$40,000 HITS Grand Prix
 

Finishing Constitution Classic weekend on a high note, Daniel Damen, of Ocala, Florida, and Quintus 66, owned by Chuck and Dana Waters, came out on top, winning Sunday’s $40,000 HITS Grand Prix.  The course, designed by Oscar Soberon of Monterrey, Mexico, tested the field of first round competitors with only three, including Damen, going clear to move on to a jump off.

Noel Fauntleroy and her own Cabras were first in the second round order and quickly confirmed that they were in-it-to-win-it as they sped through the course, fault free, in a time of 38.272. The chase was on for Damen, who was second in the order. He led his mount clean through the seven fence course and clocked in at 37.570, just half a second faster than Fauntleroy.

Onlookers wondered if the third and final jump off entry, Kirk Webby riding Caillou, owned by Seth Vallhonrat, would swoop in for the win or if Damen would go home victorious. Webby went swiftly over the first few fences, but a rail down at the fourth fence would leave him with four faults and third place, ultimately keeping Damen at the top, followed by Fauntleroy in second.

Hayley Waters and Qurint, also owned by Chuck and Dana Waters placed fourth, and Webby aboard his second ride Brando Du Rouet, owned by Tolleshunt Investment Group, finished the day in fifth place. 

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

Awarding almost $10,000 in total prize money, the Grand Hunter Ring was the place to be Saturday. The big winner of the afternoon was Tracy Fenney, of Flower Mound, Texas, and Cammy Turgon’s MTM Passport, who jumped their way to a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win. Boasting the round one high score of 88, Fenny moved on to round two feeling confident in her craft, resulting in a score of 86, for a total of 174 to claim the blue ribbon.

Winn Alden and Celtic Gold, owned by Meg Valnoski, scored 87 and 85.5 placing the pair in second. Aboard her second entry in the class, MTM Nestle, Fenney received scores of 83 and 87 to finish third, with Dorothy Douglas and MTM Farm’s MTM Castaway collecting scores of 84 and 83 following in fourth place. Fifth place, boasting scores of 81.5 and 84, went to Ian Silitch and Zowie, owned by Susan McClafferty. 

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

On Saturday, Ashley Martin rode Mary Keevil’s Providence to a blue ribbon in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. After receiving a first round score of 81, putting her in second place behind Poetic Justis, piloted by owner Brooke Cole, who received the round’s high score of 83, Martin stepped up her game for round two. 

Electing to move up in the order for the second round,  Martin was first to reenter the ring and impressed the judge who bestowed a score of 87, bringing her overall to 170. Martin remained in first; waiting for Cole who was last to go in the second round order. Cole received an 84, for a 163 total, which sealed the deal for Martin as the first place finisher.

Nadia Polykova rode Waters Edge, owned by Teddi Ismond, to third place with scores of 76 and 75. Tres Bien, owned and ridden by Janet Vanderslice, had scores of 75 and 69 for fourth place, while fifth place went to Linda Gordon and her own Qui-Tam who received scores of 72 and 65.