VanderVeen wins, Beth Underhill 3rd in $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

It was another successful week for competitors at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, with over 100 division champions crowned and featured class winners along with everyone’s favorite exhibitor party catered by Tony’s Sushi! Join us in congratulating the Week II Winners as we jump “hoof-first” into Week III of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

Sharn Wordley rode Any to the top of the standings in the $5,000 Open Welcome on Wednesday afternoon. This team crossed the timers in 38.232 to take home the blue ribbon.
2nd Place: Lisa Goldman-Smolen & Nike [39.003]
3rd Place: Dorothy Douglass & MTM Cornada B [39.727]

After winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Week I, Rowan Willis has added another victory to his record. Willis claimed the blue ribbon in the $10,000 HITS Open Prix aboard Wellington Grandorie in a time of 37.450.
2nd Place: Savannah Unger & Fabio [37.739]
3rd Place: Douglass & MTM Cornada B [38.053]

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Kristen VanderVeen and Cinven CR clinched the win in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Friday afternoon. Beating the field by over a full second, in a time of 37.341, there was no doubt VanderVeen was taking home the blue ribbon, trophy, and lion’s share of the prize money.
2nd Place: Declan Egan & Quadrivio [38.513]
3rd Place: Beth Underhill & Count Me In [41.208]

Moving up from a second place finish in Saturday’s featured class last week to take home top honors in the $10,000 1.40m Jumper Classic was Nicky Galligan aboard Javas Miss Jordan in a time of 37.059.
2nd Place: Hunter Holloway & Cesna M [37.957]
3rd Place: Goldman-Smolen & Sovereign [38.032]

Jumper Classic Winners

$1,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic – Low: Sophia Ayers & Casanova Junior
$1,500 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic – Medium: Derek Hillyard & Paloma JSF
$2,000 M&S Adult Jumper Classic – High: Courtney O’Donnell & Tip Top Cool
$2,000 M&S Child Jumper Classic – High: Katalena Prusso & Camera Ready
$2,500 Pyranha Jr 1.25m Jumper Classic: Shannon Reinhart & Churchill
$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: Grace Debney & Zarina De Vidau
7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/AM 1.45m Jumper Classic: Katlynn Butler & MTM Catoki’s Clever

Prize money was once again doubled for Sunday’s Grand Prix for a total of $100,000 awarded to the top twelve placings. Fifteen would jump clear in the first round and returned for the jump-off, all in hopes of taking home a share of the prize money.

With a tricky last vertical fence at the in-gate, you had to be both fast and accurate. Just 9 seconds separated the top eight placings that finished double clear. Each rider pushed the limit to be faster than the previous and it paid off. It was a “saved the best for last” situation as Rowan Willis returned for the jump-off on his second mount, Cartouch III, to secure two of the top twelve placings. Just two tenths of a second and a time of 41.386 separated Willis from second place to bring home the blue.
2nd Place: VanderVeen & Bull Run’s Faustino De Tili [41.562]
3rd Place: Aaron Vale & Elusive [42.982]

Saturday afternoon welcomed Hunters to the Stadium for the Devoucoux and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Not only are these qualifiers for the prestigious Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Finals at the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York, but prize money awarded in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix has been doubled from last year.

Judging the Hunter Prix this week was Lifetime horseman and Judge Walter J. “Jimmy” Lee, and he was impressed with what he saw. “The course was really inviting and allowed the horses to show off their ability and style. It was fun to watch, and great to see quality horses go so well.”

Rising to the top of the standings in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this week was Jennifer Alfano for her ride aboard Page One. Alfano received the highest score in each of the rounds with an 86 and 88 for a cumulative score of 174.
2nd Place: Tracy Fenney & MTM Style [172]
3rd Place: Megan Wexler & Amara [165.5]

The blue ribbon in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix was awarded to Colleen Kerwin and Double Take with scores of 84 and 79 for a total of 163.
2nd Place: Madelyn Sano & Mahogany [160]
3rd Place: Emma Covarrubias & Otis R [159]
Hunter Classic Winners

$1,000 A-O 3’6″ Hunter Classic: Anna Wells-Sharp & Play That Song
$1,000 ALL-IN Removal A-O 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Corinne Milbury & Sunshine
$1,000 CWD Jr 3’6″ Hunter Classic: Celia Cram & Hopeful
$1,000 Jr 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Morgan Van Nortwick & Winterfell
$500 M&S SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Sandra Bierman & Indian Ocean
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Horse: Grayson Shelton & Cher Z
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Pony: Isabel Bertelsen & Neptune
M&S Bit O’Straw Hunter Classic: Abigail Kazam & Sebastian
$1,000 Perfect Products Pony Hunter Classic: Maddie Tosh & Baroness Of Locheil

Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala January Classic.