Alexandra Duncan and Hitmaker Victorious Again

Saturday’s full schedule during the April Dressage CDI4* presented by Hampton Green Farms on April 12, 2025, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) featured three major classes. Jan Ebeling (USA) and Jubi’s Tenacity, owned by Ann Romney, took the top spot in the Grand Prix Special CDI4* presented by MARS Equestrian, while Alexandra Duncan (CAN) and her own Hitmaker were victorious in the Grand Prix Special CDI3* presented by MARS Equestrian. Charlotte Jorst (USA) and Atterupgaards Botticelli topped a field of 11 entries to win the Intermediate I CDI1*.

Alexandra Duncan and her new stallion Hitmaker returned to the winner’s circle on Saturday, this time in the Grand Prix Special CDI3* presented by MARS Equestrian. The pair scored 68.723% to lead the class.

A woman riding a bay dressage horse in an arena.

Denielle Gallagher and Come Back de Massa were second in Friday’s freestyle. (Andrew Ryback Photography)

“I’ve never ridden this test on him yet, so it was kind of just getting in there, but he really gave me a good feeling,” said Duncan. “I love the Special test with all the transitions: from the extended to the passage to the piaffe work. I love how the half-pass lines flow because you can really show off their power and then it shows a degree of collection work, so it’s one of my favorites to ride.

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“It’s not about winning; it’s always about the partnership, but it’s exciting,” said Duncan of her second straight victory. “It’s really exciting, especially with a new horse, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

Duncan pointed out that while she is always aware that he is a stallion, the kind and sweet Hitmaker is a pleasure to be around in the barn. Hitmaker will not do any active breeding for the first year while they focus on competition.

“He is really well behaved,” she described of the 13-year-old KWPN stallion (Wynton x Cabochon). “I don’t even tie him up to braid him. He just stands in his stall, I stand on my shavings bag and I braid him, and he’s just like, ‘Okay.’ It’s really sweet.”

Second place with a score of 64.638% went to Charlotte Jorst (USA) and GPF’s S-Express, a 10-year-old Westphalian gelding by Sezuan x Sir Donnerhall I owned by Kastel Denmark. Ivo Jührend (NED) and Black Diamond, an 11-year-old Hungarian Warmblood gelding (Vezér x Undigo) owned by Savannah Show Stables LLC, placed third with a personal best score of 62.043%.

Results here.

In Friday’s CDI4* Grand Prix Freesyle presented by MARS Equestrian, which was won by Benjamin Ebeling and Bellena, second place went to Denielle Gallagher (CAN) and Come Back de Massa, a 13-year-old Lusitano gelding (Galopin de la Font x Quixote SDS) owned by Gallagher and Ellen Lazarus. Their popular freestyle performed to the soundtrack from the movie “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” garnered a 72.685% (results here).

The April Dressage CDI4* concludes on Sunday, April 13; dressage returns to WEC – Ocala on May 22-25 with CDI3* and national competition.

~ with files from World Equestrian Center