The talented Emily Irene and scopey Take Five shine on their way to winning in the $1,500 Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic during Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals (©ESI Photography)

Saugerties, N.Y. - The Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson continues, framed by lovely skies, picturesque views, with a hint of autumn in the air, riders nevertheless are battling it out for top honors and recognition after a year of qualifying events and heated competition.

Thursday classes resumed in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix Stadium, where sixty two horses and riders showcased their talents in the 24th annual Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals Bit ‘O Straw Hunter Classic. 

Named after HITS President and CEO Thomas Struzzieri’s favorite hunter when he was training riders and horses for rings like those he now runs, Bit 'O Straw was the “Perfect Hunter” and gave generations of students blue ribbon memories. The class has become a favorite of competitors nationwide--and yesterday showcased the year’s top contenders.

Record-breaking numbers turned out to compete in the class and 12 were called back for a second round. Emily Irene who rides with Heritage Stables in Randolph, New Jersey, earned more than straw on Hope Leeper’s lovely dark hunter Take Five, with scores of 83 in the first round and 84 in the second, for a combined total of 167.

Second was Corina Grizib on Gleneayre Farm’s Second Thoughts, with scores of 81 and 83 for a total of 164. Third went to Kimberly Schultz riding her own Beyond Measure, scoring 77 and 85 over fences, for a combined 162. Rounding out the top five was My Oliver Twist,  ridden and owned by Julie Pignataro, with a two-round total of 161 and Ellen Greiner riding her own Coastland, followed closely behind with 160.

$1,500 Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic Results
Place Horse Owner  Rider Prize $ Rnd. 1 Rnd. 2
1 Take Five Hope Leeper Emily Irene 450.0 83 84
2 On Second Thought Gleneayre Farm Corina Grizib 300.0 81 83
3 Beyond Measure Kimberly Schultz Kimberly Schultz 200.0 77 85
4 My Oliver Twist Julie Pignataro Julie Pignataro 150.0 79 82
5 Coastland Ellen Greiner Ellen Greiner 125.0 82 78
6 Baltimore II Gabrielle Marush Paige Towers 100.0 76 81
7 Raise the Bar Mary Savage Amanda Fanning 100.0 80 76
8 All Day Long Hannah Smith Gracie Cammack 75.00 75 7