(C) ESI Photography. Haley Gassel and Quite Dark 2.
Twenty-three-year-old Hayley Gassel of Lenoir City, Tennessee, riding her own Quite Dark 2, with the expert guidance of trainer David Jennings, executed her plan perfectly to win against a jump-off field of 18 riders, capturing her first Grand Prix career win in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
“When I started coming to [HITS Ocala] and doing the Junior Hunters, it was a dream of mine to ride in the Grand Prix,” said Gassel. “To actually win one here is totally mind boggling.”
The impressive group of jump-off riders included Aaron Vale with two rides along with Great American Million Winner Andre Thieme and multiple Grand Prix winners Marilyn Little and Tracey Fenney.
Florencio Hernandez of Mexico designed a first round course of fifteen jumping efforts for the field of thirty-six starters. Eighteen of the thirty-six jumped clear first rounds, setting up a mad dash for the cash in the jump-off. Ten jumped clear rounds in the jump-off and every possible option was tried to find the fastest route that could lead to the blue ribbon.
First to go clear in the jump-off was Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida riding Bonzini S, owned by Thinkslikeahorse. The young horse stepped up to the challenge as he galloped gamely down the first line to the combination in eight strides, rolled back tightly to the oxer, did six forward strides to another oxer and five to the tall vertical, with a split time of 21 seconds,
Vale rolled back to the matching red vertical and galloped home in ten really open strides to the final oxer. They finished with a clean round in 33.759, setting the Great American Time to Beat. Later, Vale would go even faster on Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, to finish second, and move Bonzini S to third.
Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina proved that Vale’s time was beatable by doing nine strides down the final line to finish in 33.329 on Kenwood, but crossed the timers with an unfortunate four faults, out of the top five.
Gassel and her huge-strided mount, Quite Dark 2, followed Geitner with their eyes on the prize. Their blazing fast time of 32.605 seconds topped the leaderboard for the eventual win.
“Our plan took a lot of guts; we changed our original plan after watching two or three [trips]. There was just no way to leave out a stride to the combination and still be able to jump out of it, so we did the eight there,” said Gassel. “David told me that the only way we could beat Aaron was to do the six to the five and finish out in nine instead of ten. We also did only seven in the rollback even though I had planned eight. Going to the final fence my helmet was sliding down over my eyes and I was just counting while I tried to flip it back into place.”
Andrea Torres Guerreiro and her Fifty Shades of Grey was the next to jump clear. They clocked in at 34.158 to ultimately finish fifth.
Marilyn Little of Frederick, Maryland, riding Clear Water, owned by Karen O’Connor, did seven to five and finished in ten strides. They were fast across the ground to stop the clock in 33.926 for a final fourth place finish.
Gassel has won other big classes on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit this season, including top five finishes the $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.
Ocala, FL (March 8, 2016): As the curtains closed on Ocala Week VII, jumpers competed for a blue-ribbon victory in Sunday’s $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic and $1,000 S.A. Comunale Adult Jumper Classic.
$50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix
In an exciting ten-horse jump-off, Harold Chopping from Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington, scored the win in Sunday’s $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix in Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, by out-galloping and turning the strong competition. Less than four-tenths of a second separated the top four contestants in a nail-biter of a jump-off that had spectators on the edge of their seats.
A group of forty-four prestigious competitors challenged the 15-effort 1.50-meter course designed by Bernardo Cabral from Lisbon, Portugal. The first round course included a difficult triple combination and a double, but ten still managed to jump clear first rounds.
The jump off started with a gallop away from the in-gate, included a rollback to a triple bar followed by a vertical, and a gallop between jumps to the two final oxers, with several turn and striding options for the route. Five of the ten in the jump-off managed double clears with mere fractions of a second separating the top four.
First to go in the jump-off was Christoph Schroeder of Wellington, Florida riding his own Catungee. Schroeder set a blistering pace right out of the box knowing that nine fast horses followed him. He jumped clear and set the Great American Time to beat of 37.808 that held on through the next five challengers and landed him in second place when the class was done.
Following Schroeder was owner and rider Christi Israel of Ocala aboard Clouseau. They had two rails for eight faults and a time of 40.263 to finish tenth. Isabelle LaPierre of Levis, Quebec came next to contest the shortened course riding Cescha M. They gave Schroeder a run for the money, finishing in a fault-free 38.00. She stepped into the temporary second place and would eventually take home fourth.
Next up was Andre Thieme of Plau Am See, Germany riding his horse, Conthendrix. Their time of 37.882 edged out La Pierre to squeak into the second place spot behind Schroeder. It was good enough for a third place finish.
