Brazilian Sergio Campos riding Shakira Do Jacare opened fast and kept it in top gear to win Sunday's $25,000 Grand Prix during week two of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Twelve horses mastered Jerry Dougherty's first-round course. Campos and Shakira Do Jacare clocked in with the fastest time by almost three seconds, making them the pair to watch in the jump-off. "She's fast, very fast," says Campos of the eight-year-old chestnut mare he brought over from Brazil last winter.

Canadian Olympian Ian Millar was the first of eight clear rounds in the jump-off. Millar and Sweet Dreams crossed the timers in 50.46 seconds. Erynn Ballard and Rio's Rhapsody followed up with another clear round, besting Millar's time with 48.53 seconds on the clock. Campos and Shakira Do Jacare were next to enter the ring. With eight horses still to jump. Campos knew he had to turn up the speed, and Shakira Do Jacare delivered, breaking the beam in 44.46 seconds for the win. "There weren't really any options with the course, everyone basically followed the same track. I just had to ride it as fast as I could," said Campos.

Five other horses posted clear rounds. Harold Chopping and Kathleen came closest to toppling Campos with 44.63 seconds, finishing in second place. Third place went to Callan Solem riding Allison. Daniel Damen and Jewel Thief gave the crowd an exciting finish to the Grand Prix. Their time of 42.66 seconds was the fastest, but an unlucky rail at the final obstacle meant they had to settle for ninth place.

Sergio Campos has some interesting experience behind him. As a top junior rider in Brazil, he had the misfortune of losing a beloved horse, and so without a ride he was encouraged by his brother to take up the sport of bull-riding. "And I discovered I was good at it." Having spent four years as a professional bull rider for the Brazilian team, Campos has some jumping experience that is unmatched by his peers on the grand prix circuit. So does his bull-riding past give him an edge? "Perhaps less of a fear of the jumps," quipped Campos.

After too many broken bones, Campos decided to return to the show ring and is now enjoying concentrating on his grand prix career. In addition to running his business, Longwood Equestrian Center, Campos manages to spend a few months each year in his native Brazil, working with his father, who breeds horses, and seeking out new horses for the American market.

Other major award winners at HITS Ocala January 2 included:
--Charles Owen Children's Medal Winner Sara Hemingway, Alpharetta, GA
--Charles Owen Adult Medal Winner Hannah Stonefield, New York, NY
--Farnam Adult Hunter Division GG Valentine ridden Barbara Kearney, Placerville, CO
--Adequan® Open Hunter Division Tradewinds ridden by Haley Velemirovich, Brentwood, TN
--IDEXX Laboratories $10,000 Surpass® Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic Myra Simard, Montreal, QC

The next Grand Prix event of the circuit will take place on Thursday, February 10 at 1 p.m. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping competition as riders compete for top honors in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix. The $50,000 EMO Grand Prix will finish out the week on Sunday, February 13 at 1 p.m.