Hunters Gather at HITS Culpeper Week V for a Shot at the Blue

Culpeper, VA (August 29, 2016): Competition continued at HITS Commonwealth Park with the Constitution Classic during Week V at HITS Culpeper. Professional, Amateur and Junior riders turned out to compete for the top spot in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. With only two weeks left until the HITS Championship on September 8-11, riders were hunting for a win to qualify for the prestigious $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix, respectively.

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Jill Wilson of Louisa, Virginia, brought home the blue in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix aboard Odds Are, owned by Twin Oaks Farm, LLC. They claimed the top prize with a first-round score of 84, followed by a score of 86 in the second round for a total of 170.

Cassandra Kahle of Langley, British Columbia, has many Devoucoux victories and top five placings under her belt. The professional equestrian garnered second place in this week’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix with Fandango HX, owned by Redfield Farm. They earned scores of 81 in the first round, improving to an 86 in the second round for a total of 167. Kahle also scored the final spot of the top five with Dinard, owned by Redfield Farm.

Third in the ribbons was Southern Pines, North Carolina, equestrian Harold Chopping and Most Of All, owned by Pamela Tope. Chopping and Most Of All scored the blue ribbon in Week III at HITS Culpeper and have been consistent top five contenders this season. They earned a first round score of 82.5, followed by a 84.25 for a total of 166.75, just a fraction behind Kahle and Fandango HX.

Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland, grabbed fourth place with Classified with scores of 86 and 80.5 for a total of 166.5 just behind Chopping. Schaefer took home fourth place in the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby in Saugerties, New York, in early August.
 

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Virginia Frediani of Richmond, Virginia, and her mount Silvio, were the team to take home the sweet slice of victory. They conquered the class and the blue ribbon with scores of 75.5 in the first round, and 69 in the second round for a winning total of 144.5.

Second in the ribbons, by just half of a point, was Virginia Beach, Virginia equestrian Emily Simon aboard Thor’s Hammer, owned by Debra Teets. They came in just behind Frediani with a total score of 144 comprised from scores of 78, the highest in the first round, and 66. 

Say Cheese, owned and ridden by Alexis Worthington of Jacksonville, North Carolina, earned third place. They earned a first-round score of 60, with a major improvement in the second round to impress the judge with a score of 82, the highest in the second round.

Margaret Hopkins of Baltimore, Maryland, took home the fourth place prize with Cu Roi. Rounding out the top five in Saturday’s classic was Charlotte, North Carolina equestrian Noel Pinckney and A Streak of Luke.