The premier week of the expanded 2025 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling ten-week season of top-tier sport, hosted at the prestigious showgrounds in Saugerties, New York. Nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Catskill Mountains and renowned for its world-class footing and welcoming atmosphere, the venue welcomed riders from around the globe for the first week of the three-week spring series. Among the highlights was the $75,000 FarmVet Grand Prix, where Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Keep Me With You N.C. delivered a standout performance to take the win.
Eighteen horse-and-rider combinations took to the ring on Saturday morning to contest the track set by Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico. Of those, nine advanced to the shortened jump-off round—three of them piloted by Coyle. With his second ride, Keep Me With You N.C., a 10-year-old KWPN mare (Le Tot De Semilly x Indoctro) owned by Falkirk Farm LLC, Coyle blazed through the timers in 39.965 seconds, a time that ultimately proved unbeatable.
“I think everyone knows how I feel about her at this point; she’s incredible,” expressed Coyle. “It’s just a weird sensation she gives you. You really believe that she isn’t going to touch the jumps, so it gives me a little free rein to go maybe a little too fast.”
Israel’s Daniel Bluman also brought forward three entries to the jump-off, adding to the intensity of the class and pushing the pace as the riders went head-to-head with each of their entries“I think I got carried away between me and Daniel,” admitted Coyle. “This was supposed to be an easy week for her, and I for sure ended up going faster than I originally planned to.”
Based just down the road in Central Valley, New York, Coyle and the team at Falkirk Farm have made HITS Hudson Valley a staple on their summer schedule.“I’ve been coming here for five or six years now, but in recent years with all the improvements, the place looks great and the footing is perfect,” shared Coyle. “I’m thankful for FarmVet and all the other sponsors that do so much to make these classes possible.”
Coyle capped off a dominant day by also taking second place aboard Action T, Falkirk Farm LLC’s 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding by Action T, stopping the clock in 41.731 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Bluman and his superstar partner Gemma W, the14-year-old KWPN mare (Luidam x Unaniem) owned by Blue Star Investments and Over The Top Stables LLC, who finished close behind in 41.781 seconds.
Competition got underway on Wednesday, May 21, with the $5,000 Adequan Open Welcome, giving riders an early opportunity to find their rhythm for the week ahead. Christian Coyle (IRL) and his own Ma Pomme De Tamerville, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Deauville Van T L x Contendro II), blazed through the jump-off in 44.262 seconds to secure the win. Dana Escales (USA) claimed the runner-up spot aboard Ombre D’Emma, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Hunter’s Scendix x Tradition Van De Begijnakker) owned by Buttonwood Show Jumpers LLC, stopping the clock in 45.614 seconds. Corrine Sweeney (USA) and Chaccossini, a 13-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Chacco Blue x Cassini II) owned by Sagamore Farms II LLC, rounded out the podium in 47.228 seconds.
Momentum carried into the $30,000 Alliant Private Client Cup, where Coyle earned his first top placing of the week, this time aboard Action T. The pair delivered a swift and precise round, stopping the clock at 39.556 seconds to claim the win. Mary Rose Canterbury (USA) was hot on his heels, piloting Zuperman MT — an entry owned by 5C Ranch and Minerals LLC and sired by Corporal VDL out of Cassiano — into second place with a time of 39.619 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Bluman, who took third aboard Rebelline De Kwakenbeek, his talented eight-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Aganix Du Seigneur x Ogano Sitte).
Friday’s competition featured the $15,000 STX Open Speed Class, a highlight of the week and the first opportunity for riders to earn points toward the season-long STX leaderboard. At the conclusion of the Hudson Valley circuit, the overall leader will be presented with an STX Tack Locker, while the leading rider across all HITS circuits will be awarded a six-month lease on an STX 2-horse truck — adding extra incentive to every round.
Claiming the top spot in opening week was Caitlin Boyle (USA) aboard Chapka De Moyon, Beyaert Farm Inc.’s 13-year-old Selle Français mare (Panama Tame x Le Tot De Semilly), with a winning time of 72.237 seconds. Steven Bluman followed close behind, finishing second with Magic Mike Z.G., Daniel Bluman’s eight-year-old KWPN gelding (Cartello VDL x Cartani), in 73.392 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Mia Bagnato (USA) and her own Florida N, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Calrimo x Lavall II), crossing the timers in 75.542 seconds.
The week concluded on Sunday with the $24,500 HorseFlight Jumper Classic, where Mary Rose Canterbury and Alpha De Ternoire blazed to the top of the leaderboard. The 15-year-old Selle Français gelding (Kashmir Van’t Schuttershof x Olisco), owned by Over The Top Stables LLC, stopped the clock in a winning time of 42.711 seconds. Corrine Sweeney claimed second aboard Wadro’s Lerina, a nine-year-old KWPN mare (Glasgow VH Merelsnest x Indoctro) owned by Sagamore Farms II LLC, finishing in 45.991 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Philip McGuane and Oilily Van’t Eigenlo, Trelawny Farm LLC’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Vigo D’Arsouilles x Montender), who crossed the timers in 46.594 seconds.
As the premier week of the 2025 HITS Hudson Valley Show Series comes to a close, riders and spectators now look ahead to even more excitement as the spring series resumes on May 28.
