©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney stayed in the top spot this week, but switched horses, jumping to the blue in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix with her own MTM Centano. She was twelfth with Friday’s winner MTM Timon.
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.
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