewart, Liza Boyd, and Katherine Newman, among others, had already once proved their horses’ prowess in the ring to earn a favorable reputation headed into the grand finale.

Unlike the prior class, more entries opted for the smaller fences in the final class of the day, with only five pairs electing to tackle the 3’9” obstacles and the rest preferring the 3’6” height. One of the first horse-and-athlete combinations to maneuver the course, Kelley Farmer and Aizlynn Radwanski’s Shameless set the bar high with a score of 264, the same score that had earned Fenney’s reserve placing only a few minutes before. Farmer’s lead would not hold long though, as Ferrell and Hemingway entered the showring as the 11th in the order of go, laying down a textbook trip to earn scores of 90, 92 and 93 for a composite score of 275 points, the highest of both height sections across all three days. Ferrell and Hemingway waited out their peers, and in the end were awarded with the rosette and the greatest stake of the pot.

Farmer and Shameless remained unsurpassed by any other exhibitors to clinch the reserve championship honors, while Stewart tied himself aboard two mounts owned by Dr. Betsee Parker, Private Life and Harvard Hall. Liza Boyd showcased Maggie Hill’s Tradition to the next-highest score on the scorecard to round out the top five.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Patricia Griffith Wins $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby at HITS Ocala

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(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Patricia Griffith and Clearline Z.

Ocala, FL (February 12, 2017): The first of two $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derbies at HITS Post Time Farm commenced on Saturday during Week IV of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. As the sun set and the lights in Ocala Horse Properties Stadium came to life, the crowd watched in anticipation to witness who could master the course with finesse and the highest caliber of precision.

Preluding the FEI Nation’s Cup Jumping CSIO4* week at HITS Ocala, a big hunter week, including a USHJA Pony Hunger Derby, unfolded and the stage was set – Tim Hott of Cumming, Iowa designed a beautiful course of 13 fences for the 47 who gathered from the East Coast and beyond to contest the two-round derby.

The winner would be Patricia Griffith of New York, New York riding Clearline Z. Griffith would also capture the fifth-place prize riding Charisma, owned by Heritage Farm, Inc. Griffith additionally stole away with the win in the 2016 $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship last September.

Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kansas would also walk away with two ribbons in the top five placings, second and fourth. The second-place prize would come aboard Any Given Sunday, owned by Hays Investment Corp.  Fourth place was earned piloting The Governor, also owned by Hays Investment Corp.

Two panels of judges including Scott Fitton, Streett Moore, Kathleen Rice and Sissy Wickes critiqued each rider’s craft.

Unique to the Derby format, in addition to the base score, each judging panel awarded an Option Bonus Score consisting of one additional point for every higher height option fence jumped. As 12 returned for the second round, judges awarded a base score, Option Bonus Score and a Handy Bonus Score, assessing the handiness of the round.

Kristy Herrera and Miss Lucy, owned by Helen Lenahan, finished the first round on top with a score of 185.5, but a talented list of contenders ready to rally for blue still filled the second-round Order. They would ultimately settle for sixth place with a second round score of 169 for an overall total of 354.5.

Patricia Griffith entered second in the order with fifth-place ride, Charisma. Opting for all four height options and getting a handy bonus score of 15, they received the highest total of the second round to boost them up in the standings with a 190.5. Their first round score, 165, added to the mix gave them an overall total of 355.5.

Sixth in the order to return, Holloway and Any Given Sunday were meticulous in their pursuit of a win, coming back seventh after the first round, they opted for three height options and received a combined total of 13 Handy Bonus Points. It was quite the comeback, but not enough to garner the lead. A first-round score of 171.5 combined with a second-round score of 197 totaled 368.5 would give them the red ribbon.

Two trips later, Holloway would return with her second mount, The Governor. They earned a second-round score of 186.5, which combined with their first-round score of 173.5, gave them a total of 360 for the eventual fourth-place.

Griffith and Clearline Z entered the second round ninth in the order and in the current fourth place. They opted for all four height options and received 15 handy bonus points, giving them a high second-round total of 203. Combined with their first round total of 177, they topped the field for the eventual win with an overall total of 380.

Westminster, Maryland equestrian Samantha Schaefer was the final contestant of the eventual top five to return to the second round. She piloted In The Know, owned by Madeline Schaefer, to the second highest score of a 188.5, added to their first round total of 179 that gave them a 367.5 for the ultimate third-place prize.

The $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will make several more visits to HITS this year including once more at the Ocala Winter Circuit during Week X, Coachella Desert Circuit in Week VIII, two at HITS Saugerties (Week IV & VI) and HITS Chicago (Week III & II). The extra opportunity for a prestigious hunter victory and top-level prize money has hunters in high pursuit of a Derby victory.

Maddie Tosh and Flashback Win $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby

Junior riders turned out for the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. The Pony Hunter Derby took place during Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit and exhibitors were chomping at the bit to compete.

(C) ESI Photography. Maddie Tosh and Flashback

The team to beat was Maddie Tosh of Milton, Georgia and Flashback, owned by Madeline Schaefer. They finished the first round with a score of 84, earning a 76 in the second round for a total of 160.

