(C) ESI Photography. Gavin Moylan and Opulent.
Culpeper, VA (July 11, 2016): Competition continued at HITS Commonwealth Park during the Showday National, the first of the two-week July series at HITS Culpeper with the second qualifying opportunities for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix to be held at the HITS Championship in September. The $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix took the stage in the Main Hunter Ring on Saturday afternoon.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Riders and horses pulled out all the stops for a chance at the winning title, but it was Gavin Moylan of Middleburg, Virginia who stole the show in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix aboard Opulent, co-owned with Moylan’s wife, Alden.
“We just purchased Opulent with our last group of sale horses imported from Europe, and this was his very first week of showing in the United States — he really exceeded my expectations; it was wonderful,” said Moylan joyfully. “Our plan for him is to continue what we’re doing and possibly show in the same classes this upcoming week.”
Moylan and Opulent snagged the highest score in both rounds of the two-round classic with a consistent 87, totaling 174 for the blue ribbon.
Following in the ribbons for second place was Southern Pines, North Carolina equestrian Harold Chopping and Cambridge Inn, owned by Elizabeth Cozart. Having won the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the Commonwealth National at Culpeper in April, Chopping and Cambridge Inn were hunting for another title. They scored consistently in both rounds with a pair of 86s, totaling 172 just behind Moylan.
Chopping also took home third place piloting Most of All, owned by Four Tall Oaks, Inc. They earned a first-round score of 86.5, combined with a second-round score of 85 for a total of 171.5, just a half-point behind his own score.
Louisa, Virginia equestrian Jill Wilson and Odds Are, owned by Twin Oaks Farm, LLC, came in fourth place with scores of 84 and 83, respectively, for a total of 167.
The top five rounded out with Nina Butler, of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and MTM Bazinga. They earned a first-round score of 82 and a second-round score of 74 for a total of 156 for their efforts.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Junior and Amateur riders turned out to compete in the second qualifying opportunity to show in the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September.
The rider to rise above was Kathryn Luke, of Arlington, Virginia, and Brazos. The equestrian and her bay Hanoverian gelding earned a first-round score of 84, combined with an 83 in the second round for a winning total of 167.
Sgt. Pepper captured the second place spot with owner and rider Connie McRill of Woodbine, Maryland. They earned scores of 83 and 82, respectively, to earn a total of 165 for their efforts.
Third in the ribbons was Shannan Gossman, of Mitchells, Virginia, and Castanio, owned by Turning Pointe Ventures, LLC. Gossman and Castanio secured a win in this class during Culpeper Week I in April. They earned a 77 in the first round, improving to an 86 in the second for a total of 163.
Leesburg, Virginia equestrian Makayla Benjamin took home the fourth place prize with Dorado, owned by Sweet Briar College. They earned a first-round score of 85, a second-round score of 70 and a total of 155 for their efforts.
The top five concluded with Valentina and owner and rider Amelia Lucas of Columbia, Maryland. They earned a 75 in the first round, improving to a 76 in the second round for a total of 151.
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