Edited Press Release
Hudson Valley VIII, the final week of the 2025 HITS Hudson Valley Summer Series, marked a truly grand finale on the summer calendar with its designation as a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) event. Held at the HITS showgrounds in Saugerties, New York, the week featured a full schedule of elite hunter classes and drew top riders from across the country.
One of the highlights was the $40,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Great American Insurance Group, held Saturday, September 6. John French and Incognito delivered a standout performance to take the win. Meanwhile, in the $20,000 USHJA Open National Hunter Derby, Laena Romond was victorious aboard Forsini in Section A, while Tori Colvin rode Gabriel to the top of Section B. In the $20,000 Junior USHJA National Hunter Derby, Adriana Forte rode to the blue ribbon with Blue Symphony, and Augusta Iwasaki claimed the win in the $20,000 Amateur National Hunter Derby with Small Love.
With the added prestige of WCHR recognition throughout the week, international derby riders entered The Ring to navigate a thoughtfully designed course by Kerry Kocher of State College, Pennsylvania. The esteemed group of Richard Slocum, Steve Wall, Tucker Ericson, and Don Stewart was divided into two panels of judges, with each panel providing a score. The class began with a flowing classic round and continued with a handy round contested in reverse order of merit, rewarding boldness and precision. Riders from across divisions brought forward their best efforts in what proved to be an exciting and competitive class.
French and Incognito entered the handy round in the pole position after earning a first-round score of 186.50, which included an 88.50 from panel one and a 90 from panel two, plus four bonus points from each for high options. In the handy, they delivered again, earning scores of 92 and 90, plus four high-option points and seven handy bonus points from the panels, bringing their total to 383.50 and securing the win.
“There were a lot of inside turn options that a few people tried,” explained French. “Coming back on top, I just wanted to be tidy and smooth, and it paid off.”
French has had Ellie Sadrian’s 12-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse gelding (Twister De La Pomme x Corland) in his program for several years, first campaigning him in the green hunters before Sadrian took over in the junior hunters.
“He was a jumper until a few years ago,” noted French. “He’s really good at making those tight turns and paying attention in the handy rounds.”
Though French is no stranger to the winner’s circle, this week’s class was something of a late decision. After some time off following the Baran Hunter Classic in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, he decided to bring Incognito to HITS Hudson Valley.
“He actually wasn’t supposed to come this week, but then I thought this is a big-money class, and he won a derby here last year,” recounted French. “I called the owners and said we should send him. He only arrived a few days ago, so I gave him a jumper class to warm up, and he was fantastic today.”
Alongside his Team KPF colleague, world number one show jumper Kent Farrington (USA), and the rest of their crew, French has made HITS Championship Week an important stop on their show schedule. With the WCHR designation as well as an FEI CSI3* division, the week provides opportunities for both hunter and jumper riders.
“This is a great venue, but especially this week, there are so many derbies — the junior and amateur derbies, the International Derby, and the ClipMyHorse.TV Classic,” explained French. “It’s great for the hunter industry to have a venue like this, especially with the prize money these classes are offering.”
Havens Schatt followed close behind with a two-round total of 382 aboard Cascartini, Julia McNerney’s 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Cartani). Laena Romond rounded out the top three with Fellow Z, Heritage Farm Inc.’s nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding (For Pleasure x Clinton), scoring 381.50.
