Thermal, CA (February 8, 2017): Week III marked a big week for hunter exhibitors at HITS Desert Horse Park. The third week of qualifiers for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final and the Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in September was underway and riders were hunting for a win. Riders were also gearing up for the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby which takes place this Friday, February 10. 

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix 
The course was set and the sun was shining down on HITS Desert Horse Park as riders turned out for the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix in tip top shape and dressed to the nines.

Nina Alario claimed her first-ever Devoucoux victory aboard her own horse, Regalo. They finished the class with a bang, earning the highest score in both rounds to win the class— an 89 in the first round and an 87 in the second, for the winning total of 176.

Coming in behind Alario in the ribbons was Adam Ottomanelli riding First Draft, owned by Joann Goldsman. They received a total score of 171, combined from their first-round score of 87 and their second-round score of 84.

Jenny Karazissis has scored in the top rankings in Weeks I and II of this year’s circuit with Puissance R, and this week she returned with a different mount to claim a spot in the top three. Karazissis was third among her peers with Tip Top, owned by Gail Haft scoring a consistent 85 in both rounds to receive a final score of 170.

Fourth place went to Tommi Clark riding Extraordinaire, owned by Stephen Borders. The judges awarded them scores of 83.5 and 83, respectively, for a total of 166.5.

Mckenna Norris rounded out the top five with Overdressed with scores of 82.5 and 82 for a total of 164.5, settling them in fifth place.

It was a challenging class stacked with talent in Week III’s Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. The top four scores were separated by only one point, and in the case of third and fourth place, only half of a point— proving the level of talent of the riders at HITS Coachella.

Christina Smith was the victor riding her own mount, Chancellor. Chancellor showed that he was the head of the pack with scores of 81 and 82, for a winning total of 163.

Avery Glynn came in just behind Smith with Back in Business, owned by Mary Kate Moulton. They climbed their way up the placings to second place after a third place finish in Week II’s class, with scores of 85 and 77, respectively, for a total of 162, just one point behind Smith’s winning total.

Third in the ribbons belonged to Sue Takata piloting A Timely Affair, owned by Stonebridge Farm. Takata swapped places with Glynn from Week II’s class, this week taking home the third place prize. A Timely Affair raked in a total of 161.

Fourth place went to Alexis Meadows and Lugano. They came in just a half of a point behind Takata with a total score of 160.5, combined by scores of 78 and 82.5.

Violet Barnett rounded out the top five riding Luscious, owned by Sloan Lindehmann-Barnett. Violet took home both first and second place in this class during Week I.