Competition during Hits-on-the-Hudson June II at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, came to a close with Cristian Hacker and Cocaine de Riverland’s stellar performance in the $24,500 Horseflight 1.35m Jumper Classic, taking the win in a competitive class of 40 entries.
Hacker, 17, of Wellington, Florida, has had the ride on Cocaine de Riverland, also known as “Chanel,” for a year. Together they have competed through the High Junior Jumper division with numerous top placings.
“The first time I tried her she felt so powerful and I knew she was going to be a great partner for me,” said Hacker of the 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Epsom Gesmeray x Allegreto) owned by CSH Equine LLC. “She really just has a heart of gold and she has been wonderful for me.”
The course proved to be a challenge for most pairs, with only 10 of the 40 entered advancing to the jump-off. Of those ten, only six could duplicate their clear round. Hacker was fastest of the group, beating out his good friend Caroline Mawhinney with a time of 44.862 seconds. Mawhinney and her own Stella Levista, a 16-year-old Hannovarian mare (Satisfaction FRH x Levisto), were just a fraction of a second slower than Hacker in 44.980 seconds. Third was awarded to Tori Corts and her own Semi Automatic, a 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion by Amaretto d Arco, with a time of 45.612 seconds.
“In the first round I knew I just needed to be efficient, and I needed to be very in the moment and present,” explained Hacker. “I know Caroline and her horse Stella Levista very well, and she’s super fast, so I knew that we had to pull out all the stops for the jump-off. We thrive on galloping and Chanel’s stride just opens up and is massive so I think that was what put us on top.”
Hacker has not had the chance to show at HITS Hudson Valley for a while now, but he made his return during HITS-on-the-Husdon June II a successful one with a big win.
“There’s just so many rings to flat in and it’s such a nice, well-run facility,” he enthused. “Plus the Grand Prix Stadium is so fun to gallop around in!”
Competition in one of HITS Hudson Valley’s newest rings,The Pond, featured the $500 The League/Alorian Jr/Am 1.0m Jumper Classic, presented by Marshall and Sterling Insurance and Alorian Saddlery. Shane Radimer, 15, of Marlton, New Jersey, and CC Top 4 claimed the victory out of 21 entries.
CC Top 4, a nine-year-old Westphalian mare (Contact van de Heffinck x Calido I), is a new mount for Radimer, having arrived in the U.S.just two weeks ago from Europe. Now the pair is getting to know each other, and they are quickly becoming a formidable team. They raced around the short course in just 33.359 seconds, setting the scene for their budding partnership.
“This is my first time showing her, so we are working on getting some experience together and figuring things out,” explained Radimer. “Hopefully, later in the summer we can move up and do some bigger classes.”
The Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium also featured the $2,500 Pyranha/NAL Jr/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic. Emma Hechtman, 18, of Tampa, Florida, and Iglesias O.A. were one of five duos to achieve a double-clear round. The pair crossed the finish line in 42.276 seconds for the top prize. In second place was Flo Fulton Miller and Dopamine de Vains, an 11-year-old Selle Français mare (Arko x Adelfos) owned by Heritage Farm, with a. time of 43.585 seconds. Beth Franco and Havanna, her own 12-year-old KWPN mare by (VDL Zirocco Blue x Chin Chin), came in right behind Miller with a time of 43.731 seconds for third place. .
After an exciting start to the summer, competition will take a break for two weeks at HITS Hudson Valley while showing heats up at HITS Vermont and HITS Chicago. HITS-on-the-Hudson will resume on July 17 for three weeks of the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour®, which will include Equitation Tuesdays.
