Week Four of the 2026 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit delivered another marquee Saturday on February 7, as top horse-and-rider combinations returned to the Grand Prix Ring at HITS Post Time Farm for one of the week’s premier events, the $60,000 HITS Grand Prix. While the Ocala January Festival boasted a World Championship Hunter Rider (WCHR) designation, drawing leading hunter athletes vying for valuable national ranking points, the week also featured elite jumper sport. A competitive field set the stage for the $60,000 HITS Grand Prix, where Matthias Hollberg (USA) rose to the occasion aboard Acorn.
Course designer Ivan Tagle (ARG) crafted a thoughtful track that encouraged forward riding while demanding precision throughout. From an opening field of 36 entries, nine combinations advanced to the jump-off, with Hollberg ultimately emerging on top.
“This is her first grand prix win,” said Hollberg of Dean Richardson’s 12-year-old American Warmblood mare (R. Johnson x Concept 2). “Her owner has always called her the best horse in the world, and now she’s starting to prove it.”
Faced with a technical jump-off that included a tempting inside turn, Hollberg chose a more conservative approach.
“I thought there would be a lot more clear rounds than there ended up being,” he explained. “My plan was to go as fast as I could without being overly daring and hope that would put some pressure on the others.”
Stopping the clock in 40.133 seconds, Hollberg’s time proved unbeatable as rails continued to fall behind him.
“She’s a real fighter,” he added. “I’m grateful she stepped up for me when it mattered, and I try to do the same for her. It’s a true partnership — that’s what it’s all about.”
Based in Ocala during the winter and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, in the summer, Hollberg and his team at Team Hollberg consider HITS Ocala a cornerstone of their season.
“It’s an incredible facility, and the management has been great,” he said. “I really enjoy being here, and it’s clear the horses do too.”
Tracy Fenney (USA) finished second aboard Nina Koloseike’s 10-year-old Holsteiner mare (Catoki x Acorado), delivering a double-clear jump-off round in 41.496 seconds. The result also earned Fenney the Frank & Eileen Leading Lady Rider Award. Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) rounded out the podium with a fault-free effort in 42.166 seconds aboard her own Romeo B, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Heartbreaker x Branco).
The Ocala Winter Classic concludes Sunday with Jumper Classic competition for amateur and junior riders. The Circuit resumes Wednesday, February 11, as the Ocala Winter Festival gets underway at HITS Post Time Farm. Full results are available at showmanagementsystem.com.
