Jumper competition during HITS-on-the-Hudson VII featured the exciting $75,000 HITS Grand Prix on Saturday, August 31, 2024. Twenty-four elite horse-and-rider combinations gathered at the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium to aim for the top prize, but ultimately,it was U.S. rider Jessica Leto that emerged victorious aboard Mistral.
The course, designed by Argentinian FEI level 3 Course Designer Ivan Tagle, consisted of 13 obstacles with 16 efforts, including a challenging oxer-oxer-vertical triple combination near the end of the course at fences 12abc. Leto secured victory in the first round, finishing as the only pair to jump clear.
“Because of the time allowed, I took a chance and went for a little bit of a bigger distance into the triple combination,” explained Leto of her fault-free strategy. “Having known Mistral for a little over a year now, I thought he would back himself off of 12b, and then I could just focus on my position and seat. I’m really happy it worked out.”
Even from the beginning of their partnership, Leto knew her 12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Bingo van de Kapel x Darco) would be a star. Now with the addition of top U.S. rider Todd Minikus to their training team, the pair is looking forward to many more grand prix victories together after marking their first in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix.
“I knew the second I rode Mistral for the first time that he was special; He had spunk, but the jump was effortless and like flying,” said Leto. “Now,Todd [Minikus] has been helping us out, and it has been really nice to have that added element. He has lit the competitive spirit behind our team to win, and it has really brought us to the next level.”
Leto, who is based in Wellington, Florida, is a familiar face at HITS Hudson Valley and has spent many weeks at the venue during the 2024 summer season, choosing to extend her stay for the fall series.
“This is actually the venue that I placed in my first five-star grand prix two years ago, so I always like coming here,” noted Leto. “The Hudson Valley area is so nice just to be here, and the restaurants are great. Now HITS has really elevated the facility, and it has been so active and really fun. It has been a treat to be up here.”
Michael Desiderio and Le Muguet finished as the fastest four-fault pair. Desiderio guided his 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Ugano Sitte x Ohio Van de Padenborre D’02) around the course in 76.211 seconds, securing second place. David J. Raposa and Lingote de Oro RFB, an eight-year-old KWPN gelding (Kannan x Heartbreaker) owned by Redfield Farm, took third place with a time of 76.877 seconds and four faults.
Grand Prix competition in the Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium intensified on Thursday, August 29, as riders competed in the $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup. A total of 29 horse-and-rider pairs contested Tagle’s 12-obstacle and 14-effort course After two exciting rounds, Michael Desiderio and Le Muget emerged victorious.
Desiderio and his 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Ugano Sitte x Ohio van de Padenborre D’02) were among the nine pairs to advance to the jump-off. They completed the short course in 40.222 seconds to take the top call.
“I’m really happy with him,” said Desiderio of Le Muguet. “He jumped really well in the first round and was quite good in the second round. I thought he was responsive and it was a good course for him. HITS has done a great job with the footing, the jumps, and the general maintenance. We are very happy to be here.”
Following closely behind Desiderio was Christine McCrea aboard Comius, a nine-year-old Hannoverian gelding (Cinsey x Stakkatol) owned by Windsor Show Stables, who crossed the timers in 40.381 seconds. Landing in third was Delaney Flynn and Windsor Show Stables’s My Lady Carthago, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Mylord Carthago HN x Rivalin I) with a jump-off time of 40.438 seconds.
The $5,000 Adequan Open Welcome kicked off the 2024 Fall Series at HITS Hudson Valley on Wednesday, August 28. Fourteen horse-and-rider pairs tackled Tagle’s opening course, which included 14 efforts over 12 obstacles. Of those, seven advanced to the jump-off, and six achieved double-clear rounds. Seth Vallhonrat and his eight-year-old KWPN gelding by Grandorado TN, Lordy P, were the fastest of the group in both the initial round and jump-off, leading the class with a jump-off time of 37.816 seconds.
In the $15,000 STX Open Speed on Friday, August 30, an even 30 jumpers raced against the clock for the win. Caitlin Boyle aboard Chapka de Moyon, a 12-year-old Selle Français mare (Panama Tame x Le Tot de Semilly) was the quickest of the group, completing the course in 63.539 seconds.
Wrapping up HITS-on-the-Hudson VII on Sunday, September 1, was the $24,500 Horseflight Jumper Classic. Thirty-five horse-and-rider combinations tackled Tagle’s course of 16 efforts over 13 obstacles. Seven pairs achieved double-clear rounds, but it was the always speedy U.S. rider Laura Chapot and her 17-year-old KWPN gelding, Calafornia, who emerged victorious in a quick 37.389 seconds.
In second place, Maria Brugal, who rides for the Dominican Republic, and the 11-year-old KWPN mare (Captain Cooper x Quidam’s Rubin) owned by BG Stables LLC, Jamaica, finished the course in 38.667 seconds. Rounding out the top three, Alexis Bodo and Harry’s Chat Girl Z, the 10-year-old Zangersheide mare (Houston x Chatman) owned by Sweet Oak Farm and Seabrook LLC, clocked a time of 38.686 seconds, just behind Brugal.
While HITS-on-the-Hudson II has come to a close, competition will resume on September 4 for HITS Championship week.
