Tag Archives: Lisa Goldman

Equinium Sports Mktg., Show Jumping

Goldman and Sovereign Reign in $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

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Lisa Goldman and Sovereign (Photos courtesy of Equinium Sports Marketing)

Larrazabal and Champion for Volt Blaze to Victory in 1.30m Open Stake

Wellington, Florida (March 28, 2017) – The second to last week of competition on the 2017 Palm Beach Series invited riders to the beautiful grass field and sand arena at Schuyler Riley’s Wolfstone Stables, as well as the pristine all-weather arenas of Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, where divisions from Teeny Tiny and Low Schooling Jumpers to the Grand Prix offered exhibitors the chance to show in a relaxed, utopian atmosphere. Organized by Nona Garson and George D’Ambrosio, the Ridge Palm Beach Series combines their vision of a laid-back, exhibitor focused event with the flair of the old world European tours where Garson’s career as an international and Olympic show jumper flourished. An expansion of their popular Turf Tour dates, which feature show jumping for all levels on springy turf courses at spectacular venues around Wellington, 2017’s line-up included 3 Hunter Derby Day events, weekly USEF Equitation Tuesdays, full jumper divisions running Wednesday-Sunday, and Palm Beach Series Schooling Dressage, which incorporates the same principles for developing dressage horses and riders.

Lisa Goldman and Sovereign Reign in $15,000 1.40m Turf Tour Grand Prix

The highlight of each weekly competition on the Palm Beach Series is the Turf Tour Grand Prix, which was hosted most recently on March 24 at Schuyler Riley’s Wolfstone Stables. The elegant turf field, lined by active polo matches and Wolfstone’s sand arena, which doubled as Jumper Ring 2, took on the designs of Pierre Jolicoeur for the 1.25m-1.30m divisions in the morning and the 1.40m Grand Prix in the afternoon.

Ireland’s Darragh Kenny set an early standard in the Grand Prix that held through the majority of the day. Jumping off immediately after his first round clear with Oakland Ventures’ Billie Onslow, they were the first double clear on 38.644. Despite impressive efforts from some of the sport’s top names, including Kenny’s countryman Daniel Coyle, England’s Peter Jordan, Canada’s Kevin Crosby, and USA’s Molly Ashe, Kenny maintained his lead until the very end of the class. Late in the day entries from Lisa Goldman of Red Coat Farm in Chicago, Illinois were the final horses to go, and a fast and clear effort from Goldman and Sovereign, owned by Barbara Disko, stopped the timers at 36.614 to put them at the top of the class. Canada’s Kevin Crosby and Concelo, owned by Sher-Al Farm, rounded out the top three with the third fastest double clear effort, finishing on 38.768 seconds.

Goldman, who has numerous Grand Prix victories to her name including a 2016 Turf Tour Grand Prix with her other mount, Morocco, commented on her ride, saying, “This was Sovereign’s first time ever showing on the grass, and it obviously was too his liking. I started him off pretty slow but he placed well in the 1.40m FEI class this year and now won here on the Turf Tour, so he’s definitely an up and comer of mine. There was at least one tricky line, and I chose to leave out a stride to one of the oxers and was trying to be very quick after which paid off. I love showing on the Turf Tour; it’s something different to do and a great environment for the horses. Nona and George make it super easy and convenient to come and jump, and make it easy to fit into our winter schedule. This farm was just stunning, as all of their venues are, and I’m really happy we decided to make a last minute choice to come show!”

Kenny, who was victorious with Diamond D a few weeks ago on the Turf Tour, stated, “I really like the show and the concept, especially for horses getting going again. It’s not a huge pressure situation for them and a nice, different environment especially for younger horses that are being developed for the bigger, more intense classes. It’s also a nice change to show on the grass. Their [the organizers’] idea is super and it’s a great concept for the horses and riders.” Following in the same vein, Crosby, who has topped The Ridge Palm Beach Series $5,000 1.30 Open Stake and utilizes the Turf Tour’s atmosphere to continue to develop his horses, also reflected on the importance of a relaxed environment and change of scenery for his mounts: “I’ve become more and more familiar with The Ridge and its organizers, and they do a great job creating a relaxing environment and providing an opportunity to develop horses.”

Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Champion for Volt

Venezuela’s Luis Fernando Larrazabal and Champion for Volt Victorious in 1.30m Open Stake

The aptly named Champion for Volt, with Luis Fernando Larrazabal in the irons, blazed around Saturday’s 1.30m course to emerge victorious, securing the win following a double clear effort and jump off time of 31.233. Larrazabal knew he needed to shave as many seconds off his time as possible to best Audrey Robison and her scope chestnut Gorky, who had jumped clean and fast to lead the class with a 32.508.

