SAUGERTIES, NY (September 10, 2015): Hayley Waters, of Ocala, Florida, with Qurint, owned by Chuck and Dana Waters, wowed the show jumping world earlier this year winning the $34,000 FEI Jumper Classic at HITS Ocala V, and the unstoppable duo was back at it in Saugerties for the HITS Championship. They did it again, taking home another big check, this time in the Vetera® XP Vaccines $250,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix.
On day one, forty-three riders took a turn over the first round course designed by Steve Stephens of Palmetto, Florida. The track challenged the junior and amateur riders, testing their skills with a potentially big payoff insight.
“I was more worried about the first day. Last year I had one down on the first day, and it’s kind of over if you have one down the first day,” said Waters.
Day two began with the first few competitors struggling to go clear, but the day took a turn for the better when Emanuel Andrade and his own Clouwni, carrying only one fault from the previous day, sailed to a clean round. They stayed on top until Kelli Cruciotti, eighteenth in the order, rode Chamonix H, owned by Serenity Equestrian Ventures. Her clear round from day one put her in great shape going into the second round, and with just 1 time fault over the course, but with the faster time day one, she took the lead from Andrade.
Next up, Cormac Hanley and Stephex Stables and Missy Clark’s Twan took center stage. The first competitors to go clear in both rounds, they found themselves at the top of the leaderboard. Just two riders later, Waters and her trusty mount followed in Hanley’s footsteps and navigated through the course cleanly, ensuring a jump-off.
“I was nervous going in; it was a big track,” said Waters. “The triple away from the in gate was intimidating, but Qurint really covered it nicely.”
Catherine Tyree and Enjoy Louis, owned by Joseph and May Tyree, were twenty-third to reenter the ring. Ready to test Waters for the win, they had a great trip and a clear round, meaning three would return for the eight-effort jump-off.
First in the jump-off order was Hanley, but a refusal and a rail meant eight faults, plus one time fault, for a total of nine faults in a time of 47.745.
Next, Waters sailed through the course clearing everything in her sight and clocking in with a time of 44.217 for the lead. Tyree was the final trip of the day and she delivered a clean round in a fast 44.350, just a blink of an eye behind Waters for second place.
“I was really thinking about that triple combination going in. I was fortunate enough to be able to watch a lot of the people going before me,” added Waters after she received her blue ribbon. “I saw the trouble people were having with the triple and the six to the one, down the hill. So I tried to keep in mind how it was going for them, but keeping in mind how it would ride for my horse.”
After her victory gallop, Hayley Waters looked at the $75,000 check in her hands and was overcome by emotion. Dana Waters stood beside her 19-year-old daughter smiling ear to ear, adding, “To have this kind of class for the juniors and amateurs is amazing. They work so hard and give up a lot of things in their young lives to do this so to have a class like this and get some recognition and a nice pay check is really nice.”
Tracy Fenney and MTM Fashion Win Inaugural Stal Hendrix Pre-Green Futurity at HITS Championship
Pre-green horses had their time to shine during the 2015 HITS Championship in the debut of the Stal Hendrix Pre-Green Futurity. The class, which offered young hunters the spotlight during the richest weekend in show jumping, guaranteed a $25,000 purse plus all add-backs from nominated horses, for a total of $50,200. Having shown at HITS Ocala, HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties throughout the year, it was only fitting that Tracy Fenney, of Flower Mound, Texas, and MTM Fashion, owned by MTM Farm, left the ring with the winning check in tow.
(C) ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney and MTM Fashion
The three-day, four-round competition tested the young horses over fences and with handy-type elements. The top 25 riders moved on to round three, and it was no surprise Fenney was a standout. Taking home the highest round three score of 88, Fenney guaranteed herself a spot in the final round alongside the other top three riders.
First to reenter the ring in the final round was Cassandra Kahle and Corinna RS, owned by Redfield Farm. Keeping cool under pressure they cruised to a score of 85, which added to their round three score of 86 resulted in a total of 171. Patricia Griffith, who scored an 87 in round three, was next in the order and piloted Lexi Maounis’ Fetching to a score of 80, for a total of 167 to finish just behind Kahle.
Saugerties’ sweetheart Heather Caristo-Williams was third to test the field of play and aiming for a win, she rode Sunset Hill, owned by Jacqueline Thorne, to an impressive score of 89, which added to her previous round score of 87.5, gave her a total of 176.5 for the lead.
Fenney was the final ride of the afternoon and she was in it to win it. Navigating her young mount, who has only been showing since May, she rode to a round high score of 90, for a total of 178 and the blue ribbon.
“Throughout the rounds, we went from the Outside Course to the Main Hunter Ring, so it was quite nice,” said Fenney. “The class was later in the evening which was a little tough for the pre-green horses. With the young ones, you never know what they are going to do but you try to give as solid of a performance as you can.”
Fenney, who noted the significance of the Pre-Green class, continued, “To be able to have a pre-green horse these days and keep him, whereas before you had to sell them because there was no way to have them pay for themselves, makes this a great class for us. Now we have the opportunity to make some prize money with them.”
Lexington, KY – August 13, 2015 – For grand prix rider Tracy Fenney, the 2015 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship was nerve-wracking, yet it did not keep the Texan from riding to the top of the hunter championship event on Thursday. Fenney ranked second after the first day of competition, and stayed consistent throughout the three-day event, topping the leader board with MTM Personalized and besting a field of the 30 top qualified horses from the original 160 entered.
“It really is a lot of pressure. I am so much better in the jumpers,” Fenney laughed. “This is so special. When he did well the first day, I got so nervous for the second day. I feel so privileged to ride against such prestigious hunter riders. You hear about them, you read about them, you see them and it is just amazing. What a great group of people to ride with.”
A fixture in the grand prix ring, Fenney and partner Michael McCormick operate MTM Farm out of Flower Mound, Texas, training and selling horses imported from Europe. MTM Personalized arrived at the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show while Fenney was competing in the grand prix, and from the moment she saw him she knew that the 7-year-old grey gelding was going to be special.
