OCALA, FL – East Coast competitors were met with the Ocala Mastersat Post Time Farm this week as both hunter and jumper riders found ample qualifying opportunities for HITS Championship Weekend. Qualifying continues with three more weeks of competition as competitors gear up for impressive prize money. Action at HITS Post Time Farm will culminate with the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the popular return of the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, during the Ocala Winter Celebration March 13-18. The Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix will be filmed and aired nationally by HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports.
All roads lead to Saugerties – riders take aim at HITS Championship Weekend
Tracy Fenney was on a roll this week, sweeping both Grand Prix classes at HITS Ocala as she gained momentum for HITS Championship Weekend. She banked her eighth Grand Prix of the qualifying season with a win in this week’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano to become eligible for her third appearance in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. No stranger to Pfizer Million glory, Fenney appeared in HITS-on-the-Hudson’s big ticket class in both 2010 and 2011 with two top twenty finishes to show for it. Fenney and MTM Centano also won Sunday’s $50,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to pick up her fourth Grand Prix victory of the winter circuit and cap a fantastic week.
Mary Lisa Leffler made Rolling Acres Farm proud over the weekend with a huge victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix aboard Gerona 92 at the Ocala Masters. A returning Diamond Mills Hunter Prix rider, Leffler topped forty-six starters who rode Ocala Course Designer Doug Russell’s courses. After a first round score of 85 and a second round score of 84, Leffler secured the win with a total of 169 points to put her well on her way to qualifying for the 2012 Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.
Kimberly Maloomian brought junior and amateur riders to the spotlight with a win in Saturday’s $5,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix. She and the 40 competitors who took to the field are looking to earn points towards the $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, scheduled for September 8-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Maloomian piloted Terry S. Maloomian’s Urlala to this weekend’s victory.
©ESI Photography
Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano gain momentum towards qualifying for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix with a win in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Ocala.
©ESI Photography.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Centano on course in the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
©ESI Photography.
Mary Lisa Leffler and Gerona 92 on course in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.
©ESI Photography.
Kimberly Maloomian and Urlala on course in the $5,000 HITS 3’0 Hunter Prix.
Rider Rankings for HITS Championship Weekend
Thanks to her sweep this week, Fenney not only picked up her ninth Grand Prix to make her eligible for the 2012 Pfizer Million, she also remained at the top of the preliminaryPfizer Million Rider Rankings with an impressive $54,250 in prize money during the Ocala Winter Circuit. Fenney leads this week’s rankings aboard her own MTM Centano. After a third place finish in Sunday’s Grand Prix, Patty Stovel climbed her way to the top five and sits in fourth with her leading mount, Carigor Z. Derek Petersen finished in the ribbons on Thursday to remain in the top ten aboard Via Dolorosa with ten Grand Prix in the bag. To view the complete preliminary rider rankings, click here.
Leffler’s win in this week’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix gave her the momentum to move from the 20th slot in the preliminary Devoucoux Rider Rankings to sit in the top ten in eighth. She boasts 150 points aboard her leading mount, Gerona 92. This week, Chris Nelson picked up his fifth Devoucoux qualifier to become eligible for September’s final after he finished in the ribbons on Playboy Des Plants of le Bocage. He now sits comfortably in fifth place to lead the way amongst East Coast riders. After a third place ribbon this week, Robin Fairclough and Falcao moved from 16th into eighth place. To view the complete preliminary rider rankings, click here.
Jodi Czaplick still sits atop the preliminary 3’ Hunter Prix Rider Rankings with 230 points. She and her leading mount, Untold, have been in the first place slot since the beginning of the 2012 Winter Circuit. Making a significant jump this week was Betty Oare who moved from 28th into the second place slot. She finished in the ribbons in this week’s qualifier aboard her leading mount, La Marni and now carries 114 points. After this week’s win, Maggiore and Urlala moved up the ranks from 27th into eighth. To view the complete preliminary rider rankings, click here.
