Texas two step! Tracy Fenney wins her second Grand Prix at HITS Ocala this week
OCALA, FL (March 2, 2009) —Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas, continued her hot streak when she won her second consecutive Grand Prix, capturing the blue aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm, in Ocala, Florida.
Fenney took out a field of 24 that challenged the course built by Danny Foster of Milton, Ontario, Canada. Six advanced to the jump-off and Fenney came out on top to secure the first-place check of $15,000.
Fenney, who was the leading Grand Prix rider at HITS Ocala in 2008, seems to be heating up at just the right time. She had four horses in the money in Thursday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, including the winning ride aboard MTM Centano. “Now we are ready,” said Fenney. “We came out a week early to try to get the horses in shape, but I don’t think it was enough time to get them ready. I wish every week was like this one. It doesn’t get any better than this!”
First to go in the jump-off was David Beisel and Harlow Investment Enterprises’ Patoile. The duo had rails down at the first two fences on the course and another rail at the final obstacle to finish with 12 faults. When the class was complete, they would finish in sixth place.
Second to show in the jump-off was Callan Solem and the Torlando Group’s VDL Torlando. The duo made it all the way home clean to set the Great American Time to Beat at 45.953 and eventually grab the yellow ribbon. “He was so great,” said Solem. “Every time we do a jump-off together, I try to go a little bit faster and he continues to amaze me.”
“Unfortunately,” added Solem, “the lead didn’t last for long. Tracy was next and she was awesome!”
Fenney and MTM Centano entered the ring next and made the dash for the cash, stoping the clock in 43.388 to become the new class leader and eventually win the blue. “I thought Callan was fairly fast,” said Fenney. “I had some fast riders behind me, including Aaron Vale and Laura Linback, so I couldn’t afford to take my time. I really had to go for it.”
Vale would show next, and he gave Fenney a run for her money. Vale has been on a hot streak at HITS Ocala, capturing the blue in the previous two Sunday Grand Prix classes aboard Joan Kalman’s Tarco. This time, he was aboard Sinatra IV, owned by Thinkslikeahorse. With a clean round that looked blazing fast, it appeared his streak would continue. As he crossed the timers, however, the clock showed a time of 43.429 – less that half a second off Fenney’s pace, landing the pair in second place.
Next on course was Laura Linback and Woodrun’s As Di Villagana. An unlucky rail down midway through the course resulted in a fourth place finish.
Sitting in the enviable last-to-go spot was David Jennings and ATJ Farms’ Alibi Z. Two rails down placed the duo in fifth place to finish the class.
With her two wins this week, Fenney is making strides in 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 woman Grand Prix rider on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will receive a beautiful timepiece from Catena, USA, with 29 hand-cut diamonds on the bezel and a white mother-of-pearl.
Show jumping action at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continues next week with the Ocala Winter Finals, and features a full week of classes, including the $10,000 USHJA Hunter Derby, $5,000 Pony Commotion and the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix.
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.