Monday, July 6th was the first day that any horse show was given permission from the State of New York to legally operate. HITS took advantage of the fabulous day, culminating with a $100,000 Grand Prix that featured an excellent field of High Performance riders. Four riders were clean in the first round and returned for the jump-off.
As the last to return and with only one other clear rider in the jump-off, McLain Ward had the goal of being careful and quick as he navigated CATOKI through the shortened course. A time of 38.984 secured the win for Ward, and he said, “It’s great to get back showing here in Saugerties. This field of horses and riders made this the toughest National level Grand Prix that I have ever competed in, in my life! This was great sport and we are excited for what the next couple of months hold in store”.
2nd Place: Mario Deslauriers & AMSTERDAM 27 [40.493]
3rd Place: Ward & CLINTA [4-Faults, 38.430]
“This is a great start to what looks to be a fantastic summer of showing in Saugerties that will culminate in the AIG $500,000 Grand Prix during the FEI 5-Star event,” said Ward. “So many of my peers were asking me if this series would get off the ground and I must say it is off to a resounding start and looks like fantastic show jumping ahead, with fantastic prize money.”
HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri remarked “It has been a long path to getting these Saugerties shows going from NYS challenges to other challenges, but now that we are going, our focus returns to offering a safe environment and great sport. Come enjoy the competition in Saugerties!”
Jumper Classic Winners
$1,000 M&S Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic – Low: Mica Rose Frank & DESPINA
$2,500 M&S Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Katarina Muhlhauser & FERRARI T
$2,500 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic: Ashley Baker & COOLMANN 7
$5,000 Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: Baker & EVITA S
Daphne Garrett and LORDANOS joined the Winner’s Circle with scores of 84 and 62, totaling a 146 in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.
2nd Place: Kaitlyn Parker & NOTORIOUS [141]
3rd Place: Parker & TIMOTHY VAN HET LINDENHOF Z [125]
Today’s competition also featured a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, where Michael Desiderio secured first place aboard ZERO TOLERANCE with scores of 92 and 91.5 for 183.5 cumulative score.
2nd Place: Heather Caristo-Williams & UNITED COLORS [181]
3rd Place: Desiderio & KING POWER [180]
“We always love showing at HITS Saugerties because there are so many different rings with the Grand Prix Stadium being one of my favorites,” said Heather Caristo-Williams, a native to Saugerties, New York. “We’re especially lucky in times like these because my clients and I are able to take advantage of showing at a world-class facility, while staying at home. We are very thankful that Tom has put in so much effort to making it [HITS Saugerties] a safe place to show so that we may carry on with our business.”
Hunter Classic Winners
$500 M&S SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Casey Zuraitis & FINESSE
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic: Anastasia Klyashtorny & I SPY A RAINBOW
Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Saugerties Monday competition.
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