OCALA, FL (February 6, 2009)— The rated series of the 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit crowned its 
first winning Grand Prix pair on Thursday, when Tracy Magness rode Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude to the blue in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm, in Ocala, Florida.
Magness guided Tarco Van Ter Moude to the fastest double-clear round on course designer Guilherme Jorge’s route as she collected $7,500 in first-place prize money. Magness outlasted 23 riders in the first round and the six who advanced to the seven-obstacle jump-off course.
“I think the course designer got exactly what he wanted out of the first Thursday Grand Prix of the circuit,” said Magness. “We are all expecting the jumps to be a little bit bigger on Sunday when the prize money doubles.”
Starting off the jump-off was Meagan Nusz who rode TNT Partners’ Absolute Envy. They had a rail down near the end of the track and finished in fifth place.
Second to show was Callan Solem aboard Torlando Group’s VDL Torlando. Solem and VDL Torlando also had a single rail down to finish in sixth place.
Third in the order was Daniel Damen who rode Teena Adriani’s Forever RD. The pair made it all the way home clean in 40.691 to establish the Great American Time to Beat . Jay Hayes was next to show aboard Summerhill Farm’s Livarot. They had an unlucky rail down midway through the trip and finished in fourth place.
Going fifth in the jump-off was Roberto Teran who rode King Ridge Stables’ Distant Star 3E. The duo navigated the course without dropping any rails in 39.372 to take over the lead. When the class was complete, they would finish in second place.
Maryland ‘s Tracy Magness was sitting in the envious last-to-ride spot and took advantage of the position when she made the dash for cash in 35.868 to win the class.
“Anytime you are fortunate enough to go last, you are at a tremendous advantage,” said Magness. “I couldn’t be happier with Tarco and I hope we can make a habit of winning this winter.”
With her victory, Magness earned valuable points toward the Catena Leading Lady Grand Prix Rider Award. The presentation of the Catena Leading Lady Rider Award will take place during the Ocala Winter Celebration on Sunday, March 15.
The leading female Grand Prix rider on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will receive a timepiece from Catena, USA, with 29 hand-cut diamonds and a white mother-of-pearl dial with 12 diamonds on the dial of the timepiece.
Show jumping at HITS Ocala continues all weekend and will be highlighted by Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix. The social calendar also gets into full swing when The Sanctuary hosts a special off-site exhibitor party on Saturday, February 7 from 5 pm to 9 pm. For more information, please contact HITS’ Account Executive for Corporate Sponsorship Lisa Engel at Lisa@HitsShows.com.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.