SAUGERTIES, NY – HITS recently wrapped up nine weeks of show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson and transitioned to the Culpeper Finals at Commonwealth Park in Virginia. The capstone to the Saugerties series offered coveted year-end awards, over $1.5 million in prize money and new Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Champions. As HITS-on-the-Hudson quiets, Andre Thieme, Samantha Schaefer and a handful of Marshall & Sterling League National Final winners are cashing their checks and hanging their ribbons. The last week of the HITS Culpeper Summer Series represents the 35th week of show jumping before HITS retires a successful 2011 season.

21st Annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals

Up and coming children, junior, amateur and professional riders from all parts of the country made the trip to Saugerties, New York this month for the return of the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals. What some consider the future of the equestrian sport competed for year-end awards and divisional championships with highlights including Rebekah Chenelle of Hebron, Connecticut clinching the National PHA Medal on her own Rosario over a field of 25. Alexandra Carlton of Madison, Connecticut also rode to victory in the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal in the irons of her own Signature.

“This is such a great final and it’s nice for these riders to be able to compete for year-end prizes like this,” said Kristi Smith, Carlton’s trainer. “It’s a great experience for both the riders and the horses to be in this big ring.”

Other highlights included Elysse Ruschmeyer of South Glastonbury, Connecticut taking home the Farnam Adult Medal aboard her own Arktis, Osvaldo Ornia Pacher dominating the Adequan Working Hunter division aboard Palermo Show Stables' Alivio and South Florida’s Cassie Crotty winning the Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic on her own Uroko.

“These riders have worked hard all year to get here and they are excited,” said Joe Norick of Marshall & Sterling Insurance. “It’s nice to be a part of it and see equestrians from all over the country rewarded for their accomplishments.”

2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix

Forty-six horses and riders from all corners of the world arrived in Saugerties, New York during HITS-on-the-Hudson Week VIII in hopes of making their $1 million dreams come true. It was Andre Thieme and his own Aragon Rouet, however, who carted the $350,000 winner’s check back to his home in Germany. Thieme went head to head-to-head with California’s Duncan McFarlane in the jump-off and posted the only double clear round of the day.

McFarlane, who gave the Pfizer Million crowd their first clear round of the day aboard Simone Coxe’s Mr. Whoopy finished in second after having had two rails down in the jump-off. McLain Ward did his best to defend his 2010 Pfizer Million victory, but ultimately finished in third aboard Grant Road Partners, LLC’s Antares F.

In the hours following the $1 million class American and international riders alike were eager to punch their tickets for the return of the coveted purse in 2012. “I have already been contacted by several riders from all over the world, as well as former Olympians and World Champions, who are interested in using Thermal and Saugerties as their means to qualify for this class next year,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “This year was a complete success and we look forward to improving the weekend even more next year.”

HITS took steps this year to promote show jumping in the mainstream media by partnering with HRTV and A Good Show to deliver live streaming and expert commentating to a global audience. During the event, the live webcast attracted over 131,000 visits from 56 countries. A staggering 82% of those views came from the United States. Live coverage of Pfizer Million Weekend can be found here.

The highly anticipated Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final made its debut at HITS-on-the-Hudson this fall and it was junior rider Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland who clinched the inaugural title. She rode Lyn Pedersen’s Mahalo to first-place honors as juniors, amateurs and professionals alike all went to bat for the world’s biggest hunter purse.

“I didn’t really think about the money during the class – I just rode my best,” said Schaefer. “After it was over I saw the check and thought, wow, that’s a lot of money!”

Schaefer posted an unbeatable score of 92.33 in the fourth round of the class after the previous day’s first two rounds narrowed the field to 25.
Nick Haness of Coto de Caza, California finished in second aboard Jessica Singer’s Cruise and Kate Conover of Ocala, Florida rounded out the top three in the irons of Redfield Farm’s Balios Z.

Odor-No-More Groom’s Award

The Odor-No-More Groom’s Award, a mainstay on the HITS Saugerties circuit, was awarded to Melvin Mayorga Maya. Maya works at Briarwood Farm in Readington, New Jersey and accompanied them to the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson.
“Melvin is reliable, great with the horses, encourages everyone at the barn and is well deserving of this award,” commented Kate Benson of Briarwood Farm.

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Once again, HITS welcomed back cadets from West Point Military Academy to play an important role in Pfizer Million Weekend. This year, however, represented something far beyond show jumping. As the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the cadets were joined by local servicemen and women as HITS recognized uniformed fire, police and ambulance personnel from the Hudson Valley.

“Many of the cadets who now attend West Point are doing it because of what happened that day,” said Sherry Cashman, coach of the West Point Equestrian Team. “It is a meaningful way for them to be honored for that as well as having the chance to participate in an event like this.”

Catena Leading Rider Award

Catena, makers of fine Swiss timepieces, crowned McLain Ward as the winner of the Catena Leading Rider Award based on his points won in Grand Prix classes at the 2011 HITS Spring and Summer Circuit. Ward won a total of five Grand Prix Grand Prix and earned more than $95,000 on four different mounts.

Catena combines Swiss craftsmanship and artistry with the latest technology to design a collection of truly unique equestrian timepieces. In addition to their beautiful and classic watches, Catena also offers a signature collection of cufflinks and rings. This year’s winner, McLain Ward of Brewster, NY received a beautiful equestrian-inspired watch to honor his achievement.

HITS Saugerties Circuit Champions

Based on the eight weeks of showing that took place at HITS-on-the-Hudson during the Spring and Summer Circuits, Circuit Champion and Reserve Champion awards were presented during Pfizer Million Weekend. Based on points earned throughout the series, 79 leading riders were honored in divisions ranging from Baby Green Hunters to Level 7 Jumpers and congratulated for their circuit accomplishments.

For a complete list of 2011 HITS Saugerties circuit awards, visit http://www.hitsshows.com/2011/ny_circuitawards_2011.html. 

Looking ahead to 2012’s $1 Million Weekend

HITS has again upped the ante and added a third class to its 2012 festivities. Starting in January, equestrians from coast to coast will have another innovative offering from HITS to prepare and qualify for – the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final. In the spirit of the $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, the HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final will take place September 8-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York and will be the culmination of 33 qualifying classes offered only at HITS Horse Shows.

“After seeing the response and success that we’ve had with the Million and the $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, it’s clear that these events are revitalizing the sport and exciting our customers,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “With the addition of the $250,000 3’ Hunter Prix, we are creating new opportunities for an audience of riders who, until now, didn’t have the chance to compete in a year-end final of this magnitude. I feel strongly that, through these programs, we are rebuilding and establishing a new level of show jumping.”

HITS will soon release detailed specifications and qualifying requirements for the all-new $250,000 3’ Hunter Prix and they will be available online at 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 took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS once again offered the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosted the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.