|
SAUGERTIES, NY (May 26, 2009)—The
2009 HITS Saugerties Series of Horse Shows kicked off last week at
HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York and drew glowing reviews in
every area, from the footing to the flowers, as exhibitors enjoyed a
full week of world-class show jumping in the historic Hudson Valley.
"The footing in the Grand Prix
Ring is excellent,” said two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner
McLain Ward. “The riders are really excited about all of the
improvements made here this year.”
“The horses are jumping great on the new footing in the Hunter
Rings,” said Ralph Caristo. “When people come to Saugerties
this spring and summer they are going to be pleased."
The rings and jumps feature beautiful decorations designed by Flora
Baptiston. Baptiston was the course decorator for the 2008 Summer
Olympics and has brought her unique touch to HITS-on-the-Hudson.
Stepping up to the Plate
Led by Amy Momrow, exhibitors from Stepping Stone Farm had quite the
week. Momrow captured the Championship in both the Low Hunter and
Pre-Green Hunter Divisions aboard Deborah Brenner's Star Quest's Serenade. In the Baby Green Hunters, she piloted Monty Kelly's Wolfgang to a Championship.
In the Jumper Rings, long-time Stepping Stone Farm client Danielle Diachuk rode Tu Si Pazzo to the blue in the $10,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic and Hannah Maloy rode Shaine Brooks' Main Course to the top prize in the $5,000 Junior Jumper Low Classic.
In other action, Carol Stillwell
threw a one-two punch in the $500 Bit O'Straw Hunter Classic. The New
Jersey native was first aboard Nadia and second riding Billy Elliot.
"It was really gratifying for Carol to have a personal reward of
winning because she spends so much of her time worrying about others,"
said trainer Bill Ellis, of Four Winds Farm. "Nadia is a recent purchase for Carol and she shows in the First-Year Green Division with David Connors."
©Lili Weik Photography
Amy Momrow with Summer Storm.
Golden Performance
Two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner McLain Ward captured the blue aboard Sagamore Farm's Phillipa
in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix to conclude the week for High-Performance
Riders. The Grand Prix victory was the second of the week for Ward and Phillipa as they won Friday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix classes featured
four present and past members of the United States Olympic Team. The
star-studded fields boasted Ward, Chris Kappler, Margie Engle and
Leslie Burr Howard.
All Grand Prix events at HITS
Saugerties this summer are qualifiers for the $100,000 USGPL
Invitational Grand Prix held on Sunday, September 27 at HITS Culpeper
in Culpeper, Virginia. The top 30 rider/horse pairs, who are members of
the Marshall & Sterling League will earn a spot in this prestigious
annual Grand Prix. The first week of Grand Prix action at HITS
Saugerties helped Ward, Engle, Kappler and Burr Howard break into this
year's Top 30 USPGL Rankings, where super star Tracy Magness still holds a comfortable lead at the top.
©Lili Weik Photography
McLain Ward is congratulated by HITS’ Senior Vice President Tony
Hitchcock and HITS Account Executive for Corporate Sponsorship Lisa
Engel after winning the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix.
©Lili Weik Photography
Chris Kappler, Leslie Burr Howard and McLain Ward gather after Friday's Grand Prix for a quick photo op.
HITS-on-the-Hudson Classic Car Showcase Highlights Out-of-Ring Activities for HITS-on-the-Hudson I
Exhibitors at HITS Saugerties got
a special treat on Saturday when classic cars rolled into the show
grounds for the second-annual HITS-on-the-Hudson Classic Car Showcase.
Cars were on display from mid-morning until the end of competition in
the Grand Prix Ring. Kevin Hinchey of Saugerties, New York took home
the HITS Horse Power Champion Trophy thanks to his impeccable 1966
Chevy Chevelle SS, while Ernie and Erika Steubesand's 1962 Lotus Super
7 earned the HITS Horse Power Reserve Champion ribbon. The Steubesands
are from Rhinebeck, New York and were return participants from last
year's event.
©Lisa Engel for HITS, Inc.
Classic Cars on display at HITS-on-the-Hudson
©Lisa Engel for HITS, Inc.
Family of Woodstock, Inc. Executive Director Michael Berg (left) and
HITS' Sr. Vice President Tony Hitchcock (right) congratulate Kevin
Hinchey (center) for taking first place in the second annual
HITS-on-the-Hudson Classic Car Showcase. Hinchey's 1966 Chevy Chevelle
SS stole the show!
©Lisa Engel for HITS, Inc.
Ernie and Ericka Steubesand and their granddaughter, Danielle Amidon,
of Rhinebeck, New York earned the second-place prize in Saturday's
classic car show. Tony Hitchcock of HITS presents them with the Reserve
Champion ribbon.
HITS-on-the-Hudson Annual Circuit Award chase is underway
Each
year, HITS Saugerties crowns its spring and summer Circuit Champions.
Exhibitors are off and jumping on their way to earning those precious
points for Circuit Champions. Spring Champions will be awarded a
special bridle bag courtesy of SmartPak and will have the opportunity
to participate in the Parade of Champions which will take place on
Sunday, June 7 prior to the $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix as part of
the Spring Finale Weekend at HITS Saugerties, which will aslo feature
the annual Purina Mills Kids Day and Canine Costume Party. To check out the spring circuit standings, click here.
Show jumping at HITS Saugerties
will continue on Wednesday, May 27 with HITS-on-the-Hudson II.
Highlighting the week for High-Performance Riders will be the $25,000
HITS Grand Prix on Friday and the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday.
For exhibitors still looking to make lodging plans, HITS Official Hotel Partners still have availability. Please click here to view the hotels.
HITS, Inc. is a special events
management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse
shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS
produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982.
Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with
world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New
York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.
|
