Captain Cudmore Wins $25,000 HITS Grand Prix

Thermal, CA – Show Jumping at Desert Circuit II came to a close on Sunday afternoon when Karen Cudmore rode Blair Cudmore’s Ceonto to the top prize in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Cudmore, of Omaha, Nebraska, bested 33 starters on International Course Designer Leopoldo Palacios’ first-round route and the three other pairs that advanced to the jump-off to capture the blue aboard Blaire Cudmore’s Ceonto.

The winning horse is a nine-year-old American-bred horse that the Cudmores broke as a five-year-old. “He was perfect in the Grand Prix,” said owner Blair Cudmore. “He didn’t look like he was going fast, but he covers a lot of ground. He also has tremendous scope. I was very pleased!”

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In Sunday’s feature class, two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner McLain Ward (Brewster, New York) showed first in the jump-off aboard Goldika 559. Ward, who had won Saturday night’s $50,000 Strongid C 2X CSI-W Grand Prix on Phillipa, dropped an early rail and finished in fourth place.

Another rider from the East Coast, Michelle Spadone (Califon, New Jersey), was next to show in the jump-off aboard Redfield Farm’s Coco. The up-and-coming show jumper was fast and clean coming home in 41.216 seconds to put her stamp on the class and set the Great American Time to Beat. However, at the end of the event, Spadone would finish in second place.

Canadian High-Performance rider Jenn Serek showed third in the Grand Prix aboard Shin Shin Group’s Eleonora and was clean in a time of 42.531 to finish in third place. Karen Cudmore, who is originally from Canada, was last to go. Cudmore came home fast and clean, stopping the clocks at 40.859 for the win and collected $7,500 in prize money.

This is the first time the Cudmores have been to HITS Thermal and they are having a blast as this week alone both Blair and Karen have placed in the ribbons in all three Grand Prix classes. Blair Cudmore was fifth in Thursday’s $30,000 HITS Grand Prix aboard Southern Pride and Karen was sixth in Saturday night’s $50,000 Strongid C 2X FEI World Cup Grand Prix aboard Ulano. They currently are scheduled to leave before the HITS Desert Circuit comes to a close but may stick around for the $300,000 HITS Grand Prix of the Desert that will take place on Sunday, March 14 during Desert Circuit VI.

“We like the show,” said Blair Cudmore. “We knew the other winter circuit was going to be a rat race this year, so we are thinking about sticking around for the $300,000 class at the end.

With the victory, Karen Cudmore earned some precious winnings towards the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix that will be held on September 12 at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, New York. “It’s nice to try to get qualified for the class,” said Blair Cudmore. ” It would be nice to be in Saugerties for this big-money class.”

In order to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, a rider must compete in eight or more HITS Grand Prix classes. The top 40 riders, based on money won by horse/rider combination, will be eligible to ride for the Pfizer Million. For more detailed information on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, please visit our website at HitsShows.com.

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

$25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health

PLACING – HORSE RIDER – OWNER – PRIZE MONEY – RD 1 FAULTS – JO FAULTS – JO TIME

1 – Ceonto – Karen Cudmore – Blair Cudmore – $7,500 – 0 – 0 – 40.859

2 – Coco – Michelle Spadone – Redfield Farms – $5,500 – 0 – 0 – 41.216

3 – Eleonora – Jenn Serek – Shin Shin Group – $3,250 – 0 – 0 – 42.531

4 – Goldika 559 – McLain Ward – McLain Ward – $2,000 – 0 – 4 – 40.339

5 – Riptide – Bryna Clossen – Sutton Finch – $1,500 – 4

6 – London – Jeff Campf – Oz Investments – $1,250 – 4

7 – Quinlin – Marshall Whyte – Marshall Wyhte – $1,000 – 4

8 – Twindoline – Joie Gatlin – Joie Gatlin – $750 – 4

9 – Beau Soleil – Jill Henselwood – Bradon Construction – $750 – 4

10 – Chalan – Saer Coulter – CF Interests, LLC. – $500 – 4

11 – San Diego – Danielle Korsh – Danielle Korsh – $500 – 4

12 – Mr. Whoopy – Duncan McFarlane – Simone Cox – $500 – 4