Category Archives: Hunter/Equitation

Chris Pratt Cruises to Victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal to Kick Off Horsepower Weekend

©Flying Horse Photography. Chris Pratt and Indigo Farms LLC's Cruise captured their first Grand Prix win of the season at HITS Thermal

THERMAL, CA (March 10, 2012) – As the final days of the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit approach, Chris Pratt of Lake View Terrace, California shifted things into high gear when he and Indigo Farms, LLC’s Cruise beat out 54 other starters to take the top prize in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Pratt’s victory is his first of the season after he and Cruise finished fourth in the $53,000 Chartis Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, last week. Friday’s win was the launch for the season finale at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California with the festivities for Horsepower Weekend officially underway.

For the third year in a row, the show grounds in Thermal have been invaded by luxury speed-machines courtesy of sponsor Lamborghini of Newport Beach. Lining the berms of the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix arena are the very best in sports car technology and design. This year’s line-up includes a couple of very sleek McLarens, the Fiskar, which pairs electric technology with the power of a sports car, and a reproduction of a late 1950s Porsche that has the eye of several exhibitors and even members of the HITS Staff.

Continue reading Chris Pratt Cruises to Victory in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal to Kick Off Horsepower Weekend

Scott Brash and Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof Shine in $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*

Martha Ingram Stays at the Top in THIS Children’s Medal 14 & Under

Scott Brash and Sanctos van het Gravenhof. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 10, 2012 – Great Britain’s Scott Brash guided Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof to victory in Saturday night’s $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4* presented by The Bainbridge Companies at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). In a suspenseful jump-off, Brash beat out Richard Spooner (USA) and Cristallo, and Kent Farrington (USA) and Voyeur, who finished second and third.

Sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies, week nine will conclude with the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic tomorrow.

Forty-five entries showed in tonight’s World Cup qualifier, jumping a course set by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Eleven cleared the first round course without fault and returned for an exciting jump-off. The nations of France, Ireland, Great Britain, Russia, Canada and the United States were all represented. Nine entries cleared the jump-off course.

Continue reading Scott Brash and Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof Shine in $200,000 FEI World Cup Grand Prix CSI 4*

USHJA International Hunter Derby Course Designed by 13 Year Old Sarah Clifton Yandell

Gulfport, MS – March 9, 2012 – The Gulf Coast Winter Classics recently showcased the hunters in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, and Grand Bay, AL based Holly Shepherd had a “Triompf” victory for owner Sarah Patterson. However, this year’s event featured an unusual twist: the beautiful and technical Derby course was based on the design submission from 13-year-old Sarah Clifton Yandell of Memphis, TN.

Showtime Jump Company, LLC’s owner Allen Rheinheimer is best known for his intricate, often fierce course designs for hunters and jumpers alike, and he also has a big weak spot. Kids! “I find it fascinating to watch kids grow and learn from aspects of anything they are involved with and to discover what it takes to make things work,” Rheinheimer shared. By the time he arrived Gulfport for the Gulf Coast Winter Classics, Rheinheimer had developed an intriguing concept to engage and educate the younger generation of equestrians, by soliciting for course designs to be used in the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

Continue reading USHJA International Hunter Derby Course Designed by 13 Year Old Sarah Clifton Yandell

A Banner Day for Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Hillary Jean and D’Amour Collect Low Adult Hunter 2’6″ Championship

Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 9, 2012 – California’s Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca led the victory gallop in Friday afternoon’s $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). California native Ashlee Bond followed in a close second with her mount Apache, while Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Bon Ami finished third.

The ninth week of competition at the FTI WEF, sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies, will continue through Sunday, March 11. The week will feature the $200,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 4*-W, presented by the Bainbridge Companies on Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m.

Continue reading A Banner Day for Richard Spooner and Billy Bianca in the $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Michael Hughes Pockets His First Grand Prix Victory in Thursday’s SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

©ESI Photography. Michael Hughes and Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur sailed to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (March 9, 2012) – Michael Hughes was all smiles at the conclusion of Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Ocala. The sixteen-year-old from Allendale, New Jersey posted the only double clear round of the day to win his first-ever Grand Prix aboard Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur.

“My dad [Eammon Hughes] and I picked this horse to be my first Grand Prix horse because of his speed and scope,” said Hughes. The decision paid off this week as Hughes cashed a $7,500 first-place check.

Course Designer Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario challenged 30 horses and riders to 13 obstacles in Thursday’s class, which included a triple combination at fence six, a double at fence nine and a sizable final effort at fence 13.

“I designed the course to make it challenging, but not so big,” said Foster. “It was long, so the horses got a little tired.”

