While the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit ended a week earlier than expected, the health and safety of our exhibitors and their horses, our spectators, and staff come first. President and CEO of HITS, Tom Struzzieri, made the decision early Friday morning that the 39th edition of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit would end following the close of competition yesterday. The grounds were closed to spectators, but riders were all in high spirits on Sunday as the season closed out with the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, the Tack Shack of Ocala Second-Half Circuit Awards, and the HITS Ocala Grand Circuit Champions.
Even though this year’s circuit is complete, we are looking forward to 2021 and celebrating our 40th Anniversary in central Florida. The circuit will start December 9 and will again offer 12-weeks of USEF-Rated shows featuring over 400 classes in more than 100 divisions each week, along with special classes and great prize money throughout. Plus we are excited to announce that the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix will return to close out the circuit March 2021! Look for more information in the coming months and the official prize list to be released in October.
Daniel Geitner and GIGOLO kicked-off the Ocala Winter Celebration by taking home top honors in the $5,000 Open Welcome Wednesday afternoon in a time of 32.144.
2nd Place: Jennifer Jones & FASCINATE [33.500]
3rd Place: Hunter Holloway & EASTERN JAM [33.793]
Taking home the blue ribbon in the $10,000 HITS Open Prix on Thursday was Caroline Di Vittorio for her ride aboard U TWO D’ESQUELMES in a time of 33.070.
2nd Place: Kris Killam & GANGSTER CHS [33.844]
3rd Place: Carly Campbell-Cooper & FLOYD W [36.434]
The top three placings in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix were separated by less than half a second and stacked with riders who have made their mark at HITS Post Time Farm this season. First place was awarded to Beth Underhill for her ride aboard COUNT ME IN, crossing the timers in a slick 37.366.
2nd Place: Devin Ryan & EDDIE BLUE [37.460]
3rd Place: Tracy Fenney & MTM APPLE [37.591]
Lisa Goldman-Smolen claimed another win at HITS Ocala aboard SOVEREIGN in the $15,000 1.40m Jumper Classic on Saturday. A time of 31.870 would push Goldman-Smolen into first place.
2nd Place: Dorothy Douglas & MTM CHELSEA 98 [31.955]
3rd Place: Miranda Travers Cavill & KT LEVIGNO [32.608]
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: Alexandria Hatfield & VINCITORE
$2,000 M&S Child Jumper Classic – High: Elizabeth Suddath & SUPER STAR
$2,000 M&S Adult Jumper Classic – High: Alyson Gurney & BLACK FRIDAY
$2,500 Pyranha Jr 1.25m Jumper Classic: Grace Klein & CLEAR CARISMA
$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: Savannah Unger & FUNDAMENT-E
$7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/AM 1.45m Jumper Classic: Kyle Perkovich & HIT ME VAN’T ZORGVLIET
It was a beautiful day for the final Grand Prix of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. A field of 58 riders were ready to take on the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, over a course designed by Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas.The triple combination at fence 12 proved to be a challenge for many riders in the first round, with 31 having faults at one or more of elements. A tight time allowed added to the pressure, just to be in the top 12 with a four fault score riders had to have a time of 78.885 or quicker.
Rowan Willis set the pace with the first clear ride in the jump-off in a time of 40.784 aboard BLUE MOVIE to take home third place. A few trips later, Willis returned to the ring and topped his first ride with DIABLO VII in 40.608 for the red ribbon. But it was Aaron Vale and ELUSIVE who took home top honors in $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix when they came in and broke the 40-second mark, clearing the jump-off course in 39.158. Vale saved time by choosing a direct route from fence five to six in eight strides where most did nine to claim their second victory of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.
Week IX brought even more Champion ribbons to Hunter riders at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Among the over 400 divisions offered at Ocala are hunter classes and classics for every level rider, from lead line to Hunter Prix.
The Devoucoux Hunter Prix and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix are both qualifiers for the HITS Championship that takes place during the final week of the HITS Saugerties Series at HITS-on-the-Hudson. The HITS Championship features the Diamond Mills and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Finals, two of the richest hunter classes in the nation.
After several weeks of placing in the top five in the Hunter Prix, Daniel Geitner claimed the winning ride aboard PEN AND INK in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this week. Geitner scored an 86 in the first round and an 87 in the second round for an overall score of 173.
2nd Place: Cassandra Kahle & ESPIRIT DE VICTOIRE [168.5]
3rd Place: Morgan Ward & CYPRESS [168]
For the second week in a row Grace McReynolds and CASCAVEL took home the blue ribbon in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix with scores of 83 and 86 for a 169 total.
2nd Place: Alexis Lipson & DELFINO [160]
3rd Place: Sara Setian & PS COPY THAT [156]
Hunter Classic Winners
$1,000 A-O 3’6″ Hunter Classic: Gerald Camera & ONBOARD
$1,000 ALL-IN Removal A-O 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Madeline Schaefer & CHECKMATE
$1,000 CWD Jr 3’6″ Hunter Classic – 15/Under: Grace Debney & AUBERGINE
$1,000 Antares Jr 3’6″ Hunter Classic – 16-17: Sophee Steckbeck & IRONIC HX
$1,000 Jr 3’3″ Hunter Classic: Lucy Beeton & CLINT ONE
$500 M&S SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Patricia Woodman-Hooker & REVEILLE
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Horse: Bailey Benner & LLANOS
$500 M&S Child Hunter Classic – Pony: Isabel Bertelsen & NEPTUNE
M&S Bit O’Straw Hunter Classic: Willa Schweitzer & QUIVOLA
$1,000 Perfect Products Pony Hunter Classic: Lauren Gee & HEY SCOOBY
HITS hosted a special class in the Stadium for equitation riders this week, the Ocala Equitation Celebration where riders competed over a first round course consisting of gymnastics, trot fences, and combinations. The top 12 riders then returned for a second round which included technical and jumper-type elements. Riders were responsible for their own course walk, schooling, and preparation. Riders who demonstrated proficiency and excellence in their schooling and preparation were awarded one or two bonus points toward their overall score as well.
Taking home top honors in the Equitation Celebration was Sophee Steckbeck with high scores of 87 and 89 among her two rounds, plus one bonus point for an overall score of 177 to secure the blue ribbon.
2nd Place: C. Blair Spencer [172]
3rd Place: Camryn Halley [170]
Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.
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