Amateur Alec Lawler Wins $50,000 Tuff Rider/Equine Couture Grand Prix, at HITS Thermal

THERMAL, CA  – After riding in a junior/amateur-owner high jumper classic earlier in the day, Alec Lawler of Atherton, California stepped up to the big time on Sunday and bested a field of 32 horse-and-rider combinations in the $50,000 Tuff Rider/Equine Couture Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis.

The senior earth systems major at Stanford University rides with Burt Mutch, and admits that “the goal” is to ride professionally upon his graduation. “We are here aiming for theAIG $1 Million Grand Prix and both World Cup Qualifiers while we are here in Thermal,” said Lawler.

Anyone watching Sunday’s event at HITS Thermal would agree that Lawler has the talent and the horses to get him to the top of the sport. He piloted two self-owned mounts in Agamemnon and Dauphin De Muze, jumping to the blue with the latter, an 11-year-old imported Belgian Warmblood gelding.

Martin Otto of Muenster, Germany set the course and Lawler was first to attack the track. He rode clear, but picked up two time faults with Agamemnon, to keep them from the jump-off. “The courses have been great all week and I was really happy with how both my horses jumped – I had two on the clock with my first, which was frustrating, but it couldn’t have worked out better for Dauphin De Muze,” said Lawler, who piloted Dauphin De Muze 14th in the original order.

Otto set 12 obstacles, which included both a double and triple combination, with faults evenly distributed throughout the course. Erin Davis-Heineking of Aledo, Texas was second in the order and was the first to post a clear round in the irons of October Hill Sales Limited’s October Hill’s Concho. Andrew Ramsey of San Francisco, California guaranteed a jump-off two trips later aboard Shalanno Farms, LLC’s Asamo Van’t Steenputje. Six more would eventually join them, including Lawler, to set the stage for an eight-horse jump-off.

“With eight advancing, I knew I had to be quick,” Lawler said. “My biggest challenge was keeping my excitement under control – I had to remember to be careful.”

Ramsey was the first to secure a double clear, setting the Great American Time to Beatat 46.37 seconds. Lawler was quick to answer in 44.66 seconds, and the two were the only double clears of the class, handing Lawler the win and settling Ramsey in second.

Jenni McAllister of Sun Valley, California rode to third with Legis Venice, owned byLEGISequine.com. Their jump-off time was 46.50 seconds with four faults at the second-to-last fence of the round. Davis-Heineking was fourth with a heartbreak rail at the last fence of the jump-off and a time of 47.62 seconds. Elizabeth Gingras of Edmonton, Alberta capped the top five aboard her own Floreen SFN in 48.82 seconds with four faults.  

With the conclusion of Desert Circuit I, the first World Cup week is upon HITS Thermal. Next week’s $54,000 Strongid® C 2X™ CSI-W2*, which is a qualifier for the 2014 FEI World Cup Final in Lyons, France this April, will highlight the action in the grand prix ring. Weekly qualifiers for the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix will continue each week and give high-performance riders opportunities for the March 16 event, as well as for the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties, New York.  

About JPC Equestrian
JPC Equestrian, Inc. produces Tuff Rider and Equine Couture and is the world’s largest manufacturer of popular, affordable, and innovative rider apparel. JPC’s Tuff Rider and Equine Couture brands offer a supreme selection of riding breeches, jodhpurs, sport and show shirts, footwear, outerwear, horse clothing, saddle pads, and other accessories. With this wide array of brand and products, JPC is able to offer the best in designer riding apparel and accessories, horse clothing, English saddles and horse tack, leather goods, grooming supplies, and helmets. Whether it's for competition or for pleasure, JPC has everything for horse and rider.

About Zoetis
Building on 60 years of experience as Pfizer Animal Health, Zoetis delivers quality medicines and vaccines, complemented by diagnostics products and genetics tests and supported by a range of services. They work every day to better understand and address the real-world challenges faced by those who raise and care for animals in ways they find truly relevant. Zoetis produces a comprehensive range of safe and effective products, including equine vaccines, dewormers and sedative analgesics, to help professionals and individual horse owners keep their animals healthy. Both veterinarians and horse owners know and trust the Zoetis will help their horses live longer, healthier lives.

©Flying Horse Photography
Alec Lawler is busy balancing his education and Stanford University with his riding career. He made time this weekend, however, to win the $50,000 Tuff Rider/Equine Couture Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, with Dauphin De Muze at HITS Thermal.

©Flying Horse Photography
Alec Lawler accepts winner’s awards, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, after the $50,000 Tuff Rider/Equine Couture Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal.

Mexico’s flag flies, Eduardo Sanchez Navarro wins $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner High Jumper Classic

Rising to the occasion that was Otto’s course, Eduardo Sanchez Navarro of Cruz Manca, Mexico topped a field of 26 as the only double-clear effort in Sunday’s high junior/amateur-owner jumper classic, presented by Bayer’s Legend. He piloted his own Alfie Scappino BMW.

“I thought the course would be a challenge and that there would be very few clear,” said Navarro. “The design turned out to be just right, however. The numbers were perfect.”

Seven advanced to the jump-off with Navarro to return second. He set the Great American Time to Beat at 41.97 seconds, which he admits he thought was not fast enough. “I came out knowing that we had a great jump-off, but also that I surely left room for someone to go faster,” he said.

