THERMAL, CA – Coming off one of the biggest horse shows on record, HITS Thermal is boasting sold out barns as 2900 horses and their riders make Desert Circuit V home for the next week. Momentum is building for the last FEI World Cup qualifier of the season this Saturday as well as the return of the popular $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix Sunday, March 11 while qualifying for HITS Championship Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York is still rolling on.
$30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health
Rich Fellers put his stamp on Desert Circuit IV when he rode Harry and Molly Chapman’s McGuiness to the blue ribbon in Sunday's $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
“Winning on McGuiness was a great sign for us,” said Fellers. “He has been a great partner of mine for such a long time. I am thrilled with his performance and look forward to two more Sundays on him. Hopefully, he comes to play in the $200,000 [Lamborghini Grand Prix] class in two weeks.”
West Coast veterans, Fellers and McGuiness were the top horse-and-rider team out of a group of 44 starters that challenged the first-round track set by International Course Designer Danny Foster of Canada. The victory was the second of the circuit for Fellers and his first on McGuiness, who has recently returned from an injury. Earlier in the circuit, Fellers piloted Chapman & Fellers’ Colgan Cruise to a win in the first of the circuit’s FEI classes, the $32,000 HITS Desert Classic, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
“It’s good to see Rich and McGuiness back in the winner’s circle,” said Foster. They are a tremendous pair and I really enjoy watching them compete.”
Fellers was one of two pairs to deliver a double clear round on Sunday and beat out second-place finisher Elizabeth Gingras and her own Avensis by over two seconds in the jump-off. William Simpson in the irons of Monarch International’s Acorina posted the fastest jump-off round of the day in 38.38 seconds, but picked up four faults to finish in third place. Rounding out the top five was Kasey Ament on Kyujin (Michael) Whang’sVaron in fourth and Eduardo Menezes aboard his own Stakkarus Mercedes Benz in fifth, respectively.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Rich Fellers and Harry and Molly Chapman's McGuiness on course in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Rich Fellers and McGuiness accept first place honors from Tony Hitchcock, Sr. VP HITS and Bob Drennan, VIP Concierge.
All roads lead east – riders take aim at HITS Championship Weekend
Duncan McFarlane and Simone Coxe’s Mr. Whoopy are on a roll, picking up a win in Thursday's $32,000 HITS Desert Classic (FEI), presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to follow a victory in last week’s $53,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. McFarlane topped the 25 starters who came to challenge Canadian Danny Foster’s courses in the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix field and picked up another qualifier for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.
This week’s FEI World Cup qualifier revealed Michelle Spadone and Alejandro Rodal’sUitteraard as the top duo after a win in the $53,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The indoor arena at HITS Thermal was packed as Canadian Course Designer Danny Foster set out to challenge a field of some of the most talented West Coast equestrians. The class was Spadone and Uitteraard’s first Grand Prix victory together and she hopes to make a debut appearance in the Pfizer Million this fall. A perk to winning, Spadone was also the recipient of the Purina Mills’ Rider Bonus and was presented with a ton of free feed, courtesy of Purina Mills.
“I am so excited to have ‘won a ton’. I have been using Purina products since the beginning of my career,” said Spadone after the class. “My Grand Prix horses eat Ultium and my younger horses eat Adult.”
Nick Haness aboard Carolyn Mittler’s Cristiano put on an impressive performance in the hunter rings this week with a win in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. Out of over 50 competitors, Haness piloted three mounts to top ten finishes in the fourth of six qualifiers for Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Haness is eager to return to Saugerties and defend his second place finish in last year’s inaugural Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.
Trainer Archie Cox had a big week as two of his riders finished one-two in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal – Karin Binz aboard Richard Boh’s Rock Royaltyand Lilly Blavin on Cavallo Farm’s Opportunity made up the top two in Sunday’s two round classic. Both are now well on their way to qualifying for the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final during HITS Championship Weekend at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this fall.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Duncan McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy glide over a fence in Thursday's $32,000 HITS Desert Classic (FEI), presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Michelle Spadone and Alejandro Rodal's Uitteraard on course in Saturday night's $53,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix CSI2*-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Thermal.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Nick Haness and Carolyn Mittler’s Cristiano cruised to victory in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix during Desert Circuit IV at HITS Thermal.
© Flying Horse Photography.
Karin Binz and Richard Boh’s Rock Royalty on course in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix at HITS Thermal.
