The final Sunday Classic day of the 2024 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit meant one more exciting $24,500 Horseflight Jumper Classic to cap off competition in HITS Post Time Farm’s Grand Prix Ring. The event was an exhibitor-favorite throughout the 2024 season, and the finale proved no different as 33 combinations geared up to contest Olaf Petersen Jr’s (GER) last track.
Operating with an immediate-jump-off format, the course proved conquerable for 16 horse-and-rider combinations as riders did their best to take home one last check. Bryn Sadler laid down the gauntlet early into the class, setting a blazing time of 45.03 seconds on Cinven CR, a 17-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Clearway) owned by Showcase 81, LLC. Their time wouldn’t be caught until the class neared its completion. David Jennings and Bionce Des Monts, a 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Ravage De Mars) owned by Hillview Farm Sporthorses, delivered a top round towards the end of the starting order but just slightly off of Sadler’s pace to complete the class in third place. After knocking on the door of a victory all season long, Canada’s Charlie Jones and Capitale 6, affectionately known as “Petey,” left nothing to chance and took their win with a time of 44.78 seconds.
“He is one of my best mates,” stated Jones fondly of the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cassini I) owned by Morning Star Sporthorses. “He is absolutely amazing and has given me so much confidence. He is owned by Carrie Rueffer, and I just can’t thank her enough for being so supportive and allowing me the opportunity with him. He’s been second so many times in so many different classes that he really deserved the win today, and I’m really glad we came and got it.”
The victory was the icing on the cake for the pair who concluded their first winter season in Ocala.“This is our first season at HITS and in Ocala for the winter, and it’s been just a wonderful experience, so we will definitely plan to come back,” he said. “The competition here has been fantastic, and most importantly, the courses have been great. They are technical enough and big enough but also they’re not going to break you, so it’s really good to bring all the horses along.”
For a full list of results, please visit www.showmanagementsystem.com