Fenney noted that McCormick always looks for two things, conformation and size, saying, “Sexy is number one, because everyone wants a pretty horse, and big is number two.” MTM Personalized lives up to both of those eye-catching qualities.
As only the fourth horse in the order, Fenney utilized MTM Personalized’s big stride and elegant movement, opting for the outside route where many of the other riders took handier options with an inside strategy. Her plan caught the judges’ eyes, earning them the scores of 91, 92 and 90 points. Her score would prove untouchable, with Fenney and MTM Personalized leading the class from start to finish.
“You take it step by step; they are horses. You are dealing with a whole other emotion, not just your own. Aside from mine, which is nervous,” Fenney smiled. “It’s not like tennis where you only have to worry about your swing and your racket. That horse is just so elegant how he canters so slow; I think he stands out on his own. He carries himself so well that the more time he is in the ring the better; he just does it so well.”
Twenty-five rounds later professional hunter rider Sandy Ferrell rode Grand Luxe, owned by Rebecca Stepanoff, to the second place finish with scores of 89, 89.5 and 88.5 to fall six points shy of Fenney. This was Ferrell’s first time competing in the USHJA Pre-Green Hunter Incentive, with a bit of good luck on her side helping her gain the ride aboard the Mecklenburg gelding.
Grand Luxe has an interesting background, one rooted in an entirely different discipline – dressage. The 9-year-old gelding only began showing in the Baby Greens last year, and has continued to impress his owner and those fortunate enough to sit in his saddle.
“All I know is that he needs to be in this ring,” Ferrell said of the second place horse. “I think it is safe to say that his jump is incomparable to most horses out there. He just tries incredibly hard at all the jumps, which is his natural way of going. He is actually pretty small, so to be able to jump that high and have that much scope is an amazing feature. He taught me to be tight in the tack. He wasn’t going to lower [his jump] any time soon.”
The 2015 USHJA Pre-Green Incentive Championship is the kick-off event for the annual USHJA Hunter Derby Championships, the capstone event of the Bluegrass Festival Horse Show. The Stonelea Arena was lined with spectators, providing a sense of camaraderie that Fenney appreciated and elaborated on its importance.
“It is such an incredible week, this whole week. Now we are headed up to the ring to ride the derby horses,” Ferrell said. “The quality of the horses is just incredible. They are presented so well, trained so well; it is just one nice horse after another. This event helped to level the playing field; it is different than the Derby Championships; they are all young and new at the game, and everyone was so supportive.”
It was up and coming rider Molly Sewell of Winter Park, Florida, who claimed the third place finish with Casparo, owned by White Hill Farm of Greenwich, Connecticut. Over the course of the competition, Casparo consistently placed high scores, building every day to rank with the best of them.
“He tries so hard,” Sewell described. “He gives 100 percent all the time, and he always rises to the occasion. He was so good; his scores just kept getting higher and higher. I am so proud of him.”
Sewell is not new to the hunter game, but she is thrilled to be moving up in the ranks, especially at her first Pre-Green Incentive Championship.
“This is my first year doing it, and I never imagined that I would be third place. I just wanted to make the top 30; even to begin to imagine where I got tonight is unbelievable,” Sewell grinned. “The quality of the program showcases the younger horses. I think it promotes owners to buy young horses and bring them along which is great for the sport.”
Riding over the final oxer of the course is a moment that Sewell will never forget, and when she saw her scores of 88, 89 and 88, she was nothing but smiles.
“He jumped amazing the whole trip and I galloped down to that last oxer and he just fired over it,” expressed Sewell. “It was so exciting and everyone was so supportive. I am the ‘little man’ in this group of people. It is fun to be in there and start making a name for myself. It feels like everything is coming together.”
Fenney echoed Sewell’s enthusiasm, saying, “This is what we do, and it is so fun. It is such a wonderful feeling, the pleasure of bringing them along, seeing how far they have come. To have that feeling of accomplishment that you made a horse into something that someone else wants.”
Hunter championship competition continues tomorrow with the Classic Round of the 2015 USHJA International Hunter Derby Championship in the Rolex Stadium.
Emanuel Andrade and Shane Sweetnam Top Open Jumper Leader Board at Bluegrass Festival Horse Show
With Thursday marking the last day to prepare for the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic that will take place Friday night, riders took to the Rolex Stadium in the 1.40m Open Jumper class. Emanuel Andrade and his own Rufus De Violaines proved to be the best of the field, speeding to the fastest double clear ride over 42 other entries.
Emanuel Andrade and Rufus De Violaines
“This was the first 1.40m class for me, since I just got here yesterday, so I thought it was pretty big, but it went well,” Andrade said. “There were more than 40 horses and there were not a lot of clear rounds. The time was very tough. It’s never easy to win here, as there’s always tough competition, but I have been coming to the Kentucky horse shows for a very long time and I love it here.”
Andrade and his horse were one of fourteen pairs to advance to the jump-off, which eight navigated to another trip that left all the jumps in the cups. With a time of 30.640 seconds, and no other contender coming within a second of their mark, it appeared that Alejandro Karolyi and Arena Du Pachis would be crowned champions, until Andrade and his gelding took their turn as one of the final entries. Andrade and Rufus De Violaines trumped the standard set by Karolyi and his mount after tripping the timers in 30.059 seconds.
“He is a very nice horse. I got him less than a year ago. He is very competitive, and I am very happy with the result of all of our training,” Andrade said of his horse. The pair showed to considerable success in Wellington this past season, and after a stint apart while Andrade showed on the grass surfaces at Spruce Meadows, not Rufus’ favorite footing, the two were reunited and have been off to a good start in Lexington.
Andrade plans to vie for the lion’s share of the purse in Friday’s Grand Prix with multiple mounts, Rufus De Violaines being one of them. After hopefully earning more accolades in Kentucky, Andrade will head north to the Hampton Classic, followed by a trek across the pond for European competition.
Sharn Wordley in the irons aboard Crown Jewel, owned by Ashland Farms out of Wellington, Florida, clinched the reserve spot with a 30.470 second time, followed by Alejandro Karolyi and Arena Du Pachis, owned by Nicolas Mignon and Karolyi Showjumping, also out of Wellington, Florida, whose 30.640-second time was quick enough to land them in the third position.
