The First Week of the HITS Saugerties Spring Series is a Wrap

The three-week HITS Saugerties Spring Series began last week, May 26-30, with HITS-on-the-Hudson I. Competition featured USEF-Rated National 5* as well as FEI CSI2* competition with highlights including a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby, $50,000 FEI CSI2* Grand Prix, and $25,000 HITS National Grand Prix. Exhibitors and horses were thrilled to be back showing in the Hudson Valley to kick off the spring season. Read on for a summary of this week's results! 

Featured competition in the Grand Prix Stadium began Wednesday with Laura Chapot winning the $5,000 HITS Open Welcome aboard OUT OF IRELAND. Chapot crossed the timers in 32.372 to take the top honors.

2^nd Place: Heather Caristo-Williams & MARCIANO MVF [33.828]
3^rd Place: Chapot & DIARADO'S FLYING DUTCHMAN [34.291]

FEI competition began on Thursday where Mark Bluman joined the Winner's Circle aboard NOORTJE VD WINDHEUVEL in a jump-off time of 35.42 to claim the blue ribbon by a full second in the $36,600 CSI2* FEI SmartPak Welcome.

2^nd Place: Jonathan Corrigan & SUPER CHILLED [36.45]
3^rd Place: Corrigan & FAIR PLAY [37.24]

Chapot dominated again in the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat 1.35m Jumper Classic on Friday, claiming the first and second placements. Aboard GIDEON, she completed the jump-off in an unbeatable time of 31.632 and zero faults.

2^nd Place: Chapot & CALAFORNIA [32.052]
3^rd Place: Riley Newsome & LAITHINUS [33.576]

In the featured $50,000 FEI CSI2* Grand Prix on Saturday, Caristo-Williams and MARIE VD MESPEL Z claimed the blue ribbon in a speedy time of 42.07. A true "hometown hero", Caristo-Williams (of Saugerties, New York) bested the field with a clear round in her first ever win in FEI-Rated competition. Continuing a successful week, Corrigan claimed the second and third place spots.

2^nd Place: Corrigan & SUPER CHILLED [43.39]
3^rd Place: Corrigan & FAIRPLAY [40.58] [4-Faults]