Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals: Part II

 

Saugerties, NY (September 20, 2016): Show jumping competition at HITS Saugerties continued throughout the weekend with the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals. Featuring specialty classes in Children’s and Adult Hunter, Jumper and Equitation, these unique finals gave a deserving group of riders their moment in the spotlight.

Dover Saddlery Adult Medal Final
Britta Lippert of Sea Girt, New Jersey, took home the coveted blue ribbon in Saturday’s Dover Saddlery Adult Medal Final. She topped a field of thirty with the highest first-round score of an 86.  Then moved into the final round on top to score an 85 among the top 12 that returned. Her combined scores led her to a victorious total of 171.

Second place went to Marmora, New Jersey rider Kendall Casaccio. She finished the first round with a score of 81, putting her in fourth heading into the second round. Climbing her way up the leaderboard with the highest score in the second round, an 86, sealed her spot in the placings with a total of 167. Casaccio and her mount Wilhelm also earned the second place prize in the $1,250 Adult Working Hunter.

Cady MacPherson of Pembroke, Massachusetts, went on to a third place finish with scores of 83 in the first round, and a 82.5 in the second round to finish just behind Casaccio with a total of 165.5.

Fourth place was awarded to Tracy Glicker. The equestrian also rounded out the M&S Finals with a fifth place ribbon in the $2,000 Adult Working Hunter Stake aboard Redford. The top five closed out with Matthew Lowe. 

For full results, click here.
 
(C) ESI Photography 
Britta Lippert and Archie taking home the Dover Saddlery Adult Medal Final win. 

 
 
M&S Child Pony Medal Final – Small/Medium
Hailey Pendl of Westtown, New York, gave a stellar performance worthy of the top prize in the Marshall & Sterling 2’6” Child Medal Finals. Boasting scores of 84 in both rounds, for a total of 168, she shined among her peers for the title win.

Thirty-two riders took their chance over the round one course designed by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. Testing the riders on their horsemanship skills, many competitors received scores in the mid-to-high seventies and low eighties—proving the field to be a competitive one.

The top twelve returned for round two and competition started on a high note with scores in the eighties for the first few entries. The rider to take home second place behind Pendl would ultimately be Maria Sabers of Stockton, New Jersey. She came into the second round in sixth place with a 79.5, making a tremendous comeback with the highest score of the final, an 85, to seal her place with a 164.5.

Alexa Lignelli brought in the third place prize just on the heels of second place, Sabers. Lignelli went into the second round with the leading score of 85, and her final round score of 79 gave her a total of 164, just behind Sabers by a half of a point.

Olivia Corwin took home fourth place, and the final five topped out with Hope Verschleiser. 

For full results, click here.
 
(C) ESI Photography 
Hailey Pendl and Tickle Me Pink, owned by Black Ridge Farm, winning the M&S Child Pony Medal Final - Small/Medium. 
 
Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final
MacKenzie Suffy of West Milford, New Jersey, rocked the M&S Junior Medal Final with a fifteen point lead over the competition. She claimed the highest scores in both rounds, an 86 and 73 respectively, for the triumphant total of 159.

Coming into second place was Ashley Delise of Pittstown, New Jersey. She came into the final round in fourth place with a score of 75, then she pushed her way up the rankings with a 69 in the second round for a 144-point total.

Hannah Matts claimed third place with scores of 77 and 65 for a total 142. Fourth place was awarded to Sarah Kessler and fifth place was Katy Merchant. 

For full results, click here
(C) ESI Photography 
MacKenzie Suffy and Meitreo H winning the M&S Junior Medal Final. 
 
Marshall & Sterling Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Final
Neshanic Station, New Jersey rider, Katy Merchant, bested a field of her peers aboard Caracas for the top prize in the M&S Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Final. After a fifth place finish in the M&S Junior Medal Final, the duo rose to the top in the class immediately following on Sunday with a solid score of 87.

Katherine Driscoll earned second place with Fiorano Z with a total of 81. Driscoll moved up the rankings after a flat phase that proved he worthy of a higher spot in the ribbons. Third place went to Anabel Barnett riding Rockafella with an 84-point round. Barnett, moved down behind Driscoll in the flat phase. 

