Hope Glynn and Woodstock jump to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal (Flying Horse Photography)
“This is his first week here and he was impressed by the surroundings, which helped me to get a better jumped out of him,” said Glynn. “Where most horses spook, his spook is just a better jump.”
Glynn characterizes Woodstock as her “old faithful” and the pair has had a storied career together since the Hellman family first brought the gelding to Sonoma Valley Stables. They added Friday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix in the Main Hunter Ring at HITS Thermal to their list of accolades after posting a first round score of 85.75 and leading the second round with a solid 87.
With long bending lines and deep turns, Glynn admits that the courses suited her, setting both her and Woodstock up for success. “The courses were perfect and this horse gives any rider confidence – he will land on either lead, but also has a beautiful lead change. I can gallop up to an oxer and know that if I am a little snug or a little long he is still going to jump up and around the fence perfectly,” said Glynn. “It completely changes the way you can relax to a fence when you don’t have to manufacture a front end, and Woodstock’s is as solid as they come.”
Despite winning in the end, Jamie Taylor of Tarzana, California made Glynn work for it. Taylor and Willow CBF, owned by Julie Hancock, were consistent with scores of 86.5 and 86 to finish just a ¼ point behind Glynn. Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California capped the top three in the irons of Splendid for Julia Landmann after an 85.5 and 85.
Nick Haness of San Clemente, California was fourth on Lexie Looker’s Winfield with scores of 87 and 83, while Alex Taylor-Silvernale of Median, Washington rounded out the top five with her own Bien Sur with an 83 and 84.