“We did one less stride to the second oxer, and then I kept him in that forward rhythm in the tight turn to the last jump, which I think is what gave me the best time,” said Larrazabal, who early in the season won the Palm Beach Series’ 1.40m Grand Prix with Altodetto and the week after placed second in the same class with G&C Close Up. Owned by Augusto Surico, Champion for Volt began his career with Larrazabal at the end of 2016 and the pair has been doing the 1.30m and 1.40m classes as they develop their partnership. “He is super easy to ride, very careful, and has an excellent technique,” Larrazabal continued. “I love to bring my horses here [to the Palm Beach Series]. It’s great for horses that are moving up, to give them a quiet place to build their confidence while still presenting a challenge to allow them to develop. The Turf Tour is fantastic; it’s great for all of the horses to get a change of scenery, of footing, and environment as showing the same place over and over can be very tiring.”

Third place in the Open Stake went to Casey Larruso and Cool Runnings, who also delivered a quick, clean double clear effort and jump off in 33.299.

Full prize lists and schedules available at www.TheRidgeFarm.com.

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lisa Goldman Takes the Lead in Week III JHT Welcome at HITS Ocala

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(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Lisa Goldman and Morocco.

Ocala, FL (February 3, 2017): The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit is in full swing and Week III kicked off with the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Open Welcome. Riders and horses turned out for a shot at scoring the first featured win of the week, but only one could lay claim to the victory.

The team to beat was Lisa Goldman riding Morocco. They would claim the win with a lightning-fast round by a full two seconds in a six-horse jump-off. The course was designed by Mark McGowan of Kilmarnock, Great Britain.

“Morocco is my tried and true ride, and he is incredibly fast across the ground,” said Goldman. “The course rode quick; I thought it was well designed and it was a nice course for a shorter, speedier horse, like ‘Cowboy’.”

Grand Prix titan Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida was first to return to the jump-off. He set the tone for the remaining field with a quick, clear round aboard Darling GR, owned by Troy Glaus. They stopped the clock at 37.892, a time that would hold up until Goldman entered four rounds later; they would ultimately go home with second place.

Following Vale was Tracy Magness of Baltimore, Maryland piloting Intenz Van HD. They put down a valiant ride, chasing Vale’s currently leading time. They clocked in fault-free in 38.750, eventually giving them the third-place prize.

Milford, New Jersey equestrian, Morgan Ward, was next to test the abbreviated course. She and Diacord, owned by Daniel Bluman, powered through the course to finish in 39.385, ultimately settling them in third place.

Goldman was the fourth to test the jump-off, and she knew she’d have to put the pedal to the metal to overtake Vale’s quick time.

“Cowboy is naturally fast, but I have to keep things level-headed,” said Goldman. “We took 1, 2 and 3 quickly and shaved off a few strides in a few different places on the course to save time.”

They finished in a speedy 35.530 for the eventual win. None would surpass the time including fifth place finisher, Brandie Holloway riding Dublin, owned by Hays Investment Corp. They suffered an unfortunate rail at the second fence on course. The final contender in the jump-off was Debbie McCarthy Connor and Zim, owned by Connor & Ebetino Jumpers, LLC for sixth place.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lisa Goldman Conquers the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix at HITS Ocala Week II

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(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Lisa Goldman and Hindsight.

Ocala, FL (January 30, 2017): Elite competition resumed in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium on Sunday with the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix. Thirty-seven riders turned out for the grand finale of Week II, and everyone had their eyes on the prize.

Oscar Soberon from Monterrey, Mexico designed a challenging course for Sunday’s crop of riders, comprised of 16 jumping efforts. Nine would advance from the first round to the jump-off where only two would go clear in contingency for the win.

Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois garnered the blue-ribbon victory aboard Hindsight, marking the horse’s first Grand Prix win. They entered as the first competitors the jump-off and laid down a solid round that would stand the test of the entire class — not an easy feat for a class of this caliber.

“The course was big and technical,” said Goldman. “There are a lot of very good horses and riders here, so I thought [Oscar] designed the course well. The time allowed was tight but the course was the right amount of challenging for the riders here.”

They clocked in fault-free in 44.120 for the eventual win. Eight more followed Goldman, but none could match her speed.

Venezuelan rider Emanuel Andrade immediately followed Goldman in the order, but an unfortunate rail at the B element of the combination would settle them with the eventual fifth-place prize.

