Robert Lee and El Grecco, owned by Brook Run Farm, won the bi-coastal $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge, a qualifier for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties this September (ESI Photography)
The Hunter Challenge was judged simultaneously via video by two judges on each coast, with Round 1 taking place on Friday and the top 12 from each coast coming back for Round 2 on Saturday. Riders who made the cut went in reverse order of their first round scores, but everyone started with clean slate and scores did not carry over to the second round. Despite best efforts by all contenders, the East Coast proved victorious, with Robert Lee and El Grecco taking first place at HITS Ocala with a total score of 182.
Lee, on another horse, also won the $25,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High, presented by Vetera® XP Vaccines on Saturday at HITS Ocala. Lee said El Grecco, a Hanoverian by Esprit, used to be a jumper. “He has won Grand Prix in the past, but he is 15 now so I switched him to the hunter ring last year. I’ve won two hunter derbies with him since then. I was happy with him today — he rode a lot better than yesterday. He likes these impressive jumps. He was feeling it. I save him for these big classes,” he said.
The West Coast wasn't far behind the blue. Jenny Karazissis, a regular contender at the HITS Thermal, who has consistently placed among top contenders in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, took second place on Undeniable, owned by Hope Town Farms, with a 180 total score. Samantha Schaefer, East Coast, rounded out third place on her Classified, with a 174.5.
Fourth place went to Amanda Steege, who has won three $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix this season at HITS Ocala. Steege's total in the Hunter Challenge Saturday was 174. In fifth, was John French, on Gambler's Choice, owned by Con Caletto Enterprises with a score of 171. French is a regular Thermal competitor and three-time winner of the Charles Owen Leading Hunter Rider Award this circuit.
The East Meets West Hunter Challenge is a qualifier for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York, this September. The class was open to juniors, amateurs and professionals.