Week I of the HITS Desert Circuit concludes for hunters with the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Thermal, CA – January 27, 2016 – The $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix commenced on Sunday, January 24 at HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. Riders and horses took to the ring for a chance at the money and to prove who was the ultimate in finesse and style.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Corriendo Tau and Hope Glynn on their way to a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win. (C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY
Hunter riders competed for the blue in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, the first qualifying opportunity of the Thermal Desert Circuit for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September 2016. Riders piloted their mounts through the 12-fence course and the top 15 returned for the second round to compete for the victory.
Hope Glynn secured the top two spots in the two-round classic earning $1,500 and $1,000 prizes, respectfully. The equestrian from Petaluma, California, and Corriendo Tau, owned by Karen Trione, claimed the highest score of the first-round with a score of 88 and a second-round score of 86.5. Glynn and Burrata, owned by Nicodemus Farms, scored an 87 in both rounds, coming in just a half of a point behind the winning score.
Also in the ribbons was John Bragg, of Laguna Beach, California, who secured both third- and fourth-place in the classic. He and Social Hour, owned by Laura Strasburg, claimed the $700 third-place prize with a first-round score of 82, improving to a second-round score of 84. His fourth place mount, Lukatoni, owned by Pamela Moellenhoff, earned $500 with scores of 80 in the first round and 81 in the second.
Dustin Goodwin of Canby, Oregon, and Karson Perry’s Know-How concluded the top five with a first-round score of 76 improving to an 83 to secure fifth-place and the $400 prize.
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize | R.1 Score | R.2 Score | Total |
| 1 | Corriendo Tau | Karen Trione | Hope Glynn | $1,500 | 88 | 86.5 | 174.5 |
| 2 | Burrata | Nicodemus Farms | Hope Glynn | $1,000 | 87 | 87 | 174 |
| 3 | Social Hour | Laura Strasburg | John Bragg | $700 | 82 | 84 | 166 |
| 4 | Lukatoni | Pamela Moellenhoff | John Bragg | $500 | 80 | 81 | 118 |
| 5 | Know-How | Karson Perry | Dustin Goodwin | $400 | 83 | 76 | 159 |
| 6 | Cheshire | Katie Lee LLC | Hope Glynn | $325 | 75 | 82 | 157 |
| 7 | Campari | Aleron LLC | Alexis Taylor-Silvernale | $300 | 70.5 | 78 | 148.5 |
| 8 | Early August | Ann Thornton | John Bragg | $275 | 79 | 68 | 147 |
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Jacqueline Ward and Suntrust on their way to a $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix win. (C) ESI Photography
Sunday’s $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix offered the first qualifying opportunity of the circuit for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in September 2016.
Exhibitors piloted their mounts through the 3’ course with precision and flair, though only one horse and rider could claim the blue-ribbon.
Jacqueline Ward of Seabrook, Texas, and Suntrust, owned by Sandra Ward, were the team to beat. With scores of 83 in the first round and 84 in the second, they claimed the first-place title and the $450 prize.
Second-place went to Lindsay Maxwell from Los Angeles, California, riding Colin Cash’s Catalyst. They traversed the course to finish with a solid score of 84 in the first round and an 81.5 in the second round, taking home a $300 check for their efforts.
Bend, Oregon’s, Stephanie Ray and her own Castle Hill, earned third-place and the $200 prize. In the first round, they scored 80 advancing to a second round score of 85 to seal the third-place finish.
Fourth-place was awarded to Patricia Brutten of Del Mar, California, and Va Bene, owned by Lucky Jack Farm, LLC. Fifth-place was Lindsay Maxwell and Zampano, owned by Ann Russo, marking Maxwell’s second top five victory of the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize | R.1 Score | R.2 Score | Total |
| 1 | Suntrust | Sandra Ward | Jacqueline Ward | $450 | 84 | 83 | 167 |
| 2 | Catalyst | Colin Cash | Lindsay Maxwell | $300 | 81.5 | 84 | 168.5 |
| 3 | Castle Hill | Stephanie Ray | Stephanie Ray | $200 | 85 | 80 | 165 |
| 4 | Va Bene | Lucky Jack Farm LLC | Patricia Brutten | $150 | 85 | 75 | 157 |
| 5 | Zampano | Ann Russo | Lindsay Maxwell | $125 | 83.5 | 73 | 156.5 |
| 6 | Autobahn | Katie Lee LLC | Katie Lee | $100 | 75 | 81 | 156 |
| 7 | Gabriel | Aya Clear | Aya Clear | $100 | 72 | 79 | 151 |
| 8 | Crown Royal | Mylene Pilutik | Crystal Theisen | $75 | 85 | 65 | 150 |
About HITS, Inc.
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.
While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by MortgageCall, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida and Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo, in Saugerties, New York.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS! Join us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail media_info@HitsShows.com.