On Sunday at HITS Culpeper Tracy Magness was back to her winning ways riding Tarco Van Ter Moude to the blue in the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the Winston National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA.
Magness got the best of 19 pairs that challenged course designer Jerry Dougherty’s first-round course and the additional six that advanced to the jump-off en route to collecting $9,000 in first-place prize money.
With the victory, Magness and Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude clinched the top spot in the 2009 United States Grand Prix League (USGPL) Standings and will go last in the order in the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday, September 27, during the USGPL Finals at HTS Culpeper.
Magness and her grand prix horse have now collected more than $100,000 in grand prix prize money this year at HITS Ocala, HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties combined, making it a banner year for the Maryland native.
“He pays for the barn,” said Magness. “It’s exciting to win $100,000 anywhere, but especially at HITS. I want to thank my parents, who own the horse, and Tom Struzzieri for offering so much prize money. I am really lucky to have such a dedicated team to support me.”
For the year, Magness has won more than $185,000 aboard the Bartko’s horse. Aside from all of her wins at HITS, Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude also won the $100,000 class in Upperville. According to Magness, who has had her eye on the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix in Culpeper since basically the start of the year, winning both the grand prix in Upperville and Culpeper would fulfill one of her lifetime career goals. She plans on showing next week in Culpeper and then again at one final tune-up show in Maryland before all the chips are down for the $100,000 USGLP Invitational.
This is Magness’ fourth year riding Tarco Van Ter Moude and she likes to think that the 13-year-old is in his prime. “He continues to amaze me,” continued Magness.
On Sunday, Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude kicked off the jump-off and put up a time that couldn’t be caught when they set the Great American Time to Beat in 44.083. At the conclusion of the class, it was Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude that would lead the victory lap around the grand prix ring at HITS Culpeper.
Also excelling in Sunday’s $30,000 HITS Grand Prix was Robin Sweely. Riding Acorn Hill Farm’s Corolato, she sat in the last-to-go spot and was clear but had one time fault to land in second place. Sweely was also fifth riding Discovery. Meredith Little and Raylyn Farms’ Uppsala had a single rail down on their jump-off round and, as a result, took home the yellow ribbon. Aaron Vale was fourth riding Joan Kalman’s Tarco. Sixth place went to M.E. Moore and her horse Trillion.
Another jumper ring winner last week in Culpeper was Carter Ware of Middleburg, VA. Ware took the lion’s share of the prize money in the $3,000 Marshall & Sterling Jumper Classic when she won the blue aboard Carella and placed fourth riding her other horse, Twinkle Toes.
Ware got the best of 32 starters on Rian Bials’ first-round course and the 14 that moved onto the jump-off. Ware is just 14 and has been riding for the past nine years. Last year, she won a championship at Devon in the Pony Jumpers. Ware trains with Ginny Edward and Erin O’Neill at Hidden Hollow Farm and plans to compete again this week at HITS Culpeper.
For a complete list of results from the Winston National, please visit www.hits.showjumping.tv/ocala/results_choose_show.php
Show jumping at HITS Culpeper resumed on Wednesday of this week with the Constitution Classic (August 19-23) and will feature a full schedule of nearly 250 classes, including the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday and the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday.
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