©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney has a busy Sunday coming up – she is preparing to ride in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix, as well as aiming MTM Inquisitive at the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final after the pair won the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this weekend at HITS Saugerties.

Irene Peluso Wins Wild Card Appearance in $25,000 HITS Hunter Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 2, 2013) – While still deciding what horse she will pilot in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix just days away, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas is pulling double duty as she aims MTM Inquisitive at the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Fenney and the five year old Warmblood gelding won Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Wild Card at HITS Saugerties with a score of 177 after an 87 and 90.

Thirty-five competitors took to the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson over a track set by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. The class was the first time Inquisitive had seen the elements of the Outside Course, including the bank and multi-level surface. Despite his inexperience, however, Fenney piloted him to the fourth highest score in the first round.

“He was imported in March and we call him Inquisitive because he is always checking things out in the best way possible,” said Fenney. “He has a great attitude and despite being young and not as seasoned as the other horses out there, I think he will hold his own next week.”

Beals’ course made use of the bank in the Outside Course, asking riders to jump both in and out of the ring, as well as presented several oxers across the middle of the ring.

Adrienne Iverson of Califon, New Jersey led the first round with an 89 aboard Redfield Farm’s Clear Sailing. Their second round score of 86.5 combined for a 175.5 and handed them second place. Therese Peck of Flower Mound, Texas rode Cammy Turgon’s Scoop to an 88 and 85.5 for a total of 173.5, which was good enough for third place. Peck trains with Fenney and Mike McCormick, giving MTM Farm credit for two out of the top three placings.

David Oliynyk of Franklin, Massachusetts finished fourth with Lori Gaudet’s Generous. The pair won the Devoucoux Hunter Prix during Week VI and this time rode to an 86.5 and 86 for a total score of 172.5. Jaime Auletto of Cherry Hill, New Jersey capped the top five with score of 87.5 and 84.5 for a final score of 172 in the irons of her own Crusader.

With qualifying complete, the country’s top hunter riders will soon converge on HITS Saugerties in preparation for the richest hunter class in the world. Fenney and her fellow East Coast riders will soon do battle with West Coast qualifiers, including the likes of Hope Glynn and Nick Haness. Round one of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final begins Friday morning in the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix Wild Card
Sunday marked the very first $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix for Irene Peluso of Farmington, Connecticut and Rebecca Gorman’s Newcastle, but first-time jitters were not a problem for Peluso or the 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding. Peluso piloted Newcastle to the top score of 86 in the first round and combined it with a 74 in the second round for a total of 160.

“We had such a great time and went in with no expectations,” said Peluso, who trains at Folly Farm. “The bank was a great exercise for us – it’s all about balance and listening to your horse. There aren’t a lot of places where you get to experience that.”

The Wild Card win offered Peluso and Newcastle a coveted spot in the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final, which she accepted. Thanks to the Wild Card berth into the second-annual event, the pair will compete against qualified riders from all corners of the country beginning this Friday.

Newcastle is recently back from an injury and has been away from the show scene, according to Peluso who made a transition from the jumper ring to the hunters this summer. “I lost my jumper earlier this summer and riding Newcastle has been very therapeutic for me. He goes in the ring like a pro every time and helps me out when I need it.”

Behind Peluso, Audrey Gallagher of Richmond, Virginia rode Alexandra Worthington’s Romina 58 to scores of 77.5 and 80 for a total of 157.5 and second place. Third was awarded to Teddy Vlock of Branford, Connecticut and his own Remember When after scores of 78 and 76 combined for a 154. Nicole Oliynyk of Franklin, Massachusetts piloted her own Sea Walker to fourth with scores of 72 and 78 for a total of 150, and Tracie Schoelen of Toms River, New Jersey closed out the top five with scores of 74 and 75 for a total of 149 in the irons of her own Redford.

The long-awaited Diamond Mills $500,000 and HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Finals take the stage beginning on Friday. The first two rounds will take place on the Outside Course before the top 25 ride for historic prize money in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium on HITS Championship Sunday, September 8.

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 the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 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 third-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 7-8 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the-art Special Events Center. Diamond Mills is a proud member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassed collection of over 520 luxury hotels around the world. Saugerties’ newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

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