Week II of the HITS Chicago Summertime Series is a wrap with more featured class winners and Championships awarded at Lamplight Equestrian Center. HITS Chicago is host to bi-weekly grand-Prix and National Hunter Derbies, welcoming top riders to compete at the charming Lamplight Equestrian Center. Don’t miss out on the action this summer; learn more about additional upcoming competitions and enter today here!
Tiffany Hammack on Eldorado. Photo by ESI.
Christian Heineking and NKH Mr. Darcy kicked off Summertime II with a first place finish in the $2,500 Open Welcome on Wednesday, July 8 in a time of 31.400. In second place were Jonathon Millar and Alter Ego [32.039]. Kasey Ament and Dexter R took third place [33.368].
Claiming the blue ribbon in the $5,000 Jumper Classic were Mathis Schwentker and Charly-Ann as they crossed the timers in 41.315. Dorothy Douglas and MTM Cornada B were close behind to take second place [41.765]. Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Bengtsson VDL took third [4-Faults, 40.297].
High performance competition continued on Friday, July 10 with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Eleven riders jumped clear in the first round of competition and began preparing for the jump-off. The goal was to be quick and clean, as each rider who jumped clean in the jump-off was faster than the previous. The top placings kept changing as the last to jump-off, Schwentker and Camirez FZ, entered the ring. For the second week in a row Schwentker took home top honors as he crossed the timers in 31.496. Tracy Fenney & MTM Reve Du Paradis rode to a second place finish [32.052], and Johan Kachelhoffer took third with Carlos 691 [33.696].
Caelinn Leahy and Happiness had the fastest time in the $10,000 HITS Open Jumper Prix as they crossed the timers in 35.708 to secure the win on Saturday, July 11. In second place were Heineking and NKH Mr. Darcy [36.222]. Douglas and MTM Cornada B were close behind to take third place [36.243].
Tiffany Hammack on Crack Elle Chavannaise in their presentation ceremony. Photo by ESI.
Eleven riders returned for the jump-off in the $50,000 John Deere Grand Prix on Sunday. Fenney, who was second to return held the lead with a time of 39.719 until the last pair jumped-off. It was Tiffany Hammack and Crack Elle Chavannaise that took the lead with their time of 39.030. Fenney and Igor Van De Heibos took second place, while Kelly Soleau-Millar and Cacharel rode to third [40.987].
Dorothy Douglas on S&L Lion King. Photo by ESI.
Winning the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby by a 6 point margin was Douglas for her ride aboard S&L Lion King. Douglas had the high score in each rounds, laying down a 91 in the Hunter Classic round, followed by a 93 in the Handy Hunter round for a 184 and the blue ribbon. McCutcheon and Halo rode to second place [178]. Tiffany Hammack took third place with Rightfull [173.5].
Additional Jumper Highlights:
- $1,000 M&S/WIHS Children’s & Adult High Jumper Classic: Savannah Hemby and I-Mai Tai OHF
- $1,000 NAL Children’s & Adult Jumper Classic: Savannah Hemby and I-Mai Tai OHF
- $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: Tessa Harper and Aarhus
- $2,500 Chicago Equine Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic: Grace Klein and Clear Carisma
- $5,000 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: Elizabeth McKim and Airbrush
- $7,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic: Carlee McCutcheon and MTM Unexpected
Additional Hunter Highlights:
- $750 USHJA Green Hunter Challenge: Tina Judge-Boyle and Camillo Z
- $1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive: Douglas and Cameila
- $1,000 AIG Junior Hunter Classic: McCutcheon and S&L Lion King
- $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic: Tess Fortune and MVP
- $500 SmartPak M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Samantha Roper and Caspen
- $500 M&S Children’s Hunter Classic: Daniella McCasland and Divine
For a complete listing of class results, click here. The Summertime Series and Equifest Series feature weekly National Hunter Derbies, bi-weekly Grand Prix, and more. If you have not already done so, please email the Stabling Manager and confirm your stall counts for the summer shows at Lamplight Equestrian Center. As the HITS Chicago Series continues, management’s goal is to ensure a safe and enjoyable for everyone. To do so, please review the HITS Quick Tips and HITS Horse Show Protocol online here prior to your arrival to the horse show.