Saugerties, NY – While still deciding what horse she will pilot in the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix just days away, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas is pulling double duty as she aims MTM Inquisitive at the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Fenney and the five year old Warmblood gelding won Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Wild Card at HITS Saugerties with a score of 177 after an 87 and 90.

Thirty-five competitors took to the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson over a track set by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. The class was the first time Inquisitive had seen the elements of the Outside Course, including the bank and multi-level surface. Despite his inexperience, however, Fenney piloted him to the fourth highest score in the first round.

“He was imported in March and we call him Inquisitive because he is always checking things out in the best way possible,” said Fenney. “He has a great attitude and despite being young and not as seasoned as the other horses out there, I think he will hold his own next week.”

Beals’ course made use of the bank in the Outside Course, asking riders to jump both in and out of the ring, as well as presented several oxers across the middle of the ring.

Adrienne Iverson of Califon, New Jersey led the first round with an 89 aboard Redfield Farm’s Clear Sailing. Their second round score of 86.5 combined for a 175.5 and handed them second place. Therese Peck of Flower Mound, Texas rode Cammy Turgon’s Scoop to an 88 and 85.5 for a total of 173.5, which was good enough for third place. Peck trains with Fenney and Mike McCormick, giving MTM Farm credit for two out of the top three placings.

David Oliynyk of Franklin, Massachusetts finished fourth with Lori Gaudet’s Generous. The pair won the Devoucoux Hunter Prix during Week VI and this time rode to an 86.5 and 86 for a total score of 172.5. Jaime Auletto of Cherry Hill, New Jersey capped the top five with score of 87.5 and 84.5 for a final score of 172 in the irons of her own Crusader.

With qualifying complete, the country’s top hunter riders will soon converge on HITS Saugerties in preparation for the richest hunter class in the world. Fenney and her fellow East Coast riders will soon do battle with West Coast qualifiers, including the likes of Hope Glynn and Nick Haness. Round one of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final begins Friday morning in the Outside Course at HITS-on-the-Hudson.