Source:  News Release

Canada Rules Jump-Off in $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix; Woodstock Carries Hope Glynn to Devoucoux Hunter Prix Win

THERMAL, CA – When the Canadian National Anthem played at the conclusion of Saturday’s $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal it was playing for more than just the winner, Elizabeth Gingras of Alberta. Gingras and the up-and-coming Bretton Chad, also of Alberta, went one-two for Canada in a three-horse jump-off and celebrated together for their home nation.

“We have been riding together in Alberta for many years,” said Gingras of her history with Chad. “Obviously you always want to win, but it was awesome to see two Canadians at the top. If the roles had been reversed, I would have been a very proud second.”

While humble about the results, Gingras couldn’t control her excited reaction to how her 11-year-old Hanoverian mare performed. One of only three to jump clear over Manuel Esparza’s original track, Gingras topped a complete field of 21 for her first-ever win in a World Cup qualifying class.

Esparza of Mexico City, Mexico set a technical track within the FEI-standard confines of the Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix Stadium. The twelve obstacles offered horse and rider 15 jumping efforts, with a long and scopey line across the middle of the ring that included a vertical with a  Liverpool, seven strides to the triple combination and ended with a tall plank vertical.

“The water to the triple was very tricky to jump clear,” said Gingras. “The first vertical was a very careful fence and my horse has a large stride, so I was worried about fitting in the seven properly. Then, the plank was tall and pointed right at the out-gate.”

Gingras jumped the line unscathed, but others were not so lucky – half the field picked up faults in the triple combination line and it was the only element that crushed clear rounds for six pairs. “Her scope is unreal,” said Gingras of the mare that Emile Hendrix found for her over a year ago. “I got her as a nine-year-old, so we have really grown together and become a team. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than what she gave me today.”

Both Gingras and Chad are undecided about whether they will attend the 2014 FEI World Cup Finals if qualified, but the milestone is not far off for either rider. “This is my first season stepping up into the World Cup classes, so I am just over the moon to even be here,” said Chad, who also piloted a mare – Santa Catarina LS La Silla – to second. “My horse was a rock star today. She is so honest and is really helping me to move up and get around these bigger courses.”

A jump-off between four fault rides was becoming a real possibility in the first round until Sean Crooks, riding for the United States and hailing from Wellington, Florida, jumped the first clear in the irons of Glen Youell’s Armegedon. Chad joined him two trips later before Gingras rounded out the group.

In the jump-off, Crooks rubbed a rail on the second-to-last fence, which eventually came down, landing him with four faults in 44.49 seconds. Chad posted a time of 48.14 seconds, but Floreen SFN’s stride paid off for Gingras, as she crossed the timers in 45.58 seconds for the win.

American rider Ashlee Bond Clarke of Hidden Hills, California was the fastest of the four-faulters from the first round aboard Little Valley Farms’ Chela LS for third. Fourth was awarded to Thursday’s FEI winner Nayel Nassar, representing Egypt on his own Lordan. Bliss Heers of Olivehain, California capped the top five for the United States on Bridgeside Farms, LLC’s Cesar.

Saturday night was the final FEI World Cup qualifier of the 2014 winter season at HITS Thermal as attention now turns to who will qualify for the coveted AIG $1 Million Grand Prix on March 16. Weekly grand prix on Fridays and Sundays will continue over the next three weeks as riders race to qualify for the richest class in show jumping.

©Flying Horse Photography
Elizabeth Gingras and Floreen SFN jump to a win in the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal.

©Flying Horse Photography
Purina representatives Kimberly James and Lora Gonzalez join Tony Hitchcock of HITS to present Elizabeth Gingras and Floreen SFN with top honors, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, after winning the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition CSI-W2* Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Thermal.

