Kit McClorey and High Tide Garner $1,000 Jr/A-O Hunter Classic at Lamplight Equifest I

Wayne, Ill. – July 30, 2023 – The first week of the Lamplight Equifest I is wrapped up at HITS Chicago, where hunters took center stage on Sunday during the $1,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic. Kit McClorey showcased her partnership with her mount, High Tide, earning a two-round total of 170 to take the win. Liana Epstein followed in second place with Northstar, while Taylor Kogan with True North claimed the third-place prize.

Kit McClorey, Amanda Thomas and High Tide

“High Tide goes by Boden at home. He's a 14 year old Swedish warm blood and we have had him since he was six. He didn’t know much when we got him, Amanda Thomas, my trainer, pretty much taught him everything he knows. I absolutely Love this horse to death.” Explained McClorey after her win, “We are hoping to go to the nationals this year, he was actually champion last year so we’re excited to give it another go!”

Seventeen entries gathered at the Main Hunter Ring to compete in the first round of the $1,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic designed by Dean Battaglia. The top 12 were invited to return for the handy round, where they cantered directly to the first vertical away from home, then were asked to execute a trot fence followed by two rollbacks and a two-stride where riders had opportunities to highlight their mounts’ handiness before continuing to the final line towards the gate.

Kit McClorey and High Tide

McClorey and High Tide had two beautiful rounds earning the duo a classic round of 83 and a handy round of 87 for a combined score of 170. Close behind McClorey was Liana Epstein and Northstar earning a combined score of 166. They narrowly edged out Taylor Kogan and True North, who earned a score of 165 and the third-place prize. 

Based out of Amanda Thomas LLC in Robertsville, Missouri, McClorey expressed her excitement on the recent upgrades taking place at HITS Chicago, “We've been coming to Lamplight for years. I love the venue. The flowers are great,  they've done a nice job with the jumps, Dean has set some amazing courses, and it’s always running on schedule!”

As Equifest I comes to a close, Wednesday will mark the start of Equifest II, with highlight events such as the USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby, a USHJA $5,000 National Derby, and a $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. 

Taylor Kogan and True North