Shane Sweetnam produced two strong rides in the morning’s Seven Year Old class, riding to both first and second places aboard Main Road, owned by Sweetnam’s Sweet Oak Farm, again out of Wellington, Florida, and USA D’Horset, of the same owner. Sweetnam had the final two entries of the class, and needed to surpass the 34.665 second standard set by another Andrade ride: HH Rochambeau. In his first of two attempts, Sweetnam cut time to the tune of 33.968 seconds, roughly half a second ahead of Andrade, with Main Road. He and USA D’Horset once again sped past the bar set by the previous leader, which landed them in second position after tripping the timers in 34.068 seconds.
“I think the course designer [Allen Rheinheimer] did a nice track today. I’m sure it will be tougher on the final day of the Seven Year Olds, but for the middle day, I think it was nice. There were a few lines where rideability was important,” Sweetnam said.
Sweetnam and Andrade were not the only ones to qualify for the jump-off. Of the 11 total entrants, nine navigated the 13-effort course without fault. Although seven of those nine laid down another clean and clear round around the short track, Sweetnam and Main Road outmaneuvered them all.
“I’ve only had him about two months. He is a very talented horse and we have big plans for him for the future. He’s very competitive, a very quick horse,” Sweetnam commented. “With his age he keeps improving every time he goes in the ring. The more he is doing, the better he is getting.”
Sweetnam is no stranger to the Bluegrass horse shows, with owners Spy Coast Farm, a recurring client, just a stone’s throw away from the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the conclusion of the Kentucky circuit, Sweetnam’s schedule stays busy, highlighted by the Hampton Classic, U.S. Gold Cup at Old Salem, and a showing in New York City.
Tomorrow the jumpers will return for the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic Grand Prix. The Bluegrass Festival Horse Show features five days of jumper competition; the highlight jumper events in the Rolex Stadium include the $25,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic on Friday and the $40,000 Bluegrass Festival Grand Prix on Sunday.
CULPEPER, VA (September 29, 2014) – There aren’t many HITS Culpeper grand prix that Tracy Fenney hasn’t won. Adding another victory to her trophy case, she rode MTM Centano to a narrow triumph in the $40,000 Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, to take up a familiar spot at the top of the 2015 HITS $1 Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings.
With experience to spare, Fenney and her 14-year-old Holsteiner gelding moved conservatively as one, doing just enough to take blue with only .4 of a second to spare. “He [MTM Centano] is like a carousel horse to ride – perfectly consistent. He flows over the fences,” said Fenney. “Today was no different. He did exactly what he needed to do.”
While big strided, MTM Centano is anything but slow and has developed a reputation for speed with Fenney in the tack. “Sometimes his size and huge stride makes him appear slow, but he’s agile enough to jump from any distance or angle,” said Fenney. “That always saves us seconds when it counts.”
Florencio Hernandez (Mexico City, Mexico) set a sizable track for the Culpeper Finals with 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, which included three double combinations. Six contenders cracked the code on Hernandez’s course and advanced to the jump-off.
Ian Silitch (Ocala, Florida) returned first with the Gaston Family’s Vanita and put the pressure on immediately with a clear trip in 40.56 seconds. The next five to return also posted double-clear efforts, proving that the class results would come down to time.
Silitch’s lead held until Fenney returned with MTM Centano. Quick turns and their signature angled approaches helped the duo shave two seconds off the lead time, stopping the clock at 38.39 seconds. “I knew we were fast, but there were several quick pairs behind us,” said Fenney. “I was holding my breath for a while on the sidelines.”
Despite the capable talent that followed Fenney, no one could catch her. Sloane Coles (The Plains, Virginia) appeared to have the win within reach when she cleared the final fence aboard her own Baloucat, but broke the beam in 38.75 seconds – just fractions too slow.
Harold Chopping (Southern Pines, North Carolina) jumped Kendra Bullington’s Basje to third in 39.60 seconds, bumping Silitch to fourth. Dorothy Douglas (Flower Mound, Texas) rounded out the top five aboard S & L Elite for S & L Farms in 40.57 seconds.
Sunday’s grand prix represented the first qualifier for the 2015 HITS Championship and Triple Crown of Show Jumping, giving Fenney a significant advantage moving into the winter season. “We plan a lot of our year around the HITS Championship,” said Fenney. “To start out on top feels great.”
$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix Fenney kicked off her reign over high-performance jumper action at HITS Culpeper earlier in the week. She and MTM Farm’s MTM Timon bested all contenders in Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix to pocket a $4,350 winner’s check.
One of eight pairs to advance to the jump-off, Fenney and her 14-year-old KWPN gelding are known for their speed, which propelled them to the win over five double-clear efforts.
Harold Chopping is often at the top of the Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix finisher’s list, but this time he and Basje settled for second. Fenney also took third on MTM Farm’s MTM Centano.
Grace Long and Esprit finished fourth for Badger Hill Farm, LLC, while Ragan Roberts and Quipit Group’s Quipit L.F. landed fifth.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation presents a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Culpeper summer and fall series. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the circuit.
CULPEPER, VA (August 18, 2014) – MTM Inquisitive entered the main hunter ring at HITS Culpeper ears pricked and eyes wide this weekend. True to his namesake, the six-year-old gelding studied every fence, flower and spectator before jumping Tracy Fenney (Flower Mound, Texas) to top the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, a qualifier for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.
“If he has one fault it’s that his name suits him well,” said Fenney. “But he’s remarkably careful – he jumps everything big and looks great doing it.”
Fenney, along with fellow MTM Farm trainer and husband Mike McCormick, spotted MTM Inquisitive while horse shopping in Europe. Upon first glance, he was exactly what they were looking for. “He wasn’t too big, moved perfect, jumped correct and was so pretty,” said Fenney. “We knew he was what we wanted right away.”
