The $20,000 Alliant Private Client Cup was the feature event at HITS Chicago on Thursday morning, June 6. Linda Radigan showcased her winning partnership with Balveneur Z, galloping straight to the top of the leaderboard for the victory.
Just four combinations managed to achieve a fault-free effort over the challenging first-round track to advance to the jump-off. Three of those duos replicated their success across the short course, jumping clear once again. It was Radigan and Balveneur Z that couldn’t be caught, stopping the clock in 37.360 seconds. Taylor Land guided Caballero, Kim Land’s 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Casall, to a very close second-place finish, crossing the timers just off the pace of Radigan in 37.716 seconds. Serah Vogus Cassells and Viva Blue, her own 11-year-old Oldenburg mare by Vigo D’Arsouilles, rounded out the top three with their jump-off time of 41.607 seconds.
“I really enjoyed our rounds today,” commented Radigan. “I thought the course was really nice for our first class of this circuit. It was a pretty fast jump-off, but you could still be smooth. There were some spots to turn quickly. Balveneur Z rode it superbly, and he just shines in this arena.”
Radigan found Balveneur Z in the Czech Republic when the now 16-year-old Zangersheide gelding by Balougran Z was a coming six-year-old. The pair has since spent more than 10 years together and have gone from strength to strength.
“I had no idea he was going to be a grand prix horse,” said Radigan. “Every task I put in front of him, wondering if he could do it, he stepped up and did it. He’s jumped some big tracks for me.
“His personality is larger than life,” she continued. “He is the best partner I could ever have. I love him to death. I’m so thankful for him every day. I’m just happy that at this point in his life, he still loves to do it.”
As she gears up for the rest of the season at HITS Chicago, Radigan is looking forward to many more exciting rounds and the overall experience of horse showing at Lamplight Equestrian Center.
“We love it here; the grounds are beautiful,” she expressed. “The rings have a really nice atmosphere, and there are always people watching. There’s a beautiful walkway with nice places to sit above the Grand Prix Stadium and facing the main hunter ring. Everyone is so friendly here, from the management and the in-gate to the crew guys. They just do a superb job and it’s why we keep coming back!”
On Saturday morning, June 8, HITS Chicago will host the week’s spotlight event, the $35,000 Great American Grand Prix, in the venue’s Douglas Elliman Grand Prix Stadium before Sunday’s Classics wrap up the first week of the Lamplight Spring Spectacular Series.
