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HITS CulpeperJunior and Amateur Riders Win Big Money, SmartPak Grand Circuit Champions Are Crowned, and the Road to America’s Richest Classes Begins Again at Culpeper Finals © ESI Photography. Laura Linback and Casino on course in the $25,000 Junior/ Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic. CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 7, 2011) — Six weeks of show jumping, which started in April at HITS Commonwealth Park, concluded this past Sunday with big prize money, record-breaking entries and tons of exciting year-end show jumping at the Culpeper Finals. The final show week of the year for the HITS calendar delivered and set a promising precedent for next year’s show jumping opportunities. After the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix drew crowds to HITS-on-the-Hudson as the top Grand Prix and Hunter riders from around the world rode for serious prize money, momentum was building for the Culpeper Finals. Riders caught Pfizer Million fever and transitioned from HITS-on-the-Hudson to Culpeper with ease to get a jumpstart on qualifying for the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix. Commonwealth Park attracted impressive numbers for last week’s special year-end classes, serving as a strong finish to the HITS’ show jumping circuits. $25,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper ©ESI Photography. Jeff Gogul and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way on their way to victory in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 3, 2011) — Jeff Gogul of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way finished on top in Saturday’s $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic during the Culpeper Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. “I am really pleased with [By the Way’s] performance and it was a great way to end our year,” said Gogul. “I think he is quite a special horse and I will probably show him in the Pre-Green Division again next year since we don’t want to hurry him along.” After Gogul’s win, he is excited to look ahead to an appearance in next year’s second-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with By the Way at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. “I think it will be a lot of fun to do the $500,000 class with him next year in Saugerties, so I might look to get qualified for that. It would be a great way to finish 2012,” he added. Kate Conover rode Redfield Farm’s Peron to a second-place finish in the feature event for hunter riders during the Culpeper Finals. “[Peron] is a special horse,” said Conover. “Emil Spadone imported him a few years ago and he is so much fun to ride.” Conover was Grand Circuit Champion in the Baby Green division with Peron last year at HITS Saugerties and picked up Reserve Circuit Champion honors in the Pre-Green division this year. Patty Stovel Wins the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper aboard Kenya ©ESI Photography. Patty Stovel and Kenya in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at Culpeper CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (August 22, 2011) — Patty Stovel and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya gained the momentum they needed in Culpeper to capture Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight a week of tough competition in the hunter rings of the Winston National at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. The duo’s latest victory marks their third triumph in a Devoucoux class this summer as they topped the field of 22 that showed over course designer Rian Beals’ first-round course. “Kenya is getting better as the summer goes on and that is a good thing,” said Stovel. “I am very fortunate to have a great owner who let us take our time with this horse.” The last time the duo showed at HITS Culpeper they scored the blue at the Cavalier Classic in the featured class for hunters. Then, a few weeks ago, they struck glory again topping 70 starters at the NY Horse & Pony Show at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York proving they are one of the teams to beat in the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Going into the weekend, Stovel and Kenya were eighth in the current Rider Rankings for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final with 224 points. Saturday’s win will help to push them into the top five with only two qualifiers left before the big weekend on September 10-11 in Saugerties. “I have said it before. This horse can win on any given day!” said Stovel. “There will be some great horses and great riders there and I am sure hoping that we are up for the challenge.” Jennie Edwards Captures the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper © ESI Photography. Jennie Edwards and her own Welcome on course during the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals at HITS Culpeper. CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (August 22, 2011) — Jennie Edwards and her own Welcome rose to the top when she won the blue in the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday night at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. Edwards of Jacksonville, Florida is a seasoned equitation rider and trains under the tutelage of her aunt, Ginny Edwards at Hidden Hollow Farm. In all, 33 riders navigated course designer Jerry Dougherty’s route, and 12 of the top riders were invited back to show on the flat. After the flat phase, the top four were brought back for additional testing over fences, after which, Edwards emerged as the winner. “I got this horse back in March and he’s been such a great ride,” said Jennie Edwards. “I’ve learned so much on him already. This is one of the most important events I look forward to each year, so winning it was just great. I couldn’t believe when it happened.” For her efforts, Jennie Edwards won a Tad Coffin Performance Saddle, and a cooler donated by Gary Baker, while Ginny Edwards won a $300 trainer award for helping to guide her student to the crown. “My goals this year were to qualify for the USEF Pessoa Medal Finals, the regional ASPCA Maclay Finals and this Final,” added Edwards. “I’ve been able to do all of that so far, so this year has been really successful for me. I’m very lucky to have my aunt as my trainer – she is so caring and hardworking, and it made the win a lot more special with her there.” HITS Culpeper July Wrap-UpRave reviews for new Grand Prix footing, riders use Culpeper as their stepping-stone to qualify for the Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, while sponsors Pfizer Animal Health and Purina Mills enjoy some southern hospitality  © ESI Photography. Kevin Babington and Mark Q on course in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix. CULPEPER, VA (July 22, 2011) – HITS Culpeper enjoyed two strong weeks of competition during its July shows – the Showday National and the Cavalier Classic – with higher than expected entries as exhibitors flocked to Culpeper, Virginia from all corners of the country. An action-packed schedule, which included two more qualifiers each for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, along with new Grand Prix footing, made