Devin Ryan of Long Valley, New Jersey and Liratus had four faults in 38.776 to take ninth place. Next up was Brandi Holloway of Topeka, Kansas riding Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corporation. As one of the most consistent performers this circuit, they turned in another great round, finishing as the fastest of the four-faulters to finish sixth in 33.677.
Returning to the ring next was Chopping on Basje. They stopped the clock at 37.639 to edge Schroder out of the top spot by a blink of an eye, .169 seconds to be exact. No one would beat them.
“By the time I went in the Order, the pace and the route had already been established,” said Chopping. “Some people did one less stride to the final jump; I just try to do what my horse is capable of doing – last week I got too aggressive at the end. People in front of me and after me were very strong. Basje is very quick on his own and I have to keep reminding myself not to try to be fast for him.”
Both Tracy Fenney riding MTM Reve Du Paradis and Manuel Torres riding Christofolini H had the times to beat Chopping, but each had four faults to finish seventh and eighth, respectively.
The final rider to jump off was Sharn Woodley of Ocala, Florida riding Barnetta for the Skye Group. He opted for a safe, clear track to finish in fifth.
“He has been brilliant this circuit and always jumps in textbook form,” said Chopping of Basje. “This is our first Grand Prix win this season, but he has been second and in the ribbons multiple times. I feel lucky to be riding him for Kendra; she has owned him since he was a seven-year-old. Now he is ten and really coming in to his own.”
$7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic
Week VII at HITS Post Time Farm brought a talented group of competitors anxious for a win in Sunday’s $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper 1.45-meter Classic in Ocala Horse Properties Stadium
(C) ESI Photography. Jared Petersen and Titus 2:11
Both Jared Petersen of Archer, Florida and Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, Texas had two in the top six placings. Petersen was first with Titus 2:11 and sixth with Cornerstone. Both are owned by Jared’s father Derek Petersen. Moggre was second on MTM Flutterby and fifth with MTM Ace of Spades, both owned by Major Wager, LLC.
Six horses jumped clean first rounds over a 1.45-meter course designed by Bernardo Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal. The first-round course looped around the stadium and across the diagonal to a triple combination before rolling back to finish with a double. The jump-off started at the far end over a triple bar, rolling back over the C element of the triple and included a double combination and a final oxer not jumped in the first round.
First to jump-off was Petersen on Cornerstone. They had four faults at the combination in the jump-off in a time of 33.962. That would be good for the eventual sixth place.
“The course was fairly technical for our horses that have such big strides, because it had a lot of tight lines,” said Petersen.
Following Petersen to jump-off was Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby. The chestnut mare, bred by Tracey Fenney, has been the one to beat in the classic week after week, with two $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic victories so far. They raced to the finish, crossing the timers in 32.278, setting the Great American Time to Beat. They would end up second when the class was done.
Next to contend the shortened course was Carolina Ramelli Barrera of Medelin, Colombia and her own Zoran de Saulieu. They clocked in at a fault-free 33.048, just a hair behind Moggre, earning the ultimate third place.
Elisa Uribe Gutierrez also of Medelin, riding Havana De La Lande, finished clear in 33.528, giving her a fourth place finish, and Moggre on MTM Ace of Spades finished in 33.636 with no faults for fifth place.
Last, but certainly not least, to go in the jump-off was Petersen and Titus 2:11. Petersen showed that he learned from his first ride in the jump-off. The big bay galloped through the timers in 31.368 to capture the lead and take home the blue ribbon.
“Going last in the jump-off, we knew we had to go for it because Brian [Moggre] was really fast,” said owner Derek Petersen. “It really helped to have Cornerstone go first because their strides are so similar. Jared just tried to ride it as smooth as he could, and his bigger stride using the same track was just enough for the win. We were really happy with Titus’ performance today; he is just starting to come back to form after six months of rest.”
$1,000 S.A. Comunale Low Adult Jumper Classic
Megan Manubay of Bear, Delaware, riding Don Stewart’s Okla Homa, topped the field to win the $1,000 S.A. Comunale Low Adult Jumper Classic held in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium on Sunday.
“It was so much fun to have a chance to show in the Stadium,” said Manubay. “After watching so many world-class horses show in that ring, it was really cool to have a chance to show there myself. The footing is amazing and the jumps are beautiful – I can understand why so many top riders love showing here.”
Portugal’s Bernardo Cabral designed the .90-meter course, which was run with an immediate jump-off. Sixteen riders jumped clear first rounds and fourteen jumped clear in the jump-off so time became the winning factor.
