The 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit reached a thrilling conclusion during the Ocala Championship, highlighted by the prestigious $100,000 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix on Saturday, March 22. Germany’s Andre Thieme and For Dilando PS delivered a masterful performance, securing the top prize in an unforgettable finish.
With 22 elite horse-and-rider combinations taking on the course, world-renowned designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER) crafted a challenging track that demanded precision, agility, and speed. Featuring delicate verticals, wide oxers, and technical rollback turns, the course tested even the most experienced competitors. In the end, the 2024 CHIO Aachen Grand Prix champion was the only rider to deliver a fault-free round, automatically claiming the win.
“I knew this morning, with Olaf [Petersen Jr.] designing, that it was going to be really difficult,” said Thieme, who also was the 2021 Individual FEI Jumping European Champion. “He’s a master at making it technical and just big enough to challenge everyone. It’s no surprise we didn’t have many clears.”
Thieme was the last rider seen walking the course before the class, carefully mapping out his plan. His strategic approach paid off as he guided For Dilando PS, his own nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding (For Pleasure x Chacco-Blue), through an impeccable round in just their third-ever grand prix together.
“There’s a funny story behind For Dilando,” shared Thieme. “I got him about a month and a half ago. I was short on horses, and the Schockemöhle Group sent him to me as another option to compete and potentially sell. He just keeps improving, and we’ve really clicked.”
Balancing multiple commitments, Thieme is also riding for Team Germany in the Longines League of Nations at the World Equestrian Center – Ocala the same week. Amidst his packed schedule, the $100,000 Great American Insurance Group Grand Prix was not to be missed, and his decision proved worthwhile.
“Competing here at HITS has been great, especially for my young horses, and especially with the impressive prize money they offer at,” said Thieme, who has been showing at HITS Ocala for more than 20 years. “I’m especially grateful to Great American Insurance Group for sponsoring such a fantastic class.”
Last year’s winner, Sharn Wordley (NZL), was once again a top contender. He secured second place aboard Valentine Car, Della Wordley’s 16-year-old American Warmblood gelding (Son Of Juan Car x Galiani Ch), as the fastest four-fault finisher in 79.065 seconds. Wordley also claimed third place with Conto Blanco 4, Della Wordley’s 10-year-old German Warmblood gelding (Cellestial x Kolibri), crossing the timers in 81.680 seconds.
The Ocala Championship delivered exceptional competition throughout the final week of the circuit. Action kicked off on Wednesday, March 19, with the $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome, where MaryLisa Leffler (USA) and Zaza Z, Rolling Acres’ 14-year-old Zangersheide mare (Zandor x Caretano Z), posted a double-clear effort in 40.664 seconds to claim yet another victory. Harold Chopping (CAN) and Diane Halpin’s Geronimo SCF, the 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Veron x Silvio I), finished in second place in a time of 41.306 seconds. Matthew Lemaster (USA) and Maeberry, Kristina Photakis’s eight-year-old KWPN mare (Dakar VDL x Baltic VDL), rounded out the podium in 44.791 seconds.
Thursday’s $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup was another highlight, with Kirk Webby (NZL) and Cameron 38, Andrea Clark’s 10-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Cellestial x Lord Kemm), taking top honors after a blazing jump-off in 38.680 seconds. Fellow Kiwi rider Sharn Wordley and Valentine Car finished a close second in 38.719 seconds, while Luis Sabino Gonçalves (POR) and Scoop de Septon Z, Sigma Stables LLC’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Hunters Scendro x Echo Van T Spieveld), rounded out the podium in 38.925 seconds.
Speed stole the spotlight on Friday, March 21, in the $15,000 STX Open Speed Class, delivering a thrilling conclusion to the HITS Ocala STX Speed Series. Anthony Sauriol (CAN) and Lucy, Mi Casa Stables Holdings Inc.’s lightning-fast nine-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Kannan x Cardento), blazed through the course in an impressive 79.150 seconds to claim victory. After ten weeks of fierce competition at HITS Ocala, Madison Kondracki emerged as the series champion, earning a brand-new STX tack locker for her consistency and skill throughout the season. Ultimately, the overall leader of the STX series across all HITS venues will be awarded a six-month lease on an STX 2 Horse Van.
The Ocala Championship concluded in thrilling fashion on Sunday, March 23, with the $24,500 HorseFlight Jumper Classic. Tracy Fenney (USA) and S & L Cesam, MTM Farm’s talented nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Casall x Cartani), blazed through the timers in 35.689 seconds to claim victory. Andre Thieme secured second place aboard Chavanna PS, his own nine-year-old Oldenburg mare (Chacoon Blue x Sanvaro), finishing just fractions behind in 36.069 seconds. Rounding out the podium, Peter Wylde (USA) and Catarina, Nancy Hathaway’s 12-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cascadello I x Diarado), delivered a strong performance in 37.604 seconds.
With the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit officially concluding, riders and fans reflect on an exhilarating season filled with world-class competition. As the equestrian community looks ahead, excitement is already building for the next chapter of top-tier sport at HITS Ocala. In the meantime, the brand-new Festival of the Horse™, an unrated, multidiscipline competition event features on March 27-30 at HITS Post Time Farm. Following that, hunter/jumper action moves to the spring and summer HITS venues, including HITS Chicago, HITS Culpeper, HITS Del Mar, HITS Hudson Valley, and HITS Vermont. For more information, visit HITSShows.com.