The only other clear round of the jump-off would be Manuel Torres of Colombia, riding Christofolini H, owned by Andrea Torres Guerreiro. With many top five finishes and wins at HITS Ocala, as well as several classes competing against Goldman, Torres knew what he had to do to compete — be quick, be clean and shave the time off the clock.

They zoomed through the course as the clock ticked and the crowd cheered.  They powered toward the finish, passing the timers clear with a time of 44.242, just one tenth behind Goldman’s time for the ultimate second place.

Eliza Lehrman of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania took home third place riding Fenom Van Klapscheut, owned by Five Way Farm, LLC. As the final pair in the jump-off, they nearly turned in a clear round, but their time of 51.164 gave them two time penalties.

Tracy Fenney and MTM Reve Du Paradis, owned by MTM Farm, have been on fire at this year’s Ocala Winter Circuit. They returned to Sunday’s class after winning the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday with another winning goal to set.  Unfortunately. a rail at the second-to-last fence kept them from topping Goldman on the leaderboard, but their speedy time of 43.006 earned them fourth place with the quickest round with four faults.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

Friendship Helps Put Lisa Goldman and Morocco on Top in $30k Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix

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Lisa Goldman and Morocco.

Wayne, IL – June 11, 2016 – Top International and national athletes competed during the feature event Saturday at Showplace Productions Spring Spectacular, the $30,000 Marshall & Sterling Grand Prix. Lisa Goldman and Morocco cruised through Catzy Cruz’s challenging course to the fastest double clear effort to earn the victory gallop.

Spectators gathered around the Lamplight Equestrian Center grand prix arena and watched a field of 30 horse and athlete combinations take on the questions Cruz posed at the popular show jumping event.

“You try to make interesting technical questions for the riders,” Cruz said. You play with the distances, the material, with the jumps and the colors. You want the horses to go forward and then ask questions of short and long.”

“Walking it I thought it was quite a bit tougher than the Welcome Stake,” Goldman said. “I didn’t think there was going to be too many clean. I thought it was big; it was hard. I thought she did a really good job setting it.”

Liz Atkins, who finished second with Benchmark Stables’ Undine, agreed. “I like her courses,” she said. “The fact that the rails are spread out all over the place, not just in one or two jumps. She sets difficult but doable courses.”

Out of the starting group, eight horses and riders progressed to the jump off round. Atkins and Undine were the first to be double clear with a time of 38.805 seconds.

Liz Atkins and Undine
Liz Atkins and Undine

“I’ve had this horse since she was 5 years old,” Atkins said about Undine, who she purchased as an unbroken broodmare from Karen and Blair Cudmore. “The mare is amazing. From the moment I sat on her for the first time, her goal has been to please me. She’s never going to give less than 110 percent. There’s no doubt in my mind that when I go in the ring she is going to try to jump clean for me.”

Lauren Ditallo and Wadisson, owned by High Finance Farm, were next to finish the second track fault-free but were more than a second slower.

Goldman returned for her second round with Morocco, who was raring to go. The pair put in a blazing fast round timed at 35.755, putting the pair in the lead. Freddie Vazquez returned on Messenger Hill Farm’s Bachelor 4 and were the final pair to be double clear, stopping the timers at 39.898 putting them in fourth place.

“With Morocco, if there’s an option I tend to add it in with him,” Goldman said. “I’m quick around the turns and fast across the ground. I didn’t do the leave-out in the first line.”

Goldman has no idea how many grand prix events she and Morocco have won. Her friends joke with her about her success.

“What can you say? They are so fast,” said Freddie Vazquez as he congratulated Goldman.

“Lisa is a really good friend of mine,” Atkins said. “I joked with her during the award ceremony: ‘That darn Morocco – he’s a little cow horse!’ We’ve always been supportive of each other. If I have to finish second to someone, I’m OK doing it with her.”

Goldman shared that Morocco lost a shoe right before the first round, delaying her start. Her farrier, Matt Connelly, had come to watch her ride and tapped the shoe back on just moments before her first round.

“Every person here helps in some way,” she said. “They all ride horses up to the ring for me. They help set jumps. They watch. They get water for each other. Everyone helps everyone.”

Atkins agrees. “That’s one thing I love about Chicago. We’re all here cheering each other on and helping each other out – whatever we need. It’s like family.”

Contacts:
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Public Relations Contact:
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HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Lisa Goldman Tops Leaderboard in $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

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(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Lisa Goldman and Morocco.

Ocala, FL (February 20, 2016): Lisa Goldman and her own Morocco have been owning the leaderboard this winter at HITS Post Time Farm. Goldman is certainly no stranger to the winner’s circle, with multiple Grand Prix wins under her belt during the 2016 Ocala Winter Circuit. This week’s win marks the Hawthorn Woods, Illinois equestrian’s third time to win the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix this year. Goldman also garnered third place to claim two spots in the top five.

