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OCALA, FL (January 15, 2009)—The ‘Horse Capital of the World’
is jumping again as the 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit kicked off
yesterday with the first of two unrated weeks of equestrian competition
at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.
Exhibitors from all over the world will be calling HITS Ocala home this
winter, including Oscar Hernandez who came all the way from Costa Rica.
Hernandez, who trains with Grand Prix superstar Aaron Vale, had a great
first day in the show ring going double-clear in the Level 2 Jumpers
aboard his green mount Jets A Million.
“It’s very exciting when the HITS Ocala Circuit gets
underway,” said Hernandez. The 2009 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit
marks the sixth season Hernandez will be spending at HITS Post Time
Farm and as always he will be looking to collect a lot of ribbons
over the eight-week circuit.
New Jersey trainer Robin Fairclough has escaped the Northeast winter
along with her 12 horses. "We always come down for the pre-circuit,"
she said. "It's a chance for the horses to get comfortable with their
new surroundings and I think it makes our barn much more competitive
during the rated competition.”
Fairclough and her students from Top Brass Farm will be showing all
over the schedule this season; however, she is particularly excited
about the potential of one of her new students, Carolyn Curcio. Curcio
just started training with the Top Brass Farm Team and has been quite
successful in some major equitation classes, including the USET Medal.
"Carolyn just joined our barn and she is a fantastic young rider," said
Fairclough. "We hope that she may even show in some of the $25,000
Grand Prix classes this year.”
If Curcio is going to compete in some Grand Prix classes, she is going
to have to go head-to-head with former Canadian Olympian Beth
Underhill. Underhill arrived in Ocala with nearly 25 horses, including
her new Grand Prix mount Top Gun.
The horse is a nine-year-old gray Dutch Gelding and is owned by Iron
Horse Farm. "He is a very lovely young prospect," said Underhill. "He
was the runner up at the Royal Winter Fair and has placed in the top
three in some World Cup Qualifiers in Canada.”
Like Fairclough, Underhill is excited to be at HITS Post Time Farm for
the pre-circuit. "Ocala is a great place to be in the winter. The
horses have been being ridden indoors for several months and it's nice
to get them outside and roaming around in the big paddocks. It's a
lovely introduction for the season. The place looks fabulous and the
footing is in great shape."
Tatra Farm’s Pat Towle of Clinton Corners, New York owns a farm
locally in Williston, Florida with her partner Pavel Blaho. Towle has
been showing in Ocala since the “beginning of time” she
says, and will be here for the entire circuit. Tatra Farm had a very
successful end to the season last year in Ocala as Aaron Vale piloted
their horse, Blue Danube, to
blue of the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by
Great American Insurance Group in one of the most exciting and
emotional victories of the season at Post Time Farm. This year, Towle
and Blaho brought Blue Danube’s sisters to the HITS Ocala Circuit. Blue Pearl is a five-year-old and Picture Perfect is a 6-year-old. Both are phenomenal according to Towle and this will be Blue Pearl’s debut on the circuit.
Towle is one of many local farm owners taking advantage of HITS’
elimination of ship-in fees for this year’s circuit. “The
moment that announcement was made, my customers were even more
encouraged to come to Ocala and show,” said Towle. “That
decision was good for my business, good for my customers and good for
the horse show. I’d like to thank Tom [Struzzieri] and HITS for
doing that.”
Competition continues all week during the Ocala Pre-Circuit 1.The
highlight of the two unrated weeks will be two $25,000 HITS Grand Prix
events and the return of the $20,500 Marshall & Sterling
Children's/Adult Jumper Championship. The Marshall & Sterling
Championship is a popular four-leg event scheduled for the first two
Fridays and Saturdays with prize money increasing from $2,500 in the
first leg to $5,000 in the final leg, plus an additional $5,000 in
bonus prize money awarded to the top-eight competitors who have
accumulated the most points throughout the four legs of the competition.
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.
©Lili Weik Photography
Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill and Magdaline capture the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix during the 2007 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.
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