MTM Inquisitive was imported straight to HITS Ocala from Europe in 2013 to begin showing with Fenney. This weekend the pair proved they have found their stride, posting scores of 90 and 92 to lead both rounds of the Devoucoux Hunter Prix and finish with a 182 total. They topped 20 pairs to keep Fenney sitting pretty in number one on the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final Standings.
Just two points off the win, Jason Berry (Verona, Virginia) piloted Frances Porter’s Limited Edition to second with scores of 89 and 91. Boasting a 2011 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final win, Samantha Schaefer (Westminster, Maryland) carried scores of 88 and 90 to third with her own Stallone.
Sloane Coles (The Plains, Virginia) claimed fourth in the irons of Attila for Triochevaux, LLC. They tallied a pair of 86s, while Winn Alden (Bristow, Virginia) rounded out the top five aboard Peg Nara’s Ariel with an 82.5 and 87.
The Winston National was Fenney’s first appearance at HITS Commonwealth Park since extensive renovations were unveiled earlier this year. “The footing is impressive, and the barns are unbelievable,” said Fenney. “We were not expecting such a drastic change.”
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix MTM Passport only traveled through customs a month ago, but is off to a winning start in the U.S. Imported from Europe this summer and owned by Cammy Turgon, MTM Passport carried MTM Farm rider Therese Peck (Flower Mound, Texas) to win the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and complete the farm’s domination of the HITS Culpeper hunter rings this week.
The perfect combination according to Fenney, Peck and MTM Passport earned top scores in both rounds with an 85 and 79 totaling at 164 for the blue.
Twelve points off the lead, Franny Selhaver-Ramos (Amissville, Virginia) and her own Sandro Reuben were second with a total score of 152. Valerie Hughes (Mt. Laurel, New Jersey) piloted Franklin Square to third for Veronica Finkelstein. Their combined total was 147. Fourth fell to Jordan Toering (Oak Hill, Virginia) and Rick Toering’s Premonition BHF with a 145. Holleigh Arledge (Leesburg, Virginia) took fifth in the irons of her own Kid Candance, finishing on 129.
With only two weeks of qualifying opportunities remaining, the race to ride in the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final during the HITS Championship is down to the wire. To follow Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final qualifying, visit HitsShows.com.
Wayne, IL – June 5, 2014 – The applause resounded throughout the Lamplight Equestrian Center as 13 horse and rider combinations faced off in the Showplace Spring Spectacular $20,000 Open Welcome Stake. It came down to a battle of speed as Lisa Goldman and Tracy Fenney went neck and neck, but Goldman and Centurion B came away the victors. Fenney laid down two impressive double-clear efforts for the second and third place positions with MTM Timon and MTM Centano, respectively.
Twenty-seven riders were tested over a 12-obstacle track, including rollbacks, a liverpool, triple bar, a tricky in-and-out, and two double combinations. The course, although technical, proved welcoming for the riders on the second day of the Showplace Spring Spectacular I. For the jump-off, riders had to navigate the opening oxer and then make a right rollback over a single vertical; a quick left turn took them to the Animo oxer where they then entered into the technical in-and-out. Upon landing they had to think fast to shave the seconds and make a sharp left rollback to a newly introduced oxer that led to a narrow oxer that allowed riders to choose and inside turn to the final black vertical set on the outside. Many of the riders opted to stick to the outside track, but with speed as the name of the game, the inside turn proved crucial.
Theo Genn and Aniviero Z, owned by Amy Lefferdink of Cleveland, OH, were the pathfinders as the first horse and rider combination to take on the course. Choosing to stay in the ring, in accordance to the Table A format, they posted a double-clear effort in 41.378 seconds. Although their time was commendable, it would prove too conservative with several speed demons waiting in the wings.
Lisa Goldman was the next rider to clear the opening track, riding Centurion B, owned by Mary Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, IL, to an effortless round. Although she is normally a strong proponent of staying in the ring for the jump-off, she opted to return later. She made the same decision with her second mount, Morocco.
Laura Linback laid down an impressive double-clear in 39.355 seconds with HH Dauphin, owned by Woodrun of Mundelein, IL, but her time was shortly shattered when Tracy Fenney entered the ring with MTM Centano, owned by MTM Farm of Flower Mound, TX.
Fenney flew around the ring in a breezy 35.545 seconds, taking over the lead with MTM Centano. She later duplicated her effort aboard MTM Timon, producing a second clean and clear effort in 35.497 seconds to slightly beat out her previous time.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Timon
“They are both veterans, and are good at doing what they do,” Fenney described. “We are trying to get them back up and recuperated before Sunday’s class. I was very happy with how they went today. Lisa and I went back and forth in Ocala quite a bit, so I knew that she was going to be a hard one to beat.”
Fenney elaborated, “I probably should have made the inside cut with Lisa on my heels, but I was hoping that staying nice and tidy would be enough to win today – anything can happen out there.”
Linback and Whittaker MVNZ, owned by Woodrun of Mundelein, IL, came back to the Grand Prix Ring in an attempt to close in on Fenney; however, their time of 38.409 seconds was not enough to take over the lead. Linback would eventually earn the fifth and sixth place ribbons.
Goldman returned to the ring as the final rider to jump-off with her two mounts. She had produced clear efforts early in the class with Centurion B and Morocco, but had opted to return at the end in an effort to save her mounts’ energy after the long opening track.
It was clear that she had her eyes set on the win as she took the opening oxer. She utilized Centurion B’s large stride, eating up the ground and shaving the seconds with tight turns. She made an impressive turn from the in-and-out to the oxer with Centurion B turning on a dime and leaving change as he spun to the obstacle. She then completed the inside track to the final vertical, breaking the beam in 34.609 seconds to take the lead.
“He was phenomenal; I wasn’t quite sure if I would get the turn to the last jump, but he is so good that he got it for me,” Goldman laughed. “He is so good at the spin-back, and as soon as I saw this course, I knew that my horses could do this. I know I can land and stay on the inside track. Centurion B (Leo) and Morocco (Cowboy) are both so good at turns and they love jump offs.”
