HITS Chicago Spring Spectacular Series Concludes

The HITS Chicago Spring Spectacular Series at Lamplight Equestrian Center wrapped up last week with a full slate of hunter and jumper competition. Week III featured a $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the first of three International Derbies that will be offered this season, as well as a $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

HITS thanks exhibitors for continuing to comply with the health and safety measures being implemented. As the summer continues, HITS asks that all trainers, exhibitors and staff comply with social distancing, wearing of masks, and other protocols outlined in the HITS Horse Show Protocol. If you are on your way to HITS Chicago, please be sure to review the HITS Horse Show Protocol prior to your arrival.

Michael Burnett led the way aboard CHAGRAND to take home the win in the $2,500 Open Welcome on Wednesday. Burnett crossed the timers in 43.143 to secure the top spot.

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2nd Place: Sharn Wordley & ESMEE [44.458]
3rd Place: Nicole Loochtan & CAIMAN DES SEQUOIAS [47.591]

Thursday featured the $5,000 Jumper Classic in the Grand Prix Ring, where Lisa Goldman-Smolen claim top honors aboard RARITY in a time of 42.480.

2nd Place: Maggie Jayne & ARIZONA ODF [4-Faults, 39.796]
3rd Place: Willie Tynan & KEC CITY LIGHTS [4-Faults, 41.755]

Hunter Holloway made it to the five-horse jump-off in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix last Friday with all three of her mounts. Already on the roll at HITS Chicago, with multiple top finishes including winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix during Week II, Holloway and EASTERN JAM set to return first in the jump-off and clocked an unbeatable time of 36.153.

2nd Place: Lauren Balcomb & VERDINI D’HOUTVELD Z [40.124]
3rd Place: Holloway & PEPITA CON SPITA [41.256]

Molly Talla topped the field in the $10,000 HITS Open Jumper Prix on Saturday. Talla cleared the jump-off in a time of 36.320, beating the rest of the field by over two seconds, aboard HIRADO BLUE.

2nd Place: Tynan & BALLINTESKIN JOE [38.853]
3rd Place: Goldman-Smolen & RARITY [4-Faults, 38.064]

After several top finishes during the Spring Spectacular Series, including second and third places in last week’s Grand Prix, Wordley and CASPER secured the blue ribbon in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday to wrap-up the Spring Spectacular Series at Lamplight Equestrian Center. While the team didn’t have the fastest time in the jump-off, they were the most accurate and it paid off! Wordley was the only rider to jump double clear as he crossed the timers in 42.704.

2nd Place: Holloway & VDL BRAVO S [4-Faults, 42.175]
3rd Place: Holloway & PEPITA CON SPITA [4-Faults, 42.909]

$1,000 M&S/WIHS Child/Adult Jumper Classic: Leigh Nanda & EL CASPER
$1,000 NAL Child/Adult Jumper Classic: Nanda & EL CASPER
$1,000 M&S Modified Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Tessa Harper & NABUCO
$1,000 Dever M&S Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic:
Margaret Lucas & CLAY’S SOLITAIRE
$2,500 Chicago Equine Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic: Alexis Ortiz & LITTLE PAUL
$5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: Cathy Rolfs & COCO CHANELLE
$7,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic: Adeline Rohrbach & VALLADAM

Greg Crolick was victorious in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, as he took home both first and second place. His blue ribbon ride was aboard CONTO BLANCO with the high scores 95 and 92, respectively, that totaled 187 for the victory.

2nd Place: Crolick & CALISTO [182]
3rd Place: Meghan Kaupp & JETSON [172.5]

The Grand Prix Ring was transformed into a derby field with brush, natural fences, and hay bales on Saturday afternoon for the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. Topping an impressive field of riders with a one-two finish was Kelley Farmer for her rides aboard IN WRITING and CHANNING. Farmer and IN WRITING scored a 90 and 89 in the Classic Hunter Round for a total of 179. She then followed that up with scores of 91 and 92, totaling a 183 and an Overall score of 362 to win the class.

2nd Place: Farmer & CHANNING [356.5]
3rd Place: Holloway & RUBY TUESDAY [352]

USHJA Green Hunter Challenge: Crolick & CONTO BLANCO
USHJA Green Incentive: Crolick & POSITANO

$1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic: Kelsey Cruciotti & QUEEN CELESTE
$1,000 AIG Junior Hunter Classic: Taylor Landstrom & MERIDIAN
$500 SmartPak M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Taylor Horace & TITAN 150
$500 M&S Children’s Hunter Classic: Philippa Ammann & TIGGERTASTIC
$1,000 Perfect Products Small/Large Pony Hunter Classic: Lily Herzog & SMASH
$1,000 Perfect Products Medium Pony Hunter Classic:
Renee Signore & PRIM N PROPER

For a complete listing of results from Spring Spectacular III, click here.