That's a Wrap for the HITS Saugerties Spring Series

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That's a Wrap for the HITS Saugerties Spring Series
From FEI CSI2* Competition to the USHJA International Hunter Derby -
Check out the featured class winners from Week III

After three weeks of competition, the HITS Saugerties Spring Series has come to a close. The featured classes of HITS-on-the-Hudson III included the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby in the Hunter Stadium and the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition FEI CSI2* Grand Prix in the Wilmington Trust Grand Prix Stadium. Exhibitors from near and far enjoyed beautiful weather and great competition with rave reviews of the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds.
For the second week in a row, Peter Lutz would claim top honors in the $35,700 SmartPak Welcome FEI CSI2* aboard EXCELLENT. With each jump-off ride faster than the one before, Lutz was up for the challenge as the last to go in the jump-off. Lutz would fly through the timers for the win in a time of 38.30, nearly a full second faster than the second place finisher.

2nd Place: Willie Tynan & FANCY GIRL (39.22)
3rd Place: Laura Chapot & ISHD DUAL STAR (40.43)
International competitors returned to the Wilmington Trust Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition FEI CSI2* Grand Prix. Taking home top honors was Chapot for her ride aboard CHANDON BLUE.
“He [CHANDON BLUE], jumped really well both days. I had a super round on Friday but got beat in the end because a few people decided to take an inside turn to the in-and-out," Chapot said. "Today, I was really hoping we would make the jump-off because I felt like we had a good shot."

2nd Place: Michael Hutchinson & NEKTARINA B (39.71)
3rd Place: Alexanne Thibault & SANJAY (40.53)
“I knew there was a possibility of leaving out a stride from fence two to three," Chapot explained her plan going into the jump-off. "But I thought for my horse, it would be better just coming in at a little bit of an angle and trying to make a better turn back to the next fence. He has a lot of good ground speed and the last two fences were really quite a run, so I thought I could make up the time there," she continued.
“We’ll be back here for the summer," said Chapot. "We had a lot of success this year in Florida, winning six FEI classes, Grand Prix and qualifiers, and placed in the top three in three other classes so he has been really great for me," Chapot said as she praised CHANDON BLUE who she has had for just over a year. "We have really come together and know each other very well. I think an arena like this, that is big and open, really suits his style," she continued.
 
National Jumper competition kicked-off with the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome, where Chapot and UMBERTO took the win in a time of 40.917.

2nd Place: Jon McCrea & JASMIJN (47.088)
3rd Place: Chapot & GIDEON (42.917, 4-Faults)
 
Chapot would continue her winning streak in the $10,000 HITS Jumper Classic aboard CALAFORNIA. As the first to jump-off, her time of 45.581 would hold up for the win.

2nd Place: Thibault & CHACCO PRIME (47.290)
3rd Place: Chapot & OUT OF IRELAND (45.661, 4-Faults)
“I always love Saugerties. They offer such a good variety of classes and there is something for everyone to show in," said Chapot. "There’s a good class for my horses to show in every single day. It’s a great place to come and show. For our clientele, it’s close to a lot of people. I think it’s going to be a place for the future."
Taking the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat Co. Jumper Classic was Kevin McCarthy and CATCH A STAR HSS in a time of 35.613.

2nd Place: Chapot & UMBERTO (36.407)
3rd Place: Tynan & BALLINTESKIN JOE (36.966)

Sarah Scheiring and S & L COCODRILLE conquered the field in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on Saturday. With the first double-clear ride and a time of 43.111, Scheiring was untouchable.

2nd Place: McCrea & JASMIJN (44.027)
3rd Place: Seth Vallhonrat & CLARIMA (45.684)
 
Week III of the HITS Saugerties Spring Series featured the first of three $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derbies to be held this season, as well as the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix for Junior and Amateur riders. Both are qualifiers for the HITS Championship, which takes place annually during HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII.
 
Jennifer Jones rode VIRGO DC to a score of 170 in the first round of the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. This would place Jones in fifth going into the second round of the Derby where a strong score of 203 in the handy round would move her to the top of the standings for round two and the Overall Champion title with a total of 373.

2nd Place: Hannah Isop & BELIEVE (363.75)
3rd Place: Laena Romond & UPTOWN (362.5)
Lila Ouellette and KING OF HEARTS took home the blue ribbon in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix with scores of 85 and 84 in her respective rounds to produce an overall score of 169.

2nd Place: Hannah Cocurullo & GANGSTER (166)
3rd Place: Lena Reeb & CALL ME (163.5)
 
The HITS Saugerties Spring Series has come to a close, but there is still great competition to come this summer with the HITS Saugerties Summer Series, July 17-August 4! We anticipate that permanent stalls will sell out this summer! Get your initial reservation in early to be sure you have a spot! Entries for the HITS Saugerties Summer Series close June 26 - be sure to make your plans to join us at HITS Saugerties this season with even more special events to come.

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HITS-on-the-Hudson IV 
HITS Tuesday I 
HITS-on-the-Hudson V 
HITS Tuesday II 
HITS-on-the-Hudson VI 

HITS-on-the-Hudson VII 
HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII 
 July 17-21
 July 23
 July 24-28
 July 30
 July 31-August 4

 August 28-September 1
 September 4-8
 
Photographs Courtesy of ESI Photography