©ESI Photography. Aaron Vale piloted Zippo II to a victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
OCALA, FL (March 15, 2013) – As the last week of HITS Ocala turns on the warm weather for a spectacular finale, Aaron Vale got the excitement started early on with a win in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, aboard Zippo II, owned by 2VR Showjumpers.
Forty-one horse-and-rider combinations made up the starting list on Thursday, as riders got a preview of the design style of Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico. Hernandez will also set Sunday’s $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group. Vale rode two mounts to the ribbons in a ten-trip jump-off. He was also fourth aboard Palm Sunday, owned by Amen Corner Farm, the horse he rode to two consecutive grand prix wins during the first week Of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.
First to produce a double-clear effort and set the Great American Time to Beat was last Sunday’s winner, Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois aboard Mary Goldman’s Centurion B. Goldman’s season, her first at HITS Ocala, has been nothing short of superb with three grand prix win and several more top-five finishes. She set the pace at 37.49 seconds and eventually finished in third place.
The lead would quickly change hands as Vale and Zippo II entered the ring next and shaved nearly a full second off the clock in 36.81 seconds. Vale is no stranger to success during the final week of HITS Ocala and has his sights set on Sunday’s $100,000 grand prix. Having won the title three times before, and finishing in second place last year, Vale clearly means business again this year.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano finished the jump-off in 37.24 seconds to take second place. Also no stranger to victory in the $100,000 Grand Prix of Ocala, she and her two grand prix mounts – MTM Centano and MTM Timon – are also eager to claim top honors on Sunday.
Rounding out the top five was New Jersey’s Amanda Flint on The Coverboy Group’s Superbad. Flint crossed the timers in 39.53 seconds with no faults.
$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
A 1.40 meter classic got the final week of competition at HITS Ocala started in the Grand Prix Ring on Wednesday as Christina Kelly and her own Ushuaia van de Wolfsakker took home the blue ribbon in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome, over a course designed by Hernandez. Kyle Dewar and his own Alma finished in second place, while Harold Chopping and Kendra Bullington’s Patent Pending were third.
Farm Credit and Arenus pick their winners!
Farm Credit and Arenus awarded the winners of their respective sponsored awards this week.
Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney of MTM Farm in Flower Mound, Texas received the Farm Credit Best Tack Room Award. Farm Credit is a reliable source of credit for American agriculture. Fenney and McCormick take much pride in their front-of-the-barn presentation, as their decorative setup stood out this year at HITS Ocala.
The Arenus All-Around Athlete Award was presented to Lisa Goldman after an impressive break-out season at HITS Ocala. She received a $200 gift certificate toward any Arenus purchase. Arenus is one of the leading providers of equine health and nutrition products.
What’s Next at HITS Ocala
The final week of competition at HITS Ocala has arrived and excitement is growing for this weekend’s featured events. The $50,000 East-West Hunter Challenge will take the stage beginning Friday in the main hunter. The two-round class will pit the best hunter rides on the East Coast with the best on the West Coast, all competition for one top prize. Round one will take place Friday, while Saturday will introduce the top twelve from each coast in a simulcast event, broadcasted live at HitsShows.com, courtesy of A Good Show and iEquine.com.
High-Performance riders have one more chance to qualify at Ocala for the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix with the biggest purse on the line. The $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, will serve as the grand finale of the circuit on Sunday, following the Antares Parade of Champions.
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