Faster they went, but rails dropped for the remaining five contenders. The fastest four fault ride was posted by Adrienne Dixon of Hillsborough, California on her own Ramazzotti 54 with a time of 40.19 seconds for second place. Third went to Saree Kayne of Santa Monica, California in the irons of Saphir 270. Canadian rider Jaclyn Duff and her own Stakkarus were fourth, and Lily Berlin of St. Helena, California capped the top five on her own Quasiboy.

The first week of competition at HITS Thermal was a confidence builder for Navarro and the perfect preface for his foremost goal – to move up to the grand prix level later in the circuit. “We started the circuit getting the horses back into showing, but Alfie jumped great and I look forward to getting him into a grand prix soon,” he said.

All high junior/amateur-owner jumper classics at HITS Desert Horse Park will are qualifiers for the Bayer's Legend ® (hyaluronate sodium) Injectable Solution $250,000 ..., enticing West Coast riders to head east this fall for the HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. For more information on the Bayer's Legend ® $250,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Prix, visit HitsShows.com.

About Bayer Animal Health
Bayer Animal Health is amongst worldwide leaders in animal health. Bayer has attained this leadership position by continuously researching and developing products for animal health since 1919. A responsible relationship between humans, companion animals and livestock requires ensuring the health of animals. For more information on Bayer Animal Health, visit bayer.com.

John French and Soldier Win $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal

THERMAL, CA – The West Coast’s top hunter riders flexed their muscles this weekend at HITS Thermal and battled for top prizes in the first $5,000Devoucoux Hunter Prix of the HITS Desert Circuit. John French of Woodside, California and Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California traded off at the top, with French collecting first and third, while Karazissis was second and fourth.

French and Elizabeth Gabler’s Soldier were the pair to beat, earning a pair of 87s for the top prize. French imported Soldier, an eight-year-old gelding from Ireland, two years ago and sold him to Gabler. “He is such an easy going horse,” said French. “He has done the Medals and the Maclays with Sophie Simpson and did the WIHS Equitation Finals at the Washington International Horse Show last year as a seven-year old.”

Not only did Soldier compete in Washington, he won the Equitation Final with Maddy Darst aboard, proving that he can win in any ring.

The Devoucoux Hunter Prix took place in the Outside Course at HITS Thermal and was set by Tucker Williams of Houston, Texas. “I built in a few bending lines and added a combination on the bank to really utilize this ring,” said Williams, who owns and operatesCCI Jumps in Texas. “This was a spectacular group of horses and riders and they showcased themselves well in the first round, while showing off their handy abilities in the second.”

French agreed that the Outside Course is becoming a favorite among hunter riders at HITS Thermal. “It’s really nice to have the two rings to go in and out of,” said French referring to the layout that combines two regular hunter rings, providing an expansive field for a true hunter prix experience.

Karazissis was only a half point off French in each round, pocketing a pair of 86.5s aboard Kelly Straeter’s Norwegian Wood for second place. French answered back in third with Noelle Wolf’s Bay Lane. They earned an 85.5 in the first round and an 87 in the second. Karazissis was fourth with Straeter’s Undeniable and scores of 86 and 85. Hope Glynn rode to her share of the winner’s purse in fifth with Helen McEvoy’s Campari. They scored a 170 after posting an 84.5 and an 85.5.  

This weekend’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix kicks off West Coast qualifying for theDiamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. A Devoucoux-sponsored rider himself, French had to sit the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final out last year due to injury, but is confident that he will be present at the HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this year.

Aside from his win in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, French was also named the Charles Owen Leading Hunter Rider for Desert Circuit I.

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John French dominated the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal this weekend with two top placings, including a win with Soldier.

©Flying Horse Photography
Top honors, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, are presented to John French and Soldier after the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, maker of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Katie Cook had never jumped a jump on Symphony, owned by Amy Knox before she arrived at HITS Thermal last week. The pair became fast friends, however, jumping to three blue ribbons during Week I, winning the Marshall & Sterling Adult Medal on Friday and guiding  Symphony to the top of an Adult Hunter class on Saturday before winning the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix on Sunday.

“This horse jumps great from anywhere,” said Cook. “I always know that whatever the distance, he is always going to give me a great effort.”

Cook topped the first round with a score of 86 and returned in the second to earn an 81. “This course was perfect – there were plenty of challenges, but it was straightforward enough for the first week,” said Cook.

Sabrina Tirbor of Tustin Ranch, California was second on her own Caspar after riding to an 85 and 80, respectively. Heidi Kane, who hails from Newport Beach, California, earned a 79 and 83 aboard her own Samba Gracious for third. Jerrie Calandra of Encinitas, California was fourth in the irons of Moonlite Beach, LLC’s Wonderwall. They earned a 77 and 81. Caroline Neirenberg rounded out the top five on her own Bachelor with a 75 and 77.

The $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix will be offered weekly coast to coast this winter as a qualifier for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final. The final returns to the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York this fall and offers junior and amateur hunter riders the opportunity to show for exciting prize money over thrilling courses.

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Katie Cook and Symphony jump their way to a win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.

About Platinum Performance
Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance® Equine addresses a horse's total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.