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OCALA, FL (January 19, 2009)—The
first half of the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult
Championship kicked off this weekend at HITS Post Time Farm with
Mackenzie Ryan and Kristianna Lindgren emerging as the favorites to
capture the title when the overall winner is crowned next weekend at
the conclusion of the Ocala Pre-Circuit 2.
The first leg of the competition took place on Friday evening and
offered $2,500 in prize money. Mackenzie Ryan (Longwood, Florida)
jumped to the lead after winning the blue aboard her horse Primata.
Ryan, who trains with Grand Prix rider Sergio Campos, got the best of
37 other riders who competed in the first phase of this popular
competition. In the $4,000 second leg it was Lindgren’s turn to
take the victory gallop, when she won the blue aboard her horse John 3:16. Lindgren (Gainesville, Florida) trains under the watchful eye of Grand Prix superstar Aaron Vale.
“The initial course was good—it was fun and rode
well,” said Lindgren. “The jump-off course was right
up our alley. We’re very good at roll backs, and slicing
jumps and we rode it well.”
Lindgren has owned and been showing John 3:16
for three years. Four years ago, she was given a horse and
started taking jumping lessons. Now she is on the verge of
capturing the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Championship
after just one year of training with Vale.
With the first two legs of the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Championship
in the books, at 73 points Ryan holds the overall lead with the third
and fourth legs of the event on tap for this coming weekend.
However, Lindgren sits in fourth place with 60 points and is well
within striking distance.
Show jumping at HITS Ocala continues next week with the Ocala
Pre-Circuit 2 and will feature a diverse schedule of classes, including
the second half of Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper
Championship and the next $25,000 HITS Grand Prix.
Following the Ocala Pre-Circuit 2, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will
take a one-week break and continue on Tuesday, February 3 with the
first of six consecutive AA-rated weeks of competition.
The
social calendar also gets into full swing next week with a special
off-site exhibitor party on Friday, January 23 from 5 pm to 8 pm during
The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Center Exhibitor
Party. Exhibitors will be treated to refreshments, heavy hors
d'oeuvres, exhibitions and seminars.
The Sanctuary
is located just down the road from HITS Post Time Farm and all
exhibitors are encouraged to see what The Sanctuary has to offer. For
those arriving for the HITS Ocala rated shows, The Sanctuary will be
hosting a Welcome Party on Friday, February 7 from 5 pm to 9 pm. For
more information, please contact HITS' Account Executive for Corporate
Sponsorship Lisa Engel at Lisa@HitsShows.com.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on
producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the
village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in
Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a
nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in
California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.
©Lili Weik Photography
Mackenzie Ryan is on course during the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Championship – Leg 1.
©Lili Weik Photography
Kristianna Lindgren is
congratulated by HITS' Lisa Engel after winning the $4,000 Marshall
& Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Championship – Leg 2.
Remaining 2009 DATES
Ocala Pre-Circuit 2
January 21-25 Entry Pre 2
OFF-WEEK, January 26 - February 1
Ocala I, February 3-8
Entry | Schedule
Ocala II, February 10-15
Entry | Schedule
Ocala III, February 17-22
Entry | Schedule
Ocala IV, February 24 - March 1
Entry | Schedule
Ocala V, March 3-8
Entry | Schedule
Ocala VI, March 10-15
Entry | Schedule
PRIZE LIST INFORMATION
Prize List
Feed & Bedding Order Form
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