Medal Mania at HITS Ocala
During Week IV, junior and adult riders alike entered the rings at HITS Ocala in search of serious hardware. Hunter Halloway of Topeka, Kansas piloted Hays Investment Corp.’s Constantin to a victory in the USEF Talent Search Medal over the weekend. Joining her in winning fashion was Sunny Drescher of Hinesburg, Vermont, who won first place honors in the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal aboard Banner Farm’s Sting. Also turning in a successful weekend was Jessica Van Brocklin of Alexandria, Virginia in the irons of her own Second Hand News. The pair rode to victory in the Farnam Adult Medal to highlight equitation classes at HITS Post Time Farm.
After Hours
On Friday night, Arenus hosted a Rising Star Karaoke Challenge at the HITS Restaurant and let equestrians of all ages showcase their many talents. In addition to winners receiving valuable gift certificates for Arenus product, Bernie Little Distributors also provided awards, which included television sets, barbeque grills and golf bags to the winners. Awards included Elizabeth Stachtiaris as the Most Creative and the Rising Star, Tommy Struzzieri and William Viola as the Most Charismatic, and Samantha Perlman as Most Talented.
HITS Staff
Brady Karen of Arenus and a representative of Bernie Little Distributors Representative present Gavin Moylan with prizes after his rendition of “Friends In Low Places”.
Pfizer Animal Health hosted a night of great education, food and music during Week IV with a Preventative Health Care Seminar, presented by Dr. Nathan Voris, DVM, MS, Area Veterinarian at Pfizer Animal Health. Voris educated horse show guests on how to keep horses healthy and happy during competition and beyond. Those attending the presentation were eligible to complete a survey and win a year’s supply of Strongid® C 2X and Quest deworming products, courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health. Shawn Mac of Silver Springs Farm in Millbrook, New York won the generous prize.
HITS Staff
Pfizer Animal Health Equine Specialist Kim Crabtree presents Shawn Mac his yearly supply of deworming products, courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health.
HITS Staff
Natalie Green and Little Bit More Band entertained attendees after the seminar.
As an appetizer to the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix,presented by Pfizer Animal Health, spectators were treated to a World of the Horse demonstration. Numerous breeds of horses were represented in a colorful parade and special demonstrations.
HITS Staff
Internationally known Dressage trainer Cherri Reiber rode and drove her tandem pair of Lusitano horses imported from Brazil.
HITS Staff
A Paso Fino struts its stuff in the Grand Prix arena at HITS Ocala.
Arenus awarded its Overall Athlete Awards to both hunter and jumper riders this week. Taylor McMurtry earned the award for the jumpers and Lindy Sibel was honored for the hunters. The prestigious awarded is presented to a horse and rider team who most represents the best qualities in the sport including:
• Best condition and overall muscle fitness and balance.
• Best natural ability and movement to perform the sport.
• Best attitude demonstrating enjoyment of the sport.
• Best effort in competing.
• Best connection/communication with rider in understanding and performing the sport.
• Best traits including personality representing an ambassador for the sport.
HITS Staff
Taylor McMurtry accepts the Arenus Overall Athlete Award for jumpers.
HITS Staff
Lindy Sibel is honored with the Arenus Overall Athlete Award for hunters.
Perlz, a Jack Russell owned by Jay DiGregorio of Southbridge, Massachusetts won the Exclusive PMI Top Dog honors last week. Perlz was honored with a prize pack, courtesy of PMI Exclusive Pet Food.
Photo Provided
After careful consideration, Perlz, who worked hard getting dressed for the Sunday Grand Prix, won this week’s Top Dog honors.
Select Grand Prix riders were invited to attend the Pfizer High Performance Riders Dinner at Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse on Thursday. The event allowed Pfizer representatives to meet the riders on their way to qualifying for the Pfizer Million.
HITS Staff
Cathy Graham, Lisa Engel of HITS, Ian Silitch, Kim Crabtree of Pfizer Animal Health, Taisa Erwin and Matthias Hollberg at the Pfizer High Performance Riders Dinner.
On Deck
The Country 103.7 The Gator National Anthem Semi Finals will be held at the Tack Shack of Ocala located on 60th Avenue/Airport Road from 11am-1pm on Saturday. Prizes, complimentary food and drink, as well as Big Stew from the morning show will be provided and all are welcome to attend.
|
