OCALA, FL (February 13, 2009)—Tracy Magness rode Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude to her second Grand Prix victory of the circuit, taking the blue in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on Thursday at HITS Post Time Farm, in Ocala, Florida.
Magness guided Tarco Van Ter Moude to the fastest double-clear round on a course built by Jack Robson of Coronado, California. Magness outlasted 22 riders in the first round and the three who advanced to the jump-off course as she collected $7,500 in first-place prize money.
Magness is off to a fantastic start at the 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The Maryland native won last Thursday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix and was second in Sunday’s $50,000 EMO Grand Prix.
“I have a super horse,” said Magness. “He is coming off of a nice rest and seems to be very fresh. Plus, we know each other so well! I think that’s why we are off to such a great start.”
With her victory, Magness continues to earn 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 on the bezel and a white mother-of-pearl dial with 12 diamonds on the dial of the watch..
“It’s a long road ahead,” said Magness. “There are a lot of great female riders here so it’s an honor to be in the early lead.”
Starting the jump-off was Texas’ Tracy Fenney who rode MTM Farm’s MTM Timon. They went clear and set the Great American Time to beat right off the bat at 32.886. That time would be good enough for third place.
Second to show was Kyle King and Cimaron Farm’s Paola. The pair also went clear, and with their time of 31.095, they would finish in second place.
Magness was sitting in the envious last-to-ride spot and took advantage of the position when she made the dash for cash in 29.284 to win the class.
“I think Jack Robson did a great job with the course,” said Magness. “It was difficult, but in a good way. All of his courses this week have been very technical and provided a good challenge to the riders.”
Show jumping at HITS Ocala continues all weekend and will be highlighted by tonight’s Central Equine Relay and Exhibitor Mixer. During the Central Equine Relay, teams of three riders will compete in a Nations-Cup style class under the lights in the Grand Prix Ring. Click here to watch it live.
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.