Tracy Fenney Captures her Fourth Grand Prix Win at HITS Ocala
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That's a wrap for the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration (IX), featuring world-class hunter and jumper competition. Riders are certainly on their A-game as we near the end of the Circuit. This week featured the $200,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix, where many of the top riders in the sport prepared their horses for next week's Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. Along with featured competition, riders worked diligently to earn their final points toward the Tack Shack of Ocala 2nd-Half Circuit and Pyranha Overall Circuit Awards, which will be presented prior to next week's Great American Million. Friday began with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix in the Grand Prix Stadium where Vanessa Mannix was welcomed to the Winner's Circle aboard her own CATINKA 25 to accept the blue ribbon. Mannix was last to jump-off and bested the field with her time of 39.501.
Fenney moved up in the standings to take the win in the $15,000 HITS 1.40m Classic on Saturday aboard MTM LOCADEUR for MTM Farm. Being early in the order and the first rider to make it to the jump-off can be tricky as you set the pace, but nobody could beat Fenney's time of 40.655. Jumper Classic Winners
$1,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic - Low: Kristina Gallo & CANTURINIO
$1,500 M&S Child/Adult Jumper Classic - Medium: Aiva Gamelin & SANITA PJ $2,000 M&S Child Jumper Classic - High: Sophia Ayers & FOR FASHION $2,000 M&S Adult Jumper Classic - High: Gabriella Fournier & CASADORA 4 $2,500 Pyranha NAL Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic: Madison Kondracki & SHUTTERFLY $5,000 Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic: Audrey Muscari & CINGSLEY 2 $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O/Am 1.45m Jumper Classic: Hayley Waters & VITEL SOURDIN A field of 46 riders were welcomed to the Grand Prix Stadium on Sunday afternoon for the $200,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix. Just eight riders would jump a clean first round over the course designed by Ms. Catalina "Catsy" Cruz of Mexico City, Mexico. The jump-off consisted of past Million Winners, Grand Prix Veterans, and riders that are no stranger to the Winner's Circle at HITS Ocala. There was no doubt that it was going to be a competitive jump-off with each rider locked-in on the top prize.
Capping off the Ocala Winter Celebration (IX) with her fourth Grand Prix win of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit was Fenney, jumping clean in the first round aboard her two mounts with a good shot at taking home the win. First to return in jump-off was Andre Thieme and CRAZY GIRL, posting a fault-free a time of 41.930 and setting the pace for the class. Following Thieme, was Fenney and her first mount in the jump-off, MTM REVE DU PARADIS. An unfortunate rail at the first fence would ultimately place them fifth. "Following Andre [Theime], I had an idea of what the time would be like," said Fenney. "Aaron [Vale] has been super on fire and I knew that he has won a lot with that horse [ELUSIVE] so I knew with him behind me and Jordan [Coyle] also having two after me, that I needed to be pretty quick."  Fenney had one more shot at the win as she was fourth to return aboard MTM APPLE, owned by MTM Farm. She knew that she would need to be quick and accurate as Vale and Coyle, both known for their incredible speed, were standing by to jump-off. The pair navigated the jump-off in 36.645 and held onto the lead until the very end. "I don't know that I've won a $200,000, so that's pretty impressive," exclaimed Fenney, beaming with joy. "She [MTM APPLE] was great and I am so excited! Aaron [Vale] was within a whisper of me so it could have gone either way today."
Second place was awarded to Aaron Vale and ELUSIVE, who were also the winners of this class in 2020. They came up just a hair short, posting a time of 39.714 in the jump-off. Rounding out the top three in the class was Thieme and CRAZY GIRL with the only other fault-free jump-off.  Hunters competed for the top prize on Saturday in the $10,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix in the Main Hunter Ring. Kicking off the day with a win was Kahle for her ride aboard MAXLIGHT for Redfield Farm in the $10,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix. Kahle was awarded the highest score in each round, 88 and 87, for a total of 175 and the blue ribbon.
2nd Place: Vale & JAGERBOMB [169] 3rd Place: Daniel Geitner & TROPICS [167]  Saturday afternoon came to a close with Elle Moreno taking the win in the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix aboard HASHTAG for Stacy Lane-Sanderson. Moreno was awarded an 87 in each round to finish with a cumulative score of 174.
2nd Place: Emma Covarrubias & ENDLESS JOY [167] 3rd Place: Moreno & CASCAVEL [163]  Hunter Classic Winners
$1,000 USHJA Green Hunter Incentive: Hunt Tosh & CITATION $1,000 A-O Hunter Classic - 3'6": Darby Toben & GIOVANNIE $1,000 Eastern Hay A-O Hunter Classic - 3'3": Jenney Aselage & LOON LAKE $1,000 Antares Junior Hunter Classic - 3'6": Maddie Tosh & CAMEO $1,000 Junior Hunter Classic - 3'3": Lillian Geitner & BANKS MILL $1,000 Perfect Products Pony Hunter Classic: M. Tosh & STORYTELLER $500 M&S/NAL/WIHS SmartPak Adult Hunter Classic: Samantha Perreault & HEARTCORE $500 M&S/NAL/WIHS Child Hunter Classic: Kate Egan & ZORVINO $500 M&S/NAL/WIHS Child Hunter Classic - Pony: Lyla Tuttle & OTTERIDGE GUNSMOKE M&S Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic: Chloe Stix & FABIAN Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.
There's one more chance to make your Million Dollar Dreams come True at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit - don't miss out! The final week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit kicks-off this Wednesday for the HITS Ocala Championship which features USEF-Rated Premier/6* competition through March 28. For more information or to enter for the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, click here. In its seventh year, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Ocala will host Grand Prix newcomers, veterans and past and aspiring Olympians for the richest prize purse in hunter/jumper competition. Some of the riders showing in this year’s competition include Nayel Nassar (EGY). one of only two riders, along with Beezie Madden (USA), to ever complete the 'HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping,' winning the HITS Million at each location it has been offered - Saugerties, New York, Ocala, Florida and Thermal, California. More multiple-Million Grand Prix winners competing this year are Andre Thieme (GER) and McLain Ward (USA) who have each won three of these prized events over the past 12 years. A number of internationally ranked riders representing various countries such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, and more will also be competing for the top prize, along with Ocala favorites Aaron Vale and Hunter Holloway. This is surely a class you won't want to miss! Watch on ShowhorseTV! Enjoy the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Style
VIP Tables are available for the Ocala Championship (X) which features the seventh Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, March 28. Tables seating 6 guests are $2,000 for Wednesday - Sunday. Visit the Horse Show office for more information or to purchase your VIP Table for the Ocala Championship (X)!
Wednesday
$5,000 Open Welcome Thursday $10,000 HITS Open Prix Friday $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix* HITS Equitation Championship Saturday $15,000 Jumper Classic $25,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult High Jumper Classic* $10,000 Jr/A-O/Am 1.35m Jumper Classic $25,000 U-Dump Jr/A-O/Am 1.45m Jumper Classic* $25,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby* $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Sunday $2,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.25m Jumper Classic $1,500 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Medium Jumper Classic $1,000 Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Low Jumper Classic $1,000 Junior and Amateur-Owner Hunter Classics $1,000 Perfect Products Pony Hunter Classic $500 Children's and Adult Hunter Classics Marshall & Sterling Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic Great American $1 Million Grand Prix** *Remember, the 24-hour Stabling Rule is in effect for all Hunter and Jumper classes offering $25,000 or more in prize money. **All horses entered in the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix must be stabled on grounds at HITS Post Time Farm no later than Noon on Wednesday, March 24. |