She nearly beat her own time with Morocco, but when she landed from the penultimate obstacle she doubted her inside turn. Morocco was ready take it, and the miscommunication caused her to ride into the standard of the fence that had caused many of the other riders to negate the inside track. She recovered quickly, but the misstep cost her the time she was after. She tripped the timers in 37.798 seconds for the fourth place finish.
“Morocco is my boy!” Goldman exclaimed. “I have had him since he was a 4-year-old, so almost as long as I have had Leo. He has won all over the country with me. He got hurt last year in the winter, and he had the whole year off, so this was his first big class back. I am so excited about how great he was out there. He has so much fun out there, and I could feel how happy he was to be back.”
“There is a lot of compromising with Cowboy,” Goldman reminisced. “I went clean in Ocala one time and got bucked off after the timers. He, more than any other horse, has bucked me off, but I love him. He can turn like a Quarter Horse, and the mishap on the turn was totally my fault. It was his first big class in a year, and I was worried, but he had the turn. I should have known that he would have done it for me, but he picked right back up and jumped the last fence beautifully.”
It was an emotional win for Goldman today, dedicating her tricolor to Fletcher McCracken, who passed away earlier in the week. Fletcher was married to Centurion B’s breeder, Allyn McCracken. Goldman was thrilled to have the opportunity to win the $20,000 Open Welcome Stake in his honor.
Earlier in the day the Young Jumper Championships got underway, with Goldman riding to the top slot in the $1,000 Young Jumper 7/8 Year Old Championship with her own Rocs to Riches. Haylie Rolfe and Lithium, owned by Alex Jayne of Engle, IL, took the second place, while Roderick Kyle Dewar and Chalco, owned by Jennifer Sprenger of Milwaukee, WI, finished third. Rolfe and Lithium were awarded the division championship, while MTM Cravitz and Tracy Fenney captured the reserve championship.
“It was really nice to be able to come here for the Young Jumper divisions. The fact that Pat [Boyle] was able to offer the division without entry fees allowed for us to bring horses that would have normally sat at home,” Fenney said. “Because of the lack of entry fee we were able to bring them with, which is great experience for them.”
The $5,000 1.30m Open Jumpers will take center stage tomorrow afternoon in the Grand Prix Ring at the Spring Spectacular I as riders from across the nation vie for the top honors. The High and Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumpers will also have the opportunity to prepare for the $10,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Saturday, and the $10,000 NAL Low Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic on Sunday. For more information, please visit: http://www.showplaceproductions.com.
Make Your Way Back to Spring Spectacular Now with New Third Week and USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby
Showplace Productions’ Spring Spectacular is bigger and better than ever. Showplace has added another week to its popular Spring Spectacular event from June 17-22. This new week will allow competitors to attend their regular summer circuits and have a taste of what Showplace and Chicago have to offer on a week when they might be off or traveling. Showplace Productions has added new classes and over-the-top hospitality to make your showing experience even more enjoyable at beautiful Lamplight Equestrian Center.
During Week III, Showplace Productions will hold a USHJA $10,000 National Hunter Derby and a USHJA $25,000 International Hunter Derby in the Grand Prix Ring, plus compete to earn WCHR points. More prize monies have been added to the Open Jumpers, Welcomes and Junior/Amateurs Owners. A new and exciting Accumulator class has been added to the Junior/Amateur Owner division. For professionals, Showplace is offering the opportunity to show young jumpers in some classes at no cost. There will also be some no cost Tuesday schooling opportunities for the pros. For Juniors, an all-new Equitation Championship will be held on Sunday of Week III. Juniors will be asked to demonstrate their horsemanship skills without the help of their trainers in this challenging class. There is something for everyone and a good reason to make your way back to Chicago for Spring Spectacular.
Showplace Spring Spectacular Fast Facts:
What: Three-week, USEF AA rated, Five Star, NAL, WIHS, M&S points eligible Showplace Productions signature event.
When:
Showplace Spring Spectacular I June 3-8, 2014
Showplace Spring Spectacular II June 10-15, 2014
Showplace Spring Spectacular III June17-22, 2014
Where: Lamplight Equestrian Center
6N940 Dunham Road
Wayne, IL 60184
Highlights:
More than $500,000 in Prizes
Showplace Spring Spectacular I:
$5,000 NAL Children’s Jumper Classic
$5,000 NAL Adult Jumper Classic
$5,000 Open Jumper 1.30m
$10,000 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic
$10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic
$20,000 Open Welcome Stake
$30,000 Barrington Saddlery Grand Prix Benefiting Assistance in Healthcare
Showplace Spring Spectacular II:
$2,500 Low Amateur Owner Accumulator class
$2,500 High Junior/Amateur Jumper Accumulator Class
$2,500 Low Junior Jumper Accumulator Class
$5,000 NAL Adult Jumper Classic
$5,000 NAL Children’s Jumper Classic
$10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic
$20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame High Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic
$20,000 Open Welcome Stake
$30,000 Nutrena Grand Prix
Showplace Spring Spectacular III:
$5,000 Pony Hunter Classic
$2,500 Children’s Adult Hunter Derby
$5,000 Low Junior Amateur Owner Gamblers Choice
$5,000 High Junior Amateur Owner Gamblers Choice
$7,500 NAL Children’s Jumper Classic
$7,500 NAL Adult Jumper Classic
$10,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby
$25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby
$10,000 Low Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic
$20,000 High Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper Classic
$20,000 Open Welcome Stake
$40,000 Weathertech Grand Prix
$75,000 in Hunter Classic Prize Money
Showplace Equitation Championships
Over-the-Top Spring Spectacular Hospitality Includes:
Sushi Yama lunch on Thursdays
Exhibitors dinner party with music from 4-8 p.m. every Friday
Exhibitors dinner party with music from 4-8 p.m. every Saturday
Exhibitors Jersey Mikes Lunch driven around and passed out at 2 p.m. every Saturday
Exhibitors Ice Cream Party every Saturday around 3 p.m.
VIP Tables at the Grand Prix Ring Luncheon every Saturday at 1 p.m.
VIP Tables at the Grand Prix Ring Luncheon every Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Directions:
FROM CHICAGO: I-90 (Kennedy Expressway) West to Route 59 (Barrington, IL).
