HITS Hunter exhibitors jump for the money in Week I of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

Ocala, FL (January 25, 2016): Big competition for hunter riders took place at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida, on Saturday as exhibitors rode for the blue in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.  

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Fine-tuned hunter competitors converged in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, the first HITS Ocala qualifier for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September 2016. Riders and horses navigated their way around the 12-fence course and the top 12 returned for the second round to prove who possessed blue-ribbon flair.

It was Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland, and her own Classified, to claim the title and the $1,500 prize during Saturday’s class. They had the highest score both rounds with a consistent 88.

Second-place and a check for $1,000 went to Amanda Steege of Bedminster, New Jersey, and Zidane owned by Susan Durragh. They completed the 3’5” course with a first and second round score of 87 to seal the second-place victory.

Also in the ribbons was Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, and Caramo, owned by Caroline Russell Howe. Chopping and Caramo completed the classic in third-place with scores of 82 and 80, respectively.

Fourth-place in the classic went to Cameron, owned by Marianne Huss and ridden by Robert Lee of Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Aaron Vale of Williston, Florida concluded the top five with Madewell, owned by Elizabeth DeRose. 

$1,500 Platinum Performance
Saturday’s $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix offered riders and horses a chance at a prestigious hunter victory, and the first HITS Ocala qualifying opportunity for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in September 2016.

Exhibitors navigated through the 3’ course with precision and flair, though only one horse and rider could claim the blue ribbon victory.

The team to beat was Jacquelyn Maggiore of South Boston, Massachusetts, and her own Contina. They claimed the first-place title, a $450 check and the highest score in both rounds—85 and 80, respectively.

Second-place went to Carver, Massachusetts, equestrienne Melissa Hamlet and her horse, Wiltord D. They traversed the course to finish with a solid score of 75 in the first round improving to 77 in the second round, taking home a $300 check for their efforts.

Caitlin Wojciki, of Fort Meyers, Florida, and Entourage, owned by Jessica O’Hanrahan, earned third-place and the $200 prize. In the first round, they scored 72 advancing to a second round score of 78 to seal the third-place finish.

Fourth-place was awarded to US Marshall, owned by Kiki Hopkins and ridden by Rachael Hopkins of Ashland, Massachusetts, and fifth place was Bailey Brasington of Gainesville, Florida, and Census, owned by Helen Voss.