Culpeper a “must show” for many exhibitors looking to punch their ticket to this year’s Grand Finale in September. The Showday National opened up the two-week series and was the first opportunity riders had to test out the newly resurfaced Grand Prix ring. “I thought the footing was excellent and the horses all jumped well,” said Ramiro Quintana of West Palm Beach, Florida who, aboard November Hill Farm’s Versace, captured the $1,000 Level 6 Morningside Training Farm Jumpers during the Showday National. “With all the improvements that are being made in Culpeper I am sure it will once again be considered one of the top destinations in American show jumping.” Culpeper catches Pfizer Million fever Silvio Mazzoni and Remonta Habano Capture the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper Week III © ESI Photography. Silvio Mazzoni rides to victory aboard his own Remonta Habano in Sunday's $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper. CULPEPER, VA (July 19, 2011) – Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia and his own Remonta Habano captured their second Grand Prix victory at HITS this year by winning Sunday’s $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper. The duo also won the blue in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the Ocala Winter Classic this winter. Prior to the start of Sunday’s main event, the Topaz Vaulters, an equine gymnastics spectacle, gave a special performance to kick off an afternoon of show jumping. Course designer Jose “Pepe” Gamarra of Ellenton, Florida made the $40,000 class his debut at HITS Commonwealth Park. His first round saw seven horse-and-rider combinations go clear and then return for the jump-off. “The course was great,” said Mazzoni, who gained momentum for Sunday’s victory after a fourth-place finish in Friday’s $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix with Remonta Habano. “It was a very technical track, which asked a lot of the right questions.” First to return in the jump-off was Alexa Lowe of Upperville, Virginia aboard Windsor Farm Sales’ Amicello. The team wasted no time in setting the Great American Time to Beat at 45.306 seconds with a clear effort. Mazzoni followed and easily took the lead with a blistering time of 39.741 seconds. Patty Stovel Wins the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper Week III aboard Kenya ©ESI Photography. Patty Stovel and Kenya in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Culpeper. CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (July 18, 2011) – Accomplished professional Patty Stovel and Shoal Creek Stables’ Kenya won Saturday’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix to highlight a week of tough competition in the hunter rings of the Cavalier Classic at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia. Stovel of Chester Springs, Pennsylvania and Kenya were the top horse-and-rider team out of the 34 that showed over Saugerties, New York course designer Rian Beals’ first-round track. They also sat atop the 12 pairs that advanced to the second round as they scored a first-place check. More importantly, the talented duo added their names to the list of top contenders for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, which is scheduled to roll into HITS Saugerties in September. “There were some great horses and riders in this class, and for us to come out on top – proves that we belong,” said Stovel. “I am heading up to Saugerties for the next three weeks, where I plan to show in the Devoucoux Hunter Prix, which will be a huge advantage since the big class will take place right in Saugerties.” Stovel finished on Sunday with a total score of 175 and led the charge at HITS Culpeper, boasting the top score in both rounds and winning the class by 10 points. Jonelle Mullen Stern, of Warrenton, Virginia, rode Carolyn Williams’ Delorian to a second-place effort and junior rider, Emma Kennedy of Ocala, Florida, took third aboard Donald Stewart’s Van Guard. HITS Culpeper Crowns the 2010 SmartPak Circuit Champions in a Parade of Champions © ESI Photography. HITS Account Executive Corporate Sponsorship Lisa Engel presented the Championship Ribbon and SmartPak Circuit Champion jacket to Rachel Perry and Major Fun. CULPEPER, VA (October 8, 2010) — HITS Culpeper proudly recognized its 2010 SmartPak Circuit Champions. The HITS Culpeper show season began in April and featured six weeks of competition that culminated on Sunday, October 3, offering riders ample opportunities to accumulate points toward the coveted SmartPak Circuit Champion title. Prior to the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, the Circuit Champions and their horses were led to the Grand Prix ring for a Parade of Champions, where they were awarded with a championship ribbon and a SmartPak Circuit Champion jacket. “I’m very happy!” exclaimed Amy Zettler of Alexandria, VA, who works for professional trainer Peter Foley, and competed at HITS Culpeper during all six competition weeks. “This is a great horse show to compete at and we had a fantastic year. The horses did a beautiful job each week and we earned a lot of great ribbons. It’s one of our favorite places to go.” Last Call for HITS Culpeper Entries!
 © ESI Photography. Aaron Vale and Paparazzi win the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper during the 2010 Cavalier Classic. Culpeper, VA – July 28, 2010 — Two exciting weeks of horse showing will get underway at HITS Culpeper in August, beginning with the Winston National on August 18-22, followed by the Constitution Classic beginning on August 25 and running through August 29th. To be a part of all the action in Virginia, make sure your entries are postmarked by the close of business today. In addition to the vast array of classes offered, the Winston National also plays host to the return of the Zone III Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday, August 21. The August shows each feature a $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby, $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome and also a weekly $40,000 Grand Prix class which become more and more important as the qualifying opportunities for the inaugural Pfizer Million are now dwindling down to just as precious few. HITS Culpeper in Review
 © ESI Photography. Grand Prix Rider Aaron Vale and Paparazzi 10 won the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. Vale and Fenney Accelerate on the Road to the Pfizer Million, Woodhall Farm Owns the Hunter Rings and Odor-No-More Honors the Grooms at HITS Culpeper CULPEPER, VA (July 22, 2010) — The road to the Pfizer Million passed right through the heart of Virginia’s horse country for the HITS Culpeper July horse shows and saw two major contenders in the race for the top prize in the Pfizer $ 1 Million Grand Prix pull off a pair of big wins at HITS Commonwealth Park, in Culpeper, Virginia. Aaron Vale got the party started during the Showday National (July 7-11) when he rode Paparazzi 10 to the blue ribbon in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, to climb into the top 15 of the Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings for the big-ticket class that will take place at HITS-on-the-Hudson on Sunday, September 12. |
