The third and final week of spring competition in the expanded 2025 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling ten-week season of top-tier sport. Held at the prestigious showgrounds in Saugerties, New York, the venue — nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Catskill Mountains and known for its world-class footing and friendly atmosphere — welcomed riders from around the globe to close out the spring series. One of the week’s most anticipated highlights was the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, on Saturday, June 7, where Laura Chapot (USA) and Jolie van Schuttershof delivered a standout performance to claim the win.
A total of 29 horse-and-rider combinations took to the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium to contest Olaf Petersen Jr.’s (GER) technical track. Nine countries were represented in the elite field, including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Spain, and of course, the home nation of the United States. With a tight time allowed and a challenging course, only two pairs advanced to the jump-off, while three riders fell just short with only one time fault.
Aboard her third ride of the class, Chapot expertly navigated the course with Jolie van Schuttershof — The Jolie Group’s 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Ducati van Schuttershof x Clarimo Ask) — ultimately turning in the only double-clear round in 41.418 seconds to secure the win.
“I thought the track was extremely fair,” stated Chapot of Petersen Jr.s test. “When we walked it, no one thought it would ride as difficult as it did. Olaf is very clever in that way. You think something is simple, and then you end up having rails all over the place, and the time allowed put a lot of pressure on the riders.”
Chapot has been methodically developing her partnership with the talented “Jolie” after acquiring her just a few months ago from German Olympic rider Richard Vogel based on a recommendation by U.S. Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward. Together, the pair has made a quick match, now setting the stage for what appears to be an illustrious future.
“I feel like every time we go in the ring it gets better and better,” said Chapot. “This felt like the first time we really trusted each other, and she jumped unbelievably. She’s naturally careful and always wants to do the job. She’s just so game. She pricks her ears and is always looking for the next fence.”
A decorated grand prix rider and long-time HITS competitor, Chapot, who is based out of her family’s Chado Farm in Neshanic Station, New Jersey, is no stranger to that blue-ribbon feeling at HITS Hudson Valley.
“I feel like I’ve been coming to HITS since the beginning of time,” laughed Chapot. “The improvements they have made the past few years have been tremendous, and that’s reflected in the support from the exhibitors. The footing here is amazing. I love it here as a professional, and my customers love it as well.”
It was also a memorable day for Colombian rider Pablo Mejia, who celebrated his birthday with a second-place finish aboard Caramia, Pellerano Horses LLC’s eight-year-old Oldenburg mare (Chacoon Blue x Landjonker). The pair posted a time of 40.387 seconds in the jump-off, but with four faults added. Rounding out the top three was Japan’s Karen Polle and Celine, her own 15-year-old Mecklenburg mare (Conthargos x Grandino 25), who delivered a steady first-round performance with just one time fault.
Competition got underway on Wednesday, June 4, with the $5,000 Adequan Open Welcome, giving riders an early opportunity to find their rhythm for the week ahead. Steven Bluman (ISR) and Over The Top Stables LLC’s Cachemire de Braize, a 13-year-old Selle Français gelding (Nissan Quality Touch Z x Jaguar Mail), blazed through the jump-off in 40.230 seconds to secure the win. Kianna Luscher (USA) claimed the runner-up spot aboard OE.G. ITA Vero, an eight-year-old Westphalian gelding (Kannan x Cornet Obolensky) owned by Northeast Equi-Wave Therapy LLC, stopping the clock in 43.392 seconds. Hannah Matts (USA) and Mystique, her own eight-year-old American Warmblood mare (Diktator vd Boslandhoeve x Oramé) rounded out the podium in 43.695 seconds.
Momentum carried into the $30,000 Alliant Private Client Cup, where Christian Coyle (IRL) earned the top placing aboard Ma Pomme de Tamerville, his own 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Deauville de aa Vie x Contendro II). The pair delivered a swift and precise round, stopping the clock at 38.183 seconds to claim the win. Pieter de Brabandere (BEL) was hot on his heels, piloting Dothraki Warlord, a 13-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding (Mermus R x Diamant De Semilly) owned by Maarten Huygens, into second place with a time of 40.517 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Mejia, who took third aboard Lontender, Newsprint Farm’s talented nine-year-old KWPN gelding (Up To Date x Contender), in 40.553 seconds.
Friday brought another fast-paced showdown in the Douglas Elliman Stadium with the $15,000 STX Open Speed Class, offering riders a chance to rack up valuable points on the season-long STX leaderboard. With an STX Tack Locker awarded to the Hudson Valley circuit leader — and a six-month lease on an STX 2-horse truck for the overall HITS leaderboard champion — every second counted.
Chapot continued her dominant run, capturing the win aboard Tyson Fury, her own eight-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Tyson x Diamant De Semilly), with a blazing time of 78.130 seconds. Germany’s Max Nieberg claimed second with Isidorus, Royce Sport Horses LLC’s 12-year-old KWPN stallion (Charisma x Samsara Z), stopping the clock at 80.502 seconds. Chapot also secured third aboard Mary Chapot’s seasoned campaigner Calafornia, the 18-year-old KWPN gelding (Ultimo x Lux Z), finishing in 83.167 seconds.
The week wrapped up on a high note Sunday with the $24,500 Horseflight Jumper Classic, where Adrienne Sternlicht and Linsy-Minka rocketed to the top of the leaderboard. The nine-year-old KWPN mare (Zapatero VDL x Baltic VDL), owned by VS Stables, posted a blazing time of 41.581 seconds to secure the win. Max Nieberg followed with a strong performance aboard Isidorus, finishing in 43.195 seconds for second place. Rounding out the podium was Morgan Ward-Knowlton (USA), who piloted Gowe Farm’s 10-year-old Warmblood gelding Diego to a time of 43.290 seconds.
As the three-week Spring Series of the 2025 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series comes to a close, riders and spectators now look ahead to even more excitement as the action gets back underway on July 16, 2025, with the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour®.
