Tag Archives: Ocala

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Michael Hughes Pockets His First Grand Prix Victory in Thursday’s SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Michael Hughes and Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur sailed to victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (March 9, 2012) – Michael Hughes was all smiles at the conclusion of Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Ocala. The sixteen-year-old from Allendale, New Jersey posted the only double clear round of the day to win his first-ever Grand Prix aboard Drumnacross Farm Ltd.’s Mac Arthur.

“My dad [Eammon Hughes] and I picked this horse to be my first Grand Prix horse because of his speed and scope,” said Hughes. The decision paid off this week as Hughes cashed a $7,500 first-place check.

Course Designer Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario challenged 30 horses and riders to 13 obstacles in Thursday’s class, which included a triple combination at fence six, a double at fence nine and a sizable final effort at fence 13.

“I designed the course to make it challenging, but not so big,” said Foster. “It was long, so the horses got a little tired.”

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Emma Sullivan Tops the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic as HITS Wraps Up the Ocala Tournament at Post Time Farm

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Emma Sullivan aboard Thinkslikeahorse’s Elder on course in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic. Photos ©ESI Photography.

OCALA, FL (March 7, 2012) – Emma Sullivan of Lafayette, Louisiana rode to victory under the lights on Saturday in the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper classic at HITS Ocala. She and Thinkslikeahorse’s Elder were the winning pair out of 65 who showed over International Course Designer Jack Robson’s first and second round tracks.

“I was so excited when I won – it was unbelievable! I really love this horse and he has been so much fun to ride,” said Sullivan. “It was a really difficult course and I saw some really fast rounds, so I knew the last turn to fence four had to be tight enough to win. You always risk a rail, but luckily we did it. I’d really like to thank my trainer, Aaron Vale, for everything and letting me ride this great horse, and my parents for being there.”

Robson, of Coronado, California presented 12 obstacles in the first round and repeated six in the jump-off with plenty of challenges in between.

Continue reading Emma Sullivan Tops the $15,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic as HITS Wraps Up the Ocala Tournament at Post Time Farm →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy Win Reserve Honors at HITS V

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Jennifer Alfano and Jersey Boy won the High Performance Working Hunter Reserve Championship at HITS V Ocala Tournament. Photo By: Aly Sanderford/PMG

Ocala, FL – March 5, 2012 – The HITS V Ocala Tournament saw nothing but success from SBS Farms as Jennifer Alfano scored high ribbons and championship honors aboard horses throughout the hunter divisions. Jersey Boy came out at the top of the field in the High Performance Working Hunter division, taking home the reserve championship honors during his second week showing at HITS Ocala.

The talented duo earned the first and second place ribbons for their efforts over fences, as well as the first place finish for their picturesque handy round. Alfano is gearing up for the $10,000 USHJA International Derby in Ocala, FL, this Saturday, March 10. Shortly after their appearance in Ocala, the team will head to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL, for the Winter Equestrian Festival where they will compete as the defending champions of the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Mary Lisa Leffler and Gerona 92 Capture the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Mary Lisa Leffler and Gerona 92 on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

OCALA, FL (February 27, 2012) – Rolling Acres Farm scored a huge victory on Sunday when professional rider Mary Lisa Leffler and Rolling Acres’ Gerona 92 captured the win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at the Ocala Masters. A returning Diamond Mills Hunter Prix rider, Leffler is well on her way to qualifying for the 2012 Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

Forty-six horse-and-rider combinations prepared their Sunday best to compete over a first round course set by Ocala’s Doug Russell. After a first round score of 85 and a second round score of 84, Leffler, of Brookville, Maryland secured the win with a total of 169 points.

“This is one of the best classes offered each week in my opinion,” said Leffler, one of the most consistent and talented High-Performance riders to show in both hunters and jumpers. “It’s just a fun event for everyone – the riders, owners and the people that come and watch – everyone seems to enjoy it.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Tracy Fenney Wins Her Third Grand Prix at HITS Ocala to Qualify for the 2012 Pfizer Million

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©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano gain momentum towards qualifying for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix with a win in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (February 24, 2012) – Tracy Fenney banked her eighth Grand Prix of the qualifying season with a win in yesterday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano to become eligible for her third appearance in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. No stranger to Pfizer Million glory, Fenney appeared in HITS-on-the-Hudson’s big ticket class in both 2010 and 2011 with two top twenty finishes to show for it.

Fenney, of Flower Mound, Texas leads the way in the 2012 Pfizer Million Rider Rankings with $43,500 in prize money and has her sights firmly set on September’s offering. She stole first place in the preliminary Rider Rankings from former Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood with two second place finishes in last week’s Grand Prix.

