Future Show Jumping Stars Battle It Out at Pre-Green Hunter Championships

Thermal, CA (November 9, 2014): Over the past two weeks, the National Sunshine Series Hunter Rings have seen amazing competition. Friday afternoon’s Pre-Green Hunter Championships established a pleasant atmosphere that continued throughout the weekend. Familiar faces topped the leaderboards, albeit many of them aboard new horses.

Alex Wilson is new to horse ownership and after Sochi took top honors in the $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3', it seems Wilson chose a lucky one.  A regular on the West Coast show scene, Wilson is proud to stand in the winner’s circle with this tremendous horse. With John French in the irons, the duo laid down consistent trips in the 90's leading the group in points to take home this hotly contested competition.

The Pre-Green Hunter Championships are a consideration throughout the year for owners and trainers alike, with hopes of future super stars. French agreed that Sochi’s win was long in the making.

“Sochi is probably one of the easiest and more willing horses I have ever ridden,” said French, who rode to a 92 and 94, totaling 186. “I saw him back east and knew I had to ride him. Alex was not looking for a horse when I mentioned this one in a conversation, but he jumped right up to grab this opportunity. He is a knowledgeable owner who will have fun watching this one develop.”

“Wow, this is an introduction to the hunter ring as an owner, and it's pretty fun,” added Wilson. “When John mentioned him, I felt it would be something fun to do that I haven't done yet, and I’m glad I did!”

In addition to the blue ribbon, Sochi was presented with the Scott Wilson Perpetual Trophy, awarded to the highest-scoring horse in the Pre-Green Championships.

John Bragg claimed back-to-back ribbons taking second on Lukatonia with an 88 and 90, as well as third on Quesera with scores of 85 and 85. French and Maritime rode to fourth with an 87 and 82, while Jenny Karazissis aboard Endeavor, scored 81 and 83.5 rounding out the top five.

-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(C) ESI Photography

John French and Sochi on their way to a blue ribbon and the Scott Wilson Perpetual Trophy in the $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3'.

$2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championships 3'

Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1/2 Total
1 Sochi Alex Wilson John French 700 92/94 186
2 Lukatoni Pamela Moellenhoff John Bragg 400 88/90 176
3 Quesera John Bragg John Bragg 300 85/85 170
4 Maritime Annalise Gabler John French 250 87/82 169
5 Endeavor Linda Gatti Sears Jenny Karazissis 225 81/83.5 164.5
6 Shameless John French John French 225 82/82 164
7 Tradecraft Lucy Anderson Tanya Levorchick 200 84/79 163
8 Pearl Wendy Valdes Brent Balisky 200 79/79 158

 

 

$2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3'3"

Hunter glory continued at the $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3’3” as Jenny Karazissis and Soleil chased victory, successfully riding to first place with scores of 87 and 87, totaling 174.

Owner Emily Sukert and trainer Mary Morrison enjoyed watching every moment of the ride around the ring at the 3’3” height.

“I am really happy for Emily to have such a wonderful horse,” said Morrison after the win. “Having Jenny as our rider in this ring makes perfect sense – together, it's been a wonderful experience and I truly have to thank everyone. We have talked about this class all year and to actually win it is so exciting.”

Second was Nicole Kane aboard Bleeker St. with scores of 84 and 84.  Third place was awarded to Frido with Tanya Levorchick riding, scoring a 83.5 and 84. Ali Leopold and Flirtini took fourth with a 83 and 81.5, while Karazissis rode Liberte to cap the top five with an 80 and 84. 

-Kathy Hobstetter for HITS, Inc.

(C) ESI Photography

Asia Manning of HITS presents Jenny Karazissis and Soleil with $2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3'3" awards. 

$2,500 Pre-Green Hunter Championship 3'3"

Place Horse Owner Rider Prize Rd. 1/2 Total
1 Soleil Emily Sukert Jenny Karazissis 700 87/87 174
2 Bleeker St. Heidi Kane Nicole Kane 400 84/84 168
3 Frido Megan Camaisa Tanya Levorchick 300 83.5/84 167.5
4 Flirtini Phyllis Thomas Ali Leopold 250 83/81.5 164.5
5 Liberte Lauren Bradley Jenny Karazissis 225 80/84 164
6 Connotation Oscany, Inc / Ilan Ferder John French 225 82.5/81 163.5
7 Countdown Sachi Kawabata-Porto Nick Haness 200 81/81 162
8 Faraon Pavla Nygaard Tanya Levorchick 200 79/82 161

 


About HITS, Inc.

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.

While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Mortgage Call, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, 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.


2015 Horse Show Dates

HITS Desert Circuit  |  Thermal, CA  |  January 13 - March 15, 2015
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit    |  Ocala, FL  |  January 13 - March 23, 2015
HITS Arizona Winter Circuit  |  Tucson, AZ  |  January 28 - March 8, 2015
HITS Culpeper Show Series  |  Culpeper, VA  |  April / July / August / September
HITS Saugerties Show Series  |  Saugerties, NY  |  May-June / July-August / September
HITS Championship  |  Saugerties, NY  |  September 2-6, 2015
HITS Marshall & Sterling Insurance National Finals  |  September 9-13, 2015
National Sunshine Series  |  October 28 - November 8, 2015