The season at HITS Commonwealth Park came to a close with the Culpeper Finals featuring top Hunter and Jumper competition, along with the crowning of the HITS Culpeper Grand Circuit Champions. Each week of the HITS Culpeper Circuit features a $35,000 Open Jumper Division, Hunter Prix, and Marshall & Sterling classes and classics. From walk-trot to the Open Prix, HITS Culpeper offers a division for every level rider.
The atmosphere at Commonwealth Park is a horseman’s dream, with ample riding, lungeing and grazing areas. Whether you are coming to show or just have a good time, this historic facility in the ‘Heart of Virginia’s Horse Country’ is the place to be. While 2020 has been an unusual year, HITS thanks everyone for a great season at HITS Culpeper and looks forward to seeing you in 2021.
Striking the first win in featured jumper competition was Tracy Magness aboard Intenz Van HD. Their 4-fault jump-off time of 37.463 would be good for the blue ribbon in the $5,000 Open Welcome on Wednesday, September 23. In second place were Michael Kocher and Coldplay 31 [4-Faults, 37.750], and Winn Alden and Musica Van’t Eigenlo took third place [12-Faults, 37.900].
Faults were spread around the course in Friday’s $10,000 HITS Prix, but Magness continued her winning streak on Intenz Van HD as she crossed the timers in 33.822 to be the only double clear ride taking home first place. Danny Mahon took second place with Holly Dermus PP [8-Faults, 33.082], and Kocher took third with Coldplay 31.
“I have come to [HITS] Culpeper since I was seven or eight years old, showing small ponies. While I’m from Maryland, this is ‘hometown’ for me,” said Magness. “It’s nice, especially under the current conditions, for myself and my clients that we are so close to home.”
Magness has had a successful summer showing at HITS Culpeper and is already making her plans to show at HITS Ocala this winter.
“I love showing at Ocala because it is quite literally a ‘home away from home’,” Magness continued. “Not only do I get to see all my friends that I don’t usually see, but my horses love it there [in Ocala].”
Saturday afternoon, September 26 featured the HITS Culpeper Equitation Classic in the Grand Prix Ring, a unique class designed for Junior, Amateur, Children’s, and Adult riders showing at 3’ or 3’6”. It offers a chance for these riders, who normally compete separately, to measure their skills against each other in the featured ring. This week’s Classic was hotly contested with top scores taking the podium positions. Luke Sassi scored an 83 to take first place in the class. Isabella Bertozzi took second place [82], and Emilia Cayelli took third [80].
Matthias Hollberg on D.A. Duras. Photo by ESI.
Matthias Hollberg clinched the win in the final HITS Culpeper $20,000 Open Prix of the season for his ride aboard D.A. Duras. Hollberg was one of four riders who jumped clean in the first round and would return first in the jump-off. A clear round in an unbeatable time of 34.816, is exactly what Hollberg needed to secure victory in Sunday’s featured competition. Andrew Kocher piloted Connor 69 to second place [35.733], and Tamara Morse rode Ravenna Adelheid Z to a third place finish [4-Faults, 36.290].
The Culpeper Finals show was also host to the $1,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix, along with Marshall & Sterling Insurance League classes and classics.
Amy Zettler on Rutledge. Photo by ESI.
Amy Zettler piloted Rutledge to a first place finish in the $1,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. A score of 79 in first round and a matching 79 in the second round totaled a 158 and the win for Zettler. Sophia Deel and Thomas O’Malley took second place [146], and Kelsi Peterson took third place with Southern Avenue [133].
Junior and Amateur riders were up next in the Main Hunter Ring for the $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. First place was awarded to Lindsey Welsh, scoring matching scores of 77 in each round for a 154 total, aboard Kingsland. Ava Goodman took second place with Cristiano [144], and Nina Fox took third with Dillon [131].
Additional Jumper Highlights:
- $2,000 M&S WIHS/NAL Children’s Jumper Classic: Telina Tibbs and Stanley 151
- $2,000 M&S WIHS/NAL Adult Jumper Classic: Rachael L Kealey and Electra
- $1,000 Dever Golf Cars Children’s/Adult Low Jumper Classic: Erin Brodie and Ferrosso Blue DLS
- $2,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.20m Jumper Classic: Hugh Turner and Ruffino
- $4,000 Pyranha NAL Jr/A-O/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic: Anne Berg and Gomarus
- $5,000 Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic: Ginny Gale and Trinity
Additional Hunter Highlights:
- $1,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic: Norah Crowley and Obsession
- $500 Pony Hunter Classic: Kelsey Lambert and Ontario
- $500 SmartPak M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Betty Oare and Sidenote
- $500 M&S Children’s Hunter Classic: Sasha Deringer and Delaphine
- Novice Children’s/Adult Hunter Classic: Lydia Kikolski and Mistah Right
- $250 Bit O’ Straw Hunter Classic: Kikolski and Mistah Right
For full class results, click here. While the season at HITS Culpeper is a wrap for 2020, HITS is already looking forward to the 40th Anniversary of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, this December through March. HITS returns to Post Time Farm for 12 weeks of USEF-Rated competition, beginning with the HITS Ocala Holiday Series, December 9-20, 2020, and the Ocala Winter Circuit, January 19 – March 28, 2021. The Class Listing, Schedule and Entry Blanks for the Holiday Series are available now. Stay tuned for the Winter Circuit Prize List in October! For more information on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at HITS Post Time Farm, click here.