CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (August 22, 2011) — Patty Stovel and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya gained the momentum they needed in Culpeper to capture Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight a week of tough competition in the hunter rings of the Winston National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.
The duo’s latest victory marks their third triumph in a Devoucoux class this summer as they topped the field of 22 that showed over course designer Rian Beals’ first-round course. “Kenya is getting better as the summer goes on and that is a good thing,” said Stovel. “I am very fortunate to have a great owner who let us take our time with this horse.”
The last time the duo showed at HITS Culpeper they scored the blue at the Cavalier Classic in the featured class for hunters. Then, a few weeks ago, they struck glory again topping 70 starters at the NY Horse & Pony Show at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York proving they are one of the teams to beat in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.
Going into the weekend, Stovel and Kenya were eighth in the current Rider Rankings for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with 224 points. Saturday’s win will help to push them into the top five with only two qualifiers left before the big weekend on September 10-11 in Saugerties.
“I have said it before. This horse can win on any given day!” said Stovel. “There will be some great horses and great riders there and I am sure hoping that we are up for the challenge.”
Stovel finished on Sunday with a total score of 179 and led the charge at HITS Culpeper, boasting the top score in both rounds and winning the class by five points. Winn Alden, of Bristow, Virginia, rode Barbara Sheffield’s Cameo Appearance to a second-place effort and junior rider Alexandra Warner of Silver Springs, Maryland, took third aboard her own Valentine.
The next opportunity to qualify for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix takes place this coming weekend at HITS Culpeper during the Constitution Classic before the final chance to earn valuable points for Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at HITS-on-the-Hudson VII, September 1-5.
About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to this year’s phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 3’3″ Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the historic Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 10-11 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
| PLACING | HORSE | OWNER | RIDER | PRIZE MONEY |
| 1 | Kenya | Shoal Creek Stables | Patty Stovel | $1,500 |
| 2 | Cameo Appearance | Barbara Sheffield | Winn Alden | $1,000 |
| 3 | Valentine | Alexandra Warner | Alexandra Warner | $700 |
| 4 | C-Me in Colour | Katherine Wheeler-Raheb | Miranda Scott | $500 |
| 5 | Delorian | Carolyn Williams | Jonelle Mullen Stern | $400 |
| 6 | Azia | Judy Rutkowski | Kate Gerhart | $350 |
| 7 | Zohio-S | Megan Manubay | Sarah Lane | $300 |
| 8 | Coeur De Lis | Emily DuPont | Emily DuPont | $250 |
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