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OCALA, FL (March 21, 2007) —When Tracy Magness first came to HITS Ocala this winter, she would have been ecstatic to win one Grand Prix over the course of the circuit.
Seven weeks later, she shattered her expectations aboard Tarco Van Ter Moude by winning three Grand Prix classes and collecting the most prize money among any other Grand Prix riders for owners Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko. In all, Magness collected $47,000 to secure the Leading Grand Prix Rider Award.
"When I came here I thought I could do well," she said. "But to compete against some of the best riders this sport has to offer, I never expected to win this award. Winning one Grand Prix would have been amazing. But three is unreal. I am in shock."
Tarco Van Ter Moude is 10 years old and Magness has had him for almost a year. At HITS Ocala, she had six top six finishes. "He is the best horse I have ever had," she said. "Everything the horse does is so sound."
Magness credits her former trainers Katie and Henri Prudant for helping her get the horse ready for the winter. She scored her first win in the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix on February 22. Ironically, it was her sister’s birthday.
But Magness didn't stop the giving there. On March 4, she won the winner's share in the $50,000 U-Dump Grand Prix and on March 15, she secured her second $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix.
"I have been showing in Ocala for eight years and every year the competition keeps getting better and better," said Magness. "That's what makes the award so special. You have riders like Aaron Vale and Kyle King, who each have a lot of nice Grand Prix horses. Tarco is my only one."
Magness plans to take a rest for about a month before traveling to HITS Culpeper. She also may make the trip from her Maryland home to HITS Saugerties this spring and summer. "I went to HITS Saugerties three years ago and really enjoyed it," said Magness. "Most likely, I will head north to New York this year too because I have a great horse and HITS offers the best competition for me."
Show jumping at HITS Ocala concluded on Sunday, March 18, with the $100,000 Footing AuthorityTM Grand Prix of Ocala, presented by Great American Insurance Group. King took the top prize aboard Spitfire but Magness' overall body of work still allowed her to beat out King for the leading rider award.
"I had an unlucky rail," said Magness. "I had done so well already, I wasn't disappointed at all. I just wanted to go out and have a good day and I was happy about my effort."
"Tracy’s performance this year in Ocala was remarkable," said HITS President and CEO, Tom Struzzieri. "It's been a break-out year for her and she deserves this recognition.We look forward to seeing her continue this streak at Culpeper and Saugerties."
Now that the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has come to an end, Tom Struzzieri and company will shift their focus to the upcoming spring and summer shows. HITS Culpeper is up next with the first week of show jumping for 2007 beginning on Wednesday, April 25 with the Commonwealth National featuring the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix on Sunday, April 29. After that, the spring season of HITS Saugerties is set to get underway on May 30 with three consecutive weeks of shows. The $22,500 Children's/Adult Championship and the $40,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Championship will close out the spring shows during week III at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
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. HITS 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 solidifies its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of the new HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude win the $50,000 U-Dump Grand Prix earlier this winter.
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