Rider Rankings for HITS Championship Weekend
Thanks to their performance this past week, McFarlane and Mr. Whoopy are sitting pretty in the number two spot of the preliminary Pfizer Million Rider Rankings with six of the eight Grand Prix they need to become eligible and an impressive $36,820 in prize money won. Jill Henselwood and her leading mount, IV Ever, are in third place with eight Grand Prix and $36,100 in prize money, while Helen McNaught and Francie Steinwedell-Carvin are currently ranked fifth and sixth, respectively. For a complete look at the preliminary rankings, please click here.
The ladies of the West Coast had an impressive week at HITS Thermal as Joie Gatlin, Hope Glynn and Kate Considine now hold down four of the top five positions in the preliminary Devoucoux Rider Rankings. Gatlin sits comfortably in second with 208 points aboard Kistler, followed by Glynn on Chance of Flurries and Considine in the irons ofPlayboy Des Plants of le Bocage in third and fourth, respectively. With a win in this week’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix, Haness made significant jump from the 20th slot to sit in 12th on Cristiano, his leading mount. For a complete look at the preliminary rankings, please click here.
As qualifying is well underway for the first ever $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, Emily Winkler and Emma Waldfogel have used the 3’ Hunter Prix in Thermal to set themselves up nicely at fourth and seventh in the preliminary rankings. Winkler won the first qualifier of the Winter Circuit and boasts 105 points aboard her leading horse, Landmark. Waldfogel and her leading mount, Zeppelin, have collected 94 points to position themselves safely in the top ten. For a complete look at the preliminary rankings, pleaseclick here.
After Hours
Photo Provided
Peggy Ginn’s Baby Girl was honored during Desert Circuit IV with the PMI Exclusive Top Dog Award.
Following the awards ceremony for the $53,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, more than 150 exhibitors enjoyed a Post-Prix Purina Party in the HITS Bar. A delicious food bar and live guitar music set the tone for a fun evening, all courtesy of Purina Mills.
Coming Up
As Desert Circuit V kicks off this week, HITS welcomes exhibitors and spectators alike to experience all the equestrian lifestyle has to offer during Equestrian Lifestyle Weekend, presented by Chartis. Events run through March 4 and include complimentary head and neck massages at the Arenus booth with Massage Therapists from Hibiscus Spa of Embassy Suites La Quinta and special offerings in the Sterling Hospitality Tent, presented by Chartis. Arenus will also host a SORE-NO-MORE® Spa Day Saturday, March 3 from 11am - 4pm. Sign up by contacting Raquel at Arenus at 314-453-7727 or email at raquel.schilf@arenus.com, or visit arenus.com.
Chartis continues to entertain show goers with the Lifestyle Party after the $53,000 Chartis Grand Prix CSI*2-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The evening will feature a fashion show, salsa bar and much more.
Excitement is beginning to build for the last two weeks of competition at HITS Thermal, which will feature the last FEI World Cup qualifying opportunity of the circuit. Saturday, March 3 will welcome spectators to the indoor arena for an evening of international level show jumping in the form of the $53,000 Chartis Grand Prix CSI*2-W, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Acclaimed course designer Olaf Petersen will set the 1.60 meter World Cup course and welcome some of the best riders on the West Coast and from around the world to try to clinch their place on the U.S. Show Jumping team heading to the 2012 FEI World Cup in the Netherlands this April.
Lamborghini of Newport Beach to host The Lambo Challenge
Next week, HITS Thermal will celebrate the return of the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, on March 11. The featured class will conclude six weeks of exciting show jumping before HITS Desert Horse Park closes its gates for the year. Olympic and Pfizer Million course designer Steve Stephens will design the challenge for the Grand Prix and Lamborghini of Newport Beach will also be on-site to showcase some of their inventory as part of HITS Horsepower Weekend.
As a prelude to next week’s featured class, Lamborghini of Newport Beach will host an opportunity for one team of exhibitors to land some cash and a weekend in one of their exclusive vehicles. This Friday evening, March 2, the Strongid® C 2X Grand Prix stadium will welcome relay teams to compete in the first-ever $1,000 Lambo Challenge, which will feature 20 teams of one adult rider and one child rider. Each will compete and their individual times will be added for a final time to reveal a winning pair. The winning adult will receive a Lamborghini for the weekend, courtesy of Lamborghini of Newport Beach, and the winning child will receive the prize money. Prize money will be split evenly between other top finishing teams. Entries will be accepted on a first come first served basis, so visit the horse show office today and get in on the action!
© Flying Horse Photography.
Lamborghini cars have arrived at HITS Desert Horse Park in anticipation of Friday’s Lambo Challenge and next week’s $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach.
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