Tracy Fenney well on her way to the Pfizer Million after a win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper

CULPEPER, VA (August 30, 2011) — Tracy Fenney made a triumphant return to the winner’s circle at HITS Culpeper last week when she captured the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. The Flower Mound, Texas native rode her way to victory aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Timon to complete the August series of horse shows in the heart of Virginia’s horse country.

Fenney is no stranger to success at HITS Culpeper. Sunday’s win marks the second consecutive year that Fenney won the Sunday Grand Prix at the Constitution Classic, after winning it last year aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Centano.

“I really enjoy coming to HITS Culpeper,” said Fenney. “It’s always been a very horse-friendly environment and a peaceful place to compete. This was my first time back this year and I was pleased to see the improvements made to the Grand Prix footing, it’s great for the horses and improves the show tremendously.”

This year, Fenney was one of 22 starters to compete over the course and found her way to the top of seven clear efforts in the first round. The course was designed by Kenny Krome of Westminster, Maryland.

“It was a good course – it rode nicely and was challenging enough,” said Fenny. “Luckily, the bad weather never affected us and we ended up having a beautiful Sunday, so I think everyone was excited to be out there and showing.”

First to return for the jump-off was Fernando Cardenas of New Hill, North Carolina aboard his own Orphan Car. The duo set the Great American Time to Beat at 45.737 seconds to set the pace for the rest of the second-round field.

Derek Reed of Mechanicsville, Virginia was second to return aboard his own Chino and finished with eight faults in 48.656 seconds.

Fenney was third to show in the jump-off and topped the leader board with a blazing time of 41.770 seconds with no faults to ultimately secure the victory.

“I felt confident going into the jump-off,” Fenney explained. “This horse is pretty fast, so I just wanted to put up a good time and we did.”

Miranda Scott and her own Quick Latinus followed Fenney and posted another clear effort in 45.503 seconds, which would eventually finish the pair in third place.

Benjamin Meredith of Frederick, Maryland aboard Betsy Smith’s UDonnay Z showed fifth in the jump-off and finished with four faults in 42.568 seconds.

Sixth to return in the jump-off was Patty Stovel in the irons of her own Carigor Z. She finished the course with four faults in the fastest time of the day at 38.449 second.

Last to show was Ramiro Quintana of Wellington, Florida aboard Graf Lando, owned by Meghan Moran Kraut. Quintana made a solid effort to take the lead from Fenney and finished the jump-off course with no faults in 42.013 seconds, which was good enough for second-place honors.

Rounding out the top five were Cardenas and Orphan Car, and Stovel with Carigor Z, who sat fourth and fifth respectively.

With the victory, Fenney added to her cumulative winnings for the year aboard MTM Timon, who is her leading horse in the current Pfizer Million Rider Rankings. The pair has pocketed $29,000 in prize money this year thanks to seven top ten finishes at HITS Ocala this winter including a first place finish in the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, during Week V.

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix

Colombian Olympian Manuel Torres of Leesburg, Virginia and TG Show Stables’ Chambacunero captured the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday as High-Performance riders prepared for the weekend. Twenty-two starters competed over Krome’s course as Rachel Udelson of Wellington, Florida took second place aboard her own VDL Wardorette and Tracy Fenney finished in third place aboard Sunday’s winning mount MTM Timon.

Show jumping now heads north for Weeks VII and VIII at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, highlighted by the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final September 10-11. The road to the Pfizer Million is reaching its end as Saugerties hosts the final two qualifiers for both the Grand Prix and the Hunter Prix Final, giving riders one last chance to make the cut for the richest classes in show jumping history. Competition at HITS-on-the-Hudson begins this week with a full schedule of classes and special events.

“I look forward to going straight back up to Saugerties,” said Fenney. “Last year was my first year there and I really enjoyed the horse show. It’s a beautiful facility and the whole production of the Pfizer Million was one of the best events I’ve ever been a part of – it’s a great opportunity.”

Show jumping at HITS Culpeper will return for the Culpeper Finals September 28 – October 2, which will conclude the 2011 HITS series.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.

© ESI Photography.
Tracy Fenney and MTM Timon on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

© ESI Photography.
HITS' Ashley Fraiser, alongside Fenney's husband Mike McCormick of the MTM Farm presented the first place awards to Tracy Fenney and MTM Timon for their win in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

© ESI Photography.
Manuel Torres and Chambacunero earned their first Prix win of the week in Friday's $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix.

$40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health