Tag Archives: Brian Moggre

Live Oak International and Dutch Masters Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* on Horse & Country TV

Brian Moggre and MTM Vivre Le Reve.

Wellington, Fla. – March 15, 2019 – Horse & Country TV (H&C TV) is pleased to offer an exciting lineup of show jumping programs this weekend on its award-winning network as well as on demand. Starting on Saturday, March 16, at 9 p.m. EST, H&C TV will showcase highlights from the final leg in the East Coast division of the 2018/2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League at Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida.

In addition, on Sunday, March 17, at 10:25 a.m. EST, H&C TV will be live streaming the highly anticipated Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* from the Dutch Masters (Indoor Brabant Horse Show).

Fresh off his win earlier in the week in the $35,700 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifier CSI3*-W, 17-year-old Brian Moggre of the United States proved that age is just a number by taking home an impressive win in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Ocala CSI3*-W on Sunday aboard Major Wager LLC’s MTM Vivre Le Reve.

“I had such low expectations because I did so well [on Friday in the qualifier],” said Moggre. “I thought it couldn’t really get better than that. It really did get better though.”

Moggre, who is in his first year of eligibility for World Cup qualifying points, and the 10-year-old Westphalian gelding bested 38 top-ranked show jumping combinations, and six in the jump-off, to claim the win with a double-clear effort in 41.29 seconds. At such a young age, Moggre has a very promising future in the sport, as he demonstrated with his consistent results at the 2019 Live Oak International.

Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* is part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – the toughest series in show jumping offering one of the biggest prizes in the sport with a €1 million bonus going to any athlete who can consecutively win three grand prix events at the Dutch Masters, Aachen, Spruce Meadows, and CHI Geneva. If that same athlete then wins a fourth major in succession, they win an additional €1 million bonus prize.

Great Britain’s Scott Brash is the only athlete in history to have achieved such a feat in 2015 riding Hello Sanctos.

Watch the Rolex Grand Prix CSI5* at the Dutch Masters LIVE on H&C TV on Sunday at 10:25 a.m. EST! If you miss the live broadcast, H&C TV will also be replaying the entire competition as-live on Wednesday, March 20, at 8 p.m. EST as well as a highlights show of the event on Friday, March 22, at 9 p.m. EST.

H&C TV broadcasts in Europe, Australia, and in the United States on cable, satellite, and broadband television, including Roku, and online at www.horseandcountrytv.us.

Moggre Shines in Longines Debut at Live Oak

Brian Moggre with Vivre le Reve. (FEI/Shannon Brinkman)

Brian Moggre (USA) made his World Cup debut a winning one, racing to victory with MTM Vivre le Reve in the $100,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Live Oak, the final leg of the 2018-2019 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League at the Live Oak International in Ocala, Florida (USA).

Moggre and his 10-year-old Westphalian gelding topped a six-horse jump-off, crossing the timers of the Olaf Petersen, Jr. (GER)-designed shortened course in an unbeatable 41.29 seconds. Andre Thieme (GER) and Aretino finished second by a narrow margin with their 41.56-second time, while Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Casper were third (43.96 seconds).

Moggre, who turns 18 this year, is in his first year of eligibility to jump in World Cup competition. He also won Friday’s ranking class, which qualified him for Sunday’s World Cup event.

“I had a little bit of low expectations for myself — never for my horse, because he’s amazing. I wanted to go and jump a clear round; that was my main goal. Once that happened, it was pedal to the metal in the jump-off.” — Brian Moggre (USA)

Moggre attributed stride and efficiency to his jump-off win, along with a superior effort from his horse over the course’s penultimate fence.

“There was one small place where my horse had to save me, and he did,” Moggre explained. “I’m so appreciative of him. That’s what makes him so special.”

The Stage Is Set

The points have been finalized, and the stage is set for North American League riders headed for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in April.

Beezie Madden (USA) finishes the season at the top of the east coast sub league standings with 58 points, but as the reigning World Cup Final Champion, she automatically qualifies. Molly Ashe Cawley (USA), with 55 points, finishes the season in second place, with Wilhelm Genn (GER) finishing third. With 47 points, Genn qualifies as an Extra Athlete.

