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Last Chance! Riders looking for a good showing this weekend to propel them into the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.

August 29, 2025

Britta Carlson says thank you for a job well-done to her mount SayoSAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 29, 2025) – Stakes are at an all-time high for those on the cusp of earning a spot at this year’s Marshall & Sterling League National Finals as this weekend marks the end of the qualifying season for this year’s Finals, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York September 11 -14.

While the qualifying period for the 2008 season officially ends on Tuesday, September 2, riders will have one last opportunity to earn points during Wild Card Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson VII (September 3-7) for the M&S Children’s Hunter Horse and Pony, M&S Adult Hunter Horse, M&S Children’s Jumper and M&S Adult Jumper.

Competition for the National Finals will kick off on Thursday, September 11. Entries for the prestigious event close on Wednesday, September 3. Acceptance letters will be mailed out on Friday, September 5 to those who have qualified for the National Finals.

“This is our busiest time of year, with one season ending, a new one starting and then the Finals,” said League Coordinator Patti Guerriero. “It’s always been a very competitive League and this year I think it’s even more so, given the fact that we have more member shows than we’ve ever had, creating opportunities for even more riders to take a shot at qualifying. At this stage in the game it’s all about earning those last precious points, which could put someone over the edge in the standings. It’s always exciting!”

The standings have been updated today, and include all results submitted to the League as of August 29. The final points will be updated next week when the acceptance letters will be processed. The League is accepting the following number of entries for each of the following divisions:

Local Hunter (new for 2008): 20
Bit O’ Straw Hunter (new for 2008): 35
Children’s Hunter - 80 (horses and ponies)
Adult Hunter - 40
Adequan Hunter - 20
Children’s Jumper - 40
Adult Jumper - 40
Pony Jumper (new for 2008) - 15
M&S Children’s Medal Horse - 60
M&S Children’s Medal Pony - 40
M&S Adult Medal - 50
Central Equine Junior Medal - 75

This year the Marshall & Sterling League has upped the ante, offering $35,000 in prize money, as well as numerous perpetual trophies and awards. New to the schedule this year are the popular $1,500 Pony Jumper Classic, $1,500 Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic and the Local Hunter Classic. Other classes and divisions on tap include favorites such as the $2,000 Adequan Hunter Division, $4,000 Children’s Hunter Pony Division, $4,000 Children’s Hunter Horse Division, $4,000 Adult Hunter Division, $10,000 Children’s Jumper Division, $10,000 Adult Jumper Division, M&S Children’s Horse Medal Final, M&S Children’s Pony Medal Final, M&S Adult Medal Final, and the Central Equine Junior Medal Final.

Trainer Troy Hendricks is looking forward to this year’s event. “We have a couple of horses that are going to come and do the Adequan Hunter,” said Hendricks. “It’s a great class to show off some of the top hunters in the sport. They get to show in the Grand Prix ring and that ring is always decorated to the nines for the Finals.”

While competition in the show ring is sure to be intense, the Marshall & Sterling League Finals will offer several chances to let loose and have some fun too! The party everyone will be looking forward to is the League Awards Dinner and Party on Friday, September 12. The bash will have a Mardi Gras theme highlighted by a Cajun and Creole dinner and live music.

The Essex Classics Year-End High Point Awards will be presented following the fabulous dinner. The awards will be presented to the top-10 riders in each division based on the Marshall & Sterling National Point Standings. Once all of the awards are handed out it will be time to boogie during a special musical performance by Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers that will be sure to delight the crowd.

The fun doesn’t stop on Friday. After Saturday’s action in the ring, exhibitors are invited to a special Ice Skating Party from 6:30-9:30 PM at the Kiwanis Ice Rink across the street from the show grounds.

During the year, riders from coast to coast compete at more than 980 Marshall & Sterling League member horse shows to earn points for a place at the Finals. Since its inception in 1991, the Marshall & Sterling League Finals have provided the goal that has fueled the competitive spirit of child and adult riders at all levels of competition. Click here for the current standings.
Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether for the family hunter, a champion race horse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned company, Marshall & Sterling has been recognized by IIABA as one of the nation’s top “Best Practice Agencies”. The company maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Mary Moeller at 800-836-3046, extension 224.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com

Written by Chris Mayone · Filed Under Chris Mayone, Hits Saugerties, Hunters & Jumpers, USA 
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