Ian Silitch Pilots Party Girl to a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Win at HITS Culpeper

CULPEPER, VA (August 21, 2013) – Ian Silitch admits that it’s hard to jump ten jumps perfectly no matter how good your horse is, but came close enough to perfection to win the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Saturday at HITS Culpeper. Silitch of Ocala, Florida and Linda Bamman’s Party Girl coupled scores of 86 and 81 for a total of 167 and the win by only one point.

“I have been riding Party Girl for about a year – as long as you do it her way, you’re okay. She’s very consistent and jumps beautifully, whether it’s over 3’ or 3’9”,” said Silitch of the six-year-old mare. “Linda competed her for the first time ever in the Amateur-Owner Hunters this week and she was fourth and second, so she had a great weekend.”

Silitch led the first round over a course designed by Rian Beals of Saugerties, New York. “These classes are a fabulous idea – they really allow us to show off good horses,” he said. “This horse always jumps well in Culpeper, and she looks great no matter the height, which is hard for a lot of horses to do. She is certainly a contender for the final in September.”

Following Silitch was Gavin Moylan of Middleburg, Virginia in the irons of Mr. & Mrs. Moylan’s Chocolate Boy. They posted an 81 in the first round, but returned to lead the second round with an 85 for a total of 166 and second place. Third was awarded to Chiara Parlagreco of Warrenton, Virginia with Ainsely Treptow’s The Impressionist. Last year, The Impressionist carried Parlagraco to the top of the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and the pair has recently moved up to the Devoucoux classes. They earned an 83 in the first round and combined it with an 81.5 for a total of 164.5.

Sarah Anderson of Great Falls, Virginia rode Kimberly Stewart’s London to fourth with a total score of 163.25 and Silitch capped the top five with his own Marlon. They ended with a total score of 162.


©ESI Photography
Ian Silitch and Party Girl on their way to a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win.

 


©ESI Photography
Ian Silitch and Party Girl accept winner's awards after the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix
Amy Zettler of Aldie, Virginia is no stranger to being in the winner’s circle after a $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix – she has pocketed a handful of wins over the past few months with her own Glad Rags. This weekend, she piloted Jane Gaston’s Black Swan to the top after scoring an 82 and a 77 for a total score of 159.

Zettler, who trains with Peter Foley and Dale Crittenberger at Woodhall Farm in Northern Virginia, placed second in the inaugural HITS Hunter Prix Final in Saugerties, New York last year during HITS Championship Weekend.

Betty Oare of Warrenton, Virginia rode Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M Oare’s Showgirl to second place after score of 77 and 81 landed her with a total of 158. Continuing the trend of one-point separations, Darby Cole of Virginia Beach, Virginia was third with a total score of 157 after piloting Valerie Renihan’s Tuscan Sun to an 81 and 76.

Emily Todd of Salisbury, Maryland was fourth on her own Jack Sparrow with a score of 154 and Elizabeth McKim of Wilmington, Virginia capped the top five aboard her own Quintessential with a 150.

Riders in both the Devoucoux and HITS Hunter Prix with their sights set on qualifying for the Diamond Mills $500,000 and HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Finals will have weekly opportunities to earn points as HITS Horse Shows continue in Culpeper, Virginia and return to Saugerties, New York August 28 – September 1. Both finals will be highlighted during HITS Championship Weekend, September 4-8, in Saugerties. To stay current on all qualifying, visit HitsShows.com.


©ESI Photography
Amy Zettler and Black Swan jump to a $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix win.


©ESI Photography
Amy Zettler and Black Swan are awarded top prizes after the $1,500 HITS Hunter Prix.

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

 

PlaceHorse                           Owner                                  Rider                    Prize $Rnd. 1Rnd. 2
1 Party Girl Linda Bamman Ian Silitch $1,500 86 81
2 Chocolate Boy Mr. & Mrs. Moylan Gavin Moylan $1,000 81 85
3 The Impressionist Ainsley Treptow Chiara Parlagreco $700 83 81.5
4 London Kimberly Stewart Sarah Anderson $500 82 81.25
5 Marlon Ian Silitch Ian Silitch $400 80 82
6 Scoop Cammy Turgon Therese Peck $350 84 72
7 Valedictorian Chansonette Farm, LLC Tess Lee $275 77 77
8 Con Debbie McIntyre Devan Graham $275 79 71
9 Lofty Mimi Abel Smith Katherine Newman - 83.5 65
10 Skara Glen's Palenque Sara Ladley Sara Ladley - 76 70
11 Rondiamo Jennifer Swift Katherine Newman - 85 40
12 Smilla Jacqueline Mars Susan Lyman - 73 45

 

$1,500 HITS Hunter Prix

 

PlaceHorse                           Owner                                  Rider                    Prize $Rnd. 1Rnd. 2
1 Black Swan Jane Gaston Amy Zettler $450 82 77
2 Showgirl Mr. & Mrs. Ernest M. Oare Betty Oare $300 77 81
3 Tuscan Sun Valerie Renihan Darby Cole $200 81 76
4 Jack Sparrow Emily Todd Emily Todd $150 85 69
5 Quintessential Elizabeth McKim Elizabeth McKim $125 68 82
6 Annapolis Michelle Downs Isabelle Michaels $100 70 75
7 Taylor Made Katherine Robertson Katherine Robertson $100 66 78
8 Fortune Favors Claire Elizabeth Patterson Claire Elizabeth Patterson $75 72 71
9 Cliffhanger Kimberly Hughes Kimberly Hughes - 64 65

 

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux
, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be a featured event at all HITS horse shows this season as riders from around the country set out to qualify for the third-annual Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, which will take place September 7-8 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About Diamond Mills Hotel & Tavern
Just 100 miles outside of New York City, nestled in the Village of Saugerties, Diamond Mills is a 30-room luxury hotel featuring stellar accommodations, fine-dining at The Tavern and full-service events at a state-of-the art Special Events Center. Saugerties' newest luxury hotel is also the proud sponsor of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson as part of the HITS Championship Weekend. For more information about Diamond Mills or the special VIP packages available to HITS-on-the-Hudson exhibitors, please visit DiamondMillsHotel.com or call 845.247.0700.