Richard Spooner (USA) is the leading rider on the west coast with 49 points. Eve Jobs (USA) finishes second on 48 points to qualify for her first World Cup Final, while Nayel Nassar (EGY) finishes third in the standings with 46 points.

The top seven U.S. riders from the east coast sub league qualify for Gothenburg, along with the top three U.S. riders from the west coast, and the top two riders from Canada and Mexico. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final takes place 3-7 April 2019.

By Catie Staszak

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Catherine Tyree and Bokai Race to Win in $40,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake

Catherine Tyree and Bokai. Photo by Shawn McMillen Photography.

Washington, D.C. – October 25, 2018 – The international show jumpers took center stage on Thursday, October 25, at the 60th annual Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) for their first two competitions of the week. In the $40,000 International Jumper Welcome Stake, Catherine Tyree (24) of Chicago, IL rode the 12-year-old KWPN gelding Bokai, owned by Mary Tyree, to victory. Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, TX and MTM Flutterby accumulated the most points to take home the top prize in the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class.

The $40,000 Welcome Stake was held as a “winning round” format, where the top 10 riders, regardless of how many faults they had in the afternoon’s first round, were invited back for the second round which was held in the evening session. Tyree and Bokai came back seventh in the order of the top 10 and put down a fast, clear round in 34.88 seconds for the win. They followed the 2018 FEI World Cup Jumping Final winners Beezie Madden (USA) and Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS, who would finish in second place in 35.00 seconds.

Tyree said it was watching Madden from the in-gate that gave her the plan to win.

“Bokai is so quick, and I had the advantage of seeing Beezie go before me. She is so tight in the turns, so I was able to count some of her strides, and I really just wanted to try and do what she did. She did six [strides] to the last [jump]; I got a good gallop, and I kept going in five. I really got lucky there; my horse gave an amazing effort, which he shouldn’t have done. He just has a huge heart and he wants to win. He just rises to the challenge when it matters.” – Catherine Tyree

Third place in the class went to this summer’s FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) team gold medalists, Devin Ryan (USA) and Eddie Blue, owned by LL Show Jumpers LLC, who had a time of 35.76 seconds. Cormac Hanley (IRL) and Alma Z, owned by Heathman Farm LLC, were fourth in 37.82 seconds, while fellow WEG team gold medalist Laura Kraut (USA) and St. Bride’s Farm’s Confu were fifth in 38.25 seconds.

Brian Moggre Makes Quick Work of $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class

Youth continued to prevail during the evening session when 17-year-old junior rider Brian Moggre beat 14 other top professionals to win the $35,000 International Jumper Accumulator Costume Class. In his “Grease” costume, he guided MTM Flutterby, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare by C-Indoctro and owned by Major Wager LLC, to a top score of 65 points in the fastest time of the night in 40.23 seconds.

The first through fifth place riders all had 65 points, which meant they cleared all 10 jumps on course, including the final “joker” jump worth 20 points. The joker jump was a specially-designed Washington Capitals hockey jump sporting the team’s winning Stanley Cup trophy and was especially fitting with Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward dressed as the Caps hockey player Alexander Ovechkin for the class.

“I knew whatever was going to happen. I just had to go in there and give it my all and hope it worked out the best for me. It did, so I’m very appreciative of that.”  – Brian Moggre

Catherine Tyree (USA) had another fantastic finish, placing second with Mary Tyree’s Catungee in 40.50 seconds. Andrew Kocher (USA) and Quarto Mail, owned by MKO Equestrian LLC, were third in 41.46 seconds, while Amanda Derbyshire (GBR) rode Cornwall BH, owned by Gochman Sport Horse LLC, to fourth place in 43.84 seconds. Rounding out the top five was Beat Mändli on Grant Road Partners LLC’s Dibatsja in 47.54 seconds.

This is Moggre’s first season competing in the open jumpers during the fall indoor competition season. He won on opening day at last week’s Pennsylvania National Horse Show and captured the coveted Dover Saddlery/USEF Hunter Seat Medal Finals.

For more information on WIHS, please visit www.wihs.org.

Contact: Jennifer Wood
jwood@jumpmediallc.com

Moggre Flies to First in $35,000 1.40m U-25 Final at Tryon

Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby. Photo Credit ©Sportfot.

