Patty Stovel and Kenya ride to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala this weekend. Stovel, who used to Kenya and sold him to his current owner, is on her way to qualifying for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final this fall in Saugerties, New York. (ESI Photography)
The course, designed by Tucker Williams of Houston, Texas, welcomed both horse and rider to several options, utilized the bank in both directions and included some long galloping lines. According to Williams, the horses and riders are being introduced to a whole new concept of course design and are performing really well.
“It’s a great place to show off your horse,” said Williams. “Designing courses for the ring is like a jigsaw puzzle – it’s challenging to make it right, but the finished product is multifunctional and the horses and riders are really excelling.”
Williams will be designing at HITS Ocala and HITS Thermal this winter while showcasing is inventory of CCI Jumps at both shows as well.
Stovel and Kenya led a field of 34 today and were at the helm of an impressive top five. Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas was second with Mr. and Mrs. Ken Mackenzie’s To The Nines with a total score of 164, while Bedminster, New Jersey’s Amanda Steege was third aboard Susan Darragh’s Zidane with a final score of 161. Rounding out the top five was Helen Goddard of Lincroft, New Jersey with her own Blue Highway in fourth and Kendall Casaccio of Mermore, New Jersey in the irons of her own Wilhelm in fifth.
“Today’s course rode well and turned out very nice,” said Stovel. “The bank and all the options keep the class interesting. They add just enough difficulty to make the class fun.”
Stovel is no stranger to sitting atop Kenya as she sold the nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood to his current owner and was asked to continue riding him. “He was great today,” she said. “We went early in the first round and he jumped really well. Then he did the Amateurs with Michelle in between rounds and came back for the second round and nailed it.”
Durpetti and Stovel believe Kenya has what it takes to be competitive in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final during HITS Championship Weekend this fall in Saugerties, New York and are pointing the gelding toward qualifying and competing in the big-money event.
$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix
Charlene Graham and her own Only You received top honors in the 3’ $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix after pocketing scores of 81 and 86. Graham of Fairport, New York rides with trainer Amanda Steege and is hoping to qualify with her horse for the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final.
Jennifer Ritucci of Norfolk, Massachusetts was second with Peter Wilde’s Holmbrook Hall with scores of 85 and 79. An 83 and 80 combined to give Nicolas Horgan of Charlotte, Vermont and Captain 33, owned by Winsor Farm Sales, Inc. third place. Alexa Riccio of Cheshire, Connecticut was fourth with her own Alejandro and Lena Rae Reeb of Weston, Connecticut was fifth on Jamie Ringel’s Private Ryan.
Williams also set the course for the 3’ hunter prix and was impressed with how well the young riders took to the concept. “I think 95% of the riders coming off the bank had a smile on their faces,” he said. “It’s challenging, it’s fun, but it’s not scary and that’s exactly how it should be.”
$5,000 Chungunco Pony Prix
Addison Reed proved that age doesn’t matter when it comes to riding well. The eight-year-old from Mechanicsville, Virginia piloted her pony Pickpocket to a win in the $5,000 Chungunco Pony Prix this weekend and looks to be following in the footsteps of her accomplished parents. Derek and Sulu Reed operate Reed Training and Sales at Stillmeadows Farm in Virginia and are often seen competing in the grand prix ring at HITS Ocala.
Sophia Lothrop of Shelburne, Vermont was second with Banner Farm’s Maverick. Abigail Brayman of Charlestown, Rhode Island was third aboard her own Simply Irresistible and fourth on her own Quantico. Laine Grosvenor of Ocala, Florida rounded out the top five in the irons of Dianne Randolph’s Hidden Springs Oklahoma.