Irish course designer, Alan Wade, built a nice introductory course for the week that rode fast and created excitement in the stands. Ten horses and riders returned to the ring for the jump-off with eight going double-clear. With placings divided by mere seconds, the need for speed was the top priority to contend for the blue-ribbon title.

Germany’s Andre Thieme and Cellisto, owned by Markus Fuchs, set the tone for the jump-off, clocking in fault-free in 37.234. Unfortunately for Thieme, his lead was short lived as Goldman aboard her own mount, Hindsight, sped through the course, going clear with a 36.298-second round to move to the top.

Another clear round came next, for Canadian Kyle Dewar and his own Russell. They crossed the timers in 39.723, not quite fast enough to top the prior trips but good enough to eventually earn them seventh place. Matthew Williams and Cuchina attempted the course next. They would be clear to add to the group of fault-free rounds, but the slower time of 43.723 put them behind the field and they would finish in tenth place.

Christian Heineking and NKH Calango clocked in clear but still could not overcome Goldman’s lead. Jonathon McCrea and Zerly followed Heineking, crossing the timers in 37.663, just one second behind Thieme’s round for the eventual fifth place.

Goldman returned to the ring on her second jump-off mount, trusted winning companion Morocco. They shaped the corner from the vertical coming home to the mid-course combination, shaving time off the clock with the tight turn. Another turn to the home stretch line quickened the pace as they sped through the timers in a blazing fast 34.780, moving ahead of her own round on Hindsight to take the lead.

Australian Thomas McDermott knew he had to be quick and clear to edge out Goldman. He and Airtime Z GHP galloped through the course, chasing Goldman’s time with their eye on the prize. They put in a precise round in 36.068, not enough to top Goldman’s winning score, but enough to move into second place.

Heather Caristo-Williams and Cosmopolitan 20 were the last team to test the jump-off. They finished fault-free in 38.641, putting them in sixth place.

“It was a really fast class, the footing was great and it was a lot of fun to ride in,” said Goldman. “I knew I had to be quick because there were some very fast ones behind me.”

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 and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

HITS, HITS, Show Jumping

Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit Kicks Off with Big Competition

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Andrew Kocher and Ciana.

Ocala, FL (February 13, 2016): Elite show jumping competition commenced in Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit with the $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome Stake and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome Stake
Andrew Kocher from Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Ciana, owned by Eagle Valley Partners LLC, slipped past Aaron Vale riding from Williston, Florida and Carlo, owned by Amatoville Enterprises, and Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois on Barbara Disko’s Sovereign to win the $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome on Wednesday at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. In what is turning out to be a battle of the speedsters, these three riders have been duking it out for the top spot in the Open Jumper classes each week of the Ocala Winter Circuit – Kocher, Vale and Goldman were all in the top three last week’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Wednesday’s class featured a 1.40 meter course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Muenster, Germany. Thirty-eight riders tackled the 13-effort course with 22 jumping clean to advance to the jump-off. Marilyn Little of Frederick, Maryland riding Venus, owned by Raylyn Farms, held the early lead with a clear jump-off round in 47.019.

When Vale stepped in to the ring on Carlo, you could tell he had a plan to take the lead. “These German course designers, both Petersen this week and [Martin] Otto last week, are really making galloping tracks and I saw that it would take someone to put the gas pedal down to win. I caught a really good turn back to the in and out and caught the last fence on an open stride.” Vale stopped the clock at 44.351 to take over the lead.

Next up was Goldman on the 9-year-old Sovereign. She picked up a gallop and sliced the turns, but added a stride in the last line to finish in 45.243, just behind Vale. Goldman was very pleased with her young horse: “He was fabulous! We are really starting to understand each other.”

No one underestimated the fact that Kocher was still to go on. With nothing to lose, he and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood Ciana laid it all on the line and despite a bit of a buck when landing off one fence, their time was a commanding 43.495, almost a full second faster than Vale.

“She’s just a very good game horse and I liked the course,” Kocher said. “I look forward to jumping her in the Grand Prix this weekend.”

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and her veteran partner, Morocco, swept the competition in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala for the second week in a row. Devin Ryan, of Long Valley, New Jersey, riding his own Liratus, was second and Mathew Williams, of Wellington, Florida, riding Valinski S, owned by Michael Dorman and Wyndmont, Inc., was third. Andrew Kocher, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, on Uppie De Lis, owned by BTS Entertainment and Sales, was the fastest with four faults for fourth and the top five rounded out with Hunter Holloway, of Topeka, Kansas, riding VDL Bravo S, owned by Hays Investment Corp.

