©Flying Horse Photography. Hope Glynn and Woodstock jump to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.
THERMAL, CA (February 23, 2014) – Most people dream about a horse whose “spook” is a better jump. For Hope Glynn, those dreams are a reality. Glynn, who hails from Penngrove, California, piloted Sabrina Hellman’s Woodstock in Friday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix where the unfamiliar ring, new jumps and first hunter prix of the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood Gelding’s season gave Glynn the advantage.
“This is his first week here and he was impressed by the surroundings, which helped me to get a better jumped out of him,” said Glynn. “Where most horses spook, his spook is just a better jump.”
Glynn characterizes Woodstock as her “old faithful” and the pair has had a storied career together since the Hellman family first brought the gelding to Sonoma Valley Stables. They added Friday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix in the Main Hunter Ring at HITS Thermal to their list of accolades after posting a first round score of 85.75 and leading the second round with a solid 87.
With long bending lines and deep turns, Glynn admits that the courses suited her, setting both her and Woodstock up for success. “The courses were perfect and this horse gives any rider confidence – he will land on either lead, but also has a beautiful lead change. I can gallop up to an oxer and know that if I am a little snug or a little long he is still going to jump up and around the fence perfectly,” said Glynn. “It completely changes the way you can relax to a fence when you don’t have to manufacture a front end, and Woodstock’s is as solid as they come.”
Despite winning in the end, Jamie Taylor of Tarzana, California made Glynn work for it. Taylor and Willow CBF, owned by Julie Hancock, were consistent with scores of 86.5 and 86 to finish just a quarter point behind Glynn. Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California capped the top three in the irons of Splendid for Julia Landmann after an 85.5 and 85.
Nick Haness of San Clemente, California was fourth on Lexie Looker’s Winfield with scores of 87 and 83, while Alex Taylor-Silvernale of Median, Washington rounded out the top five with her own Bien Sur with an 83 and 84.
About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.
$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Macy Mitchell’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Ringmaster proved that he may have found his home in the hunter ring on Friday. After a brief hiatus in the jumpers, Mitchell of Hailey, Indiana entered him in his first-ever $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and jumped to a win.
“I was very surprised,” said Mitchell, who trains with Teresa Englehart. “This was his first show back after a year off and we were just on our game for those bending lines and turns.”
Fifteen-year-old Mitchell admits that she has a soft spot for Ringmaster’s personality, despite characterizing him as a “closet naughty”. “He pretends to be a good boy, but he’s always looking to play tricks,” said Mitchell.
The pair led the first round with a 78 and returned to impress with an 82 on their way to the win.
Sabrina Tirador of Tustin, California and her own Caspar jumped to second with scores of 74 and 84, while owner/rider Paris Mccaw was third with Triple Crown after scores of 67 and 71.
Polly Sweeney of Pasadena, California was fourth on her own Duet with a 68 and 69.5, and Betsy Chess capped the top five with her own Alaric with scores of 65 and 72.
With three weeks remaining at the HITS Desert Circuit, West Coast hunter riders have three more opportunities to seal their fate for September’s HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Each year, the West Coast is represented by a strong contingent of competitors in the Diamond Mills $500,000 and Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Finals, and 2014 is shaping up to be no different.
About Platinum Performance
Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance Equine addresses a horse’s total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.
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