Dressage riders took centerstage at HITS Hudson Valley for the HITS Saugerties Dressage August I and II shows on August 16-18, 2024. Among the many dazzling performances, top professional Meagan Davis stood out with her rides on Toronto Lightfoot, owned by Scott Durkin, claiming victories in the two FEI Grand Prix classes, as well as in the FEI Test of Choice, all with impressive scores well above the coveted 70% mark.
Davis and Toronto Lightfoot, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Totilas x Onassis), started off their competition weekend with the top score out of nine duos in the August I FEI Grand Prix on Friday, August 16. Judges Dolly Hannon and Lilo Fore rewarded the pair for their harmonious effort with an average 73.750%, especially scoring well for the two-tempi and one-tempi changes with 8’s and 8.5’s. On Saturday, August 17, during August II, Davis and Toronto Lightfoot continued to excel, repeating the Grand Prix test for the FEI Test of Choice class with an average 72.174% to lead the lap of honor once again. Finally, on Sunday, August 18, in the August II FEI Grand Prix, the pair delivered their best performance of the weekend, earning an incredible 76.848% and the blue ribbon after achieving numerous 8’s throughout the test from judges Jen Roth and Axel Steiner.
“I really wanted to show on Sunday, because he felt like he was getting better each day,” explained Davis. “This weekend was his third show at Grand Prix level and only his fifth, sixth, and seventh time actually doing the test at a show, which is pretty amazing. The elasticity, the frame, and the way he carries himself is really quite impressive. He’s really gaining so much strength and it’s becoming more polished now.”
“In the 20 years I have been coming to HITS Hudson Valley, that was perhaps the best ride I have judged,” added Steiner of Davis’s final outing. “I have really enjoyed the show here in Saugerties. The maintenance and redesign are top-class.”
Davis got the ride on Toronto Lightfoot almost two years ago when Durkin bought the flashy bay as a Grand Prix prospect for Davis to continue developing. After spending the first year competing and getting to know each other in the Small Tour, ‘Toronto’ has really come into his own now in the Grand Prix.
“Toronto was, I would say, not the bravest horse to start,” shared Davis. “He really relied on me to tell him he was fine, and he would be a little looky at things. This past year he has just blossomed. He has really come out of his shell. He loves the people around him and is a very social horse now.
“I also am extremely lucky to have Scott [Durkin] as an owner and I’m very thankful for it,” she continued. “Scott is so supportive of whatever I think Toronto needs or whatever I think is the next step for him, so he is really instrumental to our success.”
Davis, who is based just minutes away from the HITS Hudson Valley venue in Saugerties, New York, was thrilled with the action-packed show. Even a little rain could not dampen the fun and exciting atmosphere.
“It’s fantastic,” she expressed of the facility. “We hadn’t seen the footing put to the test of rain yet, and it held up beautifully. It was the biggest dressage show so far this year, and it ran really well. The staffing was top-notch, and the volunteers were all very helpful. We had a great time.”
Grand Prix competition was also highlighted by amateur rider Christina Morin-Graham and her own DSP Dauphin, a 16-year-old German Sport Horse mare by Damon Hill. They kicked off the weekend as the highest scoring amateur pair in the August I FEI Grand Prix with a score of 70.762%. During August II, they earned the high score of 74.113% in the FEI Freestyle Test of Choice to best the field of eight other competitors. Their test was marked by incredible consistency throughout, especially in the canter pirouettes, which earned 8’s from both judges. In the FEI Grand Prix Special – National Qualifier, Morin-Graham and DSP Dauphin once again delivered a score of 71.596%, demonstrating exceptional collected work, particularly in the passage.
While HITS Saugerties Dressage August I and II at HITS Hudson Valley have come to a close, dressage returns to the venue on September 19-22 for the Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region 8 Championship. For complete results, please visit www.results.horseshowoffice.com.