Manubay and Okla Homa went third in the jump-off and set the Great American Time to Beat at 32.642 seconds, which held on throughout the class for the win.
“I went very early in the class, so I planned to go neat everywhere with a little speed. My horse felt great this morning so we were able to stick with the plan,” said Manubay. “I am very fortunate that my time held up. There were some very quick horses that went after me. We did an inside turn from 1 to 2 and everyone pretty much took the same track but my horse is quick across the ground, so we could save a little time in certain spots.”
Katie Holt of Melborne Beach, Florida, riding Charmeur D’Uno V, owned by Whisper Group, Inc., jumped into second place with only three left to go in a time of 33.529.
The final horse to test the shortened course was True Contender, owned and ridden by Colby Hernandez of Morriston, Florida. Their time of 33.530 earned them third place.
Ocala, FL (March 7, 2016): The weekend held big opportunities for competitors vying for a prestigious hunter win in Week VII of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Riders descended upon HITS Post Time Farm to compete for the money in the $5,000 Pony Hunter Prix, unique to Week VII’s classes. Qualifying opportunities were also up for grabs with the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, a qualifier for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix, a qualifier for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final – both to be held at the HITS Championship in September.
$5,000 Pony Hunter Prix
Junior riders took to the course in Friday’s $5,000 Pony Hunter Prix to prove who was the ultimate in finesse and style. The team to beat was Devin Seek of Ocala, Florida and Caleche, owned by Laura Barrett-Gurtis. Seek piloted the large, liver chestnut pony to earn a consistent score of 84 in both rounds to garner the victory with a total score of 168.
Charlestown, Rhode Island equestrian Abigail Brayman took home second place with Hillcrest Songbird, owned by Canterbury Farm. Their first-round score of 74, combined with an improved second-round score of 81 gave them a total of 155 for their efforts. Brayman also placed fourth, sealing two spots in the top five aboard By Jove, owned by GC Ponies.
Also in the ribbons was Izzy Beisel of Goshen, Ohio aboard Weebiscuit, owned by David Gochman. They came in just behind Brayman with a total of 154, after earning scores of 77 in both rounds for third place.
Rounding out the top five was Casey Oliver, also from Ocala, Florida, and Posh Ponytail Ribbons, owned by Lola Head. They earned a first-round score of 75 combined with a second-round score of 65 for a total of 140, earning them the fifth spot.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Thirty exhibitors competed in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix in the prestigious Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. A new name emerged at the top of the leaderboard as the top twelve returned for a second round to vie for the win and other top finishing spots.
The top five places were separated by mere half-points, but it was Ocala’s own Emily Williams who piloted UpCountry Charmer, owned by Jamie Stryker, to the winning title as well as an additional spot in the top five.
Eleventh in the Order-of-Go, UpCountry Charmer flowed through the course to earn a second-round score of 87, which combined with their first-round score 86 earned them a total of 173 for the victory.
Placing just behind Williams for second was Amanda Steege of Bedminster, New Jersey and Calvary, owned by Jessica Tindley. They earned the highest first-round score of 86.5 and a second-round score of 86, which totaled 172.5 for their efforts, only one half-point behind the winner.
Third in the ribbons riding out of Southern Pines, North Carolina was Harold Chopping. Chopping and Caramo, owned by Caroline Russell Howe, were awarded scores of 85, improving to an 86 in the second round, for a total of 171.
Williams earned her second spot in the top five with Tybee, owned by Helen Brown. They received a first-round score of 85.5 and a second-round score of 85, totaling 170.5 for fourth place.
Rounding out the top five was Melissa Feller of Lincoln Park, New Jersey aboard Serafino, owned by Elisabeth McFadden. Feller and Serafino earned a first-round score of 83.5 and an improved second-round score of 84 for a total of 167.5 for fifth place.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Riders had another chance to show in the ring where the best of the best have competed, Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, in Saturday’s $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.
Roanoke, Virginia equestrian Elizabeth Bailey and her own Acido 7 took home the blue in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Bailey and Acido 7 were the team to beat out of the 12 returning horses and riders in the two-round classic. They earned a second-round score of 84, which combined with their first-round score of 83, gave them a total of 167 for the win.
Echo, owned and ridden by Skyler Fields of Wellesley, Massachusetts, earned second place. Their first-round score of 85 and second-round score of 74 awarded them an overall total of 159.
Cynthia Boudreau of Hingham, Massachusetts and Church Road came in third place with scores of 79 and 78, for a total of 157 to seal their spot in the ribbons.
Coming in just behind Boudreau in fourth place was another Massachusetts equestrian Corinne Milbury of Boston aboard Parker, owned by Saddle Ridge, LLC.
