©ESI Photography. David Oliynyk and Generous on their way to another Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

SAUGERTIES, NY (July 21, 2014) – David Oliynyk has spent six years in the tack of Lori Gaudet’s Generous and their lengthy time together is paying off in high scores and dollar signs. Boasting a second-round score of 92, Oliynyk and the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding topped a field of 35 starters to win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Saugerties.

“It’s nice to ride one for long enough that you form a relationship,” said Oliynyk. “Horses are never predictable but I’m as close as I can to knowing his every move. Or maybe it’s just taken me this long to learn to ride him,” he joked.

Oliynyk admits that with time and experience, Generous has perfected his consistency. Advancing to the second round with a high score of 89, he was better than merely good against the top twelve – he was unstoppable. Tackling the bank on the HITS Saugerties Outside Course with ease, Generous appears to be in prime form for a successful showing in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final this September at the HITS Championship.

“Generous and I have competed in the final every year since 2011 and were sixth twice,” said Oliynyk. “The goal is always to make it to Sunday and show off for prize money that we don’t see anywhere else.”

The temps were warm and the Hudson Valley breezes were subtle on Saturday – a perfect day for hunters to shine. Oliynyk’s score of 181 was the winner, but Melissa Feller of Lincoln Park, New Jersey did her best to chase him down in the second round. She piloted Sarafino to an 89 for Elizabeth McFadden to combine with an 87 and second place.

Hannah Isop of Pawling, New York collected an 85.5 and 86.5 for third in the irons of Tracy Freels’ Red Ryder. Kristen Bumpus of Concord, Massachusetts posted an 86 and 83 to earn fourth on Catherin Mooney’s Delorean. David Raposa of Clinton, New York rounded out the top five on Redfield Farm’s Count Down with scores of 82.5 and 84.5.

The weekend’s Devoucoux action kicked off summer qualifying for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which continues through Week VII in late August. The Final takes the stage at the HITS Championship and welcome riders to jump for a piece of the coveted $500,000 pie.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Fifteen-year-old Lena Reeb of Weston, Connecticut pocketed scores of 84 and 83 in Sunday’s $1,500 qualifier on her quest for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final. She and Call Me, owned by Reeb’s trainer and mother Leslie Kogos, led the first round into the top-12 contest where consistency and finess won her the blue.

Montana Holmes of Weslaco, Texas rode Big Bang, owned by Maddy Chenoweth to a final score of 165.5 for second. Amy Lloyd Thompson of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania was third in the irons of Elizabeth Lloyd’s Paramount with a score of 159.5. Isabella Usenza of Albany, New York piloted Monty Kelly’s Sebastian to a 147.5 for fourth and Hannah Mueller of Jamesville, New York rounded out the top five aboard Montreal for Cazenovia College with a 146.

Platinum Performance Hunter Prix qualifiers will be offered weekly throughout the Saugerties and Culpeper summer circuits before the final returns to the HITS Championship this fall and offers junior and amateur hunter riders the opportunity to show for exciting prize money over thrilling courses.

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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