Hits Winter Circuit Report: Warm, Sunny And Jumping!

Hopefully, as you are reading this, spring is in full force with blue skies and lots of sunshine, similar to the weather enjoyed at the Winter Circuits in Thermal, Arizona and Ocala. With that, let’s check out the action from our HITS winter hot spots!

California Dreaming вЂ" Facility Improvements, Grand Prix Standings, FEI World Cup Qualifiers and New USHJA Hunter Derby Classic in Thermal, California.

The HITS Desert Horse Park had an incredible start to the season. Desert Premiere was the first of two new weeks added to the circuit and was the first chance for exhibitors to experience all the new facility improvements, including new rings, new landscaping, new footing, and so much more!

Grand Prix rider Richard Spooner, the Desert Circuit’s all-time leading money winner, started off strong with two back-to-back wins, first on Gerry the Grey and then on Ezrah. Spooner is only the second rider in the United States to win 100 Grand Prix events, a very impressive achievement!

Speaking of impressive, the new covered ring in Thermal, which is home to all four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers, presented by Adequan, has been quite the hit! Rich Fellers and Flexible have taken blue in the first two FEI classes, helping him in the point standings as he’s comfortably in the top 10 for the West Coast.

Other HITS Desert Circuit Grand Prix winners include:

• Mark Watring/Sapphire вЂ" $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, January 30

• Joie Gatlin