Mill Spring, NC – July 13, 2018 – It was the USA’s Brian Moggre who climbed to the top of the podium in the $35,000 1.40m U-25 Final at Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC), as the sun set on day three of Tryon Summer V competition at the venue. Moggre and MTM Flutterby flew through fast track timers in 34.64 seconds, two full seconds ahead of second place finisher Mattie Hatcher (USA) and her own 2009 Swedish Warmblood gelding (Click and Cash x Feliciano) Cristiano, who finished with a time of 36.56 seconds with four added faults. Third place was rounded out by Megan McDermott (USA) and her own 2006 Caballo Deportivo La Silla gelding (Dollar de la Pierre x Polydor), Tizimin LS, who completed their first round of competition in 78.18 seconds and added four faults.

Moggre and the 2007 Dutch Warmblood mare (C-Indoctro x Grace) owned by Major Wagner LLC, are newcomers to the venue and the first experience has boded well for the pair. “She was amazing tonight,” he commented. “Izzy has the best heart out of any horse I’ve ever had. She’s so amazing.”

The duo rode around the Catalina Cruz (MEX) course in a timely manner and were brought back to contest the two horse jump-off with ease. “If there is one thing that my trainers have taught me,” stated Moggre, “I will hold onto this for the rest of my riding career: playing it safe; if you have a rail, you’re too slow. Every time you walk in the ring you need to go in there with a mission. If you’re going in, you’re fast, you’re going to be clear, and you’re going to win. You can’t win unless you try.”

The seventeen-year-old rides and trains with Tracy Fenney and Mike McCormick, who originally bred the mare and matched the two. “She originally came to our barn when I was young,” he said, “and she was a five-year-old. It wasn’t the best match at the time. I kind of matured as a rider and the horse matured as well. When I was thirteen or fourteen I got the ride and it just clicked. It worked and she’s been amazing ever since.”

He continued, “She’s very opinionated and I think that’s why we get along so well. We are both a little sassy. She just has a sassy attitude and she is so unlike any of my other horses. All of my other horses are big, gentle giants. She’s this spicy little blonde girl.”

Moggre also plans to compete in Saturday’s highlight competition, the $70,000 Carolina Arena Equipment Grand Prix CSI 2*, but noted the importance of also being able to utilize the U-25 series classes. “I’m riding in tomorrow night’s Grand Prix,” he explained. “It’s a little bigger and a little more of a tough crowd, which gets me to push myself a bit. A class like this is also excellent because my mare is just a little race car and I know that if I can be on it than she is on the game. Without an insane 1.60m horse, you can compete in these classes and it helps shine the spotlight on some of the young riders.”

Earlier in the afternoon, David O’Brien (IRL) continued his winning ways aboard Spy Coast Farm LLC mounts, this time riding the 2010 Belgian Warmblood gelding Kir Royal SCF (Amaretto D’Arco x Nabab de Reve) to victory in the $5,000 1.40m Classic CSI 2*. The pair crossed through fast track timers in 37.909 seconds to claim the blue. Callan Solem (USA) achieved second place, piloting Collin McNeil’s 2008 Belgian Warmblood mare (Darco x Cento) Imogen de Regor to a time of 38.642 seconds. Todd Minikus (USA) trailed just behind in third with Juju VDM, a 2009 Belgian Warmblood mare (Toulon x For Pleasure), completing their first round in 82.99 seconds with one added fault.

Please visit www.tryon.com or call (828)-863-1000 for more information.

Jumpers Close Out Week III of the Jacksonville Spring Classic

Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby [Photos: Alison Hartwell Photography]

Week III of the Jacksonville Spring Classics was one for the books when fifteen year old Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, Texas and Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby won the $35,000 Sidelines Grand Prix against a field of twenty-three seasoned, professional riders.

“I’ve won a couple of grand prix before this but I would say it was a pretty tough crowd to compete against,” commented Moggre. MTM Flutterby is only 15.3 hands and Moggre has been riding her for about two years. “I went in and wanted to do my best and it feels pretty good to come out beating your trainers,” he laughed.

“When we [Moggre, McCormick and Fenney] walked the course, we knew in the first round you could do a bending 6 or 5 or direct 4. We talked about what would be best and decided that smooth and fast, executing the smoothest route with the least amount of strides was the plan,” he said.

