 |
OCALA, FL
(January
29, 2007) — Sergio Campos and his mount Shakira
Do Jacare outlasted a jump-off that consisted
of six horses to capture yesterday's $25,000 Footing
Authority™ Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm in
Ocala.
"It was a great
Grand Prix that was very competitive," said
Campos. "A lot of good riders like Aaron
Vale were in it and I was worried about his trip.
It worked out well for me because everyone went
for the time and because of that almost everyone
dropped rails."
Campos went fourth
in the jump-off and set the Great American Time
to Beat at 39.052. Sharn Wordley and Mr.Flanagan
were next to tackle the course. After making it
all the way home with no rails down, a time of
41.433 would only be good enough for second place.
Aaron Vale dropped fences five and seven and finished
in fifth place for Solitude Farm aboard Gentleman
George.
The nine-year-old
Brazilian bred horse collected $7,500 in prize
money for Sergio Campos. "She is really maturing
this year," said Campos. "The last two
years she won twice in Ocala and this year we
hope to improve on that."
On HITS' agenda for
2007 in Ocala is the unveiling of a new Grand
Prix Ring and a new Main Hunter Ring with a raised
berm for VIP seating that overlooks both rings.
These rings will be placed at the east end of
the current show ring area. Both rings will feature
state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing
Authority™, a division of International Surfaces
Group, Inc.. The Grand Prix Ring will feature
Polyrite™, the industry's most advanced polymer-coated
synthetic footing, while the Main Hunter Ring
will provide a soft ride on EuroFelt®-enhanced
footing.
"The new Grand
Prix Ring looks amazing," said Campos. "We
didn't get to jump in it yet but I am looking
forward to competing in it when the rated horse
shows begin. The entire facility looks ten times
better than it did last year."
Since its introduction
in 1982, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has become
a fixture on the East Coast show jumping circuit.
Each winter, the Ocala Circuit attracts national
and international participants from the United
States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Classes offered
range from the Grand Prix show jumping classes
to a selection of divisions for both the beginning
and experienced rider. Located in Ocala/Marion
County, the heart of Florida's horse country,
the area is home to over 600 horse farms and hundreds
of supporting facilities and businesses. HITS
moved the Ocala horse shows from the 100-acre
Golden Hills International Show Grounds to the
circuit's new home, the 300+ acre Post Time Farm
in 2002. Post Time Farm is located just a few
miles west of the Golden Hills International Show
Grounds on Highway 27. The Post Time Training
Center was originally built for thoroughbred racehorses.
The facility is professionally landscaped and
features gated entrances, 52 miles of four-board
fencing, 26 permanent barns that house 500 stalls,
numerous paddocks, bridle paths, and additional
buildings for the horse show office, restaurant,
and on-site school.
In January 2006 HITS
entered into a private equity arrangement with
Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles.
As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and
execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives
that both solidify its well-established position
as the leader in horse show management and allows
for new growth opportunities including the construction
of a new HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
HITS generates significant economic impact in
each of its five venues in California, Arizona,
Florida, Virginia and New York.
|
Placing
|
Horse
|
Rider
|
Owner
|
Prize
Money
|
Rd
1 Faults
|
JO
Faults
|
JO
Time
|
|
1
|
Shakira
Do Jacare
|
Sergio
Campos
|
Sergio
Campos
|
$7,500
|
0
|
0
|
39.05
|
|
2
|
Mr.
Flannagan
|
Sharn
Wordley
|
Sharn
Wordley
|
$5,500
|
0
|
0
|
|
|
3
|
Lichten
Spiel
|
Sharn
Wordley
|
Fillip
Arman
|
$3,250
|
0
|
4
|
40.59
|
|
4
|
Polyfax
|
Hugh
Graham
|
Kings
Ridge Stables
|
$2,000
|
0
|
4
|
40.44
|
|
5
|
Gentleman
George
|
Aaron
Vale
|
Solitude
Farm
|
$1,500
|
0
|
4
|
41.64
|
|
6
|
Cognac
Do Jacare
|
Sergio
Campos
|
Sergio
Campos
|
$1,250
|
0
|
12
|
42.07
|
Adequan Open Hunter
- Untold, ridden and owned by Jodi Czaplick,
Speonk, NY
Farnam
Adult Hunter 18-35
- Candlelight, ridden and owned by Meghan
McGuire, White House Station, NJ
Farnam Adult
Hunter 36 & Over - Futuro, ridden and
owned by Peggy Jones, Culpeper, VA
M&S
Child/Adult Hunter Classic - Futuro,
ridden and owned by Peggy Jones, Culpeper, VA
$20,500
M& Child/Adult Jumper Championship - Buzz
Lightyear ridden and owned by Crystal Mander,
Quincy, FL
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