HITS Working Hunters Kick Off Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals
SAUGERTIES, NY (September 12, 2013) – The first day of the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson hinted at an exciting week forthcoming. Competition got underway yesterday in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium as HITS Working Hunters, both Professional and Non-Professional strutted their stuff.
Rob Burroughs and Spellbound ride to a clean sweep of the HITS Working Hunter – Professional
Rob Burroughs of Pompton Plains, New Jersey delivered Tricia Flood, who owns Spellbound, Champion honors after piloting the nine-year-old Trekehner mare to the top of the HITS Working Hunter – Professional division. Burroughs and Spellbound rode to a pair of 84s to win both over fences classes and topped all comers in the under saddle, to dominate the division.
Burroughs, trainer at North Jersey Equestrian Center, is spending the week at the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals with his group of qualified riders.
Greta Heimbold of Howell, New Jersey finished eighth in the first over fences class, but returned with a score of 75 to finish third in the second aboard Jayna Suoninen’s Diesel Only. She then rode to second place in the under saddle to earn Reserve Champion with the 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding.
©ESI Photography
Rob Burroughs guides Spellbound to HITS Working Hunter – Professional Championship during Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson.
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Rob Burroughs and Spellbound accept awards from Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance and Kristen Vale of HITS after winning the HITS Working Hunter – Professional Championship.
Lena Reeb comes off a big week to capture HITS Working Hunter – Non-Professional
After riding to seventh place in last week’s HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson, Lena Reeb of Weston, Connecticut and Jamie Ringel’s Private Ryan didn’t slow down one bit, returning to the ring Wednesday to take Champion in the HITS Working Hunter – Non-Professional division.
An 82 landed Reeb with third place in the first over fences class, and she returned with an impressive 90 to win the second class. Reeb also won the first over fences class with Susan Schoellkopf’s Call Me.
“Private Ryan was so great out there today,” said Reeb. “He goes so well in the grand prix ring because I can get him on a nice long stride, which made all my rounds flow really nicely today.”
Reeb has been riding Private Ryan for several years and the two have a storied career together, with countless ribbons on their record. “I want to thank Jamie Ringel for letting me ride this horse – it’s a great opportunity to be able to ride a horse like this,” said Reeb who was also quick to hand out appreciation to her parents and her trainer Michelle West.
Adding to Reeb’s hardware, she and Private Ryan won the under saddle to clinch the division championship. “He tries so hard for me all the time,” said Reeb of Private Ryan. “It’s exciting to win Champion at a finals as prestigious as Marshall & Sterling [Insurance League National Finals] – it’s not every day we get to show in the grand prix ring.”
Taking Reserve Champion was Holly Caristo of Saugerties, New York with Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Caristo’s Hayden. They were second and seventh in the two over fences classes and finished second under saddle.
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Lena Reeb and Private Ryan on course during the HITS Working Hunter – Non-Professional at Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals.
©ESI Photography
Kristen Vale and Asia Manning of HITS present top honors to Lena Reeb and Private Ryan after they won the HITS Working Hunter – Non-Professional Championship.
HITS Working Hunter 2’
Victoria Rainis and her own Galen Raintree earned Champion honors in the HITS Working Hunter 2’ division during the Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals. Rainis and Galen Raintree won the first over fences class and were seventh in the second before riding to second place under saddle.
Behind Rainis, Madeleine Mallon piloted Laugh Out Loud, owned by Hannah Matts to Reserve Champion. Mallon won the second over fences class and rode Laugh Out Loud to eighth in the under saddle.
The Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals continues today as jumpers take the stage in the $7,500 Low Junior/Amateur, Adult and Children’s Jumper Classics, while one hunter rider will also be honored with the Adequan Hunter Championship. Then, the $1,500 Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic will be the featured event of the afternoon.
About The Marshall & Sterling League
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 22nd year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League had the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
The Marshall & Sterling League is proudly sponsored by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc. Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling is recognized throughout the nation as a leader in providing exceptional service and support. The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.