Saugerties, New York – May 31, 2025 – Top hunter, jumper, and equitation riders returned to Hits Hudson Valley for the final week of May and the venue’s second week of spring competition. Boasting an expanded schedule encompassing the spring, summer, and fall series,  the iconic location is set to host its most successful season of sport yet. The pinnacle of show jumping action came to a head on Saturday, May 31, 2025,  as elite combinations put the finishing touches on their warm-up for the $75,000 Voltaire Grand Prix. In a nail-biting jump-off, McLain Ward (USA) and Princess Dalou H secured silver honors for the United States.

FEI Level 3 course designer Meghan Rawlins (CAN) put forward a fair challenge for the first-round field of 17 horse-and-rider combinations, which included winning international athletes McLain Ward (USA), Nick Dello Joio (USA), and Wednesday’s $5,000 Adequan Welcome Stake winner Michel Feitosa (BRA). Despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, five pairs found their way successfully around the opening track; however, the questions asked in the short course ultimately proved more difficult. 

Ward’s finishing time of 37.799 seconds secured him second place as the fastest four-faulter aboard Princess Dalou H, the 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Baloubet du Rouet) that he co-owns with the Beechwood Farm and Susie Heller.

Finding success in both the hunter and jumper rings, Michael Desiderio (USA) piloted another Tranquillity Farms entry into the HITS winner’s circle as he rounded out the top three on the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Ugano Sitte x Ohio van de Padenborre D’02), Le Muguet.

Final Results – $75,000 Voltaire Grand Prix

1) Pieter de Brabandere (BEL) & Dothraki Warlord – 0 / 0 – 43.06

2) McLain Ward (USA) & Princess Dalou H – 0 / 4 – 37.79

3) Michael Desiderio (USA) & Le Muguet – 0 / 4 – 41.25

Source: Press Release from Hits Horse Shows

Photos: © ESI Photography

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