CULPEPER, NY (July 10, 2012) – Virginia Beach’s Peg Seals scored one for the professional riders competing in Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix as she captured the blue aboard Chelsea Ireland’s Surely to highlight the Showday National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.
During the Commonwealth National in April, Seals and Surely grabbed the red ribbon losing out to top amateur rider Jane Gaston and her own Lumiere. Last week, during the Showday National, Seals used a matching pair of 84s in the first and second round to secure the top prize and highlight a week of competition for hunter riders. Seals, a consistent winner at HITS Culpeper, scored her first Devoucoux victory of the 2012 season as she was the only professional rider represented in the top five.
“The field is always tough in Culpeper,” said Seals. “It was a great win and I look forward to many more this season.”
The class was dominated by junior riders as Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida was second aboard her own Wagner and Meg O’Mara of Rumson, New Jersey grabbed the yellow aboard her own Walk the Line. Both young riders train at Don Stewart Stables in Ocala, Florida and have their hopes up for a trip to the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson this fall. Amateur rider Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois took fourth place aboard Woodrun’s Casino and rounding out the top five was junior Alyssa Mansfield of Georgetown, Kentucky riding her own Calice de Fuyssieu Z.
“Both Hasbrouck and Meg are tremendous riders and have a chance to win the big class,” said trainer Don Stewart. “With each good ribbon they earn in these classes, the more and more confident they will be when all the money is on the line in Saugerties. We can’t wait for September.”
Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix was the second of five qualifiers that will be offered this season at HITS Culpeper for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place the weekend of September 7-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York as part of the all-new HITS Championship Weekend.
Amy Zettler wins again in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix
Amy Zettler, of Norfolk, Virginia and her own Glad Rags captured the blue ribbon on Saturday in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix, a qualifier for the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final. The Final will take place alongside the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final during HITS Championship Weekend in September in Saugerties.
“I already booked my hotel for Saugerties,” said Zettler. “I am blessed to have such a great horse to ride and I am looking forward to getting qualified here in Culpeper and ready to give it my all at HITS Saugerties in September.”
Zettler and Glad Rags were victorious in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix in April at HITS Culpeper and now seem to be emerging as one of the favorites in the big money class, especially designed for Junior and Amateur riders.
Second place honors went to Chiara Parlagreco, of The Plains, Virginia and Skyland Farm’s Placido and in third was Lyndsey Brodhead of Doylestown, Pennsylvania aboard Elizabeth Orem’s Just for Fun. Rounding out the top five was Devan Graham of Chevy Chase, Maryland on two different self-owned mounts. She rode Delorian to fourth and Ferragamo to fifth place, respectively.
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. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the second-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 8-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the art Special Events Center. Diamond Mills is a proud member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World, an unsurpassed collection of over 520 luxury hotels around the world. Saugerties’ newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
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$1,500 HITS 3′ Hunter Prix
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