Route 59 South (Left Turn) to Stearns Road (West Bartlett, IL)
Stearns Road West (Right Turn) to end. (Dunham Road)
Left turn on Dunham Road.
1/8 mile-Lamplight Equestrian Center is on Right.
FROM DOWNTOWN ST. CHARLES: Route 64 East to Dunham Road.
North (Left Turn) on Dunham Road.
Lamplight Equestrian Center is on Left approximately 1.5 miles after Army Trail Road.
FROM ST. CHARLES HOTELS: Route 64 to Kirk Road North.
Kirk Road runs into Dunham Road. Continue North.
Lamplight Equestrian Center is on Left approximately 1.5 miles after Army Trail Road
Hotels:
Horse Show Accommodations
Courtyard by Marriott (2 miles) (800-321-2211) Official Hotel
Best Western Inn of St. Charles (2 miles) (800-528-1234)
Fairfield Inn & Suites (2 miles) (800-228-2800)
Hilton Garden Inn (2 miles) (800-445-8667)
Quality Inn (2 miles) (800-424-6423)
Holiday Inn Express (2 miles) (800-465-4329)
Super 8 Motel (2 miles) (800-800-8000)
Country Inn and Suites of St. Charles (3 miles) (800-456-4000)
Hotel Baker (3 miles) (800-284-0110)
Pheasant Run Resort, located three (3) miles south of Lamplight is a large resort complex offering golf, tennis, swimming and dining facilities. (800-474-3272)
Comfort Inn of Geneva (5 miles) (630-208-8811)
The Herrington Inn (5 miles) (800-216-2466)
The Oscar Swan Inn of Geneva (7 miles) (630-232-0173
Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International
OCALA, FL (March 10, 2014) – The sun was shining bright over the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium for the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, as ‘big guns’, including Margie Engle, Rodrigo Pessoa and Stephan Barcha, made appearances. While riders jump to earn a spot in the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on March 24, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas earned a win on MTM Timon.
Forty-three riders attempted to best a course presented by designer Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario. The course was both technical and challenging, consisting of 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts. A long gallop from fence one to two followed by an oxer-vertical double combination proved a difficult line. But it was the line from a liverpool at fence six to the vertical-vertical-oxer triple combination at fence seven that ended many competitors’ hopes of advancing to the jump-off.
Eight horses qualified to return in the jump-off, which only produced two double-clear efforts. The first to return to challenge the nine jump-off fences was Fenney and MTM Centano. With three grand prix wins together this circuit, the most recent came on Friday. It was not their day, however, as they collected 12 jumping faults and a time of 51.83 second, good for eighth-place.
“Centano can be high-strung and sometimes tough to ride. Once he gallops full out, that’s all he wants to do. He was wound up from the start with the long gallop from fence one to fence three in the jump-off and he just wouldn’t settle after that,” said Fenney after the class.
It took four more trips before the first no-fault round established the Great American Time to Beat. After going 1-2 in last Sunday’s grand prix, the young and talented Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida again rode her speedster Lazaro, trained by Derek Peterson. Lazaro and Coyne put in a fast time of 50.30 seconds, but it only held until the next competitor.
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Fenney proved her mettle under pressure once again for MTM Farm in the irons of powerhouse MTM Timon. Fenney jumped MTM Timon fault-free in a hair-raising time of 49.44 seconds for her sixth grand prix win of the Ocala Winter Circuit.
Third place went to Quintus 66 and Daniel Damen of Ocala, Florida for owners Chuck & Dana Waters of Sparr, Florida with one time fault and four jumping in 58.25 seconds. Angel Karolyi of Aiken, South Carolina was fourth with the 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood Indiana 127, owned by Hollow Creek Farm. They had eight faults and a time of 54.72 seconds. Karolyi was also sixth with Hollow Creek Farm’s Amigo.
Christine McCrea of East Windsor, Connecticut rounded out the top five with Warmblood stallion Wannick WH for owner Candy Tribble with eight faults and a time of 57.40 seconds.
“Timon was just awesome again today. We gave him a day off on Friday and he was ready to jump today. He just loves to jump – it makes him happy,” said Tracy. “I thought the course was the toughest so far this circuit, but Timon was up to the challenge.”
For their win, Fenney and husband Michael McCormick were presented with one ton of Purina horse feed, courtesy of Purina Animal Nutrition. “They’ll deliver to Texas – that’s great,” exclaimed McCormick.
Grand prix action continues this week as HITS IX, the Ocala Celebration, features the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Thursday and the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Sunday. Next week, all attention will turn to the Great American Million, which debuts as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.
About Purina Animal Nutrition Innovative research is the proudest tradition at Purina Animal Nutrition. No other national brand of feed has invested more time in research and understanding the needs of horses and their owners. An American original, the Checkerboard is one of the most recognized symbols in animal nutrition, standing for quality ingredients, in-depth research, and complete consistent animal nutrition. Learn more about how Purina can help your performance horses by visiting Horse.PurinaMills.com.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
OCALA, FL (March 8, 2014) – Boasting the richest prize in show jumping, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix is only two weeks away and riders are now looking to punch their ticket for the showdown in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas made herself a top contender for the March 24 title with her fifth grand prix win of the circuit on Friday in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. She piloted MTM Centano, owned by MTM Farm and trained by Michael McCormick, by zipping through the timers to best the field by more than 2.5 seconds.
The course, designed by Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario in the expansive Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, challenged 31 contenders with open gallops, a liverpool, big oxers and a vertical-oxer-vertical triple combination. The triple and the clock, with a time allowed of 87 seconds in the first round, proved to be the most troublesome.
Twelve returned to jump off and four went on to double-clear rounds. First to return, having qualified both of her mounts for the jump-off, was Callan Solem of Glenmoore, Pennsylvania and VDL Wizard for Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC. With a time of 49.56 seconds and four faults, she finished in sixth. Her second mount Cortender finished in seventh place.
