On the penultimate day of Lamplight Summertime II at HITS Chicago, the venue buzzed with excitement as competitors prepared for the main event, the $35,000 SummitMax Grand Prix. Lisa Goldman-Smolen of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, once again demonstrated her exceptional partnership with Sovereign, claiming the victory with a quick jump-off time of 35.56 seconds.
Out of a competitive field of 19 horse-and-rider combinations, seven found the clear path to advance to the jump-off. Across the short course, just three duos managed to replicate their fault-free performance, but it was Goldman-Smolen that could not be caught.
“I’ve had Sovereign for eight years now with Barbra Disko, and he has become my cornerstone,” said Goldman-Smolen of the 18-year-old Selle Français stallion (Frontal x Galoubet A) owned by Barbra Disko. “He is the most beloved horse in the barn and my favorite to ride. He truly loves his work. Since he’s 18, we carefully select the classes he competes in. He knows when it’s showtime and thrives in the competition environment. He remains calm and focused, regardless of the situation.”
Following close behind Goldman-Smolen was Maggie Jayne of Our Day Farm in Elgin, Illinois, riding her family’s homebred eight-year-old American Warmblood mare by Chill RZ, Easter Lily ODF. The pair took second place with a double-clear round and a jump-off time of 37.05 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Rebecca Gutstein and Get Go, Pinetree Farm’s 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Grey Top x World Diamond O), finishing with a jump-off time of 38.49 seconds.
Goldman-Smolen has spent her entire life competing at Lamplight Equestrian Center, where she secured some of her earliest significant victories.
“I spend the entire summer here,” she enthused. “I love it. I get to go home every night since it’s close to my house, and it holds many cherished memories for me. It truly is one of the most beautiful venues in the country.”
The final day of Summertime II at the HITS Chicago Lamplight Equestrian Center in Wayne, Illinois, concluded with the $15,000 Horseflight Jumper Classic on Sunday morning, July 14. Caelinn Leahy of Maple Park, Illinois, emerged victorious aboard Check Me, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Check In 2 x Stakkato) owned by Adelaide Toensing, delivering an exceptional double-clear in 32.488 seconds to take home winning honors.
Sunday’s packed schedule also featured the $5,000 Pyranha Jr/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic, where Dani Gascoigne of Deerfield, Illinois, triumphed on York Story Limited’s nine-year-old Selle Français mare (Malito De Reve x Kannan), Flora De Riverland, crossing the timers in 35.860 seconds.
Caitlin Hope Rose of Barrington, Illinois, won the $5,000 Adequan/NAL Jr/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic, riding Kathleen Hope’s eight-year-old KWPN mare (Emir R x Chicago I Z), Lyminka SH. They stopped the clock in a speedy 33.981 seconds.
Summertime II wrapped up with the $3,000 J.McLaughlin Jr/Am 1.15m Jumper Classic, where Alexandra Gonzalez of Austin, Texas, emerged victorious on her own 13-year-old Oldenburg mare by Qua, MTM Mrs. Yowza after a fault-free jump-off in 30.225 seconds.
