Margie Engle and Indigo. PC: ESI Photography
Ocala, FL (December 18, 2016): The weekend kicked off with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at week II of HITS Holiday Series. Riders turned out for a shot at the blue ribbon, but only one horse and rider could bring home the win.
The team to beat was Margie Engle of Wellington, Florida, and Indigo, owned by Gladewinds Farm, Inc. Not only would Engle take home first place, but she would also walk away with the third-place prize.
Six would advance to the jump-off where four would have clear rounds, leaving the path to victory all up to speed and agility.
Engle and Indigo stole the lead in a thrilling last ride of the jump-off, they bested the field of their peers clocking in at 39.344.
Ontario equestrian Kim Farlinger was first to contest the shortened course aboard Charming Force B, owned by Kim Farlinger Stables Ltd. They set the pace in a cool, clear 41.436, which would ultimately give them second.
Following Farlinger was Engle and Eckham Van Het Steentje, owned by Elm Rock, LLC. They too would master the jump-off course, leaving all the rails up as they crossed the finish. Their time of 42.912 would be good enough to hold third place honors.
Debbie McCarthy Connor of Patterson, New York, took home fourth place with Zim, owned by Connor & Ebetino Jumpers, LLC— they earned a clear round and stopped the clock in 50.880.
Rounding out the top five was Dorothy Douglas of Flower Mound, Texas, and S&L Elite, owned by MTM Farm. They came out with the fastest of the four-fault rounds in the jump-off. Behind them, as the final pair in the jump-off, was Anna Christina Gansauer of Ocala riding Hillstreet, owned by Kandor Farm, LLC. for sixth place.
Margie Engle and Indigo. PC: ESI Photography
