The 2021 HITS-on-the-Hudson Series Ends on a High Note!

Thanks to all of our exhibitors for another great year!

The 2021 HITS Saugerties Series has wrapped and what a way to end! HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII not only featured the HITS Championship, but also FEI CSI5* competition, the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix,the NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final - East, a $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby, Hunter and Jumper Classics, and so much more! The week also celebrated the Adeptus Circuit Award winners at the Parade of Champions. Knowing that the season was coming to an end, horses and riders brought their best. Keep reading for a recap of the champions and results!


 

 

The first featured class of the week was Wednesday's $5,000 HITS Open Welcome. Jessica Mendoza secured the blue ribbon aboard INDIAN ROSE by crossing the timers in 42.993. The margin of victory was less than one-tenth of a second!

  • 2nd Place: Hadden Frost & FINOU 4 [43.037]
  • 3rd Place: Paige Jardine & CHACCARA BLUE [4-faults, 39.99]
 
Competition continued on Thursday with the $10,000 HITS Jumper Prix, where Amanda Derbyshire claimed the win aboard CHARME FROM SECOND LIFE Z in a time of 39.164.

  • 2nd Place: Jimmy Torano & HAYA [41.099]
  • 3rd Place: Dana Gattuso & HALOCIA [41.953]

Also on Thursday, FEI CSI 5* competition began with the $36,600 SmartPak Welcome. Mark Bluman and LENZO 5 claimed the blue ribbon by navigating a tricky jump-off course in 48.46 with 4 faults. 

  • 2nd Place: Daniel Bluman & MARILYN [4-faults, 51.42]
  • 3rd Place: Aaron Vale & PRESCOTT [8-faults, 45.87]

 

 

Friday was host to the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat Co. Jumper Classic. In an extremely close finish, Cassandra Kahle and HEVIOLA edged out the competition with a victorious time of 40.203.

  • 2nd Place: Jardine & CHACCARA BLUE [40.227]
  • 3rd Place: Peter Leone & CEDRIC 84 [40.554]

Aaron Vale and ELUSIVE lived up to the horse's name by winning the FEI CSI 5* $139,500 Saugerties Jumper Classic. They completed the jump-off course in an unbeatable time of 42.75.

  • 2nd Place: Luis Sabino & ARGAN DE BELIARD [44.46]
  • 3rd Place: Jonathan Corrigan & FAIR PLAY [45.25]

 

 

Michael Burnett and CHAGRAND jumped to victory in Saturday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix. The only team to go double-clear, they put up a speedy time of 42.61.

  • 2nd Place: Hunter Holloway & DARKNIGHT DE MALUGA [8-faults, 44.48]
  • 3rd Place: Danny Mahon & HOLY DERMUS PP [8-faults, 49.67]
Saugerties' own Heather Caristo-Williams piloted CELTIC HERO BZ to the win in Saturday's FEI CSI 5* $36,600 HITS Jumper Classic with a time of 38.28. The win was Caristo-Williams' third triumph in FEI competition this year in her hometown.

  • 2nd Place: Nicky Galligan & CASTELISSIMO [38.93]
  • 3rd Place: Mendoza & CASANOVA 499 [42.04]

 

 

Jumper Classic Winners

$7,500 M&S Children's/Adult Jumper Classic - High:  Kimberly Corts & FIDEL CASTRO

$5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic:  Amy Shafmaster & CARLOS

$2,500 NAL Jr/A-O/Am 1.20m Jumper Classic:  Caroline Mawhinney & ELECTRA

$500 M&S Children's/Adult Jumper Classic - Low:  Katelyn Coveney & HIGH JACK

$250 M&S Modified Children's/Adult Jumper Classic:  Abigail Davis & BOEMERANG VAN GENERHESE
 

 

Saturday was host to the $1,500 USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. Kaitlyn Linck took the top two spots on the podium, winning aboard BEAVERWOODS HYDRANGEA with scores of 82 and 84 for a total of 166.

  • 2nd Place: Linck & HONDO THE MAGNIFICENT [164]
  • 3rd Place: Clare Friedlander & EARL GREY [160]

 

 

The final class in the Grand Prix Stadium on Saturday was the NCEA Junior Hunt Seat Medal Final - East. This unique final consists of three phases, beginning with an over fences phase, followed by the top ten riders returning for a flat phase. The top four riders then return for a bracket-style phase where they swap horses for the final ride-off. 

The top four riders who returned for the bracket-phase were Maci Iddings, Mackenzie Fitch, Joe Craver, and Paige Sherman. Iddings and Fitch placed third and fourth, respectively, while Craver and Sherman moved on to the final ride-off.

Craver and Sherman competed again on a horse neither had ridden yet, and while each had a mistake, the judges were impressed with their horsemanship. Sherman took home the blue ribbon and Craver placed second.

 

 
 
Hunter Classic Winners

Short Stirrup Hunter Classic: Olivia Richmond & DREAM IN COLOR

M&S Novice Child Hunter Classic: Myra Krishna & CAPTAIN MORGAN

M&S Novice Adult Hunter Classic: Amanda Pollack & DUTCH SANDRO Z

$250 M&S Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic: Lulu Carney & BRIGHTLY

$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic - Horse: Shelby Lucey & CALLAO 7

$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic - Pony: Sylvie Tadikonda & THISTLE

$500 SmartPak/M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Madelyn Sano & MAHOGANY

$1,000 Junior/A-O Hunter Classic: Ella Witt & PLUNTER'S PUNCH
 
 

Click here for the full listing of results from HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII