ESI Photography. (Amanda Steege and Duval in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby Wild Card at HITS Saugerties. )
When the popular derby was complete, it was Amanda Steege that rode Randi Vladimer's Duval past the 19 starters that challenged course designer Rian Beals' first-round track and the 12 horse-and-rider teams that advanced to the handy round.
"I had such a great time competing in the class tonight," said Steege. "The footing was amazing and the course designer set up a really nice track that allowed my horse to show off its beautiful gallop. I feel very honored to be chosen by the owner to ride such a special horse in this class."
Steege also rode Duval to the weekly reserve championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII in the Adequan Hunter. He will be competing this fall at Capital Challenge and Harrisburg. "We are all very happy to be here this week," added Steege. "We are looking forward to watching Sunday's Pfizer Million."
Friday's feature class for hunters served as a wild card for the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby that will take place during the Marshall & Sterling League Finals next week at HITS-on-the-Hudson. With the win, Duval earned a spot along with Finn McCool, ridden by Hannah Isop, who finished in second place during Friday's Derby.
"I was thrilled with my horse," said Isop. "He is a young horse that I have been bringing along and he handled everything like a pro tonight!"
This summer the all-new Devoucoux Hunter Derby was a featured event at both HITS Saugerties and HITS Culpeper, and represents the 13th division to count for points in the Marshall & Sterling League. The Devoucoux Derby Finals will be held during the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals on September 15-19 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY.
Also excelling in the hunter ring during HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII was Amy Momrow, who piloted Monty Kelly's Wolfgang to the weekly championship in the Low Hunter and a reserve title in the Pre Green Hunter. Another big winner this week was Kate Conover, who rode Emil Spadone's Peron to a weekly crown in the Baby Green Hunters. Both Wolfgang and Peron were perennial winners at HITS Saugerties this season and will be honored with the best-of-the-best during Sunday's Smartpak Parade of Champions after the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. Following the Smartpak Parade of Champions, the legendary John Fogerty will take the stage making it a day to remember at HITS Saugerties.
VIP Tables for eight for the Pfizer Million are available for $2,500 and include breakfast and lunch daily on Wednesday through Saturday, and a special, exclusive Grand Prix luncheon on Pfizer Million Sunday prepared by renowned area chef Ric Orlando from New World Cooking Co. The menu, a salute to the Hudson Valley, includes waiter service and complimentary wine, beer and a champagne toast to the Pfizer Million winners!
For more information, please contact Tony Hitchcock via e-mail at [email protected].
ENDS