Next to returned was three-time grand prix winner at HITS Ocala this circuit, Lisa Goldman and the strapping chestnut Centurion B for Mary Goldman, both of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois. They set the Great American Time to Beat at a fast 48.26 seconds and no faults. This time would hold first place for several more trips, until Fenney and MTM Centano showed up. With a time of 45.19 seconds and no faults, they took a commanding lead. Goldman and Centurion B held on for second place.
“The brisk wind today had Centano wound up and he was a handful,” said Fenney. “Usually he is like a carousel or merry-go-round horse to ride. It was his agility and ability to jump from any distance or angle that saved us a couple of seconds on this course.”
Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina rode Basje for owner Kendra Bullington and took third place with a clean round in a time of 50.86 seconds. Melissa Rudershausen of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was fourth, jumping clean in a time of 51.60 seconds. Conthendrix with Andre Thieme of Plau Am See, Germany in the irons was the fastest of the four-faulters, with a time of 48.33 seconds for fifth.
Grand prix action returns on Sunday as the HITS Ocala Winter Finals continues with the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, as excitement builds for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.
About SmartPak SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly. For more information, visit SmartPak.com.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome
Hometown hero and back-to-back winner of two grand prix this circuit, professional rider and trainer Aaron Vale, in the irons of Gems Bond, owned by Thinkslikeahorse of Williston, Florida, continued his winning ways by defeating a strong field of thirty-four competitors on Wednesday. Vale jumped to his second victory in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open this circuit, moving them into second place in the Brook Ledge Leading Rider Standings.
ESI Photography. Aaron Vale and Gems Bond were the ones to beat in the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome 1.40m
Vale was one of 16 to return for the jump-off over a 1.40m course designed by Foster, and posted the fastest clear round of the day. “I watched several go in the jump-off and the last two I looked like they were awfully fast,” said Vale. “That told me I had to find a different track to save time if I wanted to win.” Making the inside turn from fence one to two, Vale found that different track and laid down a super-fast time, winning by exactly 1.5 seconds, with a time of 41.86.
Second place went to Amanda Flint and VDL Zedaldine for owners The Coverboy Group, with a time of 43.36 seconds. Third were Christina Kelly and Zulieka for owner Faith Stewart with no faults and a time of 43.42 seconds. Lisa Goldman landed in fourth with Zacantos Z, jumping clean in a time of 44.21 seconds. Sunday’s victor Jordan Coyne and High Hickstead for owner Tracy Magness capped the top five with no faults and a time of 44.80 seconds.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.
About Brook Ledge Horse Transportation Brook Ledge, Inc. offers a comprehensive over-the-road horse transportation fleet with the premier equipment in the industry operated by the finest drivers. Brook Ledge has trips weekly from the northeast to FL and KY and back, as well as weekly trips to CA. From full van loads to one or two horses looking for a ride, Brook Ledge can handle your shipping needs. Every trip is expedited and ships when the customer needs to ship. This family-owned and operated business has been proudly serving horsemen for over 50 years. For more information, visit BrookLedge.com.
OCALA, FL (February 4, 2014) – Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas again jumped to a win with MTM Farm’s MTM Timon on Sunday in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, picking up her third grand prix victory of the 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.
MTM Timon, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, has been partner to Fenney for countless grand prix wins, as well as jumping at the highest tier of the sport. The pair has had three top-twenty finishes in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Doug Russell of Ocala, Florida designed a technical course that presented 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts to a field of 29. Scott Keach of Reddick, Florida proved early that the course could be conquered when he rode clear in the first trip of the order aboard Southern Cross’ Fedor. He was later joined by eight pairs, including Fenney, to stage a nine-horse jump-off.
The jump-off course proved to be a challenge with the first six riders picking up faults. Hugh Graham of Reddick, Florida was first to ride clear, setting the Great American Time to Beat at 44.99 seconds with Julie Firestone’s Airborne. Fenney returned next with only one pair to ride behind her. She and MTM Timon shaved over one second off Graham’s time, stopping the clock in 43.01 seconds to move into the top spot and drop Graham to second. Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida did her best to challenge and went clean in the irons of her own Lazaro with a time of 45.57 seconds, which was good enough for third.
Jared Petersen of Archer, Florida piloted Derek Petersen’s Titus 2:11 to four faults and a time of 45.10 seconds in the jump-off to finish fourth. Keach and Fedor capped the top five with a four-fault jump-off round in 45.29 seconds.
Known for being notoriously hard to beat in the jump-off, Fenney is gearing up for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prixat the conclusion of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit before heading north to jump at HITS-on-the-Hudson and make her fourth appearance in the coveted Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in September.
About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.
OCALA, FL (January 27, 2014) – After jumping to the top of Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas found success again today in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, this time aboard MTM Farm’s Centano. Lucky enough to have two grand prix mounts to choose from, she also capped the ribbons in twelfth with Friday’s victor, MTM Timon.
Twenty-three combinations made up the starting field and jumped a course set by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. The original track included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including a double combination at the sixth fence and a triple two jumps later.
The buzz about today’s grand prix was the all-new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. The Stadium was constructed for special classes at the 2014 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, including the inaugural Great American $1 Million Grand Prix to be held on March 24. Today’s $50,000 Grand Prix was the first grand prix to be jumped on it.
“The Ocala Horse Properties Stadium is a game changer here in Ocala. This new ring will open the door to hosting International Jumping Events at Post Time Farms,” HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri, who flew to Florida from the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California for the ring’s debut.
“The crew here in Ocala did an exceptional job to preparing this side of the property for the first of many Grand Prix events. While aesthetics are important, any ring is judged by the quality of the ground. All involved, most importantly myself, were thrilled with this product,” he added. “This footing will assure that the jumping in the Great American Million ill be extraordinary. The horses want to jump brilliantly off this ground and I imagine that Bernardo Cabral will have his work cut out for him in designing a suitable challenge.”
With twenty-three in the first round and 11 advancing to the jump-off, speed was the number-one priority. True to form, Fenney and MTM Centano did what they do best – they went fast. They were third to challenge the jump-off course and set the Great American Time to Best with the first clear round in 46.02 seconds.