Continue reading Michael Hughes Pockets His First Grand Prix Victory in Thursday’s SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

David McPherson & Scott Brash Share British Victory in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 9

Keenan, Ulrich, Jacobs, and Bausano Win $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Series Team Event, Scott Stewart and Tristan Score Championship in Sanctuary Green Conformation Hunters

David McPherson and Silver Spring. Photos © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 8, 2012 – Top British riders David McPherson and Scott Brash each took home their winner’s share on Thursday in a split class for round nine of the $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Series at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Held in a ‘California Split’ due to the large number of entries, the class awarded two sets of placings, each with $32,000 distributed. McPherson and his own Silver Spring and Brash and Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof were both awarded top honors. The team of Lillie Keenan, Lydia Ulrich, Charlotte Jacobs, and Gabrielle Bausano won the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Series Team Event presented by Dutta Corporation in association with Guido Klatte. Scott Stewart and Tristan were champions in the Sanctuary Green Conformation Hunters.

Continue reading David McPherson & Scott Brash Share British Victory in $32,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round 9

Culpeper, Virginia Is the Next Stop on the Road to HITS Championship Weekend

 

CULPEPER, VA (March 7, 2012) – As the countdown to HITS Championship Weekend is well underway, East Coast riders will look to HITS Culpeper for  pivotal qualifying opportunities. Weekly $40,000 Grand Prix will give High-performance riders the chance to punch their ticket for the third annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. In addition, HITS Culpeper will host five $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, all of which will qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and five $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix as qualifiers for the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final. All three big-ticket classes will meet at HITS Championship Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York September 7-9, 2012 to crown their champions.

The HITS Culpeper Show Series will get underway when the Commonwealth National kicks of hunter/jumper competition April 18-22. Riders return on July 6, with two consecutive weeks of competition during the Showday National, July 4-8, followed by the Cavalier Classic, July 11-15. August brings two more weeks of competition with the Winston National, August 15-19, and the Constitution Classic, August 22-26. HITS will close out the 2012 season Virginia during the Culpeper Finals September 26-30 while introducing the first qualifying opportunities for the 2013 Pfizer Million.

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Laura Kraut and Teirra Top $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Laura Kraut and Teirra. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 7, 2012 – The ninth week of the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival began with this morning’s $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic, and Laura Kraut (USA) rode Stars and Stripes’ Teirra to victory. Richard Spooner (USA) and Billy Bianca, owned by Molly Ohrstrom, were second, while Ben Maher (GBR) and Rowan, owned by Miss Louise Flower, were third.

Sponsored by the Bainbridge Companies, week nine will host the $200,000 FEI World Cup Qualifier Grand Prix, CSI 4*-W, presented by the Bainbridge Companies on Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m. Other highlights include the $20,000 Artisan Farms Young Rider Grand Prix Team Event on Thursday, March 8, at 7 p.m. and the $32,000 Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m.

Continue reading Laura Kraut and Teirra Top $32,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

Emma Sullivan Tops the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic as HITS Wraps Up the Ocala Tournament at Post Time Farm

Emma Sullivan aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s Elder on course in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Photos ©ESI Photography.

OCALA, FL (March 7, 2012) – Emma Sullivan of Lafayette, Louisiana rode to victory under the lights on Saturday in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper classic at HITS Ocala. She and Thinkslikeahorse’s Elder were the winning pair out of 65 who showed over International Course Designer Jack Robson’s first and second round tracks.

“I was so excited when I won – it was unbelievable! I really love this horse and he has been so much fun to ride,” said Sullivan. “It was a really difficult course and I saw some really fast rounds, so I knew the last turn to fence four had to be tight enough to win. You always risk a rail, but luckily we did it. I’d really like to thank my trainer, Aaron Vale, for everything and letting me ride this great horse, and my parents for being there.”

Robson, of Coronado, California presented 12 obstacles in the first round and repeated six in the jump-off with plenty of challenges in between.

Continue reading Emma Sullivan Tops the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic as HITS Wraps Up the Ocala Tournament at Post Time Farm

Kentucky Horse Shows to Feature New Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series

Erynn Ballard and Dunkirk won the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Classic at the 2011 Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – March 8, 2012 – The Kentucky Horse Shows are pleased to announce the newest addition to their spring and summer horse shows, the Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series. The six-part series will feature a $5000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby at the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the spring and summer, and at the conclusion of the series the Leading Rider Awards for the Series will be presented.

The USHJA National Hunter Derby program will be in its third year in 2012 and is growing in prestige and popularity. Amateurs, Juniors and Professional riders are eligible to compete, giving it a broad base of support and interest. The dates of the shows are as follows:

  • KENTUCKY SPRING HORSE SHOW            MAY 9 – 13, 2012
  • KENTUCKY SPRING CLASSIC                      MAY 16 – 20, 2012
  • KENTUCKY SUMMER HORSE SHOW          JULY 25 – 29, 2012
  • KENTUCKY SUMMER CLASSIC                    AUGUST 1 – 5, 2012
  • BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL                                  AUGUST 15 – 19, 2012
  • KHJA                                                                 AUGUST 22 – 26, 2012

Continue reading Kentucky Horse Shows to Feature New Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series