International show jumping competition at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, continued on Friday, July 26, 2024, with the $40,000 Go Rentals CSI3* Winning Round. The action-packed HITS-on-the-Hudson V event is the second of three sold-out weeks comprising the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour® Series. After a win in Thursday’s opening $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic, Kristen Vanderveen (USA) picked up her second victory in as many days to once again lead the victory gallop, this time aboard Bull Run’s Jireh.
Thirty-three elite horse-and-rider combinations contested the first-round course designed by Ken Krome (USA). Per the winning round format, the top twelve, regardless of penalties, returned on a clean slate in reverse order of merit to contest the jump-off track. In the middle of the returning order, Vanderveen laid it all on the line to stop the clock fault-free in 34.70 seconds. While the rest of the field was left chasing her time, ultimately, she could not be caught, and earned her second big win of the week.
“Today’s first-round course was built nicely,” commented Vanderveen. “It was a good bit harder than yesterday’s speed course, as it should be. It really used the whole ring well and seemed to catch everybody in different spots. The jump-off was super fun as well. It had a nice flow to it that worked well for my horse because we were able to just hold a big gallop the whole way around.”
Vanderveen has had the ride on Bull Run’s Jireh for just over two years. In their time together, the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc. has already proved to have all the makings of a top five-star mount. As Vanderveen continues to fine tune, it appears they have found the winning formula.
“I’m super excited about this horse,” expressed Vanderveen. “He has all the parts – He’s brave, he’s careful, and he’s scopey – so we’ve really taken our time to develop him. He can do everything. We’ve been playing a little bit with bridles, and I think it’s working. He felt great today.”
Sofia Cady (USA) came the closest to Vanderveen’s time with Deleyn, a 13-year-old Holsteiner mare (Larimar 7 x Dobel’s Cento) owned by Twist Studio LLC. They finished in the runner-up spot in 35.91 seconds. Jad Dana (LBN) and Fleur-de-Lis’ Cherie, a 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Clarimo x Lancer II) owned by The Cherie Group, completed the top three in 37.32 seconds.
Three-star competition during HITS-on-the-Hudson V comes to an exciting conclusion on Saturday, July 27, as the $116,050 Douglas Elliman CSI3* Grand Prix kicks off the day at 8:00 a.m. EST. National classes continue through Sunday, July 28, featuring several hunter derbies, as well as the $24,500 Horseflight Jumper Classic.
For full results, please visit showmanagementsystem.com.
