The featured class of the day on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, was the $62,480 CSI3* Welcome. The event marks the third week of international show jumping during the venue’s sold-out Hudson Valley Showjumping Tour®. With exhibitors and spectators alike gathered around the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium, Irishman Conor Swail put on a show and galloped away with the win aboard My Lady Lavista.
Esteemed FEI Level 4 Course Designer Marina Azevedo (BRA) was the mastermind behind the challenging 1.50m track, which featured 16 efforts over 13 obstacles. From the talented field of 38 horse-and-rider combinations, 14 duos managed to navigate through the timers fault-free to advance to the jump-off.
Swail qualified both of his mounts for the short course, but as the pathfinder with his first ride, Gamble, he incurred four faults in 38.11 seconds to sit at the bottom of the pack. A few rides later, it was HITS-on-the-Hudson V’s speed queen Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Bull Run’s Jireh, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc., that raced into the lead once again in 34.36 seconds. It looked like Vanderveen was going to collect yet another winning check, but Swail was a man with a plan. Knowing what he had to do, he sped around the track with My Lady Lavista, crossing the timers clear in 33.55 seconds. Ultimately, Swail’s time held for the victory, with Vanderveen finishing in second this time around. Fellow Irish rider, Jonathan Corrigan, completed the top three with Darius de Kerglenn, an 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Mylord Carthago HN x Diamant de Semilly) owned by Maarten Huygens and Twin Oaks Ventures LLC, after stopping the clock in 34.73 seconds.
“The course was good, very fair, and a nice start for us this week,” noted Swail. “When I went in for the jump-off, I knew Kristen [Vanderveen] was in the lead, and she’s always extremely quick. I had been in already with Gamble, so I had a good idea about how quick I needed to go and what were the right striding numbers. I thought that I had to go as quick as I could, and it worked out great for me, I must say.”
My Lady Lavista is a fairly new ride for Swail, who took over the reins on the 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Mylord Carthago HN x Levisto), owned by Cherokee Show Horses, Inc., just a few months ago. They tackled their first show together at the end of May, and after competing around Canada, came to HITS Hudson Valley for HITS-on-the-Hudson V and VI. While they were just pipped off the win in the $62,480 CSI3* Welcome during HITS-on-the-Hudson V, now a week later, the pair earned the top call, making for a successful beginning to their developing partnership.
“I’ve really just started to get to know her a little bit,” said Swail. “She’s very competitive, very fast, and careful. I must say the more I get to know her, the more consistent we are getting. She’s a lovely horse, and I’m really excited about what’s coming up next for her.”
With one strong week of international competition at HITS Hudson Valley behind him and a second off to a flying start, Swail is very appreciative of the elite facility.
“They have done a great job,” he remarked. “Obviously, with the new footing it’s terrific. It makes it very comfortable for the horses. The place looks great. The HITS team is always trying to do anything to help you out, and that’s very important to feel. It’s just a good environment to be in.”
For complete results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
Sofia Cady and Deleyn Conquer in the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic at HITS Hudson Valley
International show jumping action kicked off with the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic, where Sofia Cady (USA) claimed the first victory of the week aboard her longtime partner Deleyn.
The opening class featured an intricate track set by world renowned FEI Level 4 Course Designer Marina Azevedo (BRA). In the Table C format, jumping faults were converted to added seconds on the clock to yield an overall time to beat. As the final challenger in a field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations, Cady saved the best for last, crossing the timers triumphantly in 67.03 seconds.
Jad Dana (LBN) was just off the pace of Cady to finish in second place in 67.37 seconds with Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Clarimo x Lancer II) owned by The Cherie Group. McKayla Langmeier (USA) and Jiselle NS, a 10-year-old KWPN mare (Balou du Rouet x Voltaire Pref) owned by Linda Langmeier, completed the all-mare top three in 68.72 seconds.
“The course was really nice,” said Cady, 19, who attends Fordham University at Lincoln Center in New York City. “When we looked at it this morning and walked it, it looked like a very smooth, nice starting day for all the horses. I watched one or two rounds, but I try not to watch too many because I tend to overthink everything. We make a plan and I just try to stick to that, and it usually works pretty well. Deleyn always steps up to the plate.”
Cady has been partnered with Deleyn for four years, starting with 1.0m classes and ascending the levels to contest three-star competitions. As they have progressed together, the duo has notched numerous impressive wins along the way. Now with Cady heading to school in the fall, they are nearing the end of their time together as Deleyn will be for sale. After winning the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic, they are certainly going out with a bang.
“She’s a rock,” expressed Cady of the 13-year-old Holsteiner mare (Larimar 7 x Dobel’s Cento) owned by Twist Studio LLC who was previously campaigned by Irish Olympian Shane Sweetnam. “As long as you ride well, she’s going to win the class for you. She’s pretty perfect. She’s my day-one girl, my heart horse, and I love her to death. I’m getting close to my last couple of shows with her, so it’s a little bittersweet, but it’s good to be here.”
The 2024 season marks the first for Cady at HITS Hudson Valley. Originally from Austin, Texas, Cady has been training with the team at Oakland Stables, now based at Ox Ridge Riding and Racquet Club in Darien, Connecticut, so she has taken advantage of her proximity to the world-class venue.
“I really enjoy HITS, and I am super impressed,” she enthused. “My horses have loved showing here; the footing is amazing, and everything is so well organized and terrifically managed. It has been wonderful.”
Competition resumes Friday, August 2, with the $40,000 Go Rentals CSI3* Winning Round, while the final sold-out week of the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour® culminates in the $116,050 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI3* Grand Prix on Saturday, August 3. For complete results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
