Ellie Ferrigno Claims USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – East
Saugerties, N.Y.—Sept. 5, 2024—Ellie Ferrigno clinched a thrilling victory in the second annual USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs – East, held on August 30 during the HITS on the Hudson VII in Saugerties, New York.
After three intense rounds of competition, Ferrigno, hailing from Newtown, Connecticut, captured the coveted tri-colored ribbons aboard FRH Remarkable, owned by FRH Group. Grace McReynolds of Colorado Springs, Colorado, claimed the reserve champion title with Katherine Leaffer's O'Dieu Vd Heide. Hannah Klinedinst, of Dallas, Texas, and MTM Brando, owned by Equestrian Closet, LLC, completed the podium with a third-place finish.
"It feels so special to win this championship," said Ferrigno reflecting on her win. "I love Equitation and always wish I could have continued to do it [after my junior years]. It was really special to get the opportunity to compete again with the horse I always showed in the Equitation, FRH Remarkable. Remy and I have done it all together which makes this win so much more special."
Seventy-three riders tackled Chris Collman's competitive Classic Hunter Round course, with judges Rob Bielefeld and Mike Rosser closely observing every detail. After the first phase, Ferrigno set the bar high, leading the pack with an impressive score of 95. Hot on her heels, Klinedinst secured the second spot with a score of 91, while Natasha Klingenstein, from Califon, New Jersey, followed closely in third, earning a solid 90 aboard Redfield Farm's Jericho. The stage was set for an exciting showdown in the next rounds.
"Going into the first round I was honestly nervous," Ferrigno recounted of the Classic Hunter Round. "I have not competed in an Equitation final in a long time and I had seen some great rounds before I went. There were some very quality riders in the class so I knew that I had to lay it down. What made me confident walking to the gate was knowing I was with Remy and my team at Rabbit Hill Farm, as I feel pretty unstoppable with them."
"When I finished my first round, I couldn’t help but smile and as I trotted my closing circle they announced my score of 95 I couldn’t help but burst into tears," she continued. Riding Remy in a championship was always special but that moment when everything comes together perfectly overtook me with emotion. From there out I felt so confident and I was having so much fun."
Returning to the ring in reverse order of standings for the Handy Round, the top 20 riders—spanning a tight 14.5-point spread—prepared to tackle the new course. Ferrigno, no stranger to high-pressure Equitation finals, entered with confidence, having previously secured a top-three finish as a junior in the 2020 USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic - East.
The Handy Round brought some unexpected shakeups, but Ferrigno held her ground, scoring an 85 and bringing her cumulative score to 180, securing one of the coveted four spots in the Work-Off. Klinedinst remained in second place with an 84, totaling 175 over two rounds. Making a remarkable comeback, Grace McReynolds, the 2023 USHJA 3'3'' Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final - East champion, moved up from fifth to third place with a combined score of 174. Rounding out the top four was Casey Zuraitis from Sutton, Massachusetts, who earned a spot in the work-off with a total score of 173.5 aboard Marita Zuraitis' Intrepid.
"I used this momentum in the second round which put us on top going into the test. The test felt very suited for Remy and I," said Ferrigno. "One of my favorite tests was the hand gallop fence and I loved showing this off. I really enjoyed the courses and I thought they were very similar to what we would have seen in the Junior Gladstone Cup as they were challenging but inviting to the whole field."
With the competition close among the top four, Ferrigno distinguished herself in the Final Round, delivering a beautifully executed performance that showcased her Equitation skills and solidifyied her victory.
Making her win even more sentimental as a family affair, Ferrigno trains under her mother, Abigale Seley-Ferrigno.
"As a trainer it always feels special to win any championship but I think for me, this one feels extra special," said Seley-Ferrigno. "Ellie is my daughter, so standing at the in-gate with her as her trainer of course feels extra special. Getting to reunite Ellie with her Equitation horse and having all the pieces fit together so perfectly was incredibly rewarding."
Long-time partners of almost ten years, Remy and Ferrigno grew up together in the rings and tackled anything that came at them.
"When I was 13, I first partnered with Remy and knew instantly he was special," Ferrigno mentioned of the long-time partnership. "He's always given me the courage to keep going, reminding me why I love riding. More than just a competition partner, he's taught me confidence and passion for the sport. His quirky, playful personality and big heart make him truly one of a kind. Competing with him in this class was incredibly special—I knew I could do it with him by my side."
For her championship win, Ferrigno won an Essex Classics riding shirt, a cooler, and a keeper trophy. McReynolds took home an Essex Riding Shirt, a rider sash, and a saddle pad for the reserve title placing. The top ten riders earned sashes and saddle pads for their efforts.
Claiming fifth overall and named Best Equitation Horse, was Gandalf, ridden by Reynolds Cole of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and owned by Crooked Willow Farms, who received a keeper trophy. This accolade marks Gandalf's continued excellence, having previously earned the same honor in the 2022 USHJA 3'3" Adult Jumping Seat Medal Final – East.
"I love this championship for adults because I believe that some people want to continue their education in the Equitation ring long after their junior years are over," expressed Seley-Ferrigno. "Not everyone fits into the Hunter box or the Jumper box. I think it’s amazing that the amateurs get to show what they can do over two technical tracks with lots of questions."
The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is a three-round class that combines the precision of Equitation and the handiness of Hunters over a course set at 3’. The USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs is open to any Amateur rider that has placed first, second or third in Adult Equitation classes at 2’9” or higher, or 3’3” Adult Jumping Seat Medal class, Taylor Harris Insurance Adult Medal class, and Ariat National Adult Medal class at a competition with a start date of June 1 and an end date 45 days prior to the Championship date. Riders must be an active USHJA Amateur member at the time of competition in order to compete.
"I want to thank Val Renihan for partnering Remy and I so many years ago," said Ferrigno. "He is such a special horse and our development would not have been possible without her. I also want to thank my mom, Abbi Ferrigno, and the team at Rabbit Hill for always supporting me and helping me be the best rider and horsewoman I can be. I am so grateful for the opportunity to compete in this class because it gave me the opportunity to do it all again with my most amazing horse."
The USHJA sends special thanks to the entire HITS on the Hudson team for hosting the Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs. The USHJA also thanks Official Sponsors CWD, Nutrena, and Parlanti; and Award Sponsors Essex Classics.
For more information about the USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic visit ushja.org/Gladstone.
USHJA Gladstone Cup Equitation Classic for Amateurs Results
Rider | Horse | Trainer
Round 1 | Round 2 | Two-Round Score*
*The Final Round was not scored.
1. Ellie Ferrigno | FRH Remarkable | Abigale Seley-Ferrigno
95 | 85 | 180
2. Grace McReynolds | O'Dieu Vd Heide | Emile Spadone
88 | 86 | 174
3. Hannah Klinedinst | MTM Brando | Matt Cyphert
91 | 84 | 175
4. Casey Zuraitis | Intrepid | Mary Drueding
86.5 | 87 | 173.5
5. Reynolds Cole | Gandalf | Chris Iwasaki
86 | 85.5 | 171.5
6. Melissa Dander | PS Galactic Power | Victoria Williams
82 | 89 | 171
7. Kenna Labeau | Gangster | Lucy Rachel Donohue
81.5 | 88 | 169.5
8. Natasha Klingenstein | Jericho | Emil Spadone
90 | 78.5 | 168.5
9. Eleese Shillingford | Simply Stated | Michael Britt-Leon
87.5 | 80.5 | 168
10. Mariel Saccucci | Tibri's Goodfella | Ann Dotoli
88.5 | 79 | 167.5
Photos: ESI Photography