Lisa Goldman and Morocco
Lisa Goldman and Morocco

Spectators are flocking to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium during the Grand Prix days to watch the excitement unfold as all the top riders jump for the glory. One horse and rider have consistently thrilled the crowd as they speed around the course – Lisa Goldman and Morocco. They topped the class of 38 competitors with a double clear trip in 42.717 seconds. Olaf Petersen Jr., of Germany, designed the 1.50-meter course of 14 obstacles on a 530 meter track. Seven of 38 jumped first round clears, but only three jumped double clear.

First to contest the jump-off was Kocher on Uppie de Lys. The opening fence was a triple bar, followed by eight tight strides to a vertical at 9B, which toppled for four faults. Kocher kept up the pace with a really tight turn on the rollback to the second to the last, and a gallop home to the Platinum Performance oxer to stop the clock at 42.190, ultimately earning him fourth-place.

Next up was Williams and Valinski S, who opted for a careful clean in 47.146 to take over the lead. Ryan was up next on the big bay Liratus. The 11-year-old Danish Warmblood jumped in classic form, clocking in at 45.261 when Ryan sliced the second to the last, riding a really direct line to the final oxer to set a new Great American Time to Beat.

Taizo Sugitana and Chin Quidam VDL, owned by Hyperion Stud, LLC, were eliminated at 7A of the combination to take seventh place. David Beisel riding the big grey Call Me Hannes, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC, had four faults at 7A to finish sixth in 45.846.

Next to go was Goldman and Morocco, and they did not disappoint as they galloped the course. They added a stride up in the opening line to accommodate Morocco’s stride which caused a few gasps as he swerved in front of the last jump, but still managed to jump clear in a time of 42.717 to take over the lead.

The final contestant was Holloway and VDL Bravo S, who also fell victim to 7A for four faults in 45.417 to finish fourth.

“This week’s course was smaller than last week’s, but much more technical; it suited my short-strided horse,” said Goldman. “The triple bar to the steady six to the vertical to vertical combination was really hard for the big horses but I barely had to pull on the reins. In the jump off Morocco tried to leave out a stride to the last jump and when I said you’re not leaving it out he thought we were going around it – I don’t know how he cleared that.”

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 and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Ocala Winter Circuit Week III Finished with Thrilling Battle for the Blue in $50k HITS Grand Prix

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Aaron Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck.

Ocala, FL (February 8, 2016): The Sunday Grand Prix at HITS Ocala get better and better. The competition between Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois and hometown hero Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida is heating up and the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix had the crowd screaming for their favorite pick to win. There was no shortage of excitement as Andrew Kocher of Lake St. Louis, Missouri had the crowd on its feet to the final fence.

In a thrilling jump-off, Vale and Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, wowed the crowd as they squeaked by Goldman, riding Mary Goldman’s Centurion B, by two-tenths of a second for the win. Vale also finished third on Finou 4, a horse he co-owns with Don Stewart. Andrew Kocher on his own Le Conte placed fourth and Goldman was back again in the top five with her own Rocs to Riches for fifth place.

Course designer Martin Otto, of Muenster, Germany, set a demanding track of sixteen efforts set at 1.55 meters for the 35 starters. Time was a factor, and even with an adjusted time allowed of 81 seconds, 10 riders had time faults in the first round. Eight had clear rounds, including all three of Vale’s rides, and both of Goldman’s mounts.

First to test the shortened course was Catuso, owned by Blue Gate Farm, LLC and ridden by Denise Wilson of Dousman, Wisconsin. Catuso jumped in beautiful form and took no risks, opting for a fault-free, 48.792. Next up was Vale riding Finou 4. Vale navigated the big-strided Hanoverian through a tight turn from the first to the second fence, and an inside turn to the Brook Ledge fence, to cut eight full seconds off Wilson’s time, setting the Great American Time to Beat of 40.189 seconds.

Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey and VDL Wittinger were up next but had a rail at the combination after making a very tight turn. They finished with four faults in a time of 42.645 seconds, ultimately earning them seventh place.

Goldman moved up in the order while Vale changed horses and threw down the gauntlet on the 14-year-old Centurion B, owned by her mother and trainer Mary Goldman. They left out a stride in the long gallop across the ring to the last fence, finishing in an astonishing 38.993 seconds for the lead.

