Thermal, CA (February 1, 2017): Hunter exhibitors from across the West Coast, and a few that traveled from the East, turned out for the Desert Circuit’s second qualifying opportunities for the Diamond Mills Hunter Final and the Platinum Performance Hunter Final at the HITS Championship in September. Riders returned with their fanciest mounts to prove who had the ultimate in style and finesse.
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix John French of Paso Robles, California, returned and once again conquered the field in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Desert Horse Park. This time, the win came aboard Soldier, owned by Meadow Farms, LLC.
In Week I, French won first and third place in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, battling it out with co-pro Hope Flynn of Petaluma, California. During Week II, French once again had to duel with Glynn, who came close behind him in second place with Lake of Stars, owned by Sabrina Hellman.
French and Soldier garnered scores of 88 and 88 for a winning total of 176. Glynn was not far from their winning total with Lake of Stars, claiming scores of 86 in the first round and 87 in the second round for a total of 173.
Third in the ribbons belonged to Puissance R, owned by Lisa Hankin and ridden by Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California. Karazissis piloted Puissance R to 87 in the first round, combined with 84 in the second round for a total of 171.
Alexis Taylor Silvernale took home the two final spots in the top five, earning fourth place with Cayambe, owned by Camile Leblond, with an overall score of 169.75 and fifth place with Gatsby, owned by Aleron, LLC, with a two-round total of 168.5.
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