National Sunshine Series Finishes Strong with $25,000 Sunshine Classic

Thermal, CA (November 13, 2014): The all-new National Sunshine Series called it a wrap late Sunday afternoon, but not without a final exhilarating jumper class. All eyes were on the Grand Prix Stadium for the $25,000 Sunshine Classic which drew an impressive list of decorated riders and horses, including Olympians and World Cup alumni.

Thirty-eight took a go at the 13-fence course designed by Alan Wade, which proved tricky for all but eight who would move into the jump off. Jill Humphrey, of Sacramento, California, rode Alicia and Chris Foster’s Zubliem to lead both rounds in time and secured the win in a crisp 42.21 only after besting Bliss Heers’ and Cortina 179 clear track and 43.04.

Humphrey’s trainer and business partner at Leone Equestrian, Rudy Leone, was ecstatic about the win and the overall show experience. 

“Ali and Francie with HITS have created a pretty exciting event that has remained entertaining and competitive the entire time. I think they knocked it out of the park in working to please exhibitors,” said Leone.  

“All the little details made for a terrific but extremely competitive time for both hunters and jumpers alike,” he continued. “It’s like going on a vacation but coming to compete with hundreds of your friends too.” 

Heers, of Olivenhain, California, placed second behind Humphrey, adding to her other National Sunshine show ring success, including third in the $35,000 FEI Sunshine Welcome. 

-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(C) ESI Photography

Jill Humphrey and Zubliem on the way to their $25,000 Sunshine Classic win during National Sunshine Series Week II. 

$25,000 Sunshine Classic

Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1 Faults JO Faults JO Time
1 Zubliem Alicia & Chris Foster Jill Humphrey $7,500 0 0 42.218
2 Cortina 179 Bridgeside Farms L.L.C. Bliss Heers $5,500 0 0 43.04
3 Paloma Melanie Brooks Keri Potter $3,250 0 4 39.953
4 The Dude Monarch International William Simpson $2,000 0 4 41.572
5 Lux Lady Harry & Mollie Chapman Rich Fellers $1,500 0 4 42.524
6 Big Star HC Sport Horses Sayre Happy $1,250 0 4 47.163
7 Geledimar Monarch International Hannah Heidegger $1,000 0 8 45.235
8 New York Onlyjumpers.com Juan Pablo Gnecco $750 0 12 42.585
9 Valencia Highpoint Farm, LLC Darragh Kenny $750 4 - -
10 Soraya De l'obstination Kessler Show Stables Reed Kessler $500 4 - -
11 Miss CashCall Gregg De Long Eduardo Menezes $500 4 - -
12 Chianto Forest View Farm Inc John Pearce $500 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