Vale returned on his second horse, Spirit of Alena, owned by his Thinkslikeahorse, but took back after a rail, finishing in 44.778 for eighth. Goldman followed on her youngster, Rocs to Riches, to finish clean in 41.780 seconds for fifth place. Two remained to go, with Goldman and Centurion B still hanging on to the lead in 38.993 seconds.

Vale returned with his third ride in the jump-off, Quidam’s Good Luck. “This is a quick footed horse and I went in with the idea that I had nothing to lose. I’ve ridden some fast classes but that was a lot of speed,” Vale said, referring to Goldman’s all-out time. “I just kept kicking and went like I was getting chased.” His turn from the first to the second fence in six strides might have been the difference and he finished in 38.704 to take the lead.

“In hindsight, if I had gotten the six strides from 1 to 2 on my first horse [Finou 4], he would have been faster. It felt like a smooth pretty ride and really my most fun of the day,” Vale said.

Andrew Kocher and Le Conte stepped in as the final horse to contest the jump-off. In what can only be described as a flat out gallop he made a great turn from 1 to 2 and left out as many as 3 strides to fence 3, but missed the inside turn to the Brook Ledge fence. Trying to make up the time, he continued at his breakneck pace to the last fence, to finish clear in 40.662 for third place.

In a roundup of the class, Vale said the speed displayed by the top three as they tried to catch each other was outrageous. “My third horse – that was just crazy! But it worked. It was a great class for the crowd to watch.”

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 and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Ocala Winter Circuit Week III Kicks Off $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome

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Andrew Kocher and Rooney IV.

Ocala, FL (February 5, 2016): Jumpers descended on HITS Post Time Farm to compete for a shot at the blue and a piece of the prize purse in the Week III $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome.

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix

Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois and her longtime partner Morocco sped to another victory in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday. Aaron Vale riding from Williston, Florida and Thinkslikeahorse’s Spirit of Alena was second, and Andrew Kocher from Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Uppie de Lys, owned by BTS Entertainment and Sales, finished in third.

Riders took their turn at the 1.50-meter course set by German course designer Martin Otto. Nine riders jumped clear in the first round, which included three double combinations. In the jump-off, riders rode with a no holds barred attitude, and tried their best to take home the winner’s share of the prize money.

The jump-off started with a triple bar followed by a long gallop to a vertical. It also included a combination across the center of the ring followed by a sharp turn to a bending line, finishing with an oxer just past the In-gate.

First to go in the jump-off was Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kansas on VDL Bravo S, owned by Hayes Investment Corporation. The grey cleared the fences easily to earn a clear round in 47.015 seconds. Lisa Goldman riding Mary Goldman’s Centurion B was up next, but a rail at the third fence cost her four faults. Her fast time of 45.307 held up for sixth place.

Vale pulled out all the stops on Spirit of Alenaand galloped home to take the lead in 44.269 seconds. Kocher and Uppie de Lys followed in 45.201, which was a full second off the pace to step into second.

Manuel Torres and Christopholini H got into a little trouble and retired taking the eighth-place prize. Brandie Holloway and Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corporation, delivered a fast clear in 46.184 seconds to take fourth.

Stepping into the ring next, Goldman threw all caution to the winds and trusted her 13 year old partner to do his job. She galloped, turned and angled to the fences, finishing almost a full two seconds faster than Vale in a time of 42.793 to set an unbeatable Great American Time to Beat.

Kocher and Ora del te LLC’s Ora Del Te Di La San Giorgio followed with a rail and a time fault for seventh place and Denise Wilson and Blue Gate Farm LLC’s Catuso chose not to return for the jump off and placed ninth.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

Andrew Kocher from Lake St. Louis, Missouri took charge in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome Stake on Wednesday at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. He not only won the class on his Rooney IV, but was also third place with Prof de la Roque, owned by Postagestamp Farm, LLC, and fifth place with his own Le Conte. Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida took second-place honors with Carlo, owned by Amatoville Enterprises. Fourth place was Diamantes Legacy with owner and rider Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida.

Martin Otto of Germany designed the 1.40-meter course. Riders galloped the length of the stadium from fence one to fence two in both the first round and the jump-off with an optional, time-saving inside turn by the gazebo to a combination.

The jump-off finished with another very long gallop to the final oxer. Thirteen of thirty-one entries completed the first round without faults and moved on to an immediate jump-off where seven went clear.

First to move on to the jump-off was Petersen on Diamantes Legacy. They galloped to the second fence, and to the last, and took the inside turn by the gazebo for in a speedy 41.876 seconds. Rooney IV and Kocher were the next to try the jump-off track. Kocher chose to gallop around the gazebo for a longer route but never took back, taking over the lead with a time of 39.933 seconds.

