The $35,000 John Deere Grand Prix on Saturday, August 3, 2024, marked a thrilling conclusion to Equifest II at HITS Chicago in Wayne, Illinois. At the end of a speedy jump-off, it was Bolivian rider Diego Bedoya that led the way aboard Baglioni.
The course, designed by Tommy Brawley (USA), featured 13 obstacles with 16 efforts, including a challenging triple combination at fence 12abc. From the competitive field of 25 starting combinations, nine managed to produce a fault-free effort to advance to the jump-off. As the pathfinder across the short course, Bedoya set a blistering pace, crossing the timers in 34.965 seconds. While the remaining challengers tried to catch Bedoya’s time, it ultimately proved to be unbeatable. “This week was the most technical and difficult course of the last three weeks we have been showing here,” noted Bedoya. “Baglioni handled everything really well, and it was nice to see her perform like that.”
Baglioni, NRG Farm’s 10-year-old Angelo European Warmblood mare by Spartacus, is a fairly new ride for Bedoya, but already their new partnership is off to a flying start. After just three months together, the pair have already picked up numerous top placings and now a win in the $35,000 John Deere Grand Prix.
“Samantha Ricegave me the opportunity,” explained Bedoya. “After trying her out, she said, ‘Okay, it’s your turn.’ Now we are doing really well together, and I’m really happy with the results.
“It’s my first time here at HITS Chicago, and it’s really nice,” he continued. “We are already looking forward to coming back next year for sure. I have to give a big thank you to my team for such a successful show.”
Tiffany Hammack, Equifest I’s $35,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix winner, finished a close second in 35.387 seconds with her mount, Verdi O’Merveilles, a 15-year-old Selle Français gelding (Verdi TN x Quick Star) owned by Foxwood Farm. .Rounding out the top three was Shannon Sullivan aboard her own 17-year-old Polish Warmblood gelding, Downtown’s Main Event, with a jump-off time of 35.402 seconds.
The $35,000 John Deere Grand Prix wasn’t the only highlight during the action-packed week at HITS Chicago. On Thursday, July 18, the $20,000 Alliant Private Client Cup was the spotlight event. October Hill Farm’s rider Nicolas Gamboa skillfully guided NKH Mr. Darcy, NKH LLC’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Darco x Chepetto), to a first-place finish with a double-clear round and a jump-off time of 30.819 seconds.
On Friday, July 20, the $10,000 STX Open Speed showcased horse-and-rider combinations vying for the fastest time. Madison Cowan clinched the win aboard her own 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by Dakar VDL, Jeloma, with a remarkable flat time of 67.476 seconds.
Concluding the show jumping action on Sunday, August 5, was the $15,000 Horseflight Jumper Classic. Bedoya Training Stables’s rider Samanth Rice claimed victory on NRG Farm LLC’s 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding by Califax, Ringwood Zebo, with their double-clear jump-off time of 37.523 seconds.
Competition at HITS Chicago resumes on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, as hunter, jumper, and equitation riders gear up for the final week of the Lamplight Equifest Series.
