The HITS Chicago Summertime Series is a wrap, but competition continues next week with the three-week HITS Chicago Equifest Series! The past three weeks have brought blue ribbons, Championships, and smiles to featured class winner’s faces at Lamplight Equestrian Center. The Summertime Series wrapped up its third week with the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix.
Featured classes in the Grand Prix Ring kicked off with the $2,500 Open Welcome where Rachel Lindsey and Comander 16 claimed the first blue ribbon with the only double clear round and a time of 29.833. In second place wer Jonathon Millar and Alter Ego [8-Faults, 29.072]. In third place rode Holly Shepherd with CHS Krooze [8-Faults, 32.570].
For the second week in a row, Mathis Schwentker secured the blue ribbon in Thursday’s featured class, the $5,000 Jumper Classic aboard Charly-Ann in a time of 33.700. Dorothy Douglas rode Completely Nuts to second place [34.724], while Millar and Shadow De Shalimar took third [35.723].
Tracy Fenney on MTM Apple. Photo by ESI.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Apple were victorious on Friday, July 17 in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Eleven riders jumped clean in the first round and began preparations for the jump-off. Fenney returned third on the young horse, who made her mark with several top finishes during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, and had several seasoned horses that followed her in the order. Fenney’s time of 36.365 was unbeatable and was good for the win. Ali Wolff and Casall secured second place [37.980]. Millar and Valinski S secured third [38.382].
Millar took home the win on Saturday, July 18 in the $10,000 Open Jumper Prix aboard Shadow De Shalimar in a time of 35.567. Carlee McCutcheon piloted MTM Unexpected to a second place finish [4-Faults, 34.594], and Liz Atkins and Udine rounded out the podium to take third place [4-Faults, 35.134].
Ali Wolff on Casall. Photo by ESI.
Wolff moved up in the standings to take home the top placing in the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix on Sunday aboard Casall. Only two riders jumped clean in the first round and returned for the jump-off, where Wolff’s time of 36.214 would secure the blue ribbon. Douglas and MTM Through the Looking Glass secured second place [4-Faults, 38.295]. Christian Heineking and NKH Cento Blue took third.
Carlee McCutcheon on Halo. Photo by ESI.
In the hunter rings, McCutcheon and Halo have been laying down consistent rounds to finish in the top three of the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby each week. This week, her scores of 84.5 in the Hunter Classic round and 87 in the Handy Hunter round totaled a 171.5 and was good for the win. Ed Copeland rode Marshall to second place [171], while Justice Delhagen took third with Cortes [169].
Margaret Camp on Midas. Photo by ESI.
On Saturday afternoon, July 18, the Grand Prix Ring was transformed into a Hunter Derby field for the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby held at HITS Chicago. The blue ribbon ride was awarded to Margaret Camp and Midas earning the high scores in both the Hunter Classic and Handy Hunter rounds. Camp scored a 181 in the Hunter Classic round and a 193 in the Handy Hunter round for a cumulative score of 374. Douglas and MTM Exceptional took second place [369.5], and Jordan Lubow took third place with Anthemis Z [356].
Additional Jumper Highlights:
- $1,000 M&S/WIHS Children’s & Adult High Jumper Classic: Leigh Nanda and El Casper
- $1,000 NAL Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Nanda and El Casper
- $1,000 M&S Modified Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Tessa Harper and Aarhus
- $1,000 Dever M&S Children’s & Adult Low Jumper Classic: Harper and Aarhus
- $2,500 Chicago Equine Jr/A-O/Am 1.20m Jumper Classic: Marjorie Martin and Hannibal V
- $5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: McCutcheon and MTM Mallorca
- $7,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic: McCutcheon and MTM Unexpected
Additional Hunter Highlights:
- $750 USHJA Green Hunter Challenge: Ryan Sassmanshausen and Rosalita
- $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive: Douglas and MTM Entitled
- $1,000 AIG Junior Hunter Classic: Hannah Kohler and Malibu
- $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic: Chloe Stix and Fabian
- $500 SmartPak M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Traci Ribeiro and Abudabi
- $500 M&S Children’s Hunter Classic: Lauren Crawford and Caledonia
For full class results, click here. The Equifest Series begins this week and features weekly National Hunter Derbies, bi-weekly Grand Prix, and a $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby during Week II. If you have not already done so, please email the Stabling Manager and confirm your stall counts for the Equifest Series at Lamplight Equestrian Center.
HITS thanks exhibitors for continuing to comply with the health and safety measures being implemented. As shows at Lamplight Equestrian Center continue, HITS asks that all trainers, exhibitors and staff comply with social distancing, wearing of masks, and other protocols outlined in the HITS Horse Show Protocol here. If you are on your way to HITS Chicago, please be sure to review the HITS Horse Show Protocol prior to your arrival at the show grounds.