Eleven advanced to the jump off round over a course designed by Allen Rheinheimer of Zionsville, Indiana and Moggre had two in the jump off, MTM Flutterby and DDM Equestrian LLC’s Condero 3.

First to go was David Jennings of Franklin, Tennessee and KM Farms’ KM Corfina. While their time of 35.421 seconds beat the time allowed of 43 seconds, eight jump faults would see them finish in tenth place overall. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas and MTM Farm’s Igor Van De Heibos followed Jennings and KM Corfina with four jump faults in a time of 34.979 seconds which would see them finish in fifth place overall.

Moggre, in the irons Condero 3, followed Fenney in the order and earned eight jump faults in a time of 32.694 seconds which would find them placing eighth overall.

Dorothy Douglas of West Bridgewater, Massachusetts and MTM Farm’s MTM Malfoy followed Moggre and Condero 3 and with four jump faults in a time of 39.153 seconds finished seventh overall.

Diamant’s Legacy, owned and ridden by Derek Petersen of Williston, Florida, followed and the pair turned in the first double clear jump off round in a time of 33.873 seconds and set the new time to beat.

Moggre followed Petersen, this time in the irons of Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby with their own clear round in a time of 30.638 seconds and took the lead, setting the new time to beat.

Sitting in the last to go position, Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Como No earned 16 jump faults and two jump faults in a time of 44.860 seconds and finished in eleventh place overall. The fastest of the first-round four-faulters was Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s S & L Elite in a time of 85.716 seconds and they wrapped up the class in twelfth place.

“MTM Farm had a lot in the jump off and we were all going after each other and it was really fun,” he said. “My win made everyone on the MTM team really happy,” he added.

MTM Farm’s Mike McCormick commented, “We think Brian is going to be really famous. I try to not treat him like a ‘prima donna’ here. I make him tack all of his horses and help with lunging and school them,” he said. “The home team and on the road team is doing great. We must have 30 at home and 30 on the road and everyone has really been team players to get us where we are. Everyone has to work hard, because if you don’t, you’re going to have problems,” he said. “Heck, even Tracy helps!” he laughed.

“We’ve been doing great and we’re winning in the hunters and the jumpers. We’re qualified for Devon and things look great for MTM,” McCormick added.

Moggre has been buying horses from MTM Farm since 2012 and toward the end of 2015 started training with Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney, moving his three horses to MTM Farm. “For the most part, I live on the road with them. I do online school and am a sophomore. My family has an RV and either my Mom or Dad will be at the shows with me,” commented Moggre. “I have a brother and a sister and it gets pretty hectic at times, but it’s easy to stay at the horse shows and not have to travel to and from home,” he added. “I have a very supportive family and I’m thankful for that,” Moggre said.

“I definitely want to make a career out of this like Mike. And of course, my dream since I was a kid was to be on the Olympic team. I love the sport and just want to be successful,” he added.

“This year I want to test the waters with the bigger jumps and the Nations Cup team is something I have my eye on this year,” he shared. “My next big show is Devon and that’s one I’m looking forward to,” Moggre said.

Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s Reve Du Paris

The $5,000 Horseflight Open Welcome kicked off the jumper action at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center and MTM Farm’s Tracy Fenney took the win in the irons of MTM Farm’s Reve Du Paris with their double clear rounds of 83.239 seconds and 29.310 seconds, well within the 43 seconds time allowed. No one would beat that fast second round and leave the rails up. Brian Moggre and MTM Farm’s Condero 3 came close with their clear second round in a time of 30.013 seconds, but they would settle into a second place overall finish.

Third place was awarded to KM Farm’s Corfina, ridden by David Jennings, for their clear second round in a time of 30.724 seconds. Fenney picked up a fourth place with MTM Farm’s Igor Van De Heibos for their clear second round in a time of 32.205 seconds and Jennings returned for a fifth place ribbon with Full Circle Farm’s Harvest Moon for their clear second round effort in a time of 32.472 seconds.

