A competitor on course in the Purina Mills Horseless Horseshow. (Photo by Sarah Owen.)
Grand Prix Action
Up until last week, every Grand Prix at HITS Ocala had been won by a different High-Performance rider, but on Thursday all that changed when Tracy Fenney piloted MTM Timon to victory in the $25,000 SmarkPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, for her second win of the season. It happened again on Sunday afternoon when Germany's Andre Thieme scored his second win of the Circuit riding Seth Vallhonrat's Coco 135 in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
Maryland's Tracy Magness and Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko's Tarco Van Ter Moude finished second in both the Thursday and Sunday Grand Prix, which is exactly why she's leading the way in the Catena Leading Rider Rankings and has a hold on third place in the preliminary Pfizer Million Rider Rankings, with nearly $50,000 in prize money won. In fact, Magness has shown in 11 Grand Prix this season and has finished in the money nine times, including a first-place finish aboard Tarco Van Ter Moude in a $25,000 HITS Grand Prix earlier this season.
The HITS Winter Circuits in Thermal, CA, and Tucson, AZ, came to an end last week and now all eyes are set on the East Coast for the remaining opportunities to qualify for the Pfizer Million. HITS Ocala hosts the last two qualifiers of the winter show season during its final week, and the energy on the show grounds is all about Sunday's $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, and what it could mean for the top finisher.
Diamond Mills Standings
The final Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifier of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit took place last Saturday night under the lights, as Ellen Toon of South Salem, New York rode her way to victory. Toon now has two of the five qualifying classes needed to become eligible and sits in the number eight spot of the preliminary Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final Rider Rankings. Mary Lisa Leffler finished the class in second place, and now has four of the five qualifying classes needed with a comfortable lead in the preliminary Rider Rankings with 351 points. Junior Hasbrouck Donovan and professional Megan Edrick each have their five Devoucoux qualifiers. Donovan is in third place with 201 points, while Edrick has a hold on fourth place with 178 points.
With the Winter Circuit Qualifying period for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final in the books, all the focus is now on the HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties spring and summer show series. HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties will both offer a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Qualifier each show week from April 20 through September 4, providing 12 more opportunities for riders to claim a spot in the world's richest Hunter Final!
Purina Mills Weekend
Purina Mills Weekend was the highlight of another exciting week at HITS Post Time Farm and featured several special events that delighted exhibitors and spectators alike. The Purina Mills Horseless Horseshow, presented by Judy's Tack Shop to benefit the High Performance Equestrian Foundation, took place on Saturday prior to the start of the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. The Horseless Horseshow saw an excited group of kids lining up for their "power and speed" class in the Grand Prix Arena on a course set by Joe Calcagno of Saugerties, New York.
The Purina Pre-Prix Party took place at The Overlook Club during the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, as exhibitors enjoyed complimentary snacks while watching one of the most exciting classes of the season. Guests were also provided the opportunity to enter a raffle for a ton of free Purina feed.
Finally, on Sunday, the always-popular Purina Mills Kids Day, presented by Local Edge, a digital media marketing service company, took place prior to the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, and featured fun and games for all kids involved. The Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary (OWLs) was on-site, Judy's Tack Shop showcased their miniature horses, two children's authors were on hand for book signings, a trick pony and poodle performed, and all enjoyed the bounce house and live music. HITS' Official Radio Station, Thunder Country WTRS 102.3 was also on-site for a live broadcast to capture every moment of the beautiful weekend.
Weekly Awards
Arenus presented two awards to professional Hunter riders at HITS Ocala this week. Jennifer Alfano of SBS Farm in Buffalo, New York, received the Arenus Performance and Conditioning Award, while The Arenus Tack Room Award was presented to Hunt Tosh (not pictured), who operates Hunt Tosh, Inc. in Alpharetta, Georgia.
A Few Strides Out
The final week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit is here and the beautiful forecast for the weekend will certainly help make this one of the most memorable Florida Winter Circuits in HITS' 30 year history in the 'Sunshine State'.
And in HITS' fashion, the grand finale of the 2011 Ocala Winter Circuit has exciting events on the social calendar. Team Barber, HITS Ocala's Official Veterinary Group, is hosting an end of the year Exhibitor Party which will take place on Friday from 6-8pm at the HITS Restaurant. Enjoy a live country music band, friends, and food. All exhibitors are welcome to attend and celebrate another great season of horse shows in the sun. Team Barber is at it again on Sunday when the Team Barber $25,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Classic takes place in the Grand Prix ring.
Prior to the Sunday Grand Prix, the Antares Circuit Champions will be honored in the Parade of Champions as well as the Ocala Style of Riding Award. As part of the opening ceremonies for the Grand Prix, the winner of the Thunder Country WTRS 102.3 Radio Station "Ocala Star Search" National Anthem Contest will be unveiled when they sing the National Anthem prior to the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group. The winner will receive a check for $500 from DeLuca Toyota. After the Grand Prix, the Leading Mare Award will be presented as well as the Catena Leading Rider Award.
ENDS