The 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continued with another exhilarating week of elite show jumping at HITS Post Time Farm. Week 6, the Ocala Masters, reached its climax on Saturday, February 22, with the $100,000 Mendelsohn/Elliman Grand Prix, where Jordan Coyle (IRL) and Ariso once again proved unbeatable, securing a commanding victory.
With top riders from across the world vying for the top prize, the competition was fierce. Course designer Kenny Krome (USA) crafted a technical track that tested the skills of 26 horse-and-rider combinations. Featuring delicate verticals, wide oxers, and rollback turns, the course demanded precision and speed. Eight pairs delivered clear first rounds, earning a spot in the high-stakes jump-off.
Coyle, who entered four horses in the class, qualified two for the jump-off. He first set a steady, clear pace in 43.135 seconds aboard Action T, an 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding owned by Falkirk Farm LLC, but Samantha Schaefer (USA) and Frasier, Bonne Vie LLC’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Frasier (Carambole x Padinus), quickly overtook his time, crossing the timers in 41.918 seconds. As the final rider to contest the short course, Coyle returned aboard his veteran mount Ariso and delivered a blazing round, stopping the clock in 40.382 seconds — nearly a second and a half faster than Schaefer, who had to settle for the runner-up spot this time around. Coyle completed the podium with Action T.
“Normally on Ariso, if you can get the first round out of the way, the jump-offs are much easier,” explained Coyle. “That was the case today. The jump-off suited him because there weren’t a lot of right turns, and I didn’t have to go too fast.”
Coyle and Ariso, Elan Farm’s 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Casall x Contender), have enjoyed great success up to the five-star level. However, over the past five years, their journey has not been without challenges. ,
“He’s always been an unbelievable jumper,” enthused Coyle. “If he gives you just forty percent, he’s still one of the best horses in the world, but he’s often given me one hundred percent, like today.
“He’s already given us so much, but about a year ago, he wasn’t really performing,” he continued. “My groom, Misha, fell in love with him and spent a lot of time with him, especially on the flat. To be honest, I think everything we’re getting from Ariso now is just because of her.”
Coyle, a familiar face at HITS, has regularly brought his string to HITS Ocala from his Wellington, Florida-based Elan Farm this winter.
“They do a wonderful job here,” he said. “The jumps are beautiful, and they’re the right height for the prize money. I think it’s just getting bigger and better, and I’m all for it. I’m especially grateful that they have such incredible sponsors, like Maria Mendelsohn and her team at Douglas Elliman, to produce classes like this one.”
Beyond the Grand Prix, the week delivered a thrilling lineup of classes, setting the stage for even more fierce competition ahead. The excitement kicked off with the $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome on Wednesday, February 19, where Paul Halpern (CAN) piloted Davidguetta de Circee, Elizabeth Grace Thomassin’s 12-year-old Selle Français gelding (Kannan x Le Tot De Semilly), to a flawless victory, securing a double-clear round in an impressive 32.224 seconds. MaryLisa Leffler (USA) and Zaza Z, Rolling Acres’s 15-year-old Zangersheide mare (Zandor x Caretano Z), claimed second place with a time of 34.269 seconds. Rounding out the podium was David Jennings (USA), who guided Casastello PS, Kelly Andrews-Wahl’s 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Casallco x Quick Star), to a strong finish in 34.311 seconds.
Thursday’s $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup brought another intense showdown, with Robert Blanchette (IRL) and Carnlea Premier Balou, Ridersmith LLC’s 11-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Balou Du Rouet x Cavalier Royale), delivering an unbeatable jump-off time of 42.098 seconds to secure the win. Hot on their heels, Kirk Webby (NZL) and Cameron 38, Andrea Clark’s talented Mecklenburg gelding (Cellestial x Lord Kemm), claimed second place with a close 42.216 seconds. Oliver McCarthy (IRL) guided Jack Sparrows, Ashfield Stable’s 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Douglas x Pilot), to the final clear first-round effort, but had four faults in the jump-off to complete the top three.
Friday’s $15,000 STX Open Speed Class was a thrilling race against the clock, with riders pushing the pace to secure top honors. Madison Kondracki (USA) and her own E Storm Cat, a nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding by Escudo I, blazed to victory in 56.895 seconds. Tracy Fenney and MTM Farm’s My Life Be Like, the eight-year-old KWPN mare (VDL Zirocco Blue N.O.P. x Cartano), secured second place with a time of 61.068 seconds, while MaryLisa Leffler and Gentleman Jack, her own 11-year-old KWPN gelding (Carrera x Cadillac), claimed third in 62.907 seconds.
With Week 6 complete, anticipation builds for even more top-tier competition as the 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continues on Wednesday, February 26. Riders and fans alike look ahead to the upcoming challenges, eager to see who will rise to the occasion next.