Jess Lusty of York, Maine rounded out the top five aboard Anucci. They earned a first-round score of 80, which combined with their second-round score of 73, gave them a total of 173 for fifth place.
Ocala, FL (March 5, 2016): Week VII of the Ocala Winter Circuit kicked off with the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Williston’s own Aaron Vale, riding Carlo, owned by Amatoville Enterprises, topped the leaderboard in Wednesday’s $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome with a double clear round in a blazing fast 33.220 seconds. Course designer Bernardo Cabral from Lisbon, Portugal challenged the thirty-three competitors with a technical course set at 1.40 meters.
Only six were able to jump clean in the first round to advance to the jump-off. A broken line from the mid-course vertical to back to back oxers in the combination at 10A-B proved difficult for many and caused the majority of rails in the first round. The six that mastered the first-round all proved their skill when all jumped double-clear to contend for the victory.
First to jump clean was Allen Nabors of Ocala, Florida, riding Caesar 322, owned by Christi Israel. They galloped the first line in six strides, did a tight rollback to the tall vertical and made to the inside turn to the combination, crossing the timers in 35.184, which held the lead through most of the class.
“He’s an amazing horse,” said Nabors. “He is just so scopey and jumps so hard; it takes all the leg I have just to hang on to him. I’d really like to thank the Israels for letting me ride him.”
Immediately following Nabors was Cara Raether Carey of North Palm Beach, Florida, aboard Cedric, owned by Trelawny Farm. The bay jumped double clear in 36.647 to slip in behind Nabors.
Nine trips passed before another pair advanced to the jump off, until Lincoln Russell of Columbus, North Carolina jumped clear on Unex Timo IV, owned by Thinkslikeahorse of Williston, Florida. He clocked in at 37.446 for sixth place.
Sulu Rose Reed from Mechanicsville, Virginia, riding Denali for Paula Pell, piloted the big chestnut to a double clear in 37.251 for fifth. Nabors anxiously watched from the sidelines, still holding the Great American Time to Beat.
Going twenty-sixth in the order, David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio jumped a double clear on Call Me Hannes, owned by the Harlow Investment Enterprises. The big grey covered so much ground with every stride and stopped the clock in 34.448 to steal the lead from Nabors.
After several top-five finishes in the Brookledge open this circuit, Vale and the 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding, Carlo, would not be denied the blue today. They made all the inside turns and kept up the pace throughout, whipping through the timers in 33.220 for the win, which dropped Beisel to second and Nabors to third.
$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
Hot off a trifecta in Ocala Week VI, winning the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, the $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic, and the $5,000 NAL Junior/Amateur-Owner, Haley Waters of Sparr, Florida, garnered the victory in the Ocala Week VII $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Waters has only shown newly-acquired Galous in three classes of the Ocala Winter Circuit, but her plan to move up to the Grand Prix level this week was a smashing success as she garnered the win by a two-second margin.
(C) ESI Photography. Hayley Waters and Galous
Chuck and Dana Waters purchased the 14-year-old Galous for Hayley to show in the Grand Prix, and after winning last Sunday’s $7,500 U Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper 1.40m Classic, she felt ready to move up.
The competition was fierce as thirty-three competitors attacked the 1.50-meter course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral of Portugal. Thirteen jumped clean to advance to the jump-off where the shortened course included a gallop from the first fence to the second in either 8 or 9 strides, a choice of routes to a vertical to vertical combination, a rollback mid-course, and a gallop to finish over two oxers in either 8 or 9 strides as well.
Six horses jumped clear in the jump-off to take the top six placings. First was Lauren Hester of Lexington, Kentucky on Arly, owned by Hester Equestrian LLC. They jumped the first line in nine strides, executed neat turns and did eight strides to the final oxer to finish in 43.419.
Next up was Blue Moon 22, owned by Full Circle Farm, with David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee in the irons. They opted for eight strides in the opening line, leaving out a stride to the final oxer to cross the timers in 41.905 to take over the lead. The round would eventually earn them third place.
Following Jennings was Manuel Torres of Waterford, Virginia riding Christofolini H, owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro. Winners of the Brook Ledge Open Welcome in Week II, Torres and Christofolini H threw caution to the wind, taking to the course at an all-out gallop. They raced through the timers in 39.192, stealing the short-lived lead from Jenkins to set a new Great American Time to Beat.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas, riding MTM Reve Du Paradis, found a way to better that time, finishing in 38.310, but an unfortunate rail led to the eventual seventh place. Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey, riding Coverboy, owned by The Coverboy Group, They crossed the timers fault-free in 46.179 to finish sixth.