A few trips later, Kocher returned to the ring and was double-clear again, this time on Prof de la Roque. He went around the gazebo again but cut inside the in and out to the last fence. He couldn’t best his own time, putting him in second with a time of 41.097 seconds. Vale and Carlo chose the inside the gazebo route and kept up the pace to knock Kocher out of second place, clocking in at 40.918. Kocher’s final attempt at the win was on Le Conte and he placed fifth with a time of 42.456 seconds.

“This is my first time competing in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium,” said Kocher. “This is fun – it’s a great ring and my horses are fresh and jumping really well. I tried the turns both ways but it was definitely faster to go around, then just turn and run.”

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 and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, HITS, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Kicks Off with $5k Brook Ledge Welcome and $25k SmartPak Grand Prix

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(C) ESI Photography. Lisa Goldman and Morocco.

Ocala, FL (January X, 2016): The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit kicked off in the Sunshine State with the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday, January 20, and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday, January 21.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Lisa Goldman from Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, riding her own Morocco, topped the leader board of the Brook Ledge Open Welcome in the January Classic at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. Goldman also placed third with her mount Rocs to Riches and sixth with her newest mount, Hindsight. Matthias Tromp of North Salem, New York placed second on KM Whatever RV owned by Beyaert Farm, Inc.

Course Designer Manuel Esparza from Mexico City, Mexico set an inviting course of 14 jumping efforts on a forward track for the first round test set at 1.40 meters. The immediate jump-off included some tight rollback turns – 12 of 27 were clear in the first round with five producing double clears.

First to successfully negotiate the first round was owner and rider Billie Derouet of Bromont, Quebec aboard Bonaparte VP Wisbec. She was also clear in the jump-off in a time of 41.415 to take the lead. Next to tackle the jump-off was Goldman and Morocco. The American bred gelding, by Roc USA, sped around the course making all the inside turns look easy in a blazing time of 34.576 to set the Great American Time to Beat.

Two more jumped off without a double clear until Matthias Tromp on KM Whatever RV got close to the lead with a double clear in a time of 36.126, moving into the second place spot.

Goldman returned on Rocs to Riches, also by Roc USA, to produce a double clear in 36.470 for third place. Aaron Vale, of Williston, Florida, and Quidam’s Good Luck, owned by Troy Glaus, followed immediately for the final double clear in a time of 36.489 to take fourth place. Derouet’s double clear time ended up fifth.

Goldman is no stranger to the winner’s circle at HITS Ocala; she and Morocco had multiple Grand Prix wins in 2015.

“Everything feels great this year! I always love Manuel’s’ courses,” said Goldman. “The place looks beautiful and the footing is improved throughout the grounds. Three ribbons in the top six, in the first class – I’m pretty happy with that!”

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
Christoph Schroeder from Andersonville, Tennessee, riding Catungee, co-owned with Derek Petersen, emerged victorious in an exciting six horse jump-off in the $25000 Smartpak Grand Prix during Week I of HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois and Mary Goldman’s Centurion B earned second place followed by Amanda Flint from Long Valley, New Jersey and her own VDL Wittinger in third.

Spectators were treated to a thrilling class in Ocala Horse Properties Stadium on Thursday afternoon as 25 competitors tackled Mexico City, Mexico native Manuel Esparza’s 1.5 meter course of 15 jumping efforts.

First to go in the class was Lisa Goldman on her own Rocs to Riches. The chestnut had no trouble with the time allowed and started the class off with a clear round. Two rounds later, Flint, on the first of three mounts for the day, VDL Wittinger, jumped clean within the time allowed to ensure a jump-off.

Six more tried and failed to clear the first round course before Goldman returned on her second horse, Centurion B, and just a few trips later, Flint and her own Superbad went clean as well. Now in a head-to-head battle, Goldman and Flint each had two qualified for the jump-off.

An additional six more attempted with no avail until Schroeder and Catungee. The big-strided grey joined the elite field of those eligible for the jump-off. The class continued until the final rider, Dakota Schramer from Holmes Beach, Florida, navigated No Autographs Please to join the group of six to advance to the second round.

The field was set for the jump-off with Goldman returning first with Rocs to Riches. They sped through the course in 44.815 seconds, but with two rails for eight faults. Next up was Flint on VDL Wittinger, who jumped clean to take the lead in 48.201. The nail-biting back and forth continued as Goldman entered once again but on Centurion B; they took over the lead with a clean round in 45.090.

