David Raposa and Mic Jagger win $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix; Canada’s Hugh Graham and Under Pressure 2nd in $10,000 Open Prix
Week III of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit brought more Champion titles and blue ribbons to every level exhibitor. From lead line to Grand Prix, the crowd went wild over some amazing rides at HITS Post Time Farm.
Aaron Vale kicked-off Week III with a spot at the top of the standings in the $5,000 Open Welcome on Wednesday afternoon. A quick time of 31.221 secured the win for Vale and one of his newer partners, H5 Balou’s Captain.
2nd Place: Doug Payne & Quintessence [31.285]
3rd Place: Lisa Goldman-Smolen & As Di Sogrand [31.701]
Returning to the winners circle in the second featured Open Jumper Class of the week was Vale aboard Eye Catcher. Vale was the first to make it to the jump-off in the $10,000 Open Prix and a fast time of 33.290 would hold strong through the rest of the field.
2nd Place: Hugh Graham & Under Pressure [33.710]
3rd Place: Dorothy Douglas & MTM Cornada B [33.718]
Nine would jump clear in the first round of competition and return for the jump-off in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Friday afternoon, but none would beat David Raposa and Mic Jagger with their fault-free time of 36.276.
2nd Place: Cady Klimas & Celtic Lady M2S [37.840]
3rd Place: Taylor Land & Liroy 30 [39.051]
Douglas moved up to take home first place in the $10,000 1.40m Jumper Classic aboard MTM Cornada B on Saturday afternoon. As the first in the order of go, this set the pace for the rest of the class, in a quick and efficient time of 33.691.
2nd Place: Sharn Wordley & Any [34.901]
3rd Place: Kirk Webby & Crime Time 6 [37.414]
Children’s and Adult riders were welcomed to the Stadium on Saturday afternoon for a chance at increased prize money in the $7,500 M&S Child/Adult High Jumper Classic. Claiming victory was Amanda Shaffer and Antonio in a time of 39.632.
2nd Place: Isabel Arroyo & Catania Saflo Z [30.457]
3rd Place: Morgan Budovsky & Bleu Utopia [31.005]
Jumper Classic Winners
$1,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic – Low: Bailey Vick & Little Darcstar WB
$1,500 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic – Medium: Pippa Spingler & Con Air
$2,500 Pyranha Jr 1.25m Jumper Classic: Ana Francisca Alvarez-Cortina & Kalendra QA
$2,500 Pyranha A-O/AM 1.25m Jumper Classic: Laura Linback & Carmina
$5,000 Summit Joint Performance Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic:
Sophee Steckbeck & Alania
$7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/AM 1.45m Jumper Classic: Erin Haas & Elektrisk
For the third week in a row, prize money was doubled for Sunday’s Grand Prix to award a total of $100,000 to the top twelve placings. Thirteen qualified for the jump-off and a chance to take home a share of the prize money. To be at the top, riders had to be fast and clear over the shortened course.
It would be Payne, an international eventing competitor, who was the first to try a tight inside turn aboard Quintessence to take the lead, and to say it worked in his favor is an understatement. His slick move saved two-tenths of a second over second place, with Payne’s time coming in at 38.488. Others followed suit but none were able to catch him and in this sport that’s what it comes down to – two-tenths of a second is valuable time.
2nd Place: Kristen VanderVeen & Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili [38.640]
3rd Place: Sharn Wordley & Casper [40.681]
Coming up in Week IV of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, the stakes increase even more to award $150,000 in prize money during Sunday’s Grand Prix sponsored by Trilogy at Ocala Preserve.
Hunter competition continued during Week III of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit with the Devoucoux and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Both of these weekly Prix are qualifiers for the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York which features two of the richest Hunter Classes in the country.
In 2020, HITS has doubled prize money awarded in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Taking home the blue ribbon and qualifying points in this week’s $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix was Holly Shepherd for her ride aboard High Society. Shepherd had the highest score of an 88 in the first round and returned to match that for an overall score of 176.
2nd Place: Megan Wexler & AMARA [167]
3rd Place: Robert Lee & EEA Timberland [163.75]
Week IV again features the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and the first of two $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derbies in the Ocala Stadium Saturday afternoon. Exhibitors can also look forward to a USHJA Pony Hunter Derby. Julia O’Neil was awarded first place in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix for her ride to scores of 82 and 86 for a cumulative score of 168 aboard Camaro M.
2nd Place: Emma Fraser & Mcgraw [165]
3rd Place: Christina Kourgelis & Cayetano [162]
Hunter Classic Winners
$1,000 A-O 3’6″ Hunter Classic: Linback & Attention Please
$1,000 ALL-IN Removal A-O 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Cara Garito & Bieber
$1,000 CWD Jr 3’6″ Hunter Classic: Katie Triantos & Gossip Girl
$1,000 Jr 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Maddie Tosh & Cold Harbor
$500 M&S SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Khaki O’Brien & Better Than Gold
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Horse: Krystiana Stephens & Gregor V
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Pony: Fiona Von Hartleben & Cherrybrook Blue Dahlia
M&S Bit O’Straw Hunter Classic: Starr Humphries & Vienna
$1,000 Perfect Products Pony Hunter Classic: Maddie Tosh & Baroness Of Locheil
Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala Premiere.
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