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]
Photo courtesy of HITS OCALA, by ESI Photography
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 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.
Photo courtesy of HITS OCALA, by ESI Photography
2nd Place: VanderVeen & BULL RUN’S FAUSTINO DE TILI [41.562]
3rd Place: Aaron Vale & ELUSIVE [42.982]