Erica Quinn and Bilbo Baggins Garner Green 3’3” Hunter Championship at HITS Saugerties

Saugerties, N.Y. — August 31, 2023 — The Fall Series at HITS Saugerties is officially underway, and Erica Quinn and Bilbo Baggins kicked off the seventh week of competition by garnering the championship tricolor in the Green 3’3” Hunter division Thursday morning. After putting in smooth and consistent rounds, the duo captivated the judges’ attention, winning three out of four over fences classes throughout the two days of competition.

Erica Quinn and Bilbo Baggins. Photo by: ESI Photography

“[Bilbo Baggins] is a very green horse,” stated Quinn following her victory. “We’re making him up. He’s done maybe a handful of shows, so I’m thrilled with the way that he’s going and our progress.”

Though Bilbo Baggins only has a few shows under his belt, Quinn is pleased with the progress he has made thus far. With plans to bring up the gelding as an equitation prospect for Crooked Willow Farms, Quinn has found that Bilbo Baggins “gets better and better” with continued show exposure. In addition to earning the top score in two of the over fences classes on Wednesday, Quinn and Bilbo Baggins also earned a second and a first in the over fences classes on Thursday. Gustavo Prato, who showed his own mount Calderron, secured the reserve champion title of the day after earning two seconds in the over fences classes on Wednesday and a second and a third in the over fences classes on Thursday. 

Gustavo Prato and Calderron. Photo by: ESI Photography

“Right now [Bilbo Baggins] just needs to learn the ropes of outside diagonal outside, and then we're going to dabble in some of the meter classes,” concluded Quinn. “He’s a great horse. He just needs a confident ride to tell him that everything’s okay. I also love the new addition of the hill for Hunters 2, 3, and 4. It was nice and the footing was great.”

Only one more week of competition remains at HITS-on-the-Hudson following the conclusion of Week VII. Hunter action this week will continue on Saturday morning in the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. Spectators are invited to come watch who will take it all in THE Ring from the newly renovated outdoor seating area of the café. For more information, visit www.hitsshows.com.