SAUGERTIES, NY (June 4, 2012) – Darragh Kenny walked away with the top two ribbons in the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday when he piloted Wannahave and Sandor de la Pomme, both owned by The Wannahave Group, to the first and second place honors, respectively. It was a memorable week for Kenny, who found himself in third place in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard Sandor de la Pomme.
Kenny, a native of Ireland and now based out of Wellington, Florida, was one of 21 horse-and-rider combinations on a course designed by Kenny Krome of Westminster, Maryland. The first round featured plenty of action, as only five riders returned for the jump-off.
First to show in the jump-off was Kenny and his winning mount, Wannahave who wasted no time as they set the Great American Time to Beat at 40.15 seconds.
Next to show was former U.S. Olympian Peter Leone of Greenwich, Connecticut and Monica Carrera’s Lincourt Gino. The pair had rails down at both elements of the in-and-out combination for a total of eight faults on the board, and had to settle for the fifth-place ribbon.
Peter Lutz of South Salem, New York and Davenport Incorporated’s Indiana 127 challenged the course next and produced a clear effort in 42.21 seconds, which was good enough for fourth place.
Capturing the third-place ribbon was crowd-favorite Margie Engle of West Palm Beach, Florida and Royce, owned by Elm Rock Partners, LLC. They finished clear in 41.42 seconds. Engle’s newest young mount has proved to be very successful thus far, after they earned the win in last Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and came back a few days later to take second place ribbon in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
Kenny, already with the win intact, was last to go in the jump-off on his second mount, Sandor de la Pomme and shaved a fraction of a second off Engle’s time in 41.36 seconds, to earn him the two top ribbons of the day.
$10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic
Up-and-coming high-performance riders had $10,000 at stake on Sunday in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium. Barbara Ruziska and Stephanie Barnes’ Victoire Van Het captured the blue ribbon in a two trip jump-off.
Ruziska of Namsville, Maryland, battled for the win against Leah DeMartini of Bronxville, New York aboard True Love, owned by Elm Rock Partner, LLC. Ruziska produced a clear effort in 45.58 seconds while DeMartini also had a clear round, but was shy of the lead with a time of 48 seconds, which earned them the red ribbon.
Third place went to Mattias Tromp of North Salem, New York and Sandra Z, owned by the Beyaert Farm, Inc. Rounding out the top five was Katherine Strauss of Southampton, New York and Katherine Strauss, LLC’s Chellando Z in fourth place and Emily Pope of Falcon Heights, Minnesota aboard her own Seize The Moment in fifth.
HITS welcomes Purina Mills to the Saugerties show grounds as the road to HITS Championship Weekend continues
The three-week spring series at HITS-on-the-Hudson will come to a close this week, but not before enjoying a mighty send-off, courtesy of HITS Sponsor Purina Mills. On the books are two more qualifying opportunities for America’s richest Grand Prix this week at HITS-on-the-Hudson III with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and the mega $100,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
Socially speaking, exhibitors will enjoy dinner, drinks and more at the annual Purina Mills Pre-Prix Party on Saturday night at 6 pm in the HITS restaurant on the show grounds. Then on Sunday, HITS and Purina Mills will welcome children of all ages and their families for the annual Purina Mills Kids Day from 12 to 2 pm. A fun-filled family day awaits at HITS-on-the-Hudson with pony rides, horseless horse show, face painting, games and more! Admission for the Purina Mills Kids Day is free for children 12 and under and adults are just $5, which will be donated to Family of Woodstock, HITS’ Official Community Charity.
$75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize $ | Rd 1 Faults | JO Faults | JO Time |
| 1 | Wannahave | The Wannahave Group | Darragh Kenny | $22,500 | 0 | 0 | 40.15 |
| 2 | Sandor de la Pomme | The Wannahave Group | Darragh Kenny | $16,500 | 0 | 0 | 41.36 |
| 3 | Royce | Elm Rock Partners, LLC | Margie Engle | $9,750 | 0 | 0 | 41.42 |
| 4 | Indiana 127 | Davenport Inc. | Peter Lutz | $6,000 | 0 | 0 | 42.21 |
| 5 | Lincourt Gino | Monica Carrera | Peter Leone | $4,500 | 0 | 8 | 46.55 |
| 6 | Merlin | Noel Love Gross | Jeffery Welles | $3,750 | 4 | – | – |
| 7 | Aries | Noel Love Gross | Jeffery Welles | $3,000 | 4 | – | – |
| 8 | Vicki Vale | La Chaudiere Farm | Isabelle LaPierre | $2,250 | 4 | – | – |
| 9 | Nolita | The Nolita Group | Benjamin Meredith | $2,250 | 8 | – | – |
| 10 | Any Given Sunday | Hays Investment Corp. | Brandie Holloway | $1,500 | 8 | – | – |
| 11 | Robin Van Roosendail | Looking Back Farm | Erynn Ballard | $1,500 | 8 | – | – |
| 12 | KT Undercover | Michael Kirby | Michael Kirby | $1,500 | 8 | – | – |
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