Yesterday’s win was Fenney’s third during the HITS Winter Circuit in Ocala and MTM Centano’s huge stride ate up Course Designer Ken Krome’s tracks. He presented technicality over size to both horse and rider with a water obstacle at fence number four as well as a double and triple combination in the second half of the course.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Jennifer Alfano Rides Maggie May to Top Honors at HITS III Ocala Winter Festival

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Jennifer Alfano rode Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship during HITS Ocala III Winter Festival. Photo: ESI Photography

Ocala, FL – February 22, 2012 – The success within the hunter rings continued this week for SBS Farms at the HITS III Ocala Winter Festival. Professional rider Jennifer Alfano guided numerous horses to the top honors this past week, including riding the young Maggie May to the High Pre-Green Hunter Championship.

Maggie May is a six-year-old Bradenberger mare owned by Billie Steffee, who Alfano showed to the championship tricolor in the High Pre-Green Hunter division. The young mare is always improving, and the pair took two blue ribbons over fences and the second place award for their efforts in the under saddle.

“She has been great; I am really excited about her this year. She keeps getting better and better every week, and she is really growing up a lot,” Alfano explained. “It’s really fun to be a part of her coming along, and being able to watch it all unfold.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Kate Conover and Peron Win the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala

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Caroline Sykes Captures the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix

©ESI Photography. Kate Conover and Peron on course in Sunday's $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

OCALA, FL (February 20, 2012) – Kate Conover and Redfield Farm’s Peron captured the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Sunday. Conover, a professional rider for Emil Spadone, finished in third place last September at the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. As one of the most talented riders in the sport today, Conover is once again on the path towards America’s richest hunter class.

Excitement was in the air as 61 entries navigated a first round course designed by Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida. The second round featured the 12 top professionals of the day, eager to secure the blue ribbon with the best overall two-round score.

Conover had the lead score in both rounds, posting a pair of 88 points for a 176 total and the win. Second place was awarded to Martien Van der Hoeven of The Woodlands, Texas aboard Augusta Pines’ Black Label and third place went to Claire Kellner of Lutz, Florida aboard Mary McNeel’s Gamaliel.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Andres Rodriguez Picks Up 2nd Victory of the Week in $50,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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© ESI Photography. Andres Rodriguez and Caballito captured their second Grand Prix of the week at HITS Ocala when they beat out 37 starters in Sunday's $50,000 HITS Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (February 20, 2012) – Venezuelan rider Andres Rodriguez had an unbelievable week at HITS Ocala. On Thursday, he won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and came back three days later to take first again in Sunday’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Both wins came aboard Caballito, owned by ARAO Enterprises LLC. Rodriguez seems to have his sights locked on making it to this year’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

Rodriguez, now of Wellington, Florida, was one of 37 competitors to navigate the course designed by International Course Designer Martin Otto of Munster, Germany.

Reigning Pfizer Million champion Andre Thieme of Plau am See, Germany and his own Quonschbob were first to show and posted a beautiful round leaving all the fences intact. Unfortunately, they suffered one time fault to the crowd’s disappointment, which kept them from advancing to the jump-off.

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Andres Rodriguez and Caballito Win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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©ESI Photography. Andres Rodriguez and Caballito edged out Tracy Fenney by a split second to win Thursday's $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (February 17, 2012) – Andres Rodriguez and Caballito, owned by ARAO Enterprises LLC, won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health on Thursday at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala to kick off a weekend of action-packed show jumping. High-Performance riders were out in full force yesterday as International Course Designer Martin Otto of Munster, Germany made his debut designing courses in the Grand Prix field at HITS Ocala.

Rodriguez, originally of Venezuela and now residing in Wellington, Florida, was one of 16 to make it to the jump-off from the original 39 horse-and-rider combinations.

“The course was friendly,” he said. “Everyone wants to see a jump off with people going as fast as they can and I’m glad there was a jump off that the crowd could get into, because that’s what makes this sport exciting”.

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Competitions, Events, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

The Ocala Winter Classic Wraps Up Another Week of Non-Stop Hunter/Jumper Action as the 2012 Winter Circuit Rolls On

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©ESI Photography. Andre Thieme and his own Cesar on their way to a victory in last week’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

OCALA, FL (February 16, 2012) – Last week’s HITS Ocala Winter Classic was another exciting serving of show jumping competition at Post Time Farm as hunter and Grand Prix riders alike made big strides towards the 2012 HITS Championship Weekend.

Grand Prix action paves the way on the road to the Pfizer Million

Germany’s own Andre Thieme returned to HITS Ocala in style during week II, riding to victory aboard his own Cesar in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The reigning Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix Champion is now well on his way to banking the necessary qualifying classes and is $7,500 closer to earning a spot on the Pfizer Million Rider Rankings to find himself at HITS-on-the-Hudson this fall.

Continue reading The Ocala Winter Classic Wraps Up Another Week of Non-Stop Hunter/Jumper Action as the 2012 Winter Circuit Rolls On →