Will Simpson Wins Third HITS Thermal Grand Prix With Victory In $25,000 SmartPak GrandPrix

Thermal, California (January 23, 2015): Competition in the Grand Prix ring is heating up at HITS Desert Horse Park, as Will Simpson stretched his streak to three with a win in Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix with Monarch International’s The Dude.

Forty-one starters took to the SmartPak track but only thirteen left all the jumps up and qualified for the jump off. Simpson and The Dude, who won $7,500 for their effort, were the fastest with a jump off time of 39.562, but by just less than a second over second place winner Christian Heineking, riding Charika for Isabella Terry with a time of 40.312. Simpson, riding another Monarch International-owned horse, Katie Riddle, came in a close third with no faults in 40.675.

“This circuit is heating up already with these jumpers,” said Simpson. “The Dude felt so good in the victory gallop, I think he thought he was going back in to do it all over again. One good horse elevates the entire string and I have two right now - pretty sweet. The nice part, too, is that Hannah Heidegger (who trains with Simpson and came in sixth on Monarch International’s Geledimar with a time of 45.346) is putting pressure on me to stay on top of it all, too. She is right in there just about every time now, too.”

Heineking, riding Chakira to the second place win, said, “The jump off was technical enough and with thirteen in it, you had to be on your game. I liked the course and it looks like the HITS circuit here this year is going to be special. I really look forward to coming from Texas for these competitions. It's going to be a horse race in some of these.”

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. SmartPaks over $40 are delivered free automatically every 28 days, so you never worry about running out.


(c) ESI Photography
Will Simpson and The Dude take first in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix Friday, January 23, 2015.


(c) ESI Photography
Will Simpson and The Dude jump clear in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.


(c) ESI Photography
William Simpson and The Dude are awarded first place in the $25,000 SmartPak GrandPrix.

PlaceHorseOwnerRiderPrize    Round 1 Faults    JO Faults    JO Time   
1 The Dude    Monarch International    William Simpson    $7,500 0 0 39.562
2 Charika Isabelle Terry Christian Heineking $5,500    0 0 40.312
3 Katie Riddle Monarch International    William Simpson $3,250 0 0 40.675
4 Quidam Blue Juniper Farms & Equitop Farm  Jill Henselwood $2,000 0 0 41.020
5 Zilox T Haley Farms, LLC               Tiffany Sullivan $1,500 0 0 45.035
6 Geledimar       Monarch International Hannah Heidegger $1,200 0 0 45.346
7 Conejito Carol Wright Carol Wright $1,000 0 0 47.180
8 Chantico Forest View Farm & Karen Ball John Pearce $750 0 4 43.690
9 Tembla Signe Ostby   Karl Cook $750 0 4 44.393
10 Terrific John Anderson John Anderson $500 0 8 41.664
11 Nakich Double Dutch Madeleine Louise Wilson Nayel Nassar $500 0 8 42.724
12 Acita Nayel Nassar Nayel Nassar $500 0 12 43.521

 


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.


2015 Horse Show Dates

HITS Desert Circuit  |  Thermal, CA  |  January 13 - March 15, 2015
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit    |  Ocala, FL  |  January 13 - March 23, 2015
HITS Arizona Winter Circuit  |  Tucson, AZ  |  January 28 - March 8, 2015
HITS Culpeper Show Series  |  Culpeper, VA  |  April / July / August / September
HITS Saugerties Show Series  |  Saugerties, NY  |  May-June / July-August / September
HITS Championship  |  Saugerties, NY  |  September 2-6, 2015
Marshall & Sterling Insurance League National Finals  |  September 9-13, 2015
National Sunshine Series  |  October 28 - November 8, 2015