HITS-on-the-Hudson VI at HITS Hudson Valley, in Saugerties, New York, came to a close on Sunday, August 4, with the $24,500 Horseflight Jumper Classic 140-1.45m. Tori Corts (USA) and Semi Automatic emerged as the quickest, leaving the show on a high note and with a blue ribbon.
The course, designed by FEI Level 4 Course Designer Marina Azevedo (BRA), featured 16 efforts across 13 obstacles, which saw 11 of the starting 29 combinations advance to the short course. The immediate jump-off, consisting of seven efforts, allowed six of those 11 pairs to duplicate their clear rounds. Corts piloted her homebred 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion by Amaretto d Arco to a blazing time of 31.045 seconds and the victory.
“Since he’s a homebred, I’ve had him since he was born,” explained Corts. “We just started stepping up to this level, so I’m really happy with him. He jumped around really confidently. I felt like I had to go for it, and it’s nice to finally get a blue ribbon after some close top placings.”
Corts is a frequent competitor at HITS Hudson Valley and appreciates the accessibility of the high-quality facility. Her barn, Falkirk Farm LLC, located in Central Valley, New York, is just an hour from the venue.
“I love this show,” she enthused. “It’s really close to where I live so it’s easy to come back and forth. The footing is incredible, the people are awesome, and it’s fun. We can’t wait to come back for Championship Week in September!”
Following Cort’s victory was Irishman Paul O’Shea and Squirt Gun. O’Shea and the 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Diarado x Quick Star) owned by Eye Candy Jumpers, chased Corts’s time but finished just off the pace with a time of 31.258 seconds. Colombian rider Ilan Bluman and Del Mar were the third-best in the competitive field. Ilan Bluman guided the eight-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Daniel Bluman around the short course in 31.501 seconds.
The final week of the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour® began on Wednesday, July 31, with the $5,000 Adequan Open Welcome Stake. Irish rider Stephen Moore and his mount, Eleanor, took the blue in their first class of the week. Moore and the nine-year-old Hanoverian mare (Comme Il Faut 5 x Stakkato) owned by Vlock Show Stables LLC were one of just four competitors to go double clear. They advanced to the short course, breaking through the timers in 39.861 seconds, clinching the win.
The highlight event on Friday, August 2, was the $15,000 STX Open Speed, where fellow Irishman Philip McGuane and Dorado de Riverland were the fastest of the 43 competing. McGuane and Dorado de Riverland, an 11-year-old Selle Français gelding (Untouchable M x Argentinus) owned by Evergate Stables LLC, topped the leaderboard with a quick time of 61.478 in the speed class.
Jumper competition continued on Saturday, August 3, with the $10,000 Alliant Private Client Cup, presented by Alliant Insurance. Conor Swail (IRL), number 15 on the Longines World Jumping Rankings, and Nadal Hero & DB, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Kannanx Polydor) owned by Mannon Farm, won the class, racing through the jump-off timers in 38.809 seconds.
Following Swail was Bliss Heers (USA) and Goodbye, a 13-year-old KWPN mare (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Amulet) owned by Bridgeside Farms LLC. They were one of eight to go double-clear, finishing second with a short course time of 40.623 seconds. Sarah Segal (USA) and Sloopy Z, an 11-year-old Zangershide gelding (Hunters Scendro x San Patrignano Corrado) owned by Shari de Laet, rounded out the top three with a jump-off time of 40.726 seconds, just behind Heers.
Hunter, jumper, and equitation competition at HITS Hudson Valley will take a break while dressage takes the spotlight in Saugerties, New York, for HITS Saugerties Dressage August I & II. HITS-on-the-Hudson returns for the 2024 Fall Series at the end of August.