“I knew that the riders behind me could go fast, and anyone in the jump-off could have come away with the win,” said Fenney. “Going early in the jump-off, I didn’t have much of a choice but to go as fast as I could and try and put as much pressure on them as possible.”
Fenney had eight challengers to ride behind her and spared no time in making their jobs a real test. Even she admits that sometimes her competitors underestimate MTM Centano. “Centano is a really big horse, so most people look at him and assume he is slow,” said Fenney of the gelding who has proved to be anything but slow. “His stride is deceiving because he covers so much ground.”
Derek Braun of Lexington, Kentucky was the next to ride clear in the irons of Split Rock Farm, Inc.’s Cyraneiky. Despite the clear trip, their time of 50.19 seconds was a full four seconds slower than Fenney’s, landing them in second. Daniel Damen of Ocala, Florida challenged two trips later with a clear round aboard Chuck & Dana Waters’ Quintus 66. Their time of 50.21 seconds, just three one-hundredths behind Braun, settled them in third.
The fourth and final double-clear effort of the day came from Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida and her own Cordovo. They were handed fourth-place honors after posting a time of 51.17 seconds. Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, who won both grand prix during week I, capped the topped five on Mary Goldman’s Centurion B. She was fractions faster than Fenney in 45.39 seconds, but took down a rail at the second-to-last jump to pick up four faults.
Grand Prix competition continues at HITS Ocala during the Ocala Premiere next week with another $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix and $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, both presented by Zoetis.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.
$5,000 U-Dump Jr/A-O High Jumper Classic, Presented by Bayer’s Legend Coached by her husband Troy, Laura Linback, of Mundelein, Illinois and their Dutch Warmblood Whittaker MVNZ, won the $5,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner High Jumper HHH Classic, presented by Bayer’s Legend, with a time of 42.80 seconds.
“Whittaker MVNZ usually shows in the grand prix, but because of the weather at home, has not been able to train much or show since October,” stated Linback. “He’s not quite in shape yet so we’re bringing him back slowly.”
Linback had nothing but accolades for the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, which was host to the U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix. “It is wonderful! I can’t say enough good things about it,” she said. “The footing was firm and the stadium had a nice open feel to it as we entered. It pumped us up and my horse rose to the occasion.”
Second place, with a time of 43.10 seconds, went to Anabella, ridden by Andrea Torres Guerreiro of Waterford, Virginia for Santa Catalina Farm. Jacqueline Steffens of Harriston, Ontario was third aboard Quercus Van Generhese for Double C Stables. Callie Morgan Smith of Bernardsville, New Jersey, and Smithfield Farms, LLC’s Captain Krutzmann were four, while Melissa Rudershausen of Ocala, Florida capped the top five aboard her own Gunner.
About U-Dump Since 1980, U-Dump has been manufacturing the finest dump trailers in the industry. Built strictly from top-grade materials, all of their trailers are made with the latest construction techniques to eliminate bending and breakage in all stress areas. U-Dump Trailers has built their reputation on manufacturing state-of-the art trailers of the highest quality and endurance. For more information on U-Dump, visit udumptrailers.com.
About Bayer Animal Health Bayer Animal Health is amongst worldwide leaders in animal health. Bayer has attained this leadership position by continuously researching and developing products for animal health since 1919. A responsible relationship between humans, companion animals and livestock requires ensuring the health of animals. For more information on Bayer Animal Health, visit bayer.com.
OCALA, FL (January 24, 2014) – Tracy Fenney is no stranger to the grand prix winner’s presentations that take place at HITS Ocala, and the 2014 circuit is starting off to be no different. She piloted both of her grand prix mounts, MTM Timon and MTM Centano, in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, and it was MTM Timon who carried her to the blue.
Twenty-six combinations made up the starting field and jumped a course set by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. The original track included 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts, including an oxer-vertical-vertical triple combination at the fifth fence.
MTM Timon, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding, has been partner to Fenney for countless grand prix wins, as well as jumping at the highest tier of the sport. The pair has had three top-twenty finishes in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix, in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Fenney was one of nine to return for the jump-off and was the last to ride with nothing but the clock standing between her and a win. “You’re never sure if you’re going to win the class, but I ride the best when I’m against the clock,” she said.
Amanda Flint of Long Valley, New Jersey posted the Great American Time to Beat at 40.44 seconds in the third trip of the jump-off, aboard The Coverboy Group’s Superbad. Australian rider Scott Keach answered three rounds later with a time of 38.72 in the irons of Coco, owned by Southern Cross.
Fenney rode last and bested Keach’s effort with a time of 38.47 seconds. Keach picked up his second red grand prix ribbon of the circuit, finishing second behind Fenney. Flint finished in third, while last week’s phenom Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois settled Mary Goldman’s Centurion B into fourth. Christina Kelly of Keene, Kentucky capped the top five with her own Ushuaia van de Wolfsakker.
Grand Prix competition continues at HITS Ocala this Sunday with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The class will take place in the all-new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium and serves as the grand prix debut of the new ring. Throughout the circuit, the Stadium will host select special classes, including the premiere of the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix.
$2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome Before riding to fifth in Thursday’s grand prix, Kelly moved up the ranks this week after finishing in the top five in last week’s $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome at HITS Ocala. She and Zulieka, owned by Faith Stewart led the field on Wednesday and won this week’s offering.
After sweeping both of last week’s grand prix, Goldman was second and third in the Brook Ledge Open Welcome. She was second with her own Zacantos Z and third in the irons of Charity Judge’s Aslan. Silvio Mazzoni of Ocala, Florida finished the class fourth with KR Group’s Chaplina Z and Michael Grinyer of Campbellville, Ontario rounded out the top five on Cheryl Dorricott’s Camiro Z.
Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.
About SmartPak SmartPak powers healthy horses and happy riders. The patented SmartPak Supplement Feeding System makes it easy for riders across the country to take the best care of their horses. Founded in 1999, with the purpose of simplifying the administration of nutritional supplements and medications to horses, the system has been adopted by thousands of barns and horse owners across the country, who value knowing that their supplements will be fed correctly.
About Zoetis Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.
