Sunshine and top show jumping sport set the stage for an exciting Saturday on March 7 in the Grand Prix Ring at HITS Post Time Farm as the Ocala Winter Finals welcomed elite horse-and-rider combinations for the featured event, the $60,000 Core Specialty Insurance Grand Prix. The popular 2026 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit features 10 weeks of premier hunter, jumper, and equitation competition headlined by a weekly national grand prix, and the eighth week of the series certainly continued to showcase that excitement. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, it was Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) and J’Espère that delivered when it mattered most, producing a decisive performance to secure victory and conclude the day’s marquee class in style.
After a week of high-level competition, anticipation built for one of the circuit’s most prestigious classes. A seasoned field of 28 entries tackled a demanding course designed by Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR), which tested precision, speed, and scope. Ultimately, eight duos jumped fault-free to advance to the all-deciding jump-off.
Second to return for the short course, Hoekstra had no intention of playing it safe. With Tracy Fenney (USA) — winner of the previous three Grand Prix classes at HITS Ocala — still to come with three horses, Hoekstra knew he needed to set the standard. He did just that, delivering a bold effort in 37.661 seconds. In a rare moment during the round, the middle rail of the final fence was lowered without affecting the height of the obstacle. After review, the ground jury determined the round would still be scored as clear, and so it was up to the remaining contenders to chase Hoekstra’s leading time. In the end, it proved to be an insurmountable feat, leaving Hoekstra and J’Espère to gallop away with the blue-ribbon honors.
“I watched the first horse go, and I knew I needed to get the seven strides down the first line if I wanted to win,” detailed Hoekstra of his jump-off strategy. “After that, everything showed up just right… with a little bit of luck!”
Known for producing talented young horses for the top levels of the sport, Hoekstra actually had been watching J’Espère competing in Europe for quite some time before taking over the reins himself.
“I knew him as a young horse, but I didn’t take over the ride until November of 2025,” explained Hoekstra of the 12-year-old KWPN gelding (Comme Il Faut x Skippy II) owned by Hoekstra Stables. “I’m very lucky to have the ride on him. He’s developing really, really well.
“It sounds silly, but he actually is an easy type,” continued Hoekstra. “His brain is so strong, and he’s always doing the job. I really don’t have to think much about the ride because he’s helping me.”
Hoekstra and his team at Hoekstra Stables make a point of spending part of each winter competing at HITS Ocala — a decision that paid off in the form of a big win.
“I really like showing here,” he expressed. “The Grand Prix always brings great horses, and the facility is fantastic. I’m especially thankful to Core Specialty Insurance Group for sponsoring today’s class.”
Todd Minikus (USA) came closest to catching Hoekstra, finishing second aboard Chacoon’s Bellis Z, his own nine-year-old Zangersheide mare (Chacoon Blue x Balou du Rouet), with a fault-free jump-off in 37.808 seconds. Sharn Wordley (NZL) rounded out the podium, producing the third and final double-clear effort of the class aboard Della Wordley’s 11-year-old Danish Sporthorsegelding Conto Blanco 4 (Cellestial x Kolibri) in 46.815 seconds.
Fenney returned to secure fourth place aboard MTM Apple, earning the Frank & Eileen Leading Lady Rider Award for the fourth consecutive week.
The Ocala Winter Finals will conclude Sunday, March 8, with junior and amateur jumper classic competition taking center stage. Action then resumes Wednesday, March 11, as the Ocala Winter Celebration — featuring a World Champion Hunter Rider designation — gets underway at HITS Post Time Farm. Complete results are available at showmanagementsystem.com.
