Sue Lyman rode The Lion's Share to a roaring victory in Saturday night's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby to highlight the Cavalier Classic for hunter riders at HITS Commonwealth Park, in Culpeper, VA. Lyman and The Lion's Share used a score of 85 in the first round to put them in the hunt for the blue ribbon when the top 12 horse-and-rider combinations returned for a handy round on a course set by Rian Beals. At the conclusion of the first round, Lyman and her horse were in second place. The leader after the first round was junior rider Hasbrouck Donovan, who scored an 86 aboard Don Stewart's Confidential.

In the handy round, it was Lyman that took control when she impressed judges Peter Stoekel and Frank Willard, and scored a 90 (175 total) to put the pressure on Donovan. The Gainesville, FL, native answered the bell and laid down an impressive trip of her own when she scored an 86 (174 total) to finish in second place when the class was complete.

Lyman, who trains under the watchful eye of Peter Foley, was the champion of the Second Year Green Hunters aboard The Lion's Share and the victory in Saturday's feature class for hunter riders was icing on the cake. "What a week for my horse," said Lyman. "His sire had to be put down a few weeks ago, and I guess this was his way to pay tribute to him."

"I feel great for Sue," said Foley. "It was a difficult few weeks for her, and I am glad she was able to come out and perform this week."

"It was a great course," added Foley. "Rian (Beals) had a hay jump in the ring, and I thought some of the horses would have stops when they approached it. However, it turned out to be very inviting."

Also excelling in the Derby was Kristin Kushlan who rode Kaleidescape's Galan to the yellow ribbon. Rounding out the list of top finishers were Rio's Ricardo, ridden by Samantha Pyle and MTM Take Me, ridden by Tracy Fenney, who were fourth and fifth, respectively.

Other stars in the hunter rings during the Cavalier Classic include Jenny Miller, who rode Meghan Shea Turner's Kohl to the Tri-Color Ribbon in the Pre Green Hunters, while in the First Year Green Hunters Winn Alder rode Pam Baker's Stonewall to the weekly title. For a complete list of results, click here.

Show Jumping at HITS Culpeper now takes a short break and will return in August with the Winston National (August 18-22), which will include the return of the Zone III Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday, August 21, and the Constitution Classic (August 25-29). The August shows feature a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby each week and a weekly $40,000 Grand Prix class that will serve as critical qualifiers for the Pfizer $ 1 Million Grand Prix that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson, on Sunday, September 12.

In order to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, a rider must compete in eight or more HITS Grand Prix classes. The top 40 riders, based on money won by horse/rider combination, will be eligible to ride for the Pfizer Million. For more detailed information on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, please visit www.HitsShows.com.

HITS, Inc., produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.