Thursday, August 27, at the HITS Hudson Valley venue in Saugerties, New York, marked the beginning of international show jumping competition for the two-week installment of the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Late Summer Series. The Series represents the culmination of an action-packed summer season, with a CSI2* division the highlight of HITS Hudson Valley VII, followed by a CSI3* division and World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation during the HITS Hudson Valley VIII Championship Week. As she has already done multiple times at HITS Hudson Valley, Laura Chapot (USA) led off the victory gallop after the $31,020 CSI2* Welcome Stake, besting a field of 26 horse-and-rider duos aboard Ginola.
Representatives from five nations were slated to contest FEI Level 4 course designer Bernardo Cabral’s (POR) opening track, which provided an inviting test and encouraged competitors to produce smooth, forward rounds. No stranger to the winner’s circle, accomplished American show jumper Laura Chapot has amassed an impressive collection of grand prix and international victories throughout her career and has long been a formidable force on the HITS circuit. Once again, Chapot showcased her competitive edge, qualifying both of her mounts, C&C Willow and Ginola, among the 16 combinations that advanced to the short course.
Chapot returned for the jump-off aboard C&C Willow, an 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Emerald van’t Ruytershof x Loughehoe Guy) owned by Mary Chapot, early on in the order and wasted no time setting the pace. The pair laid down a quick and clear round, stopping the clock at 39.650 seconds and setting a seemingly unbeatable time for the remaining competitors to chase. As the class unfolded, rails continued to fall as riders attempted to catch Chapot’s early lead.
With just two challengers left to go, Chapot returned to the ring aboard Ginola with one final opportunity to better her own time. She turned on the afterburners, racing across the short course in a blazing 38.860 seconds to move into the top spot and ultimately claim both first- and second-place honors. Chile’s Samuel Parot rounded out the top three aboard Contigo Z, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Contagio x Quick Star), with a time of 40.820 seconds.
“Ginola has an even bigger stride than my first horse, so I knew I could really gas it,” said Chapot. “He wants to be careful, so I have to make sure not to adjust him too much, because sometimes he thinks more about me than the fence in front of him.”
Chapot has carefully developed her partnership with her own 10-year-old Selle Français gelding (Tangelo van de Zuuthoeve x Chacco Blue), Ginola, after acquiring him as a six-year-old and bringing him along through the young jumper ranks.
“I started him in the young jumpers, and this year we’ve just started in the FEI two-star classes,” explained Chapot, who is based out of Neshanic Station, New Jersey. “He really has such a kind personality. He likes to be in your lap, and he’s just so gentle and easy to deal with. I think that’s part of what makes him so great in the ring.”
Both international show jumping and national-level jumper, hunter, and equitation competition resumes Friday, August 24. Action continues from one highlight to the next, including Saturday’s $80,000 Great American Insurance Group CSI2* Grand Prix, as well as qualifying opportunities for the prestigious ClipMyHorse.TV Hunter Classic Final. For full results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.