Moggre and Major Wager, LLC’s MTM Flutterby earned a sixth place ribbon and Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Como No placed seventh. Another MTM Farm rider, Dorothy Douglas, and Erika Guthinger’s Tiger Lion placed eighth, and Cassandra Kahle of Califon, New Jersey and Redfield Farm’s Wall Street earned a ninth place ribbon. Haley Gassel and Westwind Equine Trail’s Werner 61 came in tenth. Douglas returned for an eleventh place ribbon with MTM Farm’s S & L Elite, and Mark Jungherr of Williston, Florida and Susan Banta’s Conte Couleur wrapped up the class with a twelfth place.

For complete results, please visit horseshowsonline.com.

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Bright Start for T. J. O’Mara in Equitation Divisions at Devon Horse Show

T. J. O’Mara and Kaskade.

Devon, PA – May 26, 2016 – As the sun rose over the Dixon Oval, T. J. O’Mara rode into the ring ready to make the most of his final junior season at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair. The rising talent did just that, riding away with his first blue ribbon in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search. O’Mara was also awarded the Honey Craven Perpetual Memorial Trophy for delivering the highest-scoring round in the Talent Search.

“I’ve been coming here since I was 12,” O’Mara said. “I’ve been here for the equitation for many years. I’ve received every other ribbon except for first, so it feels good! That was my goal for this year, and it feels great. Kaskade is really just amazing; I couldn’t have asked for a better horse.”

O’Mara, who trains with Max Amaya, said he began working with the 10-year-old mare in early 2013, making this year the duo’s fourth appearance at Devon.

“I know her temperament pretty well,” O’Mara commented. “She’s normally pretty chill in the ring and tends to build up towards the end of the course. So, I was a little worried about the water, but she was really just amazing. She was a hunter before this, so she has a nice extension.”

The day began with the WIHS Jumper Phase, which was split into three sections. It was Lucy Deslauriers’ score of 94 that took the top spot, while Maya Nayyar’s score of 92 also earned her a blue ribbon. The third blue ribbon was awarded to McKayla Langmeier with a score of 90.

“Skyfall was really great for his first class,” Langmeier said. “He went in there, didn’t spook at anything and went right to it. I really liked the course. For the first course, you never know what you’re going to get. You don’t know if it’s going to be hard, and if the time allowed is going to be really short, but it was nice and inviting.”

The second-place finishers in the WIHS were T. J. O’Mara, Summer Hill and Katherine Bundy, while the third-place ribbons were awarded to Samantha Cohen, Adele McKenna and Daisy Farish.

In the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search, which was split into two sections, Lucy Deslauriers joined O’Mara as the second winner.

“I had just come from doing the [WIHS] jumper phase, and I knew Class Action was going well today,” Deslauriers said. “Everything was going according to plan, so I just tried to ride the plan. I had to take care of the time and the jumps are a little bigger, but I felt pretty confident going in. It was a good first course to start the weekend. I usually ride Class Action in both the Washington and USEF, so I knew going in that he knew his job.”

Deslauriers, who trains with Stacia Madden, said she has been riding the 17-year-old gelding, Class Action, for two years.

“He’s a veteran,” Deslauriers added. “He’s been coming to this show for a number of years, so he knows his job. As long as I don’t get in his way, he rides according to plan.”

The second-place spots in the Platinum Performance/USEF Show Jumping Talent Search went to Carly Hoft and McKayla Langmeier, with Madison Goetzmann and Daisy Farish taking home thirds.

“They stepped it up for the USEF,” Langmeier commented. “But I know Skyfall pretty well, like the back of my hand. He’s a pretty special horse to me. He’s won all over. I always know going into the ring that he’s going to be there and try to win.”

As the day continued with the Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal, which was also divided into three sections, Daisy Farish, Madison Goetzmann and Katherine Bundy took home the top honors. Second place went to Samantha Cohen, Lucy Deslauriers and McKayla Langmeier, with third place going to Taylor St. Jacques, Emma Kurtz and Ellyn Fritz.

Thursday’s winners will continue on to compete for the R. W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship High Point Award on Friday morning, which, for the first time, will awarded by class results instead of on a point basis.

O’Mara, whose sisters have each missed claiming the Ronnie Mutch High Point Award by one point, said he is looking forward to competing in the class for the honor.

“Meg and Abbey say they would’ve won it if it was a class, and now it is,” O’Mara commented. “I hope I win, but I know there is going to be a bunch of great riders in there, mostly from my barn. Hopefully it’ll be friendly competition. I’m excited to see what happens.”

