Claiming Victories in the $24,500 FarmVet Grand Prix, $5,000 Alliant Private Client, and $5,000 Horseflight Jumper Classic.
Bellis Farm rider Caelinn Leahy showcased remarkable skill and consistency during the final week of the HITS Chicago Lamplight Spring Classic, achieving several top finishes. The highlight of her week was a wire-to-wire victory in the $24,500 FarmVet Grand Prix on Saturday, May 25, 2024, aboard Zarkava.
In a six-horse jump-off, Lisa Goldman-Smolen of Red Coat Farm set a formidable pace with Narcotique B, an 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion owned by Stephanie St. John, finishing in 43.015 seconds. With Goldman-Smolen still to compete with her second ride, Romeo B, Leahy needed a flawless and fast round. Executing a swift gallop across the arena and a precise turn to the final line, Leahy secured the lead with a fault-free finish in 41.589 seconds. Goldman-Smolen followed with Romeo B, her seven-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, mirroring Leahy’s track but stopping the clock at 42.611 seconds. Ultimately, Leahy claimed victory with Zarkava, a 16-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare owned by Steve Schaefer, while Goldman-Smolen took second and third places with Narcotique B and Romeo B, respectively.
“I always have to bring my A-game when I’m up against Lisa [Goldman-Smolen],” remarked Leahy. “Both of her horses are quicker than mine, so it’s always fun and challenging in the jump-off with her!”
In addition to her Grand Prix triumph, Leahy also secured first and third places in Friday’s $5,000 Alliant Private Client 1.35m Jumper Classic, with Goldman-Smolen once again taking second place. Leahy rode Steve Schaefer’s 16-year-old KWPN gelding, The Gray Man, to victory with a clear jump-off time of 43.19 seconds. Goldman-Smolen, delivering the only other clear first round, completed the three-horse jump-off aboard Barbra Disko’s six-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, Solomon B, with a time of 45.269 seconds. Leahy’s second mount, Zarkava, finished with a quicker time of 41.139 seconds but incurred a four-fault round, placing her third.
Reflecting on her achievements, Leahy expressed her enthusiasm for concluding the Lamplight Spring Classic with another win. “I love showing here and plan to be back this summer,” she said. “The new management has revitalized the show, and it looks beautiful. It’s great to see more spectators and competitors. It’s a beautiful venue, and the improvements lead to great competition and viewership.”
On Sunday, May 26, Leahy capped off her week with her third showcase victory in the $5,000 Horseflight Jumper Classic. She piloted Hennessy, a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Andrew Bourns, to a double-clear round and a winning time of 47.486 seconds. Leahy also claimed the second-place prize on The Gray Man, with a clean effort and a close time of 47.518 seconds. Adeline Rohrbach of Red Coat Farm rounded out the top three on her 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Cooper 211, with a faultless round in 49.633 seconds.
Though the Lamplight Spring Classic Series has concluded, the excitement at HITS Chicago continued on Wednesday, May 29, with the start of the three-week-long Lamplight Spring Spectacular Series.
