©ESI Photography. Christina Serio and Outsider on their way to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.
CULPEPER, VA (August 24, 2014) – Growing up under the tutelage of her mother Louise Warner Serio at DerbydownFarm, Chrissy Serio knows that while ribbons and prize money may be the end goal, consistency is the silver lining.
“My mother always taught me to try and maintain solid rounds. That is exactly what Outsider had today,” said Serio after her $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win at HITS Culpeper. “When I stay soft and confident, he jumps beautifully.”
Serio and “Emmett” as she fondly calls Outsider in the barn, jumped to a pair of 86s for the blue. The eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding became the ride of Serio last year when owner Alex Currier started college.
“We bonded immediately,” she said. “Emmett and Alex had a lot of success, but he excels in every hunter division we put him in. He was perfect and deserved this.”
While the pair earned Sunday’s win, it didn’t come easily. Jennifer Jones (Marion, South Carolina) was hot on Serio’s heels with two mounts. Jones and Lisa Williams’ Julliard pocketed 85.5 in the first round and an 86 in the second to finish a half point behind Serio. Jones also claimed third with Redfield Farm’s Clear Sailing after an 83 and 85.5.
Jason Berry (Verona, Virginia) rounded out the top five with Oak Ledge Farm’s Rose Gold scoring a pair of 84s to place fourth, and then fifth riding Twin Oaks Farm, LLC’s Upswing with an 82 and 79, respectively.
Multi-tasking as rider, trainer and groom didn’t keep Serio from the coveted Devoucoux win while also coaching Alley Milam in the USHJA Children’s/Adult Amateur Jumper Regional Championships held at Commonwealth Park this year. Milam’s team was number one after Saturday’s Nations Cup format competition.
“Between teaching, grooming and competing I don’t know how I made it to the warm-up, but everything fell into place and Emmett felt great,” said Serio. “Now I want to focus on making it to the Final in Saugerties – what an unbelievable opportunity for hunter riders.”
One qualifying Hunter Prix remains before the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York. To view qualifying standings for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, click here.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
With only one qualifying opportunity remaining, the race to ride in the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final during the HITS Championship is down to the wire. Katie Cooper (Owings Mills, Maryland) led 3’ hunter riders in Constitution Classic qualifying.
Posting the high score in both rounds on Jacqueline Watts’ Color Up, Cook pocketed an 82 in the first round and bested herself with an 84 in the second to secure the blue.
Franny Selhaver-Ramos (Amissville, Virginia) stayed consistent during late summer competition and took home her second red ribbon in two weeks. A 75 and 78 in the irons of her own Sandro Reuben settled them thirteen points off Cooper’s significant lead. Diane Wade (Falls Church, Virginia) piloted her own Wish List to third on scores of 72 and 79.
Jennifer Baron (Norfolk, Virginia) was fourth aboard her how Wallstreet Rumor when the second highest score in the first round, an 81, was coupled with a 69. Jordan Toering (Oak Hill, Virginia) rounded out the top five with Premonition BHF, owned by Rick Toering, with scores of 50 and 66.
Platinum Performance Hunter Prix riders will soon turn their focus to HITS Saugerties where junior and amateur riders will battle for $250,000. To follow Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final qualifying, click here.
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