Hayley Waters had a plan to take lead from Torres, and that called for a slicing inside turn on the approach to the final two oxers.
When Waters stepped into the ring, she made sure her horse knew her plan too. “Galous really focuses on the jumps and looks to see where he is going next, so I sort of walked through the turn as I went in for the jump-off.” The plan worked and Waters’ time of 37.342 edged out Torres to second place. The round caught the attention of several riders and trainers who tipped their hats to show their respect for a terrific ride.
Waters gushed about her horse after the class. “He also let me gallop right up to the base of the combination and balanced himself to jump it clean; he’s a very experienced horse.”
Seven more riders tackled the shortened course, but only one jumped without faults. Billie De Rouet of Bromont, Quebec, riding her own Bonaparte VP Wisbec, added a clean round in 42.699 to take fourth place.
Ocala, FL (February 28, 2016): The second $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby of the HITS Hunter Derby Tour paid a visit to HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida on Saturday during Week VI of the Ocala Winter Circuit. As the sun set, and the lights of Ocala Horse Properties Stadium flickered to life, the crowd watched in anticipation to witness who could master the course with finesse and the highest caliber of precision.
Following the Furusiyya FEI Nation’s Cup week at HITS Ocala, was the biggest hunter week of winter and the stage was set – Tim Hott of Cumming, Iowa designed a beautiful course of 13 fences for the forty-one who gathered from the East Coast and beyond to contest the two-round derby. It would be Keswick, Virginia equestrian Kelley Farmer who would walk away from the ring with the top three titles and four additional ribbons in the top 12.
“All of the horses were great through the course, and the course was beautiful too; [the event] was just all around quality in addition to having the opportunity to compete for this kind of money here,” said Farmer.
Farmer claimed first place with seasoned derby winner, Mindful, owned by Kensel, LLC, as well as second with Baltimore, owned by Jane Gaston, and third with It’s Me, co-owned with Bibby Hill and Sue Pinney.
“It’s just incredible, but I could not have done it without everyone you see out here, the owners and all who support us. It takes a village. I also owe it to all of these talented, four-legged animals – they’re amazing,” Farmer said, nearly speechless at the plethora of victories. “I was lucky enough to have plenty of shots [at the win].”
Two panels of judges including Scott Williamson, Kim Dorfman, Mike Rosser and Steve Wall, critiqued each rider’s craft.
“The course was beautiful and very well done,” said “R” Judge for the United States Equestrian Federation of 25 years, Mike Rosser. “The fences were unique, and it was a different track than you normally see. The riders had not just one or two options, but three or four options – it was one of the better quality courses that I have seen.”
Unique to the derby format, in addition to the base score, each judging panel awarded an Option Bonus Score consisting of one additional point for every higher height option fence jumped. As 12 returned for the second round, judges awarded a base score, Option Bonus Score and a Handy Bonus Score, assessing the handiness of the round.
Farmer finished the first round with the highest score aboard Point Being, owned by David Glefke. Six of the 12 returning rounds were piloted by Farmer, but a talented list of contenders ready to rally for blue still filled the second-round Order.
After four trips, two including Farmer and her eventual seventh place mount Need I Say and eighth place Courville Paola, owned by Melissa Rudershausen, no score had come close to Farmer until Cassandra Kahle of Langley, British Columbia stepped in.
Kahle and Cornetto Royal, owned by Yvetta Rechler-Newman, meticulous in their pursuit of a win, opted for all four height options and received a combined total of 15 Handy Bonus Points. It was quite the comeback, but not enough to garner the lead. A first-round score of 172.5 combined with a second-round score of 196 totaled 368.5 for fourth place, just half of a point away from what would be Farmer’s third place score of 369.
Eighth in the order was Elizabeth Boyd of Camden, South Carolina and Brunello. The graceful chestnut Hanoverian and Boyd, a three-time winner of the USJHA International Derby Championships, opted for all four height options and received a combined total of 15 Handy Bonus Points from the two judging panels. They earned a second-round score of 188, which combined with their first-round score of 176, gave them a total of 364 for the eventual fifth place.
The last four trips of the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby belonged to Farmer. The victory was hers to win, with the horse she would share the winner’s circle yet to be determined.
Farmer returned with Baltimore. Opting for all four height options, and earning a combined total of 14 Handy Bonus Points from the two judging panels, they received a total second-round score of 197.5. Combined with their first-round score of 177, that gave them a total of 374.5 for second place – not a bad turn-out for the Oldenburg’s first-ever derby.
“Baltimore is a first-time derby horse, and to be second with him is just wonderful. It’s an awesome result,” said Farmer.
