Kristen Bumpus and Diadora Dominate High Performance Hunter Championship at HITS Ocala

Ocala, Fla – March 9, 2023 – With just three weeks remaining at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, Kristen Bumpus kicked off Week VIII with dominating tricolor performance aboard her veteran partner on Diadora. The duo garnered the High Performance Hunter championship after sweeping all four over fence classes for owner Barbara LeStage.

“I feel like [Diadora] was maybe the most consistent that we've been in a while,” expressed Bumpus. “She's pretty consistent to begin with, but this week everything just kind of came up easy. She could not have been any better."

Kristen Bumpus and Diadora. Photo by: ESI Photography

Based at Arrowhead Farms, Inc., Bumpus initially started riding the Dutch Warmblood mare in 2019 and has since learned that she is an extremely confident horse, no matter what she does. An expert at “doing her job,” Bumpus has found that Diadora needs little direction in the show ring compared to other horses she’s worked with. Moreover, Diadora’s confidence has helped owner Barbara LeStage succeed in her riding, too.

“[Diadora] is pretty confident in what she can do, so you just have to give her minimal direction,” explained Bumpus. “Not that it's easy per se, but she does enough of the work herself that I don't have to do all of the work for both of us."

Susan Lyman and All In One. Photo by: ESI Photography

Horses like Diadora and reserve champion All In One, ridden by Susan Lyman, were using this week’s High Performance Hunter division to prep for next week’s $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will be held in the newly resurfaced Main Hunter Ring.

Bumpus appreciates the new ring at HITS Ocala, concluding, “I can tell you that if she doesn't like the footing in the ring, she'll do a little head shake every once in a while, and she has not been doing that. So I'm gonna say she really, really likes it. And if she likes it, I love it.”

Hunter action at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will continue this week with the $10,000 USHJA Nationa Hunter Derby and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Horses and riders hoping to make their derby debuts will have the opportunity to showcase their skills during the Post Time 2'6" and 2’ Hunter Derbies. Top horses and riders should mark their calendars today for the second $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, which will be held during Week IX at Post Time Farm. For more information visit the horse show office or www.hitsshows.com.