The Lamplight Spring Classic III, held May 21–25, 2025, marked an exciting finale to the third and final week of the Spring Classic competition at HITS Chicago, launching what promises to be a thrilling thirteen-week season. The week unfolded at Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, where the venue’s celebrated and inviting atmosphere once again set the stage for top-level sport. Among the week’s highlights was the $24,500 HITS Grand Prix, where Britta Stoeckel piloted Vincel to a definitive win.
Designed by Oscar Soberon, the course challenged a field of professionals, juniors, and amateurs alike, with four horse-and-rider combinations advancing to the shortened jump-off. Stoeckel laid down a blazing-fast time of 38.910 seconds, which ultimately held up for the win.
Although she’s only been partnered with “Vinny” for under a year, the 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Valentino x Fabriano), owned by Emily Stoeckel, has already taken her from the high amateur jumpers to recent success at the two-star level. Stoeckel attributes their progress to Vinny’s reliability and ability to teach.
“Vinny is the best because he’s so confident in himself,” shared Stoeckel. “He carries us through the course the same way, whether the jumps are 1.15 meters or 1.50 meters.
“Today’s course was fantastic,” she continued. “I thought it was technical, but fair. It really played to Vinny and my strengths.”
A Chicago native, Stoeckel grew up competing at HITS Chicago before spending several years on the East Coast to further develop her riding.
“I really enjoyed getting to show at all the HITS venues, but I’m really happy to be back home and show here at HITS Chicago. This show is a great kickstart to the summer season.”
Amateur rider Amanda Hauser finished in second with Trevor Z, her own 11-year-old Warmblood gelding (Tangelo vd Zuuthoeve x Contendro I), in a time of 39.271 seconds. Rounding out the podium was professional rider Danielle Urban aboard Maverick, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding (Manchester van’t Paradijs x Florencio I) owned by Leah Kennedy. Despite posting the fastest time of the class in 37.411 seconds, Urban incurred an unfortunate eight faults in the jump-off for a third-place finish.
Hunter competition also took center stage with the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, giving hunter riders their moment in the spotlight. Steve Schaefer claimed the win aboard The Gray Man, his own 17-year-old KWPN gelding (Tjungske x Calando I). Ryan Sassmannshausen followed in second aboard Signature, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Etoulon VDL x Indorado) owned by Alyssa Quinn, while Misty Redd secured third with Shades Of Grey, a 12-year-old German Sporthorse mare (Gepson x Calido I) owned by Fairway Ranch LLC.
As the final week of the 2025 HITS Chicago Spring Classic Series comes to a close, anticipation builds for what lies ahead, with the Lamplight Spring Spectacular Series set to kick off on June 4.