Farmer followed her own round with It’s Me. The judging panels awarded a combined 14 Handy Bonus Points and a total second-round score of 192. Combined with their first-round score of 177, they came out just ahead of Cassandra Kahle with an overall total of 369 for third place.
Mindful and Farmer entered to put in the winning round, and the stunning black Hanoverian gelding silenced the crowd as they gracefully conquered the course, earning a total second-round score of 211. Combined with their first-round score 185, their overall score of 396 sky-rocketed above the rest to top the leaderboard.
“Mindful is a seasoned derby horse,” said Farmer. “He makes it easy, he knows what he is doing and is just a true winner.”
The $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby will make two more visits to HITS this year, stopping at HITS Desert Circuit VIII in Thermal, California, March 15-20 and again at HITS-on-the-Hudson VI in Saugerties, New York, August 3-6.
(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Alexis Cruz and Summer Nights.
Ocala, FL (February 28, 2016): The presentation of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 4 Handy Hunter Classic to the Ocala Masters commenced with the Zone IV Pony Handy Hunter Classic on February 26 at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Riders maneuvered their ponies through the course, all in hopes of securing a prestigious blue-ribbon victory in the Classic. Only one could take home the title, and that team to beat was Summer Nights, owned and ridden by Alexis Cruz of Oviedo, Florida – not only was the victory a first-time class win for Cruz, but was also her first-ever go at the $1,000 Zone 4 Pony Handy Hunter Classic.
“The course was fun, and we couldn’t be happier that HITS offers this class,” said Cruz’s trainer Laura Barrett-Gurtis. “This is a great program and it’s really nice that Zone 4 gives back to the competitors.”
First to challenge the course was Macho Man, owned and ridden by Alpharetta, Georgia equestrian Daphne Rowse. Rowse and her bay Welsh gelding came in behind Cruz with a score of 69, with an Option Bonus Score of three points and a Handy Bonus Score of three points. They earned a total score of 74 for their efforts, ultimately finishing in second.
Jessica Bader of Bluffton, South Carolina and her own Hershey’s Kiss came in behind Rowse and Macho Man. They earned a score of 55 with an Option Bonus Score of three points and a Handy Bonus Score of eight points for a sum total of 66, putting them in third place.
Lourdes Low, of O’Katie, South Carolina, and Overcast entered next but two unfortunate refusals eliminated the pair from the ribbons.
Fourth to go in the order, Cruz piloted her steady grey mount to earn a score of 68, with an Option Bonus Score of two and a Handy Bonus Score of seven for a sum total of 77 to move up the leaderboard over Rowse’s round.
“She is a really hard-working and dedicated kid,” said Barrett-Gurtis. “She’s very focused and we are thankful to have this class to compete in when we travel.”
Camryn Halley, of Oviedo, Florida, and Caleche, owned by Laura Barrett-Gurtis, were the final pony and rider to test the course in the $1,000 Zone 4 Pony Handy Hunter Classic. They finished with a score of 50, an Option Bonus Score of three and a Handy Bonus score of 10 to put them in fourth place.
OCALA, FL (February 23, 2016): The final day of FEI competition at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida came to an exciting close Sunday with a jump-off battle in the $100,000 FEI City of Ocala Grand Prix. Scott Keach (AUS) and Fedor, co-owned with Southern Cross Equestrian, LLC, prevailed as the sun set on the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium to take home the top spot and a $33,000 prize check.
Fifty-one decorated riders, including the likes of McLain Ward, Ian Millar, and Beezie Madden, tested the course of 13 jumping efforts set at 1.60m by Alan Wade of Ireland, but only nine would prove that they have what it takes to advance to the jump-off round.
Paulo Sergio Mateo Santana (ESA) and Taloubet, co-owned with Filho, were first in the jump-off order and ready to get down to business. The same mid-course combination that had caused trouble for many in the first round got the best of them resulting in four faults. Santana continued without hesitation but another at the final fence would cost them 8 total faults in a time of 43.38.
Second in the order was Luke Dee (AUS) aboard about Auckland de l’Enclos, owned by Ashland Stables. After a tight turn to the second fence, Dee made his way towards the combination but an unfortunate rail resulted in four faults, and a time of 46.36.
Hot off their $5,000 FEI Welcome Stake win earlier in the week at HITS Ocala, Marilyn Little (USA) and Corona, owned by Raylyn Farms, Inc., were next in line and hoping to give onlookers a clean trip. Little’s grey mount gave it her all as she cleared every fence in her way, crossing the timers in 44.87 to move straight to the top of the leaderboard.
