The Ocala January Festival, the second week of the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at the newly renovated HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida, delivered another unforgettable round of top-tier show jumping competition. Riders from across the globe continued to showcase their talent at the renowned venue, which has become a seasonal home for many in the equestrian community. The week’s excitement reached its peak during the $80,000 FarmVet Grand Prix, on Saturday, January 25. The premier event drew elite riders and mesmerized spectators with a thrilling conclusion, but ultimately, it was New Zealand Olympian Sharn Wordley and Mick Jagger that claimed the victory with a standout performance.
Twenty competitive horse-and-rider pairs navigated the demanding first-round course crafted by Kerry Kocher of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. Among them, Wordley entered the field with three mounts, but it was his seasoned partner Mick Jagger that gave him the satisfaction of a win. The duo proved untouchable, becoming the only combination to deliver a double-clear performance in the nine-horse jump-off in a time of 37.783 seconds.
“The jump-off track was quite technical, and everyone was really fast, but I just went medium fast,” explained Wordley of his tour around the short course. “I thought I’d end up fifth or sixth, but luckily for me, they all had a rail down.”
Mick Jagger has accrued an impressive track record at HITS Ocala. Now with yet another accolade to his list, the 17-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Chacco Blue x Dobel’s Cento) owned by Della Wordley once again demonstrated his affinity for the venue.
“He loves it here—he wins grand prix classes at this venue all the time,” shared Wordley. “He’s such a sweet and consistent horse. Our first six months together were really tough, and I almost gave up on him, but once we clicked, everything fell into place, and it has been amazing ever since.”
Based in Ocala, Florida, Wordley is one of the two masterminds behind Wordley Martin, a company he co-founded with Craig Martin that specializes in premium riding surfaces. Notably, it was the expertise of the Wordley Martin team that was relied upon for the recent major arena reconstructions at both the HITS Ocala and HITS Hudson Valley facilities. At the conclusion of the class, Wordley expressed his appreciation for the overall transformation of the venue.
“The footing here is just excellent, I have to say,” he laughed. “The HITS management has done an outstanding job revitalizing the horse show. Their focus on making people feel welcome and ensuring they enjoy the experience is the most important part. All of the upgrades we’ve done perfectly align with the new HITS mantra.”
With a blazing fast time of 33.511 seconds but a four-fault score, January Classic’s Grand Prix winner Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Keep Me With You N.C., Falkirk Farm LLC’s 10-year-old KWPN mare (Le Tot de Semilly x Indoctro), finished in second place. Crowd favorite Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Apple, MTM Farm’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes), rounded out the podium with four faults in a time of 34.397 seconds.
The week’s action kicked off on Wednesday, January 22, with the $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome, where FEI World Equestrian Games™ U.S. team gold medalist Devin Ryan made a triumphant return to HITS Ocala. Riding his own eight-year-old KWPN gelding (Eldorado van de Zeshoek x Baloubet du Rouet), Mondorado, Ryan claimed victory with the only double-clear performance of the class. Adeline Rohrbach (USA) secured second place aboard Rarity, a 14-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Roc USA x Fabulus) owned by Lisa Goldman-Smolen. Jodie Camberg (USA) completed the top three with Hendrick des Forets, the seven-year-old Selle Français gelding (Cicave de Talus x Orlando) owned by JC Equestrian LLC.
Irishman Robert Blanchette made his HITS Ocala debut one to remember, taking top honors in the $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup on Thursday, January 23. Blanchette rode Azmir d’Asbo Z, Setzer Farms LLC’s 14-year-old Zangershiede gelding (Aganix du Seigneur x Godwin van ten Bosch) to top honors in a time of 38.532 seconds. Hot on his heels was New Zealand Olympian Kirk Webby, who secured second place with Jamie Stryker’s 10-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Cellestial x Lord Kemm), Cameron 38, clocking in at 38.712 seconds. Blanchette completed the podium with a third-place finish aboard his second mount, Carnlea Premier Balou, a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balou du Rouet x Cavalier Royale) owned by Ridersmith LLC, in a time of 38.815 seconds.
Blanchette’s success continued throughout the week, delivering a one-two punch in Friday’s premier event, the $15,000 STX Open Speed. Blanchette piloted Abra Kadabra VD Heide Z, Whitney Woo’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Asca Z x Clintissimo Z), to the top of the class, while his own Coupis, an 18-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Coupe de Coeur x Canabis Z), was close behind to finish in second. Anthony Sauroil guided Lucy, an eight-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Cardento) owned by Mi Casa Stable Holdings Inc., to a third-place finish.
The $24,500 HorseFlight Jumper Classic provided an exciting conclusion to the Ocala January Festival. Canadian rider Harold Chopping delivered a stellar performance aboard Geronimo SCF, Diane Halpin’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Veron x Silvio I), clinching victory with a blazing time of 37.998 seconds. Jared Petersen (USA) secured the runner-up spot with Kawir MS, his own eight-year-old Belgian Sporthorse stallion (Comme Il Faut x Diamant de Semilly), finishing in 38.673 seconds. Completing the podium was fellow Canadian Francois Lamontagne, who piloted Lacros VDL, Groupe Zacar Inc.’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Indorado), to a close third in 38.692 seconds.
The action at the Ocala January Festival has wrapped for the week, but the competition resumes on Tuesday, January 28th with the Ocala Premiere.
