A mare that showed promise from day one, and Nicky Galligan knew it before he ever jumped a pole with her.
Nicky Galligan (IRL) claimed the $31,020 Dapper Horse CSI3* Jumper Classic on the opening day of the final week of the HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour in Saugerties, New York, designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) with nearly 50 combinations on course representing 5 nations. Galligan came home in 25.88 seconds to take the win, Lougherne Kingfisher’s first-ever international victory.
Lougherne Kingfisher is a 10-year-old grey Irish Sport Horse mare (Colestus x Limmerick), owned by Blue Trim LLC, a partnership that began in October 2025 in Ireland in the most unusual way: “I actually had to ride her in a dressage saddle when I went to try her, and I didn’t even go over a pole with her before I knew she was a horse that I wanted to develop a partnership with. I instantly loved how sensitive and attuned she was with me.” Galligan had been targeting this week for months: “I’ve been aiming this week for months as our first 1.50m, so to have someone like Olaf here and design a class like this is a real treat.”
Nicholas Dello Joio (USA), who had set the benchmark time of 26.19 seconds, finished second with Cornet’s Cambridge, a 14-year-old bay Oldenburg gelding (Balou du Reventon x Cambridge 8) owned by The Berry Group LLC. Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) completed the podium in third with Hunter des Forets, a 9-year-old bay SF gelding (Cicave du Talus x Cassini II) owned by North Edge Stables LLC, clocking 26.29 seconds.
McLain Ward (USA), former world No. 1 and current No. 3 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, finished fourth with Le Louvre 5, an 11-year-old bay Westphalian gelding (Latour VDM x Class de Luxe 2) owned by Susie Heller, in 27.05 seconds. Sloane Coles (USA) rounded out the Top 5 with Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve, a 13-year-old brown Belgian Warmblood mare (Elvis Ter Putte x Kashmir van Schuttershof) owned by The Ninja Group, in 27.22 seconds.
Latin & Pan American Presence
No Latin riders in the competition. Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) was the top Pan American performer in second place. McLain Ward (USA), No. 3 in the Tu Mundo Ecuestre Pan American Show Jumping Ranking, was fourth. Sloane Coles (USA) was fifth among the top Pan American finishers.
Top 5 Results — $31,020 Dapper Horse CSI3* Jumper Classic | 2026 HITS Hudson Valley Jumping Tour — Final Week
| Pos. | Athlete | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nicky Galligan (IRL) 🇮🇪 | Lougherne Kingfisher | 25.88 |
| 2 | Nicholas Dello Joio (USA) 🇺🇸 | Cornet’s Cambridge | 26.19 |
| 3 | Jonathan Corrigan (IRL) 🇮🇪 | Hunter des Forets | 26.29 |
| 4 | McLain Ward (USA) 🇺🇸 | Le Louvre 5 | 27.05 |
| 5 | Sloane Coles (USA) 🇺🇸 | Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve | 27.22 |