Little, a Pan American Games Gold Medalist in Three Day Eventing, gave credit for the day’s success to Corona, saying, “She’s got incredible scope, she’s incredibly careful and she’s got an incredible heart so I really couldn’t ask for much more from a horse. She loves the game – she goes in there and gives you everything. You can count on her every time.”
Next in the order was Brandie Holloway (USA) riding Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corp. Although they were off to a careful start, three rails down during the trip would result in 12 faults in a time of 45.49. Keach was waiting in the wings, ready to make his home country of Australia proud with a memorable round for the books.
The crowd went silent waiting to see if Keach could one-up Little as he navigated Fedor through the course with no disturbed rails in his path. Speeding through the timers, in a fault-free 43.71 seconds, Keach soon found his name at the top of the scoreboard.
Christine McCrea (USA) and Win for Life, owned by Candy Tribble, followed Keach in the jump-off order, and after a majestic first round, she was hoping for a similar outcome in the second. With a swift, clear round, McCrea was close, but her time of 47.59 placed her just behind Little.
The seventh trip of the jump-off belonged to Cara Raether (USA) and Lyonell, owned by Trelawny Farm LLC. After a clear first jump, Raether found trouble with the second fence of the combination, totaling 3 down rails, 12 total faults as they crossed the marker in 51.42.
Federico Fernandez (MEX) and Guru, co-owned with Paola Amilibia, rode into the ring for the second to last trip of the day, and they kept spectators on their feet until the very last jump. Careful in his craft, Fernandez moved with accuracy over every jump and raced through the timers for the third clear of the jump-off in 43.95, to place just behind Keach.
The last trip was legendary anchor rider Beezie Madden (USA) who, just days prior, helped the U.S. Team to a win in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona. In perfect harmony with Abigail Wexner’s Vanilla, they made their way through the course, but again, a rail at the challenging second fence of the combination would seal their fate. With four faults and a time of 43.29, Madden moved into fifth place, leaving Keach in first, Fernandez in second, Little in third and McCrea in fourth.
“I’m very happy with how the horse jumped. I couldn’t have expected any more. In the last six months he has really improved, stepped up and really started to jump some clean rounds. I’m very happy,” said Keach, who has become more serious about show jumping in the past four years after a successful career in Three Day Eventing. “The courses all week have been fantastic, but everyone knows Alan Wade is a very good course builder.”
Delighted with the day’s events, Fernandez added, “I’m thrilled to be here. It has been a fantastic week and I’ve enjoyed it enormously. Today’s course jumped incredibly and the conditions were perfect. The course designer [Alan Wade] was brilliant throughout the entire weekend.”
(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Daniel Bluman and Conconcreto Believe.
OCALA, FL (February 21, 2016): International show jumping competition continued Saturday at HITS Post Time Farm when the picturesque Ocala Horse Properties Stadium became the stage for the $34,600 FEI HITS Jumper Classic. Hot off a third place team finish in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup CSIO4*, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, Daniel Bluman, riding for Colombia aboard Conconcreto Believe, owned by Blue Star Investments and Alberto Simh, added another podium finish to the list, this time taking home the blue ribbon.
Forty-five riders attempted the 1.50m course set by Alan Wade, of Ireland, and it proved to be a true test of athleticism for those brave enough to confront it. Tight turns, a tricky mid-course combination and impressive height resulted in just four riders going clear to secure a jump-off showdown.
First to challenge the abbreviated course was Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Epire van Wuitenshof, owned by Lazzarotto Deborah. All was in Perez’s favor until he approached the combination, where a refusal earned him four faults and four time penalties. Another rail cost him four more faults, finishing with a total of 12 faults in a time of 55.46.
Next in the jump-off order was Lauren Hough (USA) piloting Ohlala, owned by The Ohlala Group. They had a steady start like Perez, but an unfortunate rail at the mid-course combination and another at the final fence, would result in eight faults as they passed the timers in 42.50.
Scott Keach (AUS) and Viriato, co-owned with Southern Cross Equest, was third to re-enter the ring and after watching his competition, he knew what to do for a clean trip. Together they galloped through the course, with onlookers sighing in relief when Keach cleared the combination with precision. Clocking in with a time of 48.45, and with an intact course behind him, it appeared that a blue ribbon was on the horizon for Keach.
Known to excel in the jump-off, Bluman and his bay mount did just that from the moment the clock started. Careful execution between horse and rider led to a blazing fast clear round for Bluman who completed the course in a time of 44.23, a full four seconds faster than Keach. Bluman’s performance knocked Keach to second, Hough to third and Perez to fourth.
