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OCALA, FL
(March 9, 2007) — The 2007 Ocala Winter Circuit just didn't seem complete with Aaron Vale being held out of the winner's circle. Vale, who won five Grand Prix events at HITS Post Time Farm in 2006, had been knocking on the door but couldn't get in during the first 11 Grand Prix classes this year.
In Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, Vale kicked the door wide open as he took home his first win of the circuit aboard Serval. Vale was fourth to go in a field of seven horses returning for the jump-off. He set the Great American Time to Beat at 32.356, securing the win for the Serval Group.
Vale got the best of 32 other riders on Danny Foster's course and according to Foster the performance was vintage Vale. "It was just a classic performance," said Foster. "Everyone in America knows when Aaron Vale gets one in the jump-off, they'd better pay close attention."
Vale, who won the $100,000 HITS Grand Prix of Ocala in 2006, may be hitting his stride just in time. "The way he jumped on Thursday everyone better take notice," said Foster. "It was a real fast jump-off with everyone going clean and he rode super to win it."
"We finally won," joked Vale. "Thank goodness."
Kyle King, who won the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix last week, was second aboard Spitfire. The horse/rider combination was fifth to go in the jump-off and it came down to the wire as he was about a second off of Vale's pace. "I've seen Aaron win by four seconds," said Foster. "Kyle gave it a good run, but Aaron's time was just too fast."
Kristen Vanderveen and Bradberry finished third and collected $3,250 in prize money for Double H Farm. Rounding out the top five were Ulrike Bruns and Lexington and Michel Hendrik and Neander, respectively.
"I knew my first win here would come sooner or later," said Vale. "To get a win in such an exciting class is a great way to get my first of the year. A lot of prize money is still up for grabs here and I have some great horses, so I am going to give it my best shot."
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 solidify 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.
HITS generates significant economic impact in
each of its five venues in California, Arizona,
Florida, Virginia and New York.
©Lili Weik Photography
HITS' VIP Concierge, Holly Bachor, and Don Stewart congratulate Aaron Vale in the winner's circle.
|
Placing
|
Horse
|
Rider
|
Owner
|
Prize
Money
|
Rd
1 Faults
|
JO
Faults
|
JO
Time
|
|
1 |
Serval |
Aaron Vale |
Serval Group |
$7,500 |
0 |
0 |
32.35 |
|
2 |
Spitfire |
Kyle King |
Linda Opdycke |
$5,500 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
3 |
Bradberry |
Kristen Vanderveen |
Double H Farm |
$3,250 |
0 |
0
|
35.52 |
|
4 |
Lexington |
Ulrike Bruns |
Bridgette Zilling |
$2,000 |
0 |
0 |
36.35 |
|
5 |
Neander |
Michel Hendrik |
Michel Hendrik |
$1,500 |
0 |
0 |
36.38 |
|
6 |
Eso |
David Jennings |
Amy Lefferdink |
$1,250 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
