The 2025 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continued at full speed, drawing top riders to HITS Post Time Farm for another exciting week of show jumping. Week 5, the Ocala Winter Festival, reached its peak with Saturday’s $80,000 GoRentals Grand Prix, where Tracy Fenney (USA) and MTM Apple delivered a stellar performance to claim victory.
A challenging course, designed by Philip Schwender (GER) and Oscar Soberon (USA), saw 21 horse-and-rider combinations take their shot at the top prize. Seven pairs navigated a clear first round to earn a spot in the jump-off, setting the stage for an intense final battle. Fenney, third to return aboard MTM Farm’s 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Favorit Ask x Willemoes), wasted no time, laying down a lightning-fast round in 39.857 seconds with all the rails intact — an effort no one could match.
“She’s usually really, really fast in the jump-off,” said Fenney. “She can leave out strides like you wouldn’t believe. People always say it’s funny because she doesn’t look like she could ever go that fast.”
Fenney and MTM Apple have built a strong partnership over the years, consistently producing clear rounds.
“I’m just so thrilled to have her,” enthused Fenney. “She is a horse that just simply wants to do it. She’s amazing.”
Training out of MTM Farm in Ocala, Florida, with Mike McCormick, Fenney reflected on the adjustments they’ve made to fine-tune their performances.
“Mike kept saying, ‘You know, you don’t have to go that fast,’” she laughed. “I’d land from the jump, be a few seconds ahead of everyone, but then have the last rail down. It’s hard to gauge when you’re on the run, but we got it this week.”
As a longtime competitor at HITS, Fenney praised the venue’s renovations and horse-friendly atmosphere.
“Apple jumps once a week in this class,” she explained. “She shows up 24 hours before, goes out in the paddock, and just has a great time here at HITS. They’ve made so many wonderful improvements, and it’s so important for the horses.”
Kirk Webby (NZL) and Cameron 38, Andrea Clark’s 10-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Cellestial x Lord Kemm), secured second place in 41.838 seconds, while Sharn Wordley (NZL) and Conto Blanco 4, Della Wordley’s 10-year-old Warmblood gelding (Cellestial x Kolibri), rounded out the top three in 42.127 seconds.
The week’s competition kicked off with the $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome on Wednesday, February 12, where 2021 FEI Jumping European Champion Andre Thieme (GER) piloted Chavanna PS, his own nine-year-old mare (Chacoon Blue x Sanvaro), to a well-earned victory with a double-clear effort in 32.955 seconds. Stephen Foran (USA) and Colour Your Day, Freedom Woods’ 16-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Contendro I x Landadel), claimed second in 34.047 seconds, while Webby and Cameron 38 earned their first top placing of the week, securing third with a time of 34.170 seconds.
Thursday’s $25,000 Alliant Private Client Cup showcased top-tier competition, with Ireland’s Jordan Coyle claiming victory aboard Ariso, a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Casall x Contender) owned by Elan Farm. The duo delivered a blazing jump-off round, stopping the clock at 35.390 seconds. Jared Petersen (USA) and Kawir MS, a nine-year-old Belgian Sport Horse gelding (Comme Il Faut x Diamant De Semilly) owned by Jordan Petersen, secured second place with a time of 36.223 seconds. Rounding out the podium was Portugal’s Luis Sabino Gonçalves, who piloted Vick du Croisy, a 16-year-old Selle Français mare (Lord Carthago x Vondeen) owned by Sigma Stables LLC, to a third-place finish in 36.910 seconds.
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 53.501 seconds. Sarah Johnstone (USA) and Robin Ferguson’s Laszla secured second place with a time of 58.022 seconds, while Morgan Ward-Knowlton (USA) and Jiran R, an 11-year-old Anglo European gelding by Winston-Jumper R. owned by Morlynn Farm, claimed third in 59.309 seconds.
Sunday’s competition wrapped up with the electrifying $24,500 HorseFlight Jumper Classic, where Tracy Fenney once again proved unstoppable. This time, she piloted MTM Puzzle, MTM Farm’s eight-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Carrera x Landfriese I), to victory with a blazing time of 33.591 seconds. Rowan Willis (NZL) and Derek Petersen’s Zechariah, an 11-year-old KWPN gelding (VDL Zirocco Blue x Grandeur), secured second in 34.030 seconds, while Harold Chopping (CAN) rounded out the podium aboard Diane Halpin’s Geronimo SCF, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding (Veron x Silvio I), in 35.056 seconds.
As Week 5 draws to a close, riders now set their sights on even more exciting competition as the Ocala Masters kicks off on Wednesday, February 19.