“I personally prefer when there are not a lot of clear rounds, because I’ve had better luck in competition when there have been jump-offs with fewer people. I was happy I got to go at the end with a horse whose height level is this high,” said Bluman. “Alan Wade has always been one of my favorite course designers. As a rider, you have course designers that win you more and some that win you less, and Alan is one where I win more, so I try to jump every course I can when he is building.”
This week marked Bluman’s second trip to HITS Ocala and he was enthusiastic about his return visit, adding, “The show has been lovely. I love the footing and the jumps – it’s nice and fresh. The horses really like it and they jump really well here.”
The final day of FEI Nations Cup Week at HITS Ocala is Sunday, February 21, and will finish with the $100,000 FEI City of Ocala Grand Prix.
Ocala, FL (February 20, 2016): Lisa Goldman and her own Morocco have been owning the leaderboard this winter at HITS Post Time Farm. Goldman is certainly no stranger to the winner’s circle, with multiple Grand Prix wins under her belt during the 2016 Ocala Winter Circuit. This week’s win marks the Hawthorn Woods, Illinois equestrian’s third time to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix this year. Goldman also garnered third place to claim two spots in the top five.
Irish course designer, Alan Wade, built a nice introductory course for the week that rode fast and created excitement in the stands. Ten horses and riders returned to the ring for the jump-off with eight going double-clear. With placings divided by mere seconds, the need for speed was the top priority to contend for the blue-ribbon title.
Germany’s Andre Thieme and Cellisto, owned by Markus Fuchs, set the tone for the jump-off, clocking in fault-free in 37.234. Unfortunately for Thieme, his lead was short lived as Goldman aboard her own mount, Hindsight, sped through the course, going clear with a 36.298-second round to move to the top.
Another clear round came next, for Canadian Kyle Dewar and his own Russell. They crossed the timers in 39.723, not quite fast enough to top the prior trips but good enough to eventually earn them seventh place. Matthew Williams and Cuchina attempted the course next. They would be clear to add to the group of fault-free rounds, but the slower time of 43.723 put them behind the field and they would finish in tenth place.
Christian Heineking and NKH Calango clocked in clear but still could not overcome Goldman’s lead. Jonathon McCrea and Zerly followed Heineking, crossing the timers in 37.663, just one second behind Thieme’s round for the eventual fifth place.
Goldman returned to the ring on her second jump-off mount, trusted winning companion Morocco. They shaped the corner from the vertical coming home to the mid-course combination, shaving time off the clock with the tight turn. Another turn to the home stretch line quickened the pace as they sped through the timers in a blazing fast 34.780, moving ahead of her own round on Hindsight to take the lead.
Australian Thomas McDermott knew he had to be quick and clear to edge out Goldman. He and Airtime Z GHP galloped through the course, chasing Goldman’s time with their eye on the prize. They put in a precise round in 36.068, not enough to top Goldman’s winning score, but enough to move into second place.
Heather Caristo-Williams and Cosmopolitan 20 were the last team to test the jump-off. They finished fault-free in 38.641, putting them in sixth place.
“It was a really fast class, the footing was great and it was a lot of fun to ride in,” said Goldman. “I knew I had to be quick because there were some very fast ones behind me.”
The countdown to the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup CSIO4* presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona at HITS Ocala has begun. On Friday, February 19 at 2 pm EST, all eyes will be on the Ocala Horse Properties Grand Prix Stadium for the only official stateside Nations Cup this year.
Eight teams will represent their country and the globe’s top riders will battle it out for international fame. Will Team Ireland defend their HITS Ocala title? Or will a new winner be crowned?
Here’s some helpful information to prepare for the big day:
Overlook VIP Club Overlook VIP Tables are still available for Nations Cup Week, $4,000 per table. VIP reservations include seating for tables of eight, breakfast and lunch served each show day, complimentary beer and wine service during the FEI Nations Cup, and exclusive access to the post-Nations Cup Overlook VIP Club party, sponsored by Marshall & Sterling and Great American Insurance.
To reserve a VIP table, please contact Amy Agricola at Amy@HitsShows.com or see the Horse Show Office.
Live Broadcast Not in Ocala? No problem. The FEI Nations Cup will be available to equine enthusiasts across the globe on FEI TV. Visit FEITV.com for more information.
Don’t Forget! Sunday’s $100,000 City of Ocala Grand Prix will begin at 2 pm EST. Visit HITS Post Time Farm and watch the final class of Nations Cup Week. Adults $5, Children 12 and under FREE.
For more information on HITS Ocala and the 2016 FEI Nations Cup, visit HitsShows.com.
