Jessica Stitt and On the Hour. (Anne Gittins Photography)
On day one of competition for the division, Stitt and On the Hour placed first and seventh over fences and third under saddle. The pair secured the championship title on day two, jumping to seventh and first places.
Stitt and Taken were named reserve champion after strong over fences trips on day two of the division. Stitt piloted her mount to first and second places on day two after placing second over fences and fifth under saddle on day one.
Stitt purchased On the Hour, a twelve-year-old dark bay Warmblood, last year and has already had a successful show career with him. The duo was Reserve Circuit Champion at the FTI WEF 2012 in the Horseware Ireland Adult Hunter 3'3" division. Holly Orlando also rode On the Hour to the Second Year Green Championship earlier in week one of the FTI WEF 2013.
"He's an amazing little horse and I'm so lucky to have him," Stitt expressed. "He's a dream, to be honest," she continued. "He gives you such a good feeling in the air and from the moment he goes in the ring, he's on it. No matter how big or little the jumps, he's always game and he always wants to win. He just gives you the best feeling and he's a blast to ride."
Stitt also had nothing but praise for her other mount, ten-year-old Dutch Warmblood Taken. "He can go from anywhere and jump any height, but he's very similar [to On the Hour] in the way he goes. They're both amazing animals and I'm just so lucky to have both of them," Stitt stated.
Stitt, a Chicago native, has been competing at the FTI WEF for four seasons and looks forward to flying south each winter to compete. "It's a beautiful showground and it's very well run. It's just gorgeous! It's great to be here all winter long," Stitt described.
On the Hour and Taken will both return with Stitt and trainer David Glefke for week two of the FTI WEF. Stitt may move her winning pair up a level after their impressive performances that wrapped up week one of hunter competition at the FTI WEF.