Kent Farrington and Top Gun. (ESI Photography© . )
“The HITS Winter Circuit in Florida was our very first circuit and helped pave the way for all of our other show series in Arizona, California, Culpeper, and Saugerties,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “I’m proud of the longevity we’ve had and deeply appreciate the support that our customers have shown us over the years. There are several equestrians who were with us at our very first show back in 1982 who are still with us today. That really says something, to me.”
The Ocala Winter Circuit continues to be a winter favorite for thousands of repeat exhibitors and each year attracts a group of first-timers, who can’t help but fall in love with all that the Circuit and the horse-friendly community surrounding the show grounds has to offer. Space and pastoral beauty abound in Ocala, and show jumping at HITS Post Time Farm is a true winter treasure.
Grand Prix Galore
Glory in the Grand Prix was pretty evenly disseminated for much of the Circuit, as the first 10 Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm were won by different riders, representing six different nations. It wasn’t until Week V that a repeat winner emerged. By the end of the Circuit, Germany’s Andre Thieme, Texas’ Tracy Fenney, and Chicago’s Kent Farrington were the only three riders to win more than one Grand Prix in Ocala. Thieme had three victories, while Fenney had two, as did Farrington, who picked the right time to win his second when he captured the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, to close out the season.
Pfizer Million Standings
So far this year, HITS has hosted 36 Grand Prix from coast-to-coast, as High-Performance riders seized the opportunity to get an early jump on qualifying for the 2011 Pfizer Million. The current Pfizer Million Rider Rankings are a virtual who’s who of show jumping, with Ocala riders holding 10 of the top 20 spots. Rich Fellers, who competes at HITS Thermal, is in the lead with $78,600 in prize money aboard Flexible, with another Thermal competitor, young star Lucy Davis, closely in second with $77,500 in prize money won aboard her leading mount Nemo 119. Tracy Magness, one of the most decorated HITS Ocala competitors over the last decade, sits comfortably in third with $47,750 in prize money aboard Tarco Van Ter Moude. Fellow HITS Ocala Competitors Andre Thieme, Laura Linback, and David Tromp, all stand in the top ten, as the road to the Pfizer Million now heads north for the Spring and Summer Show Series in Culpeper, Virginia and Saugerties, New York.
Diamond Mills Standings
The Devoucoux Hunter Prix was one of the most exciting additions to the schedule this season. The popular 3’3” Hunter Classic was offered five times during the circuit, with prize money sums of $5,000 to $10,000 per week and had entries topping highs of more than 70 starters at times. A diverse mix of Juniors, Amateurs and Professionals competed in the class with the hopes of qualifying for the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which takes place on September 10-11, the same weekend of the Pfizer Million at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
Ocala riders represent six of the top 10 riders in the preliminary Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Rider Rankings. Mary Lisa Leffler from Rolling Acres Farm in Maryland currently tops the list with four of the five Devoucoux classes needed to become eligible and 315 points earned aboard her leading mount, Zivago. HITS Thermal competitor Nick Haness is one of five riders from Thermal who automatically qualified for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with 228 points, which currently places him second in the Rankings. Third place currently belongs to talented Junior Hasbrouck Donovan, a fixture at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, with 201 points aboard Wagner. Fellow HITS Ocala competitors Megan Edrick, Jane Gaston, Ellen Toon, and Cathy Inch all stand in the current top 10.
$25,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High
Junior and Amateur-Owner riders brought their best for the $25,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High on Saturday night, March 19, which had 24 starters compete on a course designed by Olaf Petersen, Jr. of Germany. Junior Michael Hughes of Morriston, Florida took home the victory aboard Missy Clark’s Looping Star, while High-Performance Amateur Laura Linback aboard Woodrun’s As Di Villagana and Amateur Joshton Dolan aboard his own Skyland’s Con Chino Z, placed second and third, respectively.
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Team Barber Child/Adult Jumper High Classic
The $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, wasn’t the only highlight in the Grand Prix ring on Sunday, March 20. Children and Adult Jumper riders made their final round of the circuit in the $25,000 Marshall & Sterling Team Barber Child/Adult Jumper High Classic. Seventy-two starters took the field on Petersen’s course, as Children’s Jumper rider Abby Bertelson of Westin, Massachusetts aboard Rebecca Margolis’ Bantry Bay won the first-place honors. Second place was awarded to Alissa Kinsey of Fort Myers, Florida aboard her own Grisset; and third place went to Kady Abrahamson of Loveland, Ohio aboard her own Chalvino Z.
Catena Leading Rider Award
The Catena Leading Rider Award is presented each season to the rider with the most points earned in Grand Prix classes throughout the season, and for the second time in three years the award went to Tracy Magness of Hughsville, Maryland. Magness had a fantastically consistent season and placed in eight of the 11 Grand Prix that she showed in, including a first-place finish in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during the Ocala January Festival, and three second-place finishes aboard Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude.
Ocala Style of Riding
This year’s Ocala Style of Riding Award was presented to David Tromp of North Salem, New York. Tromp competed at HITS Ocala for the entire Circuit, competing in every Grand Prix and finishing in the money an impressive 13 times with several different mounts. This special award is presented to the rider who shows the best American style of riding and possesses the respectful, dignified, courteous and workman-like manner of a true sportsman on the 2011 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.
Antarès Circuit Champions
On Sunday, March 20, prior to the start of the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, Antarès recognized the Grand Circuit Champions in a Parade of Champions. The winners received their ribbons, as well as riding vests, courtesy of Antarès. The Parade was filled with riders from the grassroots level, all the way to top Professionals, whose talents and efforts all season long brought them to the winner’s circle. Professional Amanda Steege of Bedminster, New Jersey decorated her barn with three Circuit Championships in the Adequan Hunter, High-Performance Working Hunter, and Performance Working Hunter 3’3” divisions. Amy Pratt of Gainesville, Florida earned the Adult Jumper Low 18-49 Circuit Championship, while last year’s winner of the Adult Jumper Low 50 & Over division, Horse Show Farrier John Jacques, kept his title intact when he won the Championship for the second consecutive year. For a complete list of the 2011 HITS Ocala Circuit Champions, please click here.
ENDS