About Purina Animal Nutrition
Innovative research is the proudest tradition at Purina Animal Nutrition. No other national brand of feed has invested more time in research and understanding the needs of horses and their owners. An American original, the Checkerboard is one of the most recognized symbols in animal nutrition, standing for quality ingredients, in-depth research, and complete consistent animal nutrition. Learn more about how Purina can help your performance horses by visiting, Horse.PurinaMills.com.

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. For more information, visit Zoetis.com.

Woodstock Carries Hope Glynn to Devoucoux Hunter Prix Win

THERMAL, CA – Most people dream about a horse whose “spook” is a better jump. For Hope Glynn, those dreams are a reality. Glynn, who hails from Penngrove, California, piloted Sabrina Hellman’s Woodstock in Friday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix where the unfamiliar ring, new jumps and first hunter prix of the 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood Gelding’s season gave Glynn the advantage.

“This is his first week here and he was impressed by the surroundings, which helped me to get a better jumped out of him,” said Glynn. “Where most horses spook, his spook is just a better jump.”

Glynn characterizes Woodstock as her “old faithful” and the pair has had a storied career together since the Hellman family first brought the gelding to Sonoma Valley Stables. They added Friday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix in the Main Hunter Ring at HITS Thermal to their list of accolades after posting a first round score of 85.75 and leading the second round with a solid 87.

With long bending lines and deep turns, Glynn admits that the courses suited her, setting both her and Woodstock up for success. “The courses were perfect and this horse gives any rider confidence – he will land on either lead, but also has a beautiful lead change. I can gallop up to an oxer and know that if I am a little snug or a little long he is still going to jump up and around the fence perfectly,” said Glynn. “It completely changes the way you can relax to a fence when you don’t have to manufacture a front end, and Woodstock’s is as solid as they come.”

Despite winning in the end, Jamie Taylor of Tarzana, California made Glynn work for it. Taylor and Willow CBF, owned by Julie Hancock, were consistent with scores of 86.5 and 86 to finish just a ¼ point behind Glynn. Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California capped the top three in the irons of Splendid for Julia Landmann after an 85.5 and 85.

Nick Haness of San Clemente, California was fourth on Lexie Looker’s Winfield with scores of 87 and 83, while Alex Taylor-Silvernale of Median, Washington rounded out the top five with her own Bien Sur with an 83 and 84.

©Flying Horse Photography
Hope Glynn and Woodstock jump to a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.

©Flying Horse Photography
Hope Glynn and Woodstock are presented with winner’s awards, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, after winning 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
Macy Mitchell’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding Ringmaster proved that he may have found his home in the hunter ring on Friday. After a brief hiatus in the jumpers, Mitchell of Hailey, Indiana entered him in his first-ever $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and jumped to a win.

“I was very surprised,” said Mitchell, who trains with Teresa Englehart. “This was his first show back after a year off and we were just on our game for those bending lines and turns.”

Fifteen-year-old Mitchell admits that she has a soft spot for Ringsmaster’s personality, despite characterizing him as a “closet naughty”. “He pretends to be a good boy, but he’s always looking to play tricks,” said Mitchell.

The pair led the first round with a 78 and returned to impress with an 82 on their way to the win.

Sabrina Tirador of Tustin, California and her own Caspar jumped to second with scores of 74 and 84, while owner/rider Paris Mccaw was third with Triple Crown after scores of 67 and 71.

Polly Sweeney of Pasadena, California was fourth on her own Duet with a 68 and 69.5, and Betsy Chess capped the top five with her own Alaric with scores of 65 and 72.

With three weeks remaining at the HITS Desert Circuit, West Coast hunter riders have three more opportunities to seal their fate for September’s HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. Each year, the West Coast is represented by a strong contingent of competitors in the Diamond Mills $500,000 and Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Finals, and 2014 is shaping up to be no different.

©Flying Horse Photography
Macy Mitchell and Ringmaster won their first-ever $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal this week.

©Flying Horse Photography
Macy Mitchell and Ringmaster are presented with winning honors, including a Horze Equestrian cooler, after winning the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.

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