With summer competition across HITS venues in full swing, Lamplight Spring Spectacular II on June 11-15, 2025, brought another exciting week of sport to HITS Chicago. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, known for its boutique charm, exceptional footing, and welcoming atmosphere, the action-packed week welcomed a strong field of competitors from across the country. Among the featured highlights was the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, presented by Voltaire, the $2,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, and the $35,000 HITS Grand Prix, each drawing impressive talent.
In the hunter ring, Jeff Gogul and MTM Concord topped a competitive field to win the $5,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, presented by Voltaire. The class followed a hunt-and-go format, thoughtfully designed by Janine Weatherby, and was judged by the esteemed panel of Mike Rosser, Fran Dotoli, and Mary Eufemia. Riders first navigated a traditional classic course before immediately continuing into the handy section, where boldness, accuracy, and style took center stage. Ultimately, it was the handy portion of the course that proved decisive in determining the final placings.
Gogul, representing Flagship LLC of Chicago, Illinois, has been developing Annika Ruh’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Casino Grande x Cassini I) since the summer of 2024, and recently introduced him to the 3’3” Green Hunters and the derby scene.
“He naturally has such a balanced canter,” explained Gogul of his star mount. “He’s a pretty compact horse and easy to manage, so there were a lot of turns in the handy that really suited him well.
“The hunt-and-go format ended up being a lot of fun,” he added. “MTM Concord has gotten really good at using both of his leads and following you. When you need him to, you can ride him like a little sports car.”
Having recently relocated Flagship’s home base to the Chicago area, HITS Chicago has become something of a hometown venue for Gogul and his team.
“I love the convenience of the Lamplight facility for us,” he shared. “It’s such a pretty showgrounds with all the landscaping. They do a wonderful job with the footing, and now with the revamped rings it’s even better.”
Kathleen Caya claimed second with Credible de Bornival Z, Colleen Nagy White’s eight-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Untouchable x Libero H), while Steve Schaefer took third aboard The Gray Man, his own 17-year-old KWPN gelding (Tjungske x Calando I).
The week also showcased the $2,500 USHJA Junior/Amateur National Hunter Derby, giving rising junior and amateur athletes their well-deserved moment in the spotlight. Junior rider Alexa Anastasio claimed the top honors aboard her own Dante’s Inferno, a 15-year-old Warmblood gelding by Diarado. Amateur rider Sinead Fennelly earned second place with her 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Valentino x Junior STV), Viktor N, while junior rider Julia Capozzi rounded out the top three aboard Speak For Yourself, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Calido I) owned by Can’t Beat The House LLC.
On Saturday, June 14, the $35,000 HITS Grand Prix challenged riders with a thoughtfully crafted course designed by Germany’s Martin Otto. Rising to the occasion, Lisa Goldman-Smolen swept the top two spots with impressive rounds aboard Ivaro N and Romeo B.
Goldman-Smolen blazed to victory aboard Barbara Disko’s Ivaro N, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Elvaro x Celano), crossing the timers in a speedy 37.209 seconds. She followed closely behind with her own Romeo B, an eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Heartbreaker x Apache), securing second place with a time of 37.337 seconds — just a tenth of a second off her own leading time.
Rounding out the podium was Tiffany Hammack aboard Verdi D’Omervilles, Foxwood Farm’s 16-year-old Selle Français gelding (Verdi TN x Quick Star), who finished in 38.213 seconds.
As the second week of the Spring Spectacular Series wraps up, anticipation builds for even more action with the Lamplight Spring Spectacular III set to kick off on June 18.
