Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by adminahb
Philip McGuane with Crislin van den Bosrand Z © ESI Photography
Bright blue skies and a soft breeze on Saturday, July 25, provided the backdrop for the featured class of HITS Hudson Valley V, the $116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix. Part of the 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour™, the hugely popular three-week series held at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York includes a weekly CSI3* division, as well as a coveted World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation during its second week. Culminating an action-packed schedule of hunter, jumper, and equitation competition, the marquee event included a diverse field of riders and tough competition, but it was Ireland’s Philip McGuane that ultimately bested the field aboard Crislin van den Bosrand Z.
An impressive roster of 34 horse-and-rider combinations representing nine different nations elected to contest FEI Level 3 course designer Ken Krome’s (USA) opening round. As riders move into the peak of the summer season, athletes of both the two- and four-legged variety were in peak condition, resulting in a jump-off field that was 16 pairings strong.
As the penultimate rider to return over the short course, McGuane sat in an ideal spot to vie for the winning title. One round prior, Mimi Gochman (USA) had piloted Inclen BH, DG Sport Horse LLC’s 11-year-old Austrian Warmblood gelding (Stakkato Gold x Raphael), into the provisional lead with a tidy and efficient round in 36.49 seconds. The victory was short lived for Gochman, however, who ultimately settled for the reserve position as McGuane upped the ante and cleared the timers in 35.75 seconds.
“There were more jump-off qualifiers than I thought there would be,” said McGuane. “I got a good draw going at the end of the jump-off, so I just tried to keep up a good rhythm, keep my turns neat, and just trust her at the jump. She has a big stride, so I can just get her to the jumps and do less strides than most people.
“We purchased Crislin from Brian Moggre as a seven-year-old and Nayel Nassar and I have both campaigned her over the last year,” he continued of Evergate Stables LLC’s nine-year-old Zangersheide mare (Carambole x Nabab de Reve). “She’s been a great horse for both of us. She’s very intelligent, careful, and she knows where the jumps are. She’s a great addition to our string.”
Fresh off a win in international competition in the previous day’s $31,020 Go Rentals CSI3* Jumper Classic, Megan McDermott (USA) rounded out the leading trio with Da Vinci DV Z, Counter Balance LLC’s nine-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Dominator 2000 Z x Turbo van’t Gestelhof), as the pair clocked in a jump-off time of 37.73 seconds.
For full results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com.