OCALA, FL (February 24, 2010)–The second week of show jumping at HITS Ocala wrapped on Sunday with warm weather and exciting action, proving that the ‘Horse Capital of the World’ is also the ‘Land of Opportunity,’ as the Grand Prix Arena saw some new faces emerge in the winner’s circle.
In Thursday’s $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Lacy Morrone-Cramer from Pittstown, New Jersey earned her first Grand Prix win of the season riding Ulysses Van De Krekebeke, owned by Equi Sport, LLC. The duo bested 36 pairs and, according to Morrone-Cramer, it was all thanks to a last second decision. “From the triple bar to the triple combination everyone was jumping the line in the eight,” explained Morrone-Cramer. “When I was out there it was a last second decision, but I decided to jump it in the seven and it worked!”
Sunday’s $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, marked the first-time victory for Grand Prix newcomer Full A’s, shown by Matthais Hollberg of Apex, North Carolina. Owned by APEX Equestrian Center, it was only the fifth Grand Prix the horse has ever competed in. “He’s won a few ribbons but this was the first time he’s ever jumped clean in a Grand Prix, let alone win,” exclaimed a very happy Hollberg after the class.
Finishing alongside Hollberg in the top three were Hugh Graham on Executive Privilege 3E and Kristen VanderVeen on Bull Run’s La Bamba.
Back-to-Back Wins for Bumpus in the Devoucoux Hunter Derby
Kristen Bumpus continues to shine at HITS Ocala, as she won the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby for the second week in a row on Inspired, owned by Hannah Curran. Bumpus is currently battling an injury to her Achilles tendon, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. With back-to-back wins in the popular new Derby, she’s the one to beat and plans to keep going for the blue this season in Ocala.
Hot on her heels is youngster Chase Boggio, who finished second behind Bumpus for the past two weeks. This time around he was just .75 points away from matching Bumpus aboard his own mount, Graphiq. David Connors locked in third place aboard Nadia with 167 points.
Each passing week the Devoucoux Hunter Derby continues to grow in popularity and numbers! Sunday’s class drew large crowds of spectators to watch 50 of the top hunters on the East Coast take aim at this unique class. The Devoucoux Hunter Derby counts for points in the Marshall & Sterling League and will be offered as a division at the National Finals in September.
$10,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper High Classic
New Jersey’s Michael Hughes and Twister, owned by Drumnacross Farm, seemed to have an enjoyable week at HITS Ocala. The pair took first place in Sunday’s $10,000 U-Dump Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper High Classic, and earlier in the week, they won the $1,000 Junior/Amateur Owner Jumper High.
The U-Dump Jumper Classic is another weekly fixture on the HITS Ocala schedule this season, providing Junior and Amateur riders some fabulous prize money and a spotlight in the Grand Prix ring on Sunday mornings.
Pfizer Million Rankings!
The most talked about event in the equine industry, the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, which will take place on September 12 at HITS-on-the-Hudson, continues to peak interest with each passing week. High-Performance riders from coast-to-coast are competing at HITS events to qualify for this mega event, which is shaping up to be the ‘Super Bowl’ of Grand Prix classes. Five of the top ten riders in the preliminary Pfizer Million Standings are competing at HITS Ocala. New Jersey’s Callan Solem has five Grand Prix classes in the bag so far and $22,000 in prize money aboard Quiet Winter Farm’s Allison. Solem still needs to compete in three more Grand Prix events to reach a total of eight, the minimum to qualify for the event. Other Ocala riders showing up in the top ten are Tracy Fenney, Hugh Graham, Kent Farrington and now, Matthais Hollberg. HITS Ocala will host eight more qualifiers for the Pfizer Million, including the big ticket $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, on Sunday, March 21 as the road to the Pfizer Million continues.
Catena Leading Rider Race
Solem and Allison are also sitting at the top of the 2010 Catena Leading Rider Standings, with 48 points. The top-ranked Grand Prix rider on the 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will receive a beautiful Catena diamond-face watch at the conclusion of the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, on Sunday, March 21.