The Lamplight Spring Classic I marked an exciting start to what promises to be a thrilling thirteen-week season of competition at HITS Chicago, hosted at the prestigious Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois. Known for its charm, top-tier footing, and scenic grounds, Lamplight welcomed riders from across the country for the first week of the three-week spring series. Highlights from the opening week included the $24,500 HITS Grand Prix and the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, drawing top talent.
Show jumping competition came to a head on Saturday, May 10, 2025, as top competitors geared up for the first grand prix event of the 2025 season. With multiple entries in the starting field, the $24,500 HITS Grand Prix ultimately welcomed back Lisa Goldman-Smolen, no strangers to the HITS winner’s circle, as she took the title position aboard Ivaro N.
Course designer Jamie Morillo crafted a compelling first-round track that produced only two fault-free efforts to advance to the jump-off. As she has done many times before, Goldman-Smolen executed incredibly fast performances to secure not only first with Ivaro N, but also the third place position aboard longtime partner, Sovereign.
“I actually got Ivaro N just weeks before I found out I was pregnant with my first child,” said Goldman-Smolen of Barbara Disko’s 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Elvaro, who managed a blazing winning time of 43.126 seconds. “He and I have developed a great partnership and he’s been one that has really stepped up and I’ve even taken into some FEI classes.”
Despite taking the winter off as Goldman-Smolen welcomed a new addition to the family, she is one of the most winningest riders at the HITS Chicago venue and was eager to make her return.
“This facility just feels like home,” she expressed. “The footing was great this week, the grounds are beautiful, and it’s just one of the prettiest shows. I had a lot of fun with the courses the designer made this week, and the team here always makes it so special and family-friendly.”
Goldman-Smolen credits her team at home, with special recognition to Becky Beavers, for keeping both Ivaro N and Sovereign on her roster in top condition, facilitating her successful, quick return to the ring.
“I think I actually recovered a bit faster this time than with my first child,” explained Goldman-Smolen. “I knew what to expect a bit more this time, and so as soon as everything was done and everyone was healthy, we started planning our spring show schedule!”
Always a fast pairing, Stephan Foran and Idool, Freedom Woods’ 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Zirocco Blue VDL, were the only other combination to advance to the jump-off, but finished with a slower time of 50.164 seconds and an unfortunate four faults on course. As the fastest four-faulter in the initial round, Barbara Disko’s 19-year-old Selle Français stallion by Frontal, Sovereign, rounded out the top three.
Ryan Sassmannshausen and Synchronicity Stay Steady for the Win in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
On Friday, May 9, Ryan Sassmannshausen and Synchronicity dominated the hunter ring, claiming top honors in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Riders tackled a thoughtfully designed course by Dean Battaglia, with rounds judged by David Wilbur and Chuck Mayer. The competition featured a strong field of 26 junior, amateur, and professional athletes, each demonstrating their skill and style in a classic first round. The top 12 then returned for the all-important handy round, where precision and strategy were put to the test.
Sassmannshausen, who trains out of his family’s Kinvarra Farm just down the road in St. Charles, Illinois, received the catch ride on Synchronicity earlier in the week. “Walter,” as he is known in the barn, impressed the judges in both rounds, ultimately securing the lion’s share of the prize money.
“He is so steady, and just a pleasure to ride,” said Sassmannshausen of the 11-year-old Warmblood gelding (Cabardino x Depardieu) owned by Roper Farms LLC. “The course was very solid. Round one was quite traditional, and the handy gave you a lot of options. Depending on what you took, it could be very tricky. I went into it with the mindset of just taking what the course gave me. I opted for two of the low options, which allowed me to be more handy, and it paid off.”
A long-time supporter of HITS Chicago, Sassmannshausen and his team at Kinvarra Farm make Lamplight their summer home base. He credits that familiarity for giving him a competitive edge in the premier classes, with the week’s $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby just the latest feather in his cap.
“I think about it like, ‘I have to protect my home court,’” he said. “We love HITS Chicago, and I’m really excited about the improvements to an already great show.”
Junior rider Sophia Welniak claimed the runner-up spot aboard Denero, an 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (De Niro x Diarado) owned by Ssam Equine LLC. Professional rider Erika Heintschel-Githens rounded out the top three with Apache 286, an eight-year-old Warmblood gelding (Arezzo VDL x Ustinov) owned by Naytraders LLC.
As the premier week of the 2025 HITS Chicago Show Series comes to a close, riders and spectators now look ahead to even more excitement as the Lamplight Spring Series II kicks off on May 14.