Regardless of the results, the riders and horses alike are glad to be back at Devon.

“This is such a fun show,” Deslauriers said. “I’ve been coming here since I was doing the medium ponies. So, everyone knows what to expect. The fair, the fudge, the tea sandwiches – everything about it is so much fun. I’m really excited to be back.”

The equitation will conclude on Friday with the R. W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship class and resulting High Point Award. Highlight events during the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair will include the $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby and the $225,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI4*.

The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is the longest running and largest outdoor multi-breed competition in the United States. With the grandeur of Philadelphia’s prestigious Main Line setting the stage, the event features a world-class field that annually ranks among the most prominent internationally. The event also includes the Country Fair that offers world-class shopping, rides and games for kids, multiple dining options and special entertainment events.

Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby Master Junior Jumper Welcome Speed

For many riders, competing at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair is at the top of their list of goals – winning is just icing on the cake. For Brian Moggre, his first trip to Devon is proving to be a dream come true. Qualifying for the Junior Jumper division after a successful winter season at HITS Ocala, he and his 9-year-old Thoroughbred gelding MTM Flutterby showcased their skills with a win in the $3,750 Junior Jumper Speed Stake.

The first event in the Junior Jumper Championship, 26 of the top horse and rider combinations in the country competed in front of the opening day crowd at the Dixon Oval. Giavanna Rinaldi and Dulf Van Den Bisschop set the pace to beat as the first to cross the finish line in under 60 seconds, breaking the beam at 55.355 seconds with all the rails intact.

Katherine Strauss tried to catch the time set by Rinaldi with her mount All In, but was a few seconds shy with a clear time of 59.062 seconds, which would be good enough for fourth place. Eve Jobs slipped ahead of Strauss, piloting Sandor de la Pomme to a faultless effort in 58.659 seconds for third place. Only one rider was able to best Rinaldi – her friend Brian Moggre.

Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby
Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby

Moggre and MTM Flutterby picked up a fast gallop to the first fence and never let off the gas. Carefully clearing all of the fences, they dashed across the finish line in 55.355 seconds, just 5/10ths of a second faster to take over the top spot and lead the lap of honor at the end of the night.

“I made up time in the air,” explained Moggre. “Gia’s horse just jumps more lofty in the air, but we rode similar tracks. My horse is a little closer to the jumps and doesn’t jump as high. She’s not as lofty in the air, and I think that’s what made the difference between the two.”

Moggre has been riding MTM Flutterby for just over a year, and the horse has proven to be much more than he imagined. “She’s not what we expected,” he admitted. “She was a diamond in the rough. We were expecting to buy her and make her an investment horse and sell her later on, but I was like ‘No. I’m keeping this one!'”

The decision certainly paid off. The chestnut Thoroughbred is currently leading the nation in the High Junior Jumper standings, and now has secured Moggre his first victory at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair.

“She’s a very uphill, hot kind of ride,” noted Moggre. “You have to be really cold. If you’re a rider that gets tense and crazy, you’re not right for her. If you put crazy with crazy, it’s uncontrollable. She’s just awesome and so cool.”

Moggre concluded, “It’s pretty awesome to win the first Junior Jumper class. It’s such a cool horse show and it’s awesome to be here, especially to win. I’m star struck!”

The Junior Jumpers will compete again on Friday, and the champion will be crowned after Saturday night’s $20,000 Show Jumping Hall of Fame Junior Jumper Classic. Junior riders will take center stage throughout the weekend, competing in the Junior and Pony Hunters, as well as the R. W. “Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Championship.

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Jumpers Go Head-to-Head in $50k Equioxx Grand Prix and $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic

(C) ESI Photography. Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby on their way to a $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic win.

Ocala, FL (February 3, 2016): The weekend brought exciting competition to HITS Post Time Farm in Week II of the Ocala Winter Circuit with the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix and the $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

$50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix

Dorothy Douglas of Flower Mound, Texas, riding S&L Elite, owned by MTM Farms, galloped to the win in the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix on Sunday in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Kendra Bullington’s Basje, was second place, and third Zent to last week’s $50,000 Tuffrider/Equine Couture Grand Prix winner Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and Morocco.

