Wednesday, September 11, marked the beginning of the 2024 The League Finals, presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance, at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York. Over the course of the week, junior and amateur riders showcased their skills in hunter, jumper, and equitation classes, having spent the year gathering points to qualify for the prestigious championship event. In addition to the year-end and division prizes, three major awards were given at the conclusion of the competition — Best Adult Rider, presented to Bridget Tyksinski with Full Moon Rising, Best Junior Rider on a Horse, presented to Kate Cianfaglione with Polaris, and Best Junior Rider on a Pony, presented to Taylor Hamilton with Caraway’s One Love.
Tyksinski of Shamong, New Jersey, earned top results in several classes, including the Adult Working Hunter division, as well as the Dover Saddlery Adult Medal Final, the Junior/Amateur Horsemanship Medal Final, the Hudson Adult Equitation Classic, and the $2,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Derby. Based on her performance, she was honored with the Best Adult Rider award.
“It’s unbelievable,” she expressed. “I have been coming to this Finals for so many years, and I get this leading rider arm band every year. I was always thinking it wasn’t going to be me, and then finally, this year, it was and I’m speechless. My horse was incredible, and I owe it to him, honestly.”
Tyksinski’s mount, Full Moon Rising, is a 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Arch owned by her mother, Christine Tyksinski. After a moderately successful racing career, the talented dark bay gelding gelding has since switched gears, having developed a strong partnership with Tyksinski over the past few years.
“We just clicked,” said Tyksinski. “Everything about him fits me perfectly, and I fit him perfectly. He’s been delightful ever since we got him. This past year, we really fell into place and have been doing exceptionally well.
“I love getting it right,” she continued of the intricacies of riding a technical track. “When all the pieces come together and you have a good trip, it just makes all the hard work worth it.”
Cianfaglione, 17, of Canton, Connecticut, received the Best Junior Rider on a Horse award after impressive performances across the jumpers, equitation, and hunters, including in the Junior/Amateur .90m Jumper division, several of the exciting equitation medal classes, and the $2,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Derby. She rode Polaris, a nine-year-old German Sporthorse gelding by Quaid I owned by Jennifer Bryant, that she has been partnered with for three years. After Polaris’s previous jumper experience, it was with Cianfaglione that they became a formidable duo in the equitation and hunter rings as well.
“It’s really quite special to compete here at this Finals with Polaris,” stated Cianfaglione, who is in her final junior year of showing. “Not a lot of people have this opportunity, especially with a horse that I know so well. It’s really special, especially when you’ve grown with the horse over the past few years, so now being able to win this award means even more to me.”
Cianfaglione trains with Amy Kriwitsky, Head Rider and Trainer at Folly Farm in Simsbury, Connecticut. Kriwitsky and the Folly Farm squad were out in full force throughout the week to support all of their riders, including Cianfaglione.
“Amy [Kriwitsky] is like a best friend to a lot of the kids in the barn,” shared Ciangaglione. “She treats everyone like a human and does a great job of teaching and directing us, keeping everyone calm and cool, and keeping a positive environment. It’s really special having a big barn family. When you’re winning, it’s a lot more impactful because you know that everyone is cheering you on. Even if you don’t have a great ride, they are still there to support you.”
Taylor Hamilton, 14, of Calverton, New York, was awarded the Best Junior Rider on a Pony title aboard Carraway’s One Love, her own 16-year-old Connemara gelding. The pair competed in the Large Children’s Hunter Pony division, theChild Medal Final – Large Pony, and the Hudson Child Equitation Classic – Large Pony with . several top ribbons, also earning the Children’s Hunter Pony – Large division championship.
The League Finals, presented by Marshall & Sterling Insurance concluded hunter/jumper competition for the 2024 season at HITS Hudson Valley. The next equestrian event at the venue will be the Great American Insurance Group/United States Dressage Federation Region 8 Dressage Championship and HITS Open Dressage, running from September 19 to 22. After, horse showing will continue at HITS Ocala and HITS Del Mar.
