Carly Anthony and Heavenly W Soar Into the Winner’s Circle for the $116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix
Spectators gathered around the Grand Prix Stadium at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York, on July 20, 2024, for the marquee event of the week, the $116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix. At the finale of two thrilling rounds of competition, Carly Anthony (USA)conquered her second win of the week, this time with her mount Heavenly W, to don the blue-ribbon sash and lead the victory gallop.
A star-studded lineup of 31 horse-and-rider combinations took to the course designed by Megan Rawlins (CAN). While rails fell across the challenging track, the time allowed proved to be a factor with four riders picking up only time penalties. Eight duos managed to jump fault-free to advance to the short course.
Marilyn Little (USA) was the first to tackle the jump-off with La Contessa, her own nine-year-old Mecklenburg mare (License x Cornet’s Prinz), and they set the standard with a clear effort and a time to beat of 41.20 seconds. As the rest of the field followed, it appeared none could match the pace of Little. As the penultimate combination on course, Nayel Nassar (EGY), and Coronado, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding (San Patrignano Cassini x Acord II) owned by Evergate Stables LLC, made the most of their final outing before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. They raced through the timers in 40.46 seconds to take over the lead. Knowing what she needed to do, Anthony saved the best for last. With a strong gallop to the final oxer, she stopped the clock in 39.48 seconds for the win. Nassar finished in second, and Little rounded out the top three.
“I think I’ve been second in the last couple of grand prixs, so I was pretty excited to get the win,” expressed Anthony. “Heavenly earned it. He should have won all of the grand prixs that we were second in, but he definitely deserved the win today. I love him with all of my heart. He gives everything, and he is a very special horse.
“The jump-off was very fast,” she continued. “I don’t think you could have put any faster people in that jump-off. I got very lucky rolling back to the black and white STX jump. I added a stride there, and that’s where I think I was still behind Nayel’s time. I just sent it to the last and he was very good to me there to give me everything he had without any hesitation and with full trust in me. That’s where he deserved the win today.”
As Anthony landed from the final fence and pumped her first in the air, cheers erupted from the viewing tents. With a sold-out week of competition during HITS-on-the-Hudson IV, part of the Hudson Valley Jumping Tour®, exhibitors and spectators alike were certainly wowed by Anthony’s impressive victory.
“I love a good atmosphere,” said Anthony. “I think that’s what this sport, at least here in the United States, is missing a little bit of. I’d say HITS has done a great job of creating a good atmosphere in the Grand Prix Stadium, especially for these classes. It definitely adds the next level of excitement.”
After an incredibly successful week, including a win in the $31,020 CSI3* Jumper Classic with Jet Blue and now the $116,050 Core Specialty Insurance CSI3* Grand Prix aboard Heavenly W, a 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Calvaro F.C. x Quidam de Revel) owned by Porfolio Horses LLC, Anthony was grateful for the opportunity to ride such great horses.
“I’m very proud of my team,” she shared. “Especially Heavenly, mostly Heavenly, but I’m very proud of my team. I want to give a huge ‘thank you’ and shout out to owner Robin Parsky for allowing me to ride such phenomenal horses and to be able to produce such great results. She is the catalyst of all of my success thus far on all of these horses and I owe everything to her.”
Read more:
