Thermal, CA (February 10, 2016): Hunter riders stepped up for a shot at prestigious hunter victories and a chance to garner a slice of the prize purses in Week III's $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix and the $1,000 Pony Hunter Prix. $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
With an exciting class of forty hunter riders, exhibitors waited for their turn in the spotlight, to prove they could master the 12-fence course on Sunday, during the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix. While each rider was eyeing the blue ribbon, they also had another chance to qualify for an opportunity to compete in the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September 2016.
Riders and their mounts navigated the two-round classic, and the top 15 returned for the second round to compete for a piece of the prize purse.
John French and Maritime, owned by Elizabeth Gabler, took home first-place. The crowd cheered as the Pleasanton, Californian and his beautiful chestnut finished the second round to claim the lead; the team scored an 86 in the first round and an 85 in the second round to give them a final score of 171 to claim the victory. Second-place went to San Clemente, California native Nick Haness aboard Delilah, owned by Ilene Kurtzman. Haness and Delilah were right on the heels of French’s score, with a final score of 169, just two points away from the win. With an already leading score of 171, John French also claimed third-place prize riding Soldier, also owned Elizabeth Gabler. Their scores of 82.25 in the first round and 83 in the second round gave them a final score of 165.25.
Hope Glynn and Corridendo Tau, owned by Karen Trione, took fourth-place. Fifth-place went to Brooke Morin and Social Hour, owned by Laura Strasburg.
Place |
Horse |
Owner |
Rider |
Prize |
R.1 Score |
R.2 Score |
Total |
1 |
Maritime |
Elizabeth Gabler |
John French |
$2,800 |
86 |
85 |
171 |
2 |
Delilah |
Illene Kurtzman |
Nick Haness |
$1,800 |
84 |
85 |
169 |
3 |
Soldier |
Elizabeth Gabler |
John French |
$1,200 |
84.5 |
84 |
168.5 |
4 |
Corriendo Tau |
Karen Trione |
Hope Glynn |
$900 |
82.5 |
83 |
165.5 |
5 |
Social Hour |
Laura Strasburg |
Brooke Morin |
$800 |
82.25 |
83 |
165.25 |
6 |
Spot On |
West Coast Equine Partners |
Nick Haness |
$700 |
81.5 |
82 |
163.5 |
7 |
Willow CBF |
Julie Hancock |
Phillip Cillis |
$600 |
82 |
81 |
163 |
8 |
Skyhawk |
Aleron LLC |
Alexis Taylor-Silvernale |
$450 |
79 |
81 |
160 |
|
|
|
(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY John French and Maritime on their way to a $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix win.
|
|
$5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Thirty-five horses and riders and riders competed in the $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix on Sunday of Desert Circuit III, striving for both the blue ribbon and the opportunity to collect points to qualify for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September 2016. The top twelve returned for the second round to prove who was ready to take home the winning title and the qualifying points. The top three riders’ scores altered from the first round to the second, making it a competitive chase for the final placings. The team to deliver was Lindsay Maxwell of Los Angeles, California, and her mount Widget. They navigated the first round with a score of 83, and in the second round, improved to an 86, which ultimately gave them the win with a final score of 169. Second-place belonged to Polly Sweeney from Pasadena, California, and Red Label, owned by Glenda Monkarsh of Las Vegas, Nevada. They rode to achieve a first round score of 85, which put them into the lead while going into the second round. A second round score of 83 put them just behind Maxwell with a total score of 168. Fenway, owned and ridden by Aya Clear of Piedmont, California, earned third-place. Their endeavor in the first round earned them a score of 82.25 placing them in fifth while going into the second round. With a score of 83 in the second round, their total 165.25 was good enough for third. Fourth-place went to Tonya Johnston of Berkley, California, aboard Back in Business, owned by Mary Kate Moulton from Oakland, California, and fifth was Emily Goldberg and Sambuca, owned by Lasorda Holdings.
Place |
Horse |
Owner |
Rider |
Prize |
R.1 Score |
R.2 Score |
Total |
1 |
Widget |
Lindsay Maxwell |
Lindsay Maxwell |
$1,500 |
83 |
86 |
169 |
2 |
Red Label |
Glenda Monkarsh |
Polly Sweeney |
$1,000 |
85 |
83 |
168 |
3 |
Fenway |
Aya Clear |
Aya Clear |
$700 |
82.25 |
83 |
165.25 |
4 |
Back in Business |
Mary Kate Moulton |
Tonya Johnston |
$500 |
81 |
84 |
165 |
5 |
Sambuca |
Lasorda Holdings |
Emily Goldberg |
$400 |
81.5 |
82 |
163.5 |
6 |
Southside |
Sabrina Hellman |
Olivia Hellman |
$325 |
84 |
79 |
163 |
7 |
Sinatra |
Lasorda Holdings |
Emily Goldberg |
$300 |
82 |
80 |
162 |
8 |
Lifestyle |
Sabrina Hellman |
Sarah Hellman |
$275 |
74 |
82 |
156 |
|
|
|
(C) ESI Photography Lindsay Maxwell and Widget on their way to a $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix win.
|
|
|