Not only would Tosh win first place, but she would take home third place as well, taking the yellow ribbon with Cozy Up – their scores of 75 and 77 gave them a total of 152.

Second in the ribbons went to Avery Zwim, riding out of Tampa, Florida, piloting Rapunzel. The pair came in with a total score just one point behind Tosh’s winning score, a 159, combined by their scores of 78 and 81, respectively.

The final five would round out with Sophia Ayers of Reddick, Florida, who took home both fourth and fifth place prizes. Ayers piloted Prima Ballerina to fourth place with a first round score of 63, improving to an 84 in the second round for a total of 147.

Her fifth place ribbon with Bianca came after being awarded a score of 80 in the first round and 60 in the second for a total of 146.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Patricia Griffith and Platinum Shine On in $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

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©ESI Photography. Patricia Griffith is well on her way to another Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final win, this time with Platinum.

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 8, 2014) – Patricia Griffith of White Plains, New York is back in top contention for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, after a pair of 90s gave her and Platinum, owned by Lexi Maounis, the Devoucoux Hunter Prix win this weekend. They topped a field of 38, posting a score of 180 – eight points higher than second-place finisher Laena Romond of Colchester, Vermont and Heritage Farm-owned Shoemaker.

Platinum and Platinum have been here before – they qualified for the Inaugural Final in 2011, as well as 2012 and 2013. She ultimately chose to compete Sienna all three years and won in 2012. This year however, it might be Platinum’s turn. “He’s my choice for the upcoming qualifiers and has real potential to take me to the final this year,” said Griffith of the 13-year-old Warmblood gelding.

“I know him well – rode him as a pre-green and first year. He’s lovely, smooth, balanced and really fun,” she said.

“Plus this [Outside] course at HITS is always interesting and you can never take the bank jumps for granted,” noted Griffith. “Last week we had trouble coming down the hill, so focused on it this week and redeemed ourselves.” Griffith put Platinum’s floating stride to work, catching beautiful distances with seamless lead changes throughout.

Fellow Heritage Farm riders have dubbed Griffith’s return to Platinum’s tack a “HITS Saugerties reunion,” and successful one at that. The farm went one-two in the Devoucoux, as Romond and Shoemaker scored a pair of 86s for a total of 172 and second. After a win last week with Cascor’s Splendor, David Oliynyk of Franklin, Massachusetts again finished in the top three, this time in the irons of Lori Gaudet’s Generous. He scored an 85.5, which they repeated in the second round.

Heather Caristo-Williams of Saugerties, New York and Cornetto Royal, owned by Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo, continued their consistent rounds with scores of 80 and 86 — holding them steady at forth. Morgan Ward of Milford, New Jersey rounded out the top five with scores of 82 and 82.5 on Redfield Farm’s Coke Z.

This weekend marked the completion of spring qualifiers for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final Championship on September 7. Competitors will continue to battle it out for the title, and $500,000 prize, when they return to Saugerties during the HITS summer series July 16 through August 4.

©ESI Photography. Kathryn Haefner and Columbus jump to a win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
©ESI Photography. Kathryn Haefner and Columbus jump to a win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Kathryn Haefner has seen her fair share of HITS Championship glory, and watched her mare La Bonita win the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with Jimmy Torano in the irons last year. Now she’s aiming for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final, except she’s in the irons, riding her other horse Columbus. Today the pair came one step closer to that goal, winning the $1,500 qualifier.

They bested 29 other competitors and rode to an 88 in the first round and posted a 90 in the second for the win.

Madeleine Stover of Chester, New Hampshire rode Elizabeth Richter’s Concierge to an 83 and 85 for second. Third was Kendal Fately of Basking Ridge, New Jersey with scores of 87 and 79 aboard her own Magnetic.

Merle Beach of Vergennes, Vermont finished fourth on her own Cosa Nostra with an 80 and 83. Rindy Dominguez of Barrington, Rhode Island and Eclipse rounded out the top five with an 86 and 73.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

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

HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions

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©ESI Photography. McLain Ward and Antares F capped a banner year with a win in yesterday’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 10, 2012) – While the tunes of concert headliner Michael McDonald played in the background, McLain Ward soaked in another Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix victory last night. After riding to a win in the inaugural event in 2010 aboard the famed mare Sapphire, Ward returned to glory, this time in the irons of Grant Road Partners, LLC’s Antares F, who is fresh off the Olympic Games in London.

“With being injured and trying to qualify for the Olympics, our schedule was a little unpredictable this year, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of this class and it was a great thing to aim this horse to at the end of his year,” said Ward. “The jumps were beautiful and the course was hard. You needed a real Olympic caliber horse to jump a lot of those obstacles.”

Ward of Brewster, New York was one of three riders to produce clear rounds over Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s intimidating track. Petersen tested riders with scope, turns, distances and everything in between. The 14-obstacle course offered several options for both approaches and striding, but specifically tested riders at a one-stride to a one-stride triple combination at fence 11. He also included a four-meter wide water element and a long two-stride double combination early in the course.

