The horse and rider combination enjoyed Week I of HITS Saugerties Spring Circuit with a third place finish in Sundays $75,000 EMO Grand Prix and an eighth place mark in last Thursdays $25,000 HITS Grand Prix. But for Gundersen, nothing is sweeter than a blue ribbon.

My horse has been very consistent this spring, said Gundersen, who won $7,500 in prize money today. But its show jumping. You can go clean one day and be everyones hero and have a few faults the next day and be a nobody.

Thirty-four horses took to the field over the course set by Anthony DAmbrosio, of Red Hook, NY. Four other horse and rider combinations advanced to the jump-off. The course itself didnt seem to be too difficult except for some of the tall verticals, said Gundersen. It was the time allowed that was tight. But with five clear, in a field this size he got it just right. Before the grand prix, DAmbrosio said he was aiming for six to eight to advance into the next round. Gundersen was second to tackle the jump-off course.

His time of 42.627 pushed Pablo Barrios and Sun God out of the top spot by almost three seconds. In the first round, Barrios went 13th and was the first to navigate through perfectly.

Gundersens lightning-fast time seemed to force the other riders to move with a sense of urgency, as the two horse and rider combinations to follow him each had four faults. Frankie Chesler-Ortiz clipped the final hurdle, a red, white and black oxer in front of HITS VIP Pavilion aboard Picolien Zeldenrust. And Chris Kappler took down a black and white vertical aboard VDL Oranta to finish fourth and fifth, respectively. Ortiz scored $2,000 in prize money and Kappler won $1,500.

Manuel Torres went last in the jump-off but nearly came out first, as his mount Chambacunero was just a bit too slow. His time of 43.544 was good enough for second. Barrios was third grabbing a $3,250 payday. Torres winnings were $5,500.

HITS Spring Circuit- Saugerties, NY
Course Designer: Anthony D'Ambrosio, Red Hook, NY

Sunday most of these riders, including Gundersen, will challenge DAmbrosio again in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix. For more information, please call 845.246.8833 during the week and 845.246.5515 on weekends or visit www.HitsShows.com.

For a complete list of results, visit www.HitsShows.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: Henrik Gundersen riding Darvin Garbo - Winners of the $25,000 HITSGrand Prix ©Lili Weik Photography