The 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continued its streak of electrifying competition on Saturday, March 1, with the marquee event of the HITS Ocala Tournament, the $80,000 Ocala Marion County Grand Prix. Spectators were treated to a masterclass in speed and precision as Tracy Fenney (USA) and her longtime partner MTM Apple delivered a commanding performance to secure the win.
With top-tier horse-and-rider combinations vying for the top prize, world renowned FEI Level 4 course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set a demanding track featuring delicate verticals, wide oxers, and technical rollback turns that tested even the most experienced competitors. Eleven pairs conquered the first round fault-free, setting the stage for a fiercely contested jump-off.
Robert Blanchette (IRL) was the early pace-setter across the short course, posting a swift, clear round in 37.086 seconds — a time that seemed untouchable as other competitors struggled to leave the rails up. Last to go, Fenney and MTM Apple wasted no time, blazing through the timers in 34.678 seconds to clinch the victory.
“I watched Seth [Vahlonrat] go before me, and he did the leave-out from the first to second jump, so I knew I could do that too,” shared Fenney. “I’m not sure how she got over the big oxer in the middle of the course, but once she did, we were home free.”
While MTM Apple may not have the most traditional appearance, Fenney credits the 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes) for her heart and determination.
“She’s just a really unique individual,” said Fenney said of her trusted mount, owned by MTM Farm. “You don’t watch her go and think, ‘Wow, that horse can really jump.’ Everyone makes fun of her and says she’s just a big fat girl, but then they watch her go and can’t believe how fast she is and how easily she leaves out strides.”
Fenney and MTM Apple have built a strong partnership, earning victories at top venues across the country. However, Fenney believes “Apple” has truly hit her stride at HITS Ocala.
“All the riders are so fast now, but the arena here is incredible,” she noted “The horses stay on top of the footing and cover the ground so well that you can go even faster. I live five minutes from here, and Apple loves her turnout time before showing once a week. It works out really well for us.”
Blanchette ultimately finished in second place with Carnlea Premier Balou, Ridersmith LLC’s 11-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding (Balou Du Rouet x Cavalier Royale). Jelmer Hoekstra (NED) completed the podium aboard Lizelottie W, the Eyckenhoeve Group Inc.’s nine-year-old KWPN mare (Comme Il Faut 5 x Guidam), stopping the clock at 37.477 seconds.
The excitement at HITS Ocala Masters extended well beyond the Grand Prix, with top-notch competition unfolding throughout the week. Wednesday, February 26, kicked off with the $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome, where MaryLisa Leffler (USA) and Rolling Acres’s 15-year-old Zangersheide mare, Zaza Z (Zandor x Caretano Z), delivered a flawless double-clear round in 39.548 seconds to secure the victory. Seth Valhonrat (USA) followed closely, piloting his nine-year-old KWPN gelding by Grandorado TN, Lordy P, to a second-place finish in 41.264 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Aida Sanchez (USA) aboard Mayla, her own nine-year-old Holsteiner mare(Mylord Carthago x Calando V), stopping the clock at 45.084 seconds.
Thursday’s $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup brought another electrifying showdown, with fierce competition until the final ride. Dorothy Douglas (USA) and MTM Pablo, Davenport Farm’s 12-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Perigueux x Contendro I), delivered a blazing jump-off round in 34.173 seconds to claim the top spot. Jared Petersen (USA) and Kawir MS, a nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Comme Il Faut x Diamant De Semilly) owned by Jordan Petersen, followed closely behind, securing second place with a time of 35.502 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Leffler and Zaza Z for their second impressive placing of the week, stopping the clock at 35.687 seconds for third.
Speed took center stage on Friday in the $15,000 STX Open Speed Class, where Fenney scored her first win of the week, this time with MTM My Life Be Like, MTM Farm’s eight-year-old KWPN mare (VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P. x Cartano). They blazed through the course to claim victory in 60.950 seconds. Madison Kondracki (USA) and E Storm Cat, her own nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Escudo I, delivered a swift round to secure second in 63.278 seconds. Rounding out the top three was Oliver McCarthy (IRL) aboard Jack Sparrows, Ashfield Stable’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Douglas x Pilot), finishing in 64.883 seconds.
The week concluded in thrilling fashion with Sunday’s $24,500 HorseFlight Jumper Classic. François Lamontagne (CAN) and Lacros VDL, Groupe Zacar, Inc.’s nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Kannan x Indorado), clinched victory with a swift time of 33.332 seconds. Dorothy Douglas and MTM Caepten 2, Nina Koloseike’s 13-year-old Warmblood gelding (Cayton x Rouletto), were hot on their heels, securing second in 33.410 seconds. Tracy Fenney and MTM My Life Be Like delivered another impressive performance, rounding out the podium in 33.535 seconds.
With Week 7 in the books, excitement is mounting as the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit rolls on. Riders and fans eagerly await more world-class competition, set to resume on Tuesday, March 4, with the highly anticipated Ocala Winter Finals.
