(C) ESI Photography. Sunny Drescher and Sting.

OCALA, Florida (March 21, 2015): It was a picturesque evening under the lights of the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium for the return of the HITS Equitation Championship. High school senior Sunny Drescher, of Hinesburg, Vermont, and her own Sting proved that determination and drive pay off, moving up five spots from the 2014 event, to take home the blue ribbon and top honors.

After ten weeks of qualifying opportunities throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Show Circuit, thirty-one juniors took their chance at the technical course, set at 3’6”, designed by Buddy Brown of Menlo Park, California. Testing not only their competence in the ring, but also their efforts in the schooling area, competitors were judged by two sets of officials who evaluated their abilities as rising horsemen.

“At the riders meeting, Buddy Brown gave us his expectations as riders. He told us what he wanted to see from us, which I thought was really helpful,” said Drescher. “I loved the course for Round One. I thought it rode really well and it was fun to ride. There were parts that were tricky but if you did it well, you were rewarded for that.”

Leading the class with a first round score of 184, Drescher went into Round Two feeling confident in her craft and she referenced her fifth place finish in the 2014 HITS Equitation Championship and knew she was ready for the challenge.

“My horse went so well in the first round. I was thrilled with how he stepped up to the plate in the ring. He was super under of the lights and I was hoping to find some momentum going into the second round,” said Drescher.

“Last year, in the first round, I had the best ride of my life, except I failed to trot the trot jump. [This year] I knew I was capable of putting in good rounds, I just needed to focus and make sure I got all the pieces done,” she continued. “Last year was a confidence booster, but it was also a motivator to work harder to get my testing better, so that I could come back and be better.”

Although riders were not permitted to discuss strategy or technique with their trainers throughout the evening, they found support in one another and used that as fuel for success.

“All of the riders walk together, we watch each other go, and we all root for one another. It feels like a team sport because we’re all helping each other out,” said Drescher. “Even though we didn’t have trainers last night, I couldn’t have done it without Annie Dotoli and Aster Pieters’ support over the years.”

Ashton Alexander of Ocala, Florida and Ullrich, owned by Don Stewart, went home with second place honors and scores of 181 and 174.5, for a total of 355.5. Catherine Apostol of Wycoff, New Jersey and her own Courage followed, with scores of 172 and 172.5, for a combined total of 344.5 and third place. Fourth place went to Kennedy Knapic of Smithtown, New York riding her own Zedulon, to scores of 171 and 172, totaling 343. Rounding out the top five was Rhian Murphy of Charlotte, Vermont and his Finnigan with scores of 183 and 159, for a total of 342.

Competition continues in the Ocala Horse Properties today at 1pm with the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and on Monday, March 23 at 6pm with the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. For a complete schedule of events and information, visit HitsShows.com.

Alexa Bayko and Blue Shamrock Top the $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

OCALA, Florida (March 21, 2015): Alexa Bayko from Haverhill, Massachusetts added another Hunter Prix win to the books after topping the leaderboard in the last $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix of the HITS Ocala Winter Show Circuit. This time, with trainer Monica Hunt’s Blue Shamrock, she gracefully sailed through the course besting the runner up by a full six points, with strong scores of 86 and 83 for a total of 169.

“The course rode really well. The last line in the first round was tricky – that was definitely the hardest part,” said Bayko after her win. “Blue Shamrock and I have a really good bond. He is my perfect ride.

“It was very nice to end with another win,” added Hunt. “The course was just hard enough with the bending lines and I thought Alexa rode it beautifully.”

The winner’s circle is familiar territory for Bayko, who won the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala II and IV – both on Anucci, also owned by Hunt. With her sights set on the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York later this year, Bayko’s winter achievements have set a self-assured tone for the future.

“I’m really excited for the Hunter Prix Finals. After being so consistent here in Ocala, I’m feeling more confident going into the finals,” continued Bayko.

Consistency was the name of the game for Reily Rieker of Oviedo, Florida, who piloted his own Andricus to a first and second round score of 82 for a total of 164 and a second place finish.

Third place went to Kristen Sameth of Far Hills, New Jersey riding her own Vandrin, who produced scores of 77 and 80 for a total of 157. Mindy Whitman of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts finished fourth aboard her own Herrold, with scores of 74 and 82, for a combined total of 156. With scores of 76 and 75 for a total 151, Katharine Page of Mt. Kisco, New York and her Surreal took home fifth place.

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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