Continue reading HITS Dishes Out $1.75 Million Dollars and Crowns New Grand Prix, Hunter and Equitation Champions →

Competitions, Events, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jennifer Brennan and Ducky Speed to Victory in $1,500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic at Brandywine Valley Summer Series

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Jennifer Brennan and Ducky Speed won $1,500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series. Photo By: Ron Schwane Photography

Devon, PA – July 7, 2011 – Bright, sunny skies kicked off the day at the Brandywine Valley Summer Series, presented by Taylor Harris Insurance Services, but as the jumpers took to the Dixon Oval at the Devon Show Grounds scattered thunderstorms moved into the area. The riders prevailed through the wet weather, with Patricia Griffith and Wieminka B taking the top spot in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, while Jennifer Brennan and Ducky scored the winning title in the $1,500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic.

The $1,500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic was the last class of the day in the Dixon Oval, where riders showed over a technical course by Kenny Krome. The first round featured a triple bar, three double combinations, and a liverpool. Eight from the original starting order advanced to the short course, where riders had to start over the triple bar and make a bending line to a single vertical. They then made a sharp right turn to a single oxer and turned to a single vertical, before making their way through a vertical-oxer double combination, a related vertical, and a final wide oxer.

Jennifer Brennan and Ducky, owned by Shannon Dell, were the fastest of the fast, completing a double clear effort in just 31.890 seconds to take home the winning ribbon. “Today I just wanted to be fast and clean,” she explained after the victory gallop. “There weren’t any sneaky inside turns, I just had to keep him straight and point him at the jumps. Ducky is awesome, very easy to ride. He knows his job and he’s as competitive as you are. If you want to win, he wants to win more!”

The second place prize went to Olivia Fry Weeks and H. J. El Divino, who stopped the clock just one second short of the leading time in 32.803 seconds. The first to tackle the track was Isabelle Caccamise and Qrocus Landais, who broke the beam at 35.135 seconds for third. Rounding out the top four was yesterday’s winner, Patrick McGinnia and JET Show Stables’ Conn, who tripped the timers in 35.387 seconds with all the rails intact.

Continue reading Jennifer Brennan and Ducky Speed to Victory in $1,500 NAL/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic at Brandywine Valley Summer Series →

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

Olympians Clinch Grand Prix Wins, Local Families Enjoy HITS-on-the-Hudson, and Devoucoux Hunter Prix Riders Gain Momentum as the Race to Pfizer Million Weekend Continues

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© ESI Photography. Patricia Griffith on course with Lexi Maounis' Platinum in Saturday's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 17, 2011) — The HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds in Saugerties, New York were bustling for three weeks straight as entries poured in, barns were at capacity and the weather cooperated for a successful spring show series – a momentum that should transition to HITS Culpeper at Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia July 6-17.

Grand Prix classes welcome Olympic medalists
Olympic riders proved why they have medals in their trophy cases, winning four out of the six Grand Prix classes offered during the three weeks of competition. McLain Ward of Brewster, New York rode to victory three times in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium, capturing Grand Prix purses of $25,000, $50,000 and $75,000. Margie Engle of West Palm Beach, Florida, lauded as the winningest female rider in the world, started her time in Saugerties off on the right foot by winning the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome. She went on to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during week II.

Joining the ranks of Ward and Engle was Danielle Torano of Southwest Ranches, Florida, who kicked off the spring Grand Prix circuit with a win in the first $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during week I. Also making his mark on the high-performance world was Hector Florentino of the Dominican Republic, who made his HITS Saugerties debut in style with a win in the $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during the final hours of competition in week III.

Continue reading Olympians Clinch Grand Prix Wins, Local Families Enjoy HITS-on-the-Hudson, and Devoucoux Hunter Prix Riders Gain Momentum as the Race to Pfizer Million Weekend Continues →

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

Patricia Griffith Dominates the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to Highlight the Hunters at HITS-on-the-Hudson III in Saugerties, New York

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© ESI Photography. Patricia Griffith on course with Lexi Maounis' Platinum in Saturday's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (June 12, 2011) — Patricia Griffith made the most of her time at HITS-on-the-Hudson this week when she took first and second place against a field of 61 starters in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. She finished first aboard Platinum and second aboard Sienna, both owned by Lexi Maounis.

“I thought it was a perfect course,” said Griffith of Katonah, New York, who is a professional at Heritage Farm. “Rian [Beals] did a great job with the course. It had a perfect mix of single and bending lines that all rode very nicely.”

Griffith had two horses in the second round, which saw the top 12 with the highest scores from the first round return. She showed first aboard Sienna and took over the lead, previously held by Jenny Fischer and Stormy Good’s Freedom’s Storm. Fischer and Freedom’s Storm, the winners of last week’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, finished third in the ribbons this week.

“After I showed Sienna I thought my score would be really hard to beat,” Griffith explained. “I was surprised when I returned again last on Platinum that I was able to beat my own score. This horse has been fantastic though and I’m very proud of the win.”

Continue reading Patricia Griffith Dominates the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to Highlight the Hunters at HITS-on-the-Hudson III in Saugerties, New York →