Now it was Flint’s turn to attempt again with Superbad, but a rail for four faults in a time of 56.289 put them in third place. The blue ribbon, Schroeder, came in next to wow the crowd by turning inside the gazebo in a tight rollback to the combination, saving ground to take over the lead in 44.060. The final rider, Dakota Schramer, fresh off a win in the Welcome Stake at the HITS Holiday Series, came in with a plan; unfortunately, her horse was a bit surprised coming off the first turn and refused, dropping her to sixth place, and sealing the deal for Schroeder and Catungee.

“I’ve brought him along since he was six and this is our first Grand Prix win together; last year we were second seven times,” said an ecstatic Schroeder. “When Derek and I walked the course, the inside turn was right there and it was the only way for us to beat the time without running. [Catungee] always wants to win but we’ve never really put the pedal down; we are saving that for the Million – that’s the plan anyway.”

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 and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.com • HitsShows.com

Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Lisa Goldman and Morocco Race to Victory in $34,000 1.45m to Start WEF 10

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Lisa Goldman and Morocco. Photo © Sportfot.

Wellington, FL – March 11, 2015 – The 2015 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) began its tenth week of competition at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) on Wednesday with a win for Lisa Goldman (USA) and Morocco in the $34,000 1.45m FEI speed class. In a field of 70 competitors, the pair led a blazing fast line-up of Irishmen in the top four, finishing ahead of Shane Sweetnam (2nd), Cian O’Connor (3rd) and Ronan McGuigan (4th).

WEF 10, sponsored by Horseware Ireland, runs March 11-15. The highlight event of the week is the $127,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix CSI 3* on Saturday, March 14. Other features include the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 on Thursday, the $34,000 1.45m FEI world ranking class on Friday, and the $34,000 Suncast® 1.50m Championship Jumper Classic on Sunday.

Michel Vaillancourt (USA) is the course designer in the International Arena for week 10. Out of 70 starters, Vaillancourt saw 20 clear rounds over his 1.45m speed track. Goldman and Morocco were the winners in 63.70 seconds. The pair pushed Shane Sweetnam and Spy Coast Farm LLC’s Cyklon 1083 out of their early lead in 65.10 seconds. Cian O’Connor and Stall Gullik’s Zazou finished third in 65.12 seconds, and Ronan McGuigan and Capall Zidane completed the fourth best time of 67.29 seconds.

Goldman and the 12-year-old American-bred Oldenburg/Thoroughbred gelding (by Roc USA) have been partners since Morocco was four years old. The pair already earned an international win this season in week eight’s $10,000 Wellington Equestrian Realty CSIO Speed Stake. They proved themselves once again by beating some of the fastest horses and riders in Wednesday’s bunch.

“I didn’t watch Shane go, which is probably a good thing. Then you worry about going as fast as somebody else and where you can beat them,” Goldman remarked. “He (Morocco) is just so fast across the ground. He got last week off, so he really had a lot of energy today. He is just so incredible. He loves his job so much.”

A fiery character in and out of the ring, Morocco’s antics don’t bother Goldman. She explained that as soon as he is on course, he puts his game face on.

“There is a lot of compromise that happens with him. If he starts bucking and going sideways you almost have to let him do it because he gets worse if you try to stop him. Once he gets in the ring, he is all about his job,” she detailed. “Once I am going to that first jump, I never worry.”

“Sometimes he comes out like a western pleasure horse at home,” Goldman laughed. “He either comes out really slow and just bobs around, or he is crazy, but he is almost always crazy.”

Goldman thanked sponsors Samshield and CWD, along with her mom (Mary Goldman) and Morocco’s breeder, Nancy Whitehead.

“Morocco is one in a million,” Goldman stated. “He is probably my favorite. It is hard to say that over my other horse (Centurion B). I have my two boys and they are both so good, but this one is my pet. He is like a dog. You turn him out with one of those big balls and he plays all the time. He is so fun.”

Also showing on Wednesday, the $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m speed class was held in a California Split with wins for Hardin Towell (USA) and Jennifer Gates’ Emilie de Diamant A S in Section A and Mark Bluman (COL) aboard Stranksy’s Mission Farms’ Liverpool in Section B. The $6,000 Spy Coast Farm 1.40m jump-off class concluded the day with a win for Alison Robitaille and Hooves LLC’s Sensation 21.

WEF 10 continues on Thursday, featuring the $34,000 Ruby et Violette WEF Challenge Cup Round 10 in the International Arena at PBIEC. The Shapley’s Grooming Products Regular Conformation Hunters will award championship honors in the E. R. Mische Grand Hunter Ring. For full results and more information, please visit www.pbiec.com.

Lauren Fisher for Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com