Fourth place went to Danielle Markey riding Anabel Barnett’s Gineon. They scored behind Barnett with a 78. The curtain closed on the top five with Eileen O’Leary riding Baham Boy, owned by Bre Pickens. O’Leary and Bahama Boy scored the Adult Individual Gold Medal at the USHJA Child/Adult-Amateur Individual Jumper Championships at HITS Saugerties earlier this season.

For full results, click here.
 
(C) ESI Photography 
Katy Merchant and Caracas winning the M&S Jr/Am Horsemanship Final. 
 
Marshall & Sterling Children’s Pony Medal Final – Large
Forty-three riders and large ponies turned out to compete in the M&S Children’s Large Pony Medal Final in the hopes of claiming first-place honors.

Julia Bonvino of Manhasset, New York, was the rider to beat, claiming the top spot by nearly seven points. She came into the final round with an 82, which had her in second place, her score of 85 pulled her up  for the win with a total of 167.

Second place honors belonged to Tempe Saltiello of Lebanon, New Jersey. She scored an 80.5 in the first round, followed by a solid 80 in the second round for a total of 160.5.

Madyson Diaz was next in the ribbons for third. She came in just behind Saltiello with a total of 160, with scores of 84 and 76, respectively.

Fourth place went to Annika Srivastava and Mae Gordon took fifth place.

For full results, click here.
 
 
(C) ESI Photography 
Julia Bonvino and Another Jewel winning the M&S Children's Pony Medal Final - Large. 
 
Sore No-More Children’s Medal Final – Horses
Ella Holowesko stole the show in this special Sunday class among a talented and competitive field of 60. The top five all scored in the mid to high eighties, highlighting the challenge of scoring the leading round, which made the victory all the more sweet for Holowesko.

Holowesko earned a first round score of 86, bringing her into the second round in second place. Her final round score of 85 combined with their first round score gave her the winning total of 171.

Second place went to Annie Walsh. The equestrian also won the Child Hunter 14/U Reserve Championship. With scores of 87 and 80, she rode to a total of 167 for her spot on the leaderboard.

Devon Thomas took home third place honors. She scored an 85 in the first round, followed by an 81 in the final round for a total of 166.

Fourth place went to Raegan Landrum and the top five rounded out with Abigail Lefkowitz.

For full results, click here.
 
(C) ESI Photography 
Ella Holowesko and Keatings Lord, owned by Veronica Mullin, winning the Sore No-More Children's Medal Final - Horses.
 
Grand Hunter Champion
The Grand Hunter Champion was Serafino, owned by Elisabeth McFadden and ridden by Melissa Feller. Reserve Champion was Rio Cirque du Soleil owned by Anne Boyd, and ridden by Jessica Connor. 
 
Children’s Working Hunter – Pony Small
 The Champion honors in the Children’s Working Pony Hunter Small division were awarded to Jordyn Goldsmith aboard Crystal Acres Twinkle Toes. Reserve champion was Aerin Genatt riding Joe Currais’ Party Crasher.
 
 Children’s Working Hunter – Pony Medium
 The Champion honors in the Children’s Working Hunter Medium Pony division were awarded to Clara Propp aboard Saltwood Tuscany.  Reserve Champion was, once again, Aerin Genatt riding Look at Me.
 
Children’s Working Hunter – Pony Large
The Champion honors in the Children’s Working Hunter Large Pony division were awarded to Ella DiFazio aboard Pamina. Reserve Champion was Stella Propp riding News Day.
 
Children’s Working Hunter – Horse
The Champion honors in the Children’s Working Hunter Horse division were awarded to Lorelei Knadler aboard Huehuetenango. Reserve Champion was Hayden Wilkes riding Gatsby.
 
Best Junior Rider – Horse
The Best Junior Rider on a Horse was Annie Walsh.
 
Best Adult Rider
The Best Adult Rider was Samantha Karp.
 
Best Junior Rider – Pony
The Best Junior Rider on a Pony was Maria Sabers.
 
Special thanks to Equine Couture and Tuff Rider for sponsoring the Division Champion's Award of a "Champion" Equine Couture Regatta Rain Shell Jacket.
 
 
 
 
 
About HITS, Inc.
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.

While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5* in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS! Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail media_info@HitsShows.com.