Harold Chopping Takes HITS Culpeper's $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

Harold Chopping and Caramo got a sweet taste of high-stakes hunter competition in last year’s Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, where they finished 12th overall. The pair plans to return in 2014, ready to take a larger bite of the prize, and got off to an ideal start with Caroline Russell Howe’s Danish Warmblood Gelding, winning HITS Culpeper’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this weekend.

Consistent, willing, poetic even – Caramo carried Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina to top scores in both rounds of the Hunter Prix, stealing the spotlight. An avid crowd gathered in plush seating in the newly installed Marshall & Sterling Lounge at the main hunter ring, and watched as Chopping pocketed an 83 in the first round. This set him up to return last in the second, where they scored an 85, giving the pair a total of 168 and the unchallenged win.

“At this point I feel lucky to have such a nice horse to ride – he couldn’t have been better today,” said Chopping. “Caramo is the best hunter I’ve ever ridden.”

Despite being Chopping’s go-to hunter, he admits that made hunters don’t develop overnight. “Caramo is 12 this year and proof that it takes time to build these horses up,” he added. “You always hope your 7, 8 and 9-year olds are going to get it right, but when you see what an experienced horse can do consistently at every venue, it’s clear that it takes some work—and mileage.”

After dominating the Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the Commonwealth National in April, Jason Berry of Verona, Virginia piloted France Porter’s Limited Edition to second with scores of 80 and 82. Jonelle Mullen of Aldie, Virginia jumped to third aboard Heartthrob for Joseph Mullen with a 76 and 79.

Winn Alden of Bristow, Virginia collected a 78 and 74.5 in the irons of Chad Keenum’s Playmate for fourth while Grace Long rounded out the top five on DLV Valentine for Badger Hill Farm, LLC with a 73 and 76.

The abundance of recent grounds improvements at Commonwealth Park have been received with praise and appreciation. In addition to new barns, new footing has been installed, and the efforts of Tom Struzzieri and the HITS staff, according to Chopping, are welcome. “The new footing, updated facility and HITS’ series— just get better and better,” he said. “It was a really nice move for the facility, and a pleasure to show and win here today.”

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Place Horse Owner Rider Prize $ Rnd. 1/2 Total
1 Caramo Caroline Russell Howe Harold Chopping $1,500 83/85 168
2 Limited Edition Frances Porter Jason Berry $1,000 80/82 162
3 Heartthrob Joseph Mullen Jonelle Mullen $700 76/79 155
4 Playmate Chad Keenum Winn Alden $500 78/74.5 152.5
5 DLV Valentine Badger Hill Farm, LLC Grace Long $400 73/76 149
6 Silver Lining Bridget Finnerty Bridget Finnerty $350 74/73 147
7 Daddy’s Bentley Lauren Boldt Lauren Boldt $300 72.5/74 146.5
8 Suit and Tie Hillary Gerhardt Jason Berry $250 81/63 144
9 Glad Rags Amy Zettler Amy Zettler – 68/75 143
10 Diablo DLS Cady Klimas Cady Klimas – 72/64 136
11 Make it Rain Ed Lane Ana Bertozzi – 75/60 135
12 Zowie Jackie Arakelian Patty Stovel – 79/40 119

performance.com.