THERMAL, CA (February 9, 2012) – Josephina Nor Lantzman put an exclamation point on Desert Circuit II when she rode her own Chello Z to the blue ribbon in Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
In Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Nor Lantzman and Chello Z were the top horse-and-rider team out of a group of 34 starters that challenged the first-round track set by International Course Designer Bernard Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way I finished my two weeks at HITS Thermal,” said Nor Lantzman. “I will be back for the second half of the circuit where I look forward to competing against some of the top riders in the world. I am riding for Brazil and my ultimate goal is to make the 2016 Olympics.”
Cabral’s first-round track featured 13 fences with a time allowed of 84 seconds and appeared to have an assortment of challenges as the course produced downed rails at 12 of the 13 obstacles along the way. Five riders escaped faults to advance to Cabral’s jump-off course. Nor Lantzman and Cello Z posted a second round time of 47.80 seconds to eventually win the class.
Michelle Spadone and Redfield Farm’s Coco came home in 49.76 seconds to finish in second place and Jill Humphrey aboard Leone Equestrians Inc.’s Kaskaya set the Great American Time to Beat in the jump-off with a round in 51.77 seconds to place third.
The final ride of Sunday’s featured class belonged to Harley Brown and Paige Harriman’s Angelli. They were careful and clean crossing the timers in 51.92 seconds to grab fourth place. Olympic Gold Medal winner Will Simpson rounded out the top five in the irons of Monarch International’s Acorina with a four-fault jump-off round.
For complete results from Sunday’s $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, click here.
The hunt is on for HITS Championship Weekend
As riders and horses alike have settled in at HITS Thermal, the buzz is all about the HITS Championship Weekend scheduled for September 7-9, 2012 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Both Grand Prix and Hunter riders at HITS Thermal have set their sights on qualifying for the coveted Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and this year’s inaugural $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final.
Rich Fellers kicked of Grand Prix action at Desert Circuit II and piloted Chapman & Fellers’ Colgan Cruise to a win in the first of the circuit’s FEI classes, the $32,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Francie Steinwedell-Carvin kept the momentum going with an impressive victory in the 53,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix CSI2*W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to welcome the first FEI World Cup qualifier of the season. She guided Prentiss Partners’ Taunus to the only faultless round of the day. Fellers and Steinwedell-Carvin each banked a critical early-season qualifier for the third annual Pfizer Million and are well on their way to making an appearance at HITS-on-the-Hudson in the fall.
John Bragg stirred some excitement for the return of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with a first place finish in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. He and Stephanie Ray’s Castle Hill posted a pair of scores in the 90s to take home the blue with ease. Emily Winkler brought the spotlight to amateur riders as she and her own Landmark earned a win in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix on Sunday afternoon. The team was the best out of the 26 that showed in one of the first qualifiers for the $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final.
Other winners who celebrated blue ribbons this week in Thermal include Rebecca Fahrendorf who won the Farnam Adult Medal aboard Sarah Draxton’s Just Larry. Karl Cook took home the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High with Signe Ostby’s Notories Utopia and Savannah Jenkins earned the USEF Talent Search medal on Karoline Sauls’ Orblack.
For complete results from Desert Circuit II, click here.
Competition will now turn toward the SmartPak Mid Circuit Awards as the champions of the first half of the HITS Desert Circuit will be awarded at the conclusion of this week.
Coming up
As the peak of the 2012 Winter Circuits approach, HITS Thermal will boast unmatched special events. Charles Owen Helmet Awareness Week is underway and runs through Sunday, stressing the importance of responsible riding. Representatives from Charles Owen Helmets will be on-hand to educate riders on the importance of properly fitted, approved riding helmets. Make sure to fill out a Charles Owen Riders’ Pledge and enter to win a free Charles Owen Helmet – winner announced Sunday, February 12.
Longtime sponsor, Arenus, will be on hand during the Arenus Focus Week and will kick off the weekend with the Arenus Rising Star Karaoke Challenge, presented by Arenus, Friday, February 10 at the HITS Bar from 6-10 pm. Awards will be presented in varying categories including Best Brand Song for the song that incorporates an Arenus product; the Charisma Award for the best effort, most entertaining and most fun performance; and the Rising Star Award for the best overall performance. Judging will be done by the crowd on the night of the competition.
On Sunday, Arenus will award its Arenus Overall Athlete Award which is presented to the horse and rider team at HITS Thermal competitions that most represents the best qualities in the sport including:
• best condition and overall muscle fitness and balance
• best natural ability and movement to perform the sport
• best attitude demonstrating enjoyment of the sport
• best effort in competing
• best connection/communication with rider in understanding and performing the sport.
• best traits including personality representing an ambassador for the sport.
In order to win, the rider and horse together need to be nominated by those casting ballots in the Show Office.
The Groom’s Award, sponsored by Odor-No-More will be presented to the groom with the most votes. Entry forms are located in the show office. The Groom’s Award, along with the SmartPak Mid-Circuit Award will be presented this Sunday during the Parade of Champions.
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