USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals Celebrates Its Seventh Season at HITS Culpeper

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©ESI Photography. Jennie Edwards and her own Welcome on course during the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper in 2011.

CULPEPER, VA (August 15, 2012) – Show jumping returns to HITS Culpeper today for two consecutive weeks of show jumping, highlighted by the seventh annual USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals. Riders from Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Delaware and West Virginia will soon duel it out for the USHJA Zone III title at Culpeper’s Winston National.

On Saturday, August 18, the highly anticipated annual event will run in the Grand Prix ring. Riders qualified for the finals by winning a Zone III national or state medal class over a 3’ or 3’6” course during the past year. During the finals, the 3’ section will compete first, followed by those showing at 3’6”.

“I can’t believe we are getting ready to hold this class for the seventh time! Every year the riding has been getting better and better and I can’t wait to see what’s in store this year,” said event coordinator Pam Haviland. “I am proud that we can come together and host such a great Finals for our young riders. The sponsors really make it a first-class event.”

Last year, Jenny Edwards of Jacksonville, Florida took the crown and is ready to pass the torch on to this year’s big winner.

“The turnout for the class keeps growing,” said course designer Jerry Dougherty.  “Last year was great! There were about 35 riders that competed and the riding was tremendous. Jenny Edwards’ win was well-deserved!”

Edwards is one of a host of talented riders who have won the popular class. Edwards and previous Tad Coffin winner Taylor Brown have moved on to collegiate riding and will both be competing in the NCAA’s Big 12 this season at Texas A&M and Baylor, respectively.  This year’s blue ribbon winner will be awarded a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle and a cooler, donated by Gary Baker.

The second place finisher in the finals will score a pair of custom leather half chaps, donated by Chuck Pinnel’s Custom Leather, and the rider taking third-place honors will win a show bridle, donated by Ginny Edwards’ Hidden Hollow Farm. Finally, the exhibitor finishing in fourth place will win a leather show halter and lead shank, donated by The Tack Box.

For their participation in the prestigious event, each of the riders who finish in the top ten will receive a $75 gift certificate to Champion Saddlery, a selection of saddle pads, courtesy of Clifton Saddlery, as well as ribbon sashes, donated by Tom Struzzieri.

All of the qualifiers for the class will enjoy a welcome reception on Saturday afternoon, sponsored by Hollins University, where they will receive boutonnieres from Jonelle Mullen Stern and TuDane Farm, and gift bags from Dover Saddlery. Haviland also credits additional sponsors, including USHJA Zone 3, Rolling Acres Farm and H&R Embroidery for their continued support.

Aside from the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals, HITS Culpeper will feature a full schedule of classes including the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix, $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix and the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Qualifying for HITS Championship Weekend has entered its final days and the next two weeks of showing in Culpeper, Virginia will offer both hunter and Grand Prix riders alike opportunities to be part of the all-new HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final, popular Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and famed Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this Fall.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
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