Will Simpson Claims $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix — Sixth Big Win at HITS Thermal
Thermal, California (February 8, 2015): Will Simpson took one more HITS Desert Circuit Grand Prix win Sunday afternoon, on Monarch International’s Katie Riddle in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. This is Simpson’s sixth Grand Prix win so far at HITS Thermal. Simpson topped a field of 41 riders – including eight others who made it to the jump-off – going double-clear and completing the second round in 43.203 seconds to claim the victory at HITS Desert Horse Park.
“This was Katie Riddle’s birthday present to Jami Heidegger,” Simpson said. The Heidegger family owns Monarch International, for whom Simpson rides. “It was her (Jami’s) birthday yesterday. We were going to show The Dude (also owned by Monarch) last night (in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix CSI-W2*, presented by OSPHOS®) but it was a little much for him, so we scratched him and decided we’d make it a special day for Jami here. And the whole team at Will Simpson Stables and Monarch are just in a real groove right now; everything is feeling groovy.”
In second place was Rich Fellers on Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Lux Lady, also going double-clear and finishing in 44.441 seconds. Third place went to Eduardo Menezes on Ilan Ferder’s Clear Me, with no faults and 44.897 seconds. Fourth place winner Keri Potter on Melanie Brook’s Paloma was the final double-clear round; she finished in 45.073 seconds.
Fellers said, “That was my first big class of the year with this particular mare. I was impressed when I walked the course.” He said of course designer Martin Otto, of Munster, Germany,” I thought he did a great job all week and set very legitimate specs in all the classes. This was a solid 1.50 meter course.”
Fellers was pleased with Lux Lady’s performance, though he said he’d had doubts that she was quite up for it. “For the first class of the year for this particular mare, it was quite an experience at this level. I thought, ‘It might be a little stretch, but it’s not going to hurt her, she’s tough. She great. She’s Irish – she’s from Ireland,’” he said. “I was obviously delighted with her performance.”
Simpson also commented on fellow Monarch International rider Hannah Heidegger. The 17-year-old went clear in Round 1 on Monarch’s Axl Rose, and caught only the last rail in the jump-off to place seventh. “She’s riding incredibly; she had one rail down,” he said. “She’s got the guts and determination and work ethic.”
Simpson and Fellers said they both plan to return to HITS Desert Horse Park after this coming off-week, where riders and their horses will get a chance to rest up before competition resumes for another four weeks.
About SmartPak
SmartPaks are custom made, pre-measured daily dose Paks of your horse's supplements. They are clearly labeled with your horse's name for fast, accurate feeding every time. Tightly sealed to protect potency, SmartPaks ensure that your horse always has the freshest supplements available. Best of all, SmartPaks over $40 are delivered free automatically every 28 days, so you never worry about running out.
(c) ESI Photography
Will Simpson and Monarch International's Katie Riddle once again take first place in the $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal, February 8, 2015.
(c) ESI Photography
Will Simpson and Monarch International's Katie Riddle get the blue ribbon $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Thermal, February 8, 2015.
$30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
| Place | Horse | Owner | Rider | Prize | Rd. 1 Faults | JO Faults | JO Time |
| 1 | Katie Riddle | Monarch International | Will Simpson | $9,000 | 0 | 0 | 43.203 |
| 2 | Lux Lady | Harry & Mollie Chapman | Rich Fellers | $6,000 | 0 | 0 | 44.441 |
| 3 | Clear Me | Ilan Ferder | Eduardo Menezes | $3,900 | 0 | 0 | 44.879 |
| 4 | Paloma | Melanie Brooks | Keri Potter | $2,400 | 0 | 0 | 45.073 |
| 5 | Caruschka | Eduardo Menezes | Eduardo Menezes | $1,800 | 0 | 4 | 43.563 |
| 6 | Atlantis T | Grafton Farm | Brian Morton | $1,500 | 0 | 4 | 44.691 |
| 7 | Axl Rose | Monarch International | Hannah Heidegger | $1,200 | 0 | 4 | 48.451 |
| 8 | Arly | Enrique Gonzalez | Enrique Gonzalez | $900 | 0 | 4 | 48.572 |
| 9 | Abigail | Hester Equestrian LLC | Lauren Hester | $900 | 0 | 12 | 45.270 |
| 10 | Super Bad | Blair Cudmore | Karen Cudmore | $600 | 4 | * | * |
| 11 | The Dude | Monarch International | Will Simpson | $600 | 4 | * | * |
| 12 | Cristallo | Show Jumping Syndications Int'l | Richard Spooner | $600 | 4 | * | * |
About HITS, Inc.
HITS, Inc. produces high quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.
While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Mortgage Call, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, in Saugerties, New York.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.
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