Exhibitors jumped into another week of Show Jumping Competition at HITS Commonwealth Park to wrap up the July series of the circuit in Culpeper, Virginia. With trees and flowers blooming and beautiful sunny weather, the two-week HITS Culpeper July Series were just what exhibitors were hoping for.
“It’s been a nice two weeks for me in Culpeper,” said Gavin Moylan, owner, trainer and rider at Meadowville Farm, based in Middleburg, Virginia and Wellington, Florida. “I won the Devoucoux Hunter Prix last week and the Johnson Horse Transportation Prix this week, so I practiced all the disciplines!” he continued. “I have a new group of horses and this was a great place to bring them to get them started jumping some bigger classes. The footing is great – even better this week than last. Rian Beals (Technical Coordinator) does a nice job running things outside and is easy to work with.”
Pam Baker, owner and trainer at her Hillcrest Farm in Bealeton, Virginia, had a successful two weeks with her clients, and expressed her appreciation of the shows. “I’ve always loved Culpeper – of course I’ve been showing here decades! Now that the footing has been redone I think Culpeper is one of the best facilities in the country.” Pam is also a fan of the Quiche breakfast special served on Saturday mornings at the restaurant. “I wish they had Quiche on Sunday too! It’s SO good!”
Melissa Rundershausen and CHARMEUR ASK soared into the Cavalier Classic with a win in the $5,000 Open Welcome Jumper on Wednesday, securing the first place ribbon.
On Friday, Gavin Moylan would capture the blue ribbon in the $10,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Prix aboard DON FERNANTES Z in a time of 38.347. Taking home the second place ribbon was Lucy Matz and CARDELLA in a time of 38.360, followed by Agustin Rosales and CAPELIUS S in third with a time of 39.291. Dominique Damico would take home the fourth and fifth place ribbons aboard WOODSTOCK O and DORELLA HBC, respectively. Damico finished with times of 40.036 and 40.260.
Shelly Zimmerli and GUMMI VAN OZ captured a win in the $2,500 Pyranha Jr/A-O/Am 1.20m Jumper Classic with a time of 41.216.
Taking home top honors in the $5,000 Summit Joint Performance Jr/A-O/Am 1.30m Jumper Classic with a time of 43.228 was Ginny Gale and EVENSONG.
Tamara Morse and RAVENNA ADELHEID Z soared to a first place finish in the $7,500 Jr/A-O/Am 1.40m Jumper Classic in a time of 41.286.
Taking home top honors in the $20,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Open Prix at the Cavalier Classic was Rosales and CAPELIUS S in a time of 39.236. Rosales also captured the second place ribbon aboard AVALON in a time of 41.862. Alex Matz rode to a third place finish aboard CASHEW CR in a four-fault time of 41.762. Ashley Foster would round out the top five, taking home both the fourth and fifth place ribbons aboard DALIANTE M and LUMINOUS, respectively. Foster jumped to her placings with a four-fault time of 49.645 for fourth and an eight-fault time of 53.620 for fifth.
In the Hunter Rings, riders were looking to qualify for the HITS Championship that takes place September 5-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York. HITS Culpeper features the $1,500 Devocoux and $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix each week, which are the respective qualifying classes for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Finals and the Platinum Performance $100,000 Hunter Prix Finals.
To go along with her successes in the jumper ring, Damico jumped to a win in the $1,500 Devoucoux Hunter Prix aboard NEMESIS 11 with a score of 84 in Round One and 82 in Round Two for a combined score of 166 to secure top honors. Taking home the red ribbon in the Hunter Prix was Sara Taylor aboard EXCELLENT with scores of 86 and 78 in her two rounds, adding up to a total score of 164. Rounding out the top three in the Prix was Katie McAfee and CAPPUCCINO. McAfee scored an 87 in the first round, the highest of those competing, and a 75 in the second round putting her in third with a two round total of 162.
Taking home the top honors in the $1,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix was Catherine Black and HEADLINES with scores of 77 and 84 for a combined score of 161. Second place was Jakob Kronenwetter and EYEWITNESS scoring a 75 in Round One and 72 in Round Two for an overall score of 147. Lauren Miller would round out the top three in the Junior/Amateur Prix aboard FERNHILL STARBOY with a two round total of 134. Miller scored a 65 in the first round and a 69 in the second round.
The Culpeper Equitation Classic was held in the Main Hunter Ring this week. Held at both 3′ and 3’6″ and open to both Junior and Amateur riders, this class offers riders a chance to compete in the spotlight in a unique format.
Riley Hogan secured top honors this week scoring an 81. Ana Bertozzi scored a 71 in the class to take home the red ribbon. Miller, who won the class last week, came in third with a score of 65.
HITS Culpeper looks forward to hosting the L.M. “Sandy” Gerald USHJA Zone 3 Equitation Championship at the Winston National for the 13th year! The Equitation Championships are open to junior riders that reside in Zone 3 and are current USEF and USHJA members.
To qualify riders must have won any of the Zone 3 state equitation medals, which include:
VHSA Junior and Children’s Medal
NCHJA Children’s Medal
EJ Haun Memorial Medal
MHSA Hunt Seat Medal Horse
Gittings Horsemanship Medal
Or by winning the USEF, ASPCA Maclay, or WIHS Medal classes in any state or zone.
The qualifying period for the L.M. “Sandy” Gerald USHJA Zone 3 Equitation Championship is between August 21, 2017 and August 16, 2018. For more information on the Equitation Championship, please visit USHJA.
All results from the Cavalier Classic are available online. To keep up with the HITS Happenings, visit us online at HitsShows.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
HITS returns to Commonwealth Park in August for two more weeks of USEF-Rated Show Jumping Competition! Join us for the Winston National (August 15-19) and the Constitution Classic (August 22-26). Don’t forget that during the Winston National, HITS will host the L.M. “Sandy” Gerald USHJA Zone 3 Junior Equitation Finals!
There is still time to enter! Entries for the Winston National and Constitution Classic close on July 25! Check out the Online Entry System, today!
For more information on the shows coming up or HITS Culpeper in general, visit HitsShows.com. The complete prize list is available online.
All Photographs Courtesy of ESI Photography
