SAUGERTIES, NY (May 29, 2012) – U.S. Olympic hopeful Margie Engle didn’t waste any time settling in at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this year. On Sunday, riding Elm Rock Partners LLC’s Royce, she captured the victory in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
Engle, of West Palm Beach, Florida, piloted Royce to the win over a course designed by Marina Azevedo of Campinas, Brazil. Engle was one of seven who advanced to the jump-off where, as one of the most winning riders in the history of the sport, she is known to capitalize.
“This is the first time this horse has ever won a Grand Prix,” said Engle. “I just got him at the beginning of the season and he’s still young, only eight years old and he has all the raw talent in the world. This was a lot of fun today for this horse and I think he could become a really great horse in the years to come.”
Darragh Kenny of Wellington, Florida and The Wannahave Group’s Wannahave were the first to go clear in round one and did so again in the jump-off to set the Great American Time to Beat at 33.94 seconds. In the end, their time earned them the second place ribbon as the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix alumni are back on track to once again qualify for this year’s Million during HITS Championship Weekend.
Engle and Royce were second to last to show in the jump-off and managed to shave fractions of a second off the clock to capture the victory with a time of 33.36 seconds. As one of the most successful competitors to step foot in the ring at HITS-on-the-Hudson, Engle is positioned to be one of the elite riders to represent the United States in this summer’s Olympic Games in London, England.
Third place was awarded to Danielle Cooper of Syosset, New York and Calantus, owned by Fidelity Farms, Inc. Rounding out the top five were the winners of Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Danielle Torano of SW Ranches, Florida and Capitano, owned by Sir Ruly, Inc. in fourth place and long-time HITS veteran Patty Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and her own Carigor Z in fifth place.
The road to HITS Championship Weekend continues this week with HITS-on-the-Hudson II as the competition stakes continues to grow with Friday’s$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and Sunday’s $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Qualifiers for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final will also be offered this week as riders prepare to make history when the richest weekend in show jumping returns September 7-9.
$50,000 EMO Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize $ | Rd 1 Faults | JO Faults | JO Time |
| 1 | Royce | Elm Rock Partners, LLC. | Margie Engle | $15,000 | 0 | 0 | 33.36 |
| 2 | Wannahave | The Wannahave Group | Darragh Kenny | $11,000 | 0 | 0 | 33.94 |
| 3 | Calantus | Fidelity Farms, Inc. | Danielle Cooper | $6,500 | 0 | 0 | 35.36 |
| 4 | Capitano | Sir Ruly, Inc. | Danielle Torano | $4,000 | 0 | 0 | 35.73 |
| 5 | Carigor Z | Patty Stovel | Patty Stovel | $3,000 | 0 | 4 | 35.14 |
| 6 | Vivki Vale | La Chaudiere Farm | Isabelle LaPierre | $2,500 | 0 | 4 | 36.80 |
| 7 | Walk About | Danielle & Jimmy Torano | Jimmy Torano | $2,000 | 0 | 8 | 33.59 |
| 8 | Wadisson | Apex Equestrian Center | Kyle Timm | $1,500 | 4 | – | – |
| 9 | Mark Q | Kevin Babington | Kevin Babington | $1,500 | 4 | – | – |
| 10 | Cadence | Procedures, Inc. | Megan Edrick | $1,000 | 4 | – | – |
| 11 | KT UnderCover | Michael Kirby | Michael Kirby | $1,000 | 4 | – | – |
| 12 | Macoemba | Todd Minikus, LTD. | Todd Minikus | $1,000 | 8 | – | – |
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