Bill Lowry Wins His First Grand Prix of the Year at HITS Saugerties Aboard Rio Corde
RELEASE: July 24, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Chris Mayone
Rhode Island's Bill Lowry captured the blue aboard Windsor Farm Sales' Rio Corde in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the HITS-on-the-Hudson IV horse show in Saugerties, NY. Lowry and Rio Corde were the best of 24 horse-and-rider pairs who challenged Canadian Course Designer Danny Foster's first-round course and the nine pairs that advanced to the jump-off.
Sunday's victory capped off a great week for Lowry in the majestic grand prix ring at HITS-on-the-Hudson. In Friday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, he had two horses in the money, including a second-place effort aboard Polygraaf. He was also sixth aboard Polygraaf on Sunday.
“My horses are pretty happy here,” said Lowry. “We have a great support staff with our partners, Ton Visschert and Eric Levernik. It's a team effort.”
Lowry and his horse were first to go in the jump-off and they were fast and clean setting the Great American Time to Beat at 50.121. “It was a long way from jumps one and two, so I wanted to be as fast as I could between them,” said Lowry. “I know my horse isn't the best at making sharp turns so, if I was going to win, I needed to be fast early.”
"What a great finish to a fantastic week,” he continued. “I will be here for the next two weeks and will show both of my grand prix horses on both Sundays during the $75,000 Grand Prix and the $125,000 Grand Prix.”
The only other double-clear effort in Sunday's feature class belonged to Candice King and Skara Glen's Rebozo. They were clean in 57.266, a time that was well off of the pace set by Lowry. King's trip earned a handsome $11,000 for owner Skara Glen Stables.
Rounding out the top three finishers was Todd Minikus riding Presidente. They were the fastest pair with four faults in the jump-off when they stopped the clocks in 48.590. Minikus collected a yellow ribbon and $6,500 for owner Sleepy P Ranch, LLC.
"I was shooting for nine in the jump-off and that's what I got," said Foster. "It was a great class with some of the best riders in the country."
It's always a pleasure to come to Saugerties," continued Foster. "The show grounds are magnificent, the footing is world-class and the exhibitors are friendly. I look forward to returning next year."
In other action, Long Island, NY-native Kaelin Tully rode her horse Genius to the blue in the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. The duo outlasted a class of nearly 70 starters to win the blue on a course set
by Foster.
Tully, who is a junior rider, trains with Linda Crouse at Windham Hill Farm. “She started with us in the short stirrup seven years ago and has been rising through the ranks,” said Crouse. “She has qualified for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals three years in a row with her horse. They really trust each other and make a great combination.”
Also excelling during HITS-on-the-Hudson IV were the group of exhibitors from Pennsylvania's Legacy Farm. Under the guidance of trainer Kris Moyer, the group won a number of classes in the jumper rings and although they were only scheduled to attend HITS-on-the-Hudson IV, the group is making plans to try to attend HITS-on-the-Hudson VI next week as HITS moves along with its popular summer circuit that is nearly sold out for HITS-on-the-Hudson V.
"This was the first time we attended HITS with a large group since the Ellenville days and we had such a great time,” said Moyer. “This is such a gorgeous facility. We were stabled in the back of the property, and it was nice and quiet back there. The footing in the jumper rings was great and my clients really want to come back for week six.”
The action continues for two more weeks in Saugerties with HITS-on-the-Hudson V (July 22-26), featuring the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday, July 26, and HITS-on-the-Hudson VI (July 29-August 2) featuring the summer finale, the $125,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix to close out the s