CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (July 18, 2011) – Accomplished professional Patty Stovel and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya won Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight a week of tough competition in the hunter rings of the Cavalier Classic at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.
Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and Kenya were the top horse-and-rider team out of the 34 that showed over Saugerties, New York course designer Rian Beals’ first-round track. They also sat atop the 12 pairs that advanced to the second round as they scored a first-place check. More importantly, the talented duo added their names to the list of top contenders for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which is scheduled to roll into HITS Saugerties in September.
“There were some great horses and riders in this class, and for us to come out on top – proves that we belong,” said Stovel. “I am heading up to Saugerties for the next three weeks, where I plan to show in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, which will be a huge advantage since the big class will take place right in Saugerties.”
Stovel finished on Sunday with a total score of 175 and led the charge at HITS Culpeper, boasting the top score in both rounds and winning the class by 10 points. Jonelle Mullen Stern, of Warrenton, Virginia, rode Carolyn Williams’ Delorian to a second-place effort and junior rider, Emma Kennedy of Ocala, Florida, took third aboard Donald Stewart’s Van Guard.
Gavin Moylan, of The Plains, Virginia, clinched the fourth-place ribbon aboard Penny Denegre’s Senator. Moylan showed last year in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and he plans to show in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final this year.
“My Grand Prix horse is injured right now, but I will be in Saugerties for the Hunter Prix,” said Moylan. “I think I have a good horse for it. Next year, I will hopefully be able to do both classes.”
Finishing out the top riders were Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere, who finished fifth, and Mary Lisa Leffler aboard Wilder Mountain Farm’s Zivago in sixth. Gaston, of The Plains, Virginia secured her spot in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final as she picked up her fifth Devoucoux qualifier. As qualifying heads toward the Saugerties Summer Series, Gaston is among the leaders of the current rider rankings with 332 total points. Meanwhile, Leffler, of Brooksville, Maryland, and Zivago jumped into first place with six Devoucoux classes and 407 points.
“The second that I heard about this class I reserved my hotel room in Saugerties,” said Gaston.
The next opportunity to qualify for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix takes place in Saugerties with three more Devoucoux classes, after which Culpeper will host two of the last qualifiers in August.
Show jumping at HITS Culpeper resumes in August with the Winston National and will feature a full slate of action, including the USHJA Tad Coffin Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday, August 20.
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 | Delorian | Carolyn Williams | Jonelle Mullen Stern | $1,000 |
| 3 | VanGuard | Don Stewart | Emma Kennedy | $350 |
| 4 | Senator | Penny Denegre | Gavin Moylan | $250 |
| 5 | Lumiere | Jane Gaston | Jane Gaston | $200 |
| 6 | Zivago | Wilder Mountain Farm | Mary Lisa Leffler | $175 |
| 7 | Julian | Amanda Foard | Amanda Foard | $150 |
| 8 | Wilco | Caren Seidle | Kaitlyn Skog | $125 |
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