The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit introduces new classes and sees dominating performances during Week IV at Post Time Farm!

A Three-Peat Winner and Dominating Performances in New Classes
Steal the Show During HITS Ocala IV
Aaron Vale and Holly Shepherd take home top honors
during Boehringer Ingelheim Week at the Ocala Winter Classic.

The Ocala Winter Classic featured new classes this week, with riders from across the country aiming to test themselves against the very best competition. Based on the results, competitors and spectators alike were treated to some of the very best riding.

It all started Wednesday with the $5,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Welcome. Manuel Torres captured the blue ribbon on CHISTOFOLINI H. The pair finished with the winning time of 38.260.

2^nd Place: Kris Killiam & GANGSTER CHS (38.455)
3^rd Place: Lisa Goldman-Smolen & NIKE (38.986)

A dominating performance highlighted the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Kirk Webbyand BRANDO DU ROUET posted an amazing two-plus second win in a jaw-dropping time of 39.229.

2^nd Place: Tracey Fenney & MTM COMO NO (41.519)
3^rd Place: Fenney & MTM REVE DU PARADIS (41.690)

Brian Moggre, the only junior in the field, was the winner of the $10,000 KindredBio Open Prix. Moggre and MTM FLUTTERBY crossed the timers in 28.530.

2^nd Place: Goldman-Smolen & HINDSIGHT (30.327)
3^rd Place: Fenney & MTM APPLE (30.804)

Saturday introduced a new class in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, the $10,000 1.35m Gambler's Choice. The winning rider for this special class was Holly Shepherd aboard MANCHESTER. The pair accumulated a total score of 1630 to seal the win.

2^nd Place: Moggre & MTM FLUTTERBY (1620)
3^rd Place: Sima Morgello & AZUR VAN OVERIS Z (1550)

Grace Debney and DARK KISS Z captured the win in the $2,500 Pyranha Junior 1.25m Jumper Classic on Sunday.

Taking top honors in this week's $2,500 Pyranha A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic was Laura Linback aboard BIG SMILE.

The winning round for the $5,000 Summit Joint Performance Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic went to Erin Haas riding UDO DV.

In a close jump off, Bryn Sadler took the win in the $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/Am 1.45m Jumper Classic, aboard CINVEN CR.

Boehringer Ingelheim week at the Ocala Winter Classic wrapped up with the $50,000 Boehringer Ingelheim Grand Prix. It was a three-peat for Aaron Vale and MAJOR who have won the Sunday Grand Prix for three weeks in a row now. The dynamic duo had the fastest time, 38.549, nearly three seconds faster than second place, and took home the top spot for an amazing third week in a row.

2^nd Place: Haley Gassel & QUITE DARK 2 (41.051)
3^rd Place: Jenni McAllister & ESCADA VS (41.585)

Jillian Piesco and CASSINO ROYALE took home the blue ribbon this week in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix. Piesco had a first round score of 82, followed by a second round score of 85, giving the pair a total of 167 to capture the win.

2^nd Place: Lena Rae Reeb & CALL ME (163)
^3rd Place: Lila Ouellette & KING OF HEARTS (151)

The first of two $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derbies took place this week and provided a great display of top notch hunter performances. Holly Shepherd took home top honors aboard HIGH SOCIETY with a score of 178 in round one, and a follow up score of 199 in round two. This gave the pair a combined score of 377 to take home the win.

2^nd Place: Kristen Bumpus & DIADORA (365)
^3rd Place: Cassandra Kahle & GARSINO (350)

The Ocala Winter Classic was also host to the $1,500 USHJA International Pony Hunter Derby. The junior rider to boast top honors was Lauren Studstill. Studstill guided ROLLINGWOODS LEMONY STICKET to score an 80 in the first round and an 85 in the second round, winning the class with a combined total of 165.

2^nd Place: Izzy Beisel & BOUTONNIERE (160)
^3rd Place: Brooks Hull & JEREMIAH WAS A BULLFROG (157)

That puts a wrap on Week IV, but don’t miss out on Week V when stakes increase in our two weekly Grand Prix – Catch the $50,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Friday and the $100,000 Ocala Electric Utility Grand Prix on Sunday! We will also present the Kastel Denmark Mid-Circuit Grand Champion awards on Sunday prior to the Grand Prix.

We’re excited for another new event coming to HITS Ocala Week V - the Marshall & Sterling Team Challenge! This multi-round, multi-day team competition for Children’s and Adult Hunter and Jumper Riders is the latest addition to the Marshall & Sterling League. Get together with your friends, or make new friends and build your team of three members of any combination of Children’s or Adult Riders. Enter your team today in the Horse Show Office!

Be sure to check out the prize list, available now, for details on all the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has to offer. Don't miss out on the excitement. Enter today!

HITS, Inc.

319 Main St.

Saugerties, NY 12477

Add us to your address book