Elite hunter competition made its way to HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, during HITS-on-the-Hudson V on Friday, July 26, as several derbies took place. In the star-studded $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, it was John French and Incognito that scored the top prize, while Callie Seaman and Moonshine claimed the victory in the $5,000 USHJA National Amateur Hunter Derby, presented by Veronica Beard, and Vivian Golden won the $5,000 USHJA National Junior Hunter Derby aboard Cap Ferrat.
Twenty-one horse-and-rider combinations gave it their all in the traditional, two-round $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby. The two courses featured various elements, including four high options in both the first round and the second, plus uniquely designed fences such as a coop, a trot fence, and a skinny end jump. French earned the highest first-round score with marks of 87 and 91 from the two judging panels. Combined with all of the high option points, their total of 186 put them at the top of the leaderboard. As the last to return in round two, French once again earned the top call with scores of 85.5 and 89 from the judges. With all high option points factored in, their second round score of 182.5 and total of 368.5 saw them finish with the overall blue ribbon.
“I thought both courses flowed well,” said French of the tracks designed by Doug Russell. “In the second round, some people did the inside turn to fence two but I had the lead and I didn’t want to take too many chances, so I went around there. The skinny jump was nice and you don’t see many of those. They decorated the jumps really nicely, and it’s a great ring to ride in.”
Incognito is new to the hunter ring, but his previous experience as a jumper only gives him an advantage. Under the direction of top U.S. rider Callan Solem, Incognito made the switch from jumper to hunter during the 2023 winter season at HITS Ocala. The talented grey then joined French’s stable at the end of the circuit. Now it is his powerful, big jump that gives him the upper hand in the hunter ring, both in the Junior Hunter division with owner Ellie Sadrian and in the professional classes and derbies with French in the irons.
“He jumps up so high,” remarked French of the 12-year-old Anglo European Sport Horse gelding by Twister de la Pomme. “I can’t imagine jumping him 1.50m, because I wouldn’t be able to stay on him!”
As spectators gathered to watch the derby action, golf carts lined the hill and children filled the bleachers around the Hunter Stadium. The crowd cheered on French as he beautifully jumped the final oxer in the handy round.
“I like good competition, and I’m glad to see that we get this level of competition here with so many top barns, horses, and riders,” stated French. “It’s also just a really pretty backdrop with the mountains in the background. Not only do I like the show, but I like the towns and the restaurants too. The show is great, but the towns in the Hudson Valley area are great too.”
Following French was Hannah Isop and Selene. Isop and the 10-year-old Warmblood mare by Cellestial owned by Christine Watkins earned a first-round score of of 184 and a score of 181 in the handy round. Her overall score of 365 was just 3.5 points away from French, landing her in the runner-up spot.
Laena Romond earned herself another top HITS derby placing. This time aboard Wisky, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding by Darco owned by Catherine Cowie, she finished third withscores of 181.5 and 182 for an overall score of 363.5.
Callie Seaman and Moonshine Shine in $5,000 USHJA National Amateur Hunter Derby, presented by Veronica Beard
In the $5,000 USHJA National Amateur Hunter Derby, presented by Veronica Beard, Callie Seaman and Moonshine earned the blue ribbon out of 31 entries.
The hunt-and-go course consisted of 13 obstacles with four high options. The classic portion included fences one to six, while the handy portion was fences seven to thirteen. Seaman guided Moonshine to scores of 88 in each phase, combined with all four high option points, for a total of 180.
“The course was gorgeous,” enthused Seaman. “The jumps are really beautiful and special. Everything was just done really beautifully. Having Veronica Beard as the class sponsor was really great too. It definitely felt exciting, which was nice.”
Seaman has had her 12-year-old Selle Français gelding by Untouchable for about five years. While they have enjoyed tremendous success in the 3’3” Amateur-Owner Hunter division, the pair branched out into the national derbies just a year ago with the same winning flair.
“He’s been a great horse for me,” expressed Seaman who rides with the team at Heritage Farm in Katonah, New York. “He has really excelled in these classes. In the barn he’s a total ham, which is why we call him ‘Piggy.’ He’s hysterical; he has a really fun personality. He’s very cuddly and very loving. He just loves all the attention to be on him.”
Emma Covarrubias and Evolution of Oz, a 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Voltaire owned by Samantha Ellicott, finished closely behind Seaman with a total score of 177 for second-place honors. Rounding out the top three was Jean Sheptoff with Adelina. Sheptoff piloted her own six-year-old KWPN mare by Jacadello around the course to earn an overall score of 176, just one point behind Covarrubias.
Following the amateur competitors, junior riders took over the Hunter Stadium for the $5,000 USHJA National Junior Hunter Derby. Vivian Golden, 15, of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, and Cap Ferrat’s stellar performance landed them the win. Golden rode her own 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Quasimodo vd Molendreef to impressive scores of 88 and 88.5 for a total of 176.5.
“It was a really fun, nice course,” said Golden. “I like the hunt-and-go style because you can split it up a little even though it’s one course, and it’s fun to get both scores in the same round.”
While Golden typically competes Cap Ferrat in the equitation classes, this week he’s playing the hunter part, and he’s off to a flying start. In their first trip to HITS Hudson Valley, Golden has made it a winning one.
“It’s so nice and so pretty here,” remarked Golden. “I love it.”
Following Golden in second place was Victoria Valiquette, 13, of New Canaan, Connecticut, and her own Mr Taylor B, a nine-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Aganix du Seigneur, with a score of 173. Addison Gingras, 16, of Allentown, New Jersey, and Talk of the Town finished in third. Gingras and the eight-year-old Westphalian gelding by Landskron earned a total score of 172, just behind Valiquette.
The first class of the action-packed day in Hunter Stadium was the $5,000 USHJA National Open Hunter Derby. Emily Williams and Milo took the blue with an overall score of 183.5. Williams and the seven-year-old Warmblood gelding owned by Lesley Dryden earned a 92 in the first round and returned to earn a 91.5 in the handy to edge out the rest of the impressive field of 30 entries. Forty-five horse-and-rider combinations aimed for the top prize in the $750 The League Bit O’ Straw 2’6″ Hunter Derby, presented by Marshall & Sterling. Out of the competitive group, Julia Bonvino and her own Jalisco, a 10-year-old KWPN gelding by El Primero finished first. Following the $750 The League Bit O’ Straw 2’6″ Hunter Derby was the $750 The League Tiny Bit O’ 2′ Hunter Derby, also presented by Marshall & Sterling. Twenty-four pairs competed, but it was Rachel Gerstein and Dream Come True, a 17-year-old Canadian Warmblood gelding owned by Reinbow’s End Farm, that earned the highest score. .
Competition across HITS Hudson Valley concludes Sunday, July 28, before returning on Tuesday, July 30, for the second Equitation Tuesday, which kicks off HITS-on-the-Hudson VI, the final week of the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour® Series.