Thirty-four horses and riders took on the challenging 1.50-meter course set by course designer Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas. A tight time allowed of 85 seconds in the first round kept the riders on a fast track if they wanted to go clean.

First to go clean and meet the time-allowed challenge successfully was Goldman on her first ride, Morocco.

Andrew Welles of Port St. Lucie, FL, riding Shining De Reve, owned by AEM Enterprises, LLC, was the next to jump clear in the first round, just within the time allowed. Goldman returned with her second mount, Rocs to Riches to produce a third to advance to the jump-off.

Four more joined the group to contest the shortened course: Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas, riding Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corporation; class winner Douglas and S&L Elite; Chopping on Basje; and Christoph Schroeder of Andersonville, Tennessee, riding Catungee, the winner of the Ocala I $25000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

The first element of the triple was removed and the course was set for the jump-off with Goldman and Morocco returning first. They started at a breakneck pace, steadying only in one spot after the combination, stopping 36.801 seconds.

Next up was Welles and Shining Du Reve who had two rails for eight faults in a time of 45.154. Holloway and Lucky Strike moved up in the order, in their attempt to catch Goldman, they left out a stride to the skinny vertical at the last fence. While the gamble meant they had the time, in 36.402, they also had the rail, finishing with the fastest four-fault trip to be fourth.

The big chestnut S&L Elite and Douglas took on the course with a plan to leave out strides wherever possible. Indeed, their plan worked, as they took over the lead in 36.194 seconds. Goldman returned with Rocs to Riches but had a rail at the combination, finishing in 37.523 to finish fifth.

Two remained in the jump-off. Chopping and Basje left out a stride in two places to finish in 36.320 seconds, just two-tenths of a second behind Douglas for the win. Schroeder had 4 faults at the combination and a time of 38.080 for sixth place.

“I can’t thank Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney enough for all of their support. I’ve been working with S&L Elite for three seasons – he’s the first horse I’ve ever had at this level,” said Douglas. “Mike kept telling me, ‘take the step out everywhere; if the jump comes down then it comes down but try to win,’ I think he jumped even better in the jump-off than in the first round.”

Forty riders who have competed in at least three Sunday Grand Prix will qualify based on money won for the Great American Million to be held in Ocala in March, 2016.

$7500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

Another exciting class kept spectators on the edge of their seats as juniors and amateurs jumped for the top prize in the $7500 U Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS, Ocala. Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, Texas, riding MTM Flutterby, owned by Major Wager LLC, won by a whisker.

The fourteen-year-old equestrian clocked in with a time of 37.561 seconds over Haley Gassel’s time of 37.940 seconds in a head-to-head jump-off for the win. Melissa Ruderhausen of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and Charmeur Ask, was the fastest with four faults in a time of 74.526 for third place.

Juniors and Amateurs tried their best to defeat Dallas, Texas course designer, Oscar Soberon’s 1.45-meter course. It proved to be a difficult task as rider after rider collected four faults, many of which were at the oxer-vertical combination at 9A and 9B.

Third in the order was Gassel, of Lenoir City, Tennessee on Quite Dark 2, owned by Westwind Equine Training Center. Their clear round looked like it might be the only one, until the last rider of the first-round, Moggre, came in on the diminutive MTM Flutterby. The striking chestnut with the flaxen mane never touched a rail, insuring a two horse jump-off.

Gassel returned for the jump-off and pulled out all the stops with a tight roll-back to Fence 8, where Quite Dark 2 made an extra effort to be clear before galloping home in the Great American Time to Beat of 37.940 seconds.

Only one rider stood between Gassel and the win. Moggre and MTM Flutterby kicked out in exuberance between the first two fences in the jump-off, losing some time to the clock, but after the combination, they kicked into turbo drive to stop the clock just a fraction faster for the win.

“He who touches the reins the least wins! My horse is the bomb,” said Moggre. “I’ve been riding her for almost a year. She was a sale horse and super green and young but when she started to do so well I took her over and we decided to keep her.”

It was certainly a good day for riders of MTM Farms and trainer Mike McCormick of Flower Mound, Texas. Both Moggre and Dorothy Douglas, winner of the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix, ride and train with McCormick.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

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