CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (August 22, 2011) — Patty Stovel and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya gained the momentum they needed in Culpeper to capture Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight a week of tough competition in the hunter rings of the Winston National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.
The duo’s latest victory marks their third triumph in a Devoucoux class this summer as they topped the field of 22 that showed over course designer Rian Beals’ first-round course. “Kenya is getting better as the summer goes on and that is a good thing,” said Stovel. “I am very fortunate to have a great owner who let us take our time with this horse.”
The last time the duo showed at HITS Culpeper they scored the blue at the Cavalier Classic in the featured class for hunters. Then, a few weeks ago, they struck glory again topping 70 starters at the NY Horse & Pony Show at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York proving they are one of the teams to beat in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.
Going into the weekend, Stovel and Kenya were eighth in the current Rider Rankings for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with 224 points. Saturday’s win will help to push them into the top five with only two qualifiers left before the big weekend on September 10-11 in Saugerties.
“I have said it before. This horse can win on any given day!” said Stovel. “There will be some great horses and great riders there and I am sure hoping that we are up for the challenge.”
Continue reading Patty Stovel Wins the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper aboard Kenya