Alexa Bayko and Blue Shamrock top the $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala (ESI Photography)

Ocala, Fla. - Alexa Bayko from Haverhill, Massachusetts, added another Hunter Prix win to the books after topping the leaderboard in the last $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix of the HITS Ocala Winter Show Circuit. This time, with trainer Monica Hunt’s Blue Shamrock, she gracefully sailed through the course besting the runner up by a full six points, with strong scores of 86 and 83 for a total of 169.

“The course rode really well. The last line in the first round was tricky - that was definitely the hardest part,” said Bayko after her win. “Blue Shamrock and I have a really good bond. He is my perfect ride.

“It was very nice to end with another win,” added Hunt. “The course was just hard enough with the bending lines and I thought Alexa rode it beautifully.”

The winner’s circle is familiar territory for Bayko, who won the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala  II and IV  – both on Anucci, also owned by Hunt. With her sights set on the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York, later this year, Bayko’s winter achievements have set a self-assured tone for the future.

“I’m really excited for the Hunter Prix Finals. After being so consistent here in Ocala, I’m feeling more confident going into the finals,” continued Bayko.

Consistency was the name of the game for Reily Rieker of Oviedo, Florida, who piloted his own Andricus to a first and second round score of 82 for a total of 164 and a second place finish.

Third place went to Kristen Sameth of Far Hills, New, riding her own Vandrin who produced scores of 77 and 80 for a total of 157. Mindy Whitman of Marstons Mills, Massachusetts, finished fourth aboard her own Herrold, with scores of 74 and 82, for a combined total of 156. With scores of 76 and 75 for a total 151, Katharine Page of Mt. Kisco, New York, and her Surreal took home fifth place.

$5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1/2 Total
1 Blue Shamrock  Monica Hunt Alexa Bayko $1,500 86/83 169
2 Andricus  Reily Rieker Reily Rieker $1,000 82/82 164
3 Vandrin Kristen Sameth Kristen Sameth $700 77/80 157
4 Herrold  Mindy Whitman Mindy Whitman $500 74/82 156
5 Surreal Katharine Page Katharine Page $400 76/75 151
6 US Marshall Kiki Hopkins Rachael Hopkins $350 75/75 150
7 Socialite Sidney Jefferson Sidney Jefferson $300 81/66 147
8 Anucci  Jess Lusty Alexa Bayko $250 72/74 146
9 Wonder Street  Sophie Transou Sophie Transou - 73.5/70 143.5
10 Quick Silver Kylie Harvill Kylie Harvill - 73/66 139
11 Tryonite  Mr & Mrs Ernest M Oare Betty Oare - 72.5/35 107
12 Croft O.B.  Kristan Lassiter Kristan Lassiter - 78/- -