The six-week Great American Summer Series, presented by Alliant Private Client, is a wrap with even more featured class winners and champions awarded in the final week! HITS is readily preparing for the HITS Saugerties Fall Series which features the annual HITS Championship. Make your plans soon as space is limited. The HITS Championship features the $500,000 AIG Grand Prix, $250,000 Diamond Mills and $100,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Finals, $15,000 Green Hunter Prix, and $25,000 Black Barn Jr/A-O/Am Jumper Prix.
The final week of the Great American Summer Series kicked-off Wednesday, August 5 with the $5,000 HITS Open Welcome. Laura Chapot and Thornhill Kate were the first to make it to the jump-off and their time of 30.959 could not be beat. In second place was Christian Coyle with Centurion [31.061], and Stella Manship took third place with Chuckles [31.992].
Chapot continued her winning streak on Thursday, August 6 when she secured the win in the $10,000 HITS 1.40m Jumper Classic aboard Gideon in a time of 41.207, beating the field by over five seconds! Christine McCrea took second place with Dali De Vy [46.305], and Jonathan McCrea and D Carolus were close behind to take third [46.460].
Jonathan McCrea on Fantasy BB. Photo by ESI.
J. McCrea moved up in the standings to join the Winner’s Circle for top honors in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix aboard Fantasy BB. Just three riders made it to the jump-off and with a careful time of 56.918, even though it meant 2 time-faults, the team took the blue ribbon. Amanda Derbyshire piloted Oasis Spirit to second place [4-Faults, 51.771], and Jordan Coyle and Picador took third [14-Faults, 60.980].
The blue ribbon in the $10,000 Saugerties Steamboat Co. Jumper Classic on Saturday, August 8 was awarded to Todd Minikus for his jump-off ride in a time of 34.224 aboard Napoleon of Picobello. McLain Ward and Formidable galloped close behind to take second place [34.253]. Rowan Willis and Wellington Grandorie took third [34.804].
Jordan Coyle on Ariso. Photo by ESI.
The Great American Summer Series came to a close with the $100,000 Wilmington Trust Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon, August 9. Adding another win to his belt for the series was J. Coyle aboard Ariso, crossing the timers in 41.486.Throughout the Great American Summer Series, J. Coyle has won four of the Sunday Grand Prix along with several other top placings in featured jumper competition. Nicky Galligan and Javas Miss Jordan took home second place [42.615], and Rowan Willis and Blue Movie rounded out the podium in third place [43.114].
In addition to Wilmington Trust’s sponsorship of the Grand Prix this week, Hylofit presents one of their cutting-edge Heart Monitoring Systems to the Grand Prix winner every Sunday at HITS Saugerties.
Hunters were featured in the Outside Course on Saturday, August 8 as the day started off with the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Taking home the blue ribbon and victory were Devon Degen and Luminary with scores of 84 and 82, totaling 166. In second place were Meghan Knapic and Daloma DALOMA [163], and in third were Kelly Lively and Right Off [162].
Morgan Budovsky on Tribeca. Photo by ESI.
Following the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix was the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby where Morgan Budovsky shined aboard Tribeca. Budovsky scored a 90 in the Hunter Classic round and an 86 in the Handy Hunter round for a two-round total of 176. David Oliynyk and For Love took second place [174], and Heather Caristo-Williams took third with Quickborn 7 [173.5].
Additional Jumper Highlights:
- $2,500 M&S Children’s Jumper Classic – High: Siena Lipson and Chapeau Bas
- $2,500 M&S Adult Jumper Classic – High: Kimberly Corts and Dartani
- $1,000 Harcour M&S Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic – Low: Jaxon Alvarez and G-Star
- $250 M&S Modified Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Cassandra Beckmann and Giesela
- $2,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic: Ella Bikoff and Huckleberry
- $5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: Bikoff and Fuego
- $7,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.45m Jumper Classic: Coco Fath and Harley D
Additional Hunter Highlights:
- $1,000 Eastern Hay Amateur-Owner 3’3″/3’6″ Hunter Classic: Shannon Popp and Fidonna
- $1,000 Junior 3’3″/3’6″ Hunter Classic: Cameron Kohls and Coronation
- $500 M&S SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Mariel Goodson and Come True
- $500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Horse: Natalie Shin and Santiago
- $500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Pony: Samantha Smith and Loafers Lodge Jazz It Up
- $250 M&S Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic: Abby Heath and Saint Patrick
- M&S Novice Child & Adult Hunter Classic: Loewe Kasprenski and No Mas Dinero
For full class results, click here. This summer, during the Great American Summer Series, presented by Alliant Private Client, every ring was live streamed every day, and videos will be archived and accessible for a full year at Showhorse.tv. HITS thanks exhibitors for continuing to comply with the health and safety measures being implemented, including social distancing, wearing of masks, and hand washing. As HITS prepares for the upcoming Fall Series, please be sure you review all protocols outlined in the HITS Horse Show Protocol prior to your arrival at the show grounds.