Harrie Smolders and Enjoy Louis Capture $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome Win

Thermal, CA (November 7, 2014): Week II of the National Sunshine Series at HITS Desert Horse Park is well underway, complete with seven active competition rings, VIP socials, and classic Fall desert temperatures.   

An impressive 63 horse and rider pairs had their eyes on Thursday evening’s $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome prize. However, just enough Round 1 faults kept the majority at arm’s length from the top six. Several contenders clocked just split seconds beyond the time allowed so one-fault- rides put five more in ribbons after the jump-off riders.

Jos Verlooy and Farfelu de la Pomme commenced the jump off, followed by Lauren Hester and Abigal, both of which fell victim to downed rails. Third to enter the ring was a hopeful Bliss Heers aboard Prado K, who cleared the course in a swift 42.85. Tensions rose and spectators grew quiet as Audrey Coulter piloting Acorte charged to a clean round, besting Heers, with a remarkable 36.93.

The fifth jump off attempt from Belgium native, Harrie Smolders and Enjoy Louis, began and onlookers knew the chase was on. The seemingly aerodynamic duo secured their fate with a quick, clear round in 35.20.

With one still to go, Smolders was sitting pretty, but not in the clear yet. Enrique Gonzalez and Quilebo Du Tillard, of Mexico, went last, finishing with a time of 34.37 but an unlucky rail at Fence 14 left them in fourth place. 

-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.

 

(C) ESI Photography

Harrie Smolders and Enjoy Louis on their way to a $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome win, during Week II of the National Sunshine Series. 


$35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome

Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1 Faults JO Faults JO Time
1 Enjoy Louis Axel Verlooy Harrie Smolders 11,550 0 0 35.2
2 Acorte Copernicus Stables, LLC Audrey Coulter 7,000 0 0 36.93
3 Prado K Bridgeside Farms, LLC Bliss Heers 5,250 0 0 42.85
4 Quilebo Du Tillard Enrique Gonzalez Enrique Gonzalez 3,500 0 4 34.37
5 Farfelu de la Pomme Axel Verlooy Jos Verlooy 2,100 0 4 35.71
6 Abigail Hester Equestrian, Inc Lauren Hester 1,575 0 8 35.05
7 Imothep Hyperion Stud, LLC Darragh Kenny 1,050 1 - -
8 Dutch Amouretta Silverstar Farms Ltd. Brenda Riddell 875 1 - -
9 Casseur de Prix Granville Equine Jenni McAllister 700 1 - -
10 Balou du Reventon Liubov Kochetova Liubov Kochetova 700 1 - -
11 Calero Neaulani Farms Allyssa Hecht 350 1 - -
12 Cos I Can Iron Works Partners Reed Kessler 350 4 - -
 

About HITS, Inc.

HITS, Inc. produces high quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.

While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Mortgage Call, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.


2015 Horse Show Dates

HITS Desert Circuit  |  Thermal, CA  |  January 13 - March 15, 2015
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit    |  Ocala, FL  |  January 13 - March 23, 2015
HITS Arizona Winter Circuit  |  Tucson, AZ  |  January 28 - March 8, 2015
HITS Culpeper Show Series  |  Culpeper, VA  |  April / July / August / September
HITS Saugerties Show Series  |  Saugerties, NY  |  May-June / July-August / September
HITS Championship  |  Saugerties, NY  |  September 2-6, 2015
HITS Marshall & Sterling Insurance National Finals  |  September 9-13, 2015
National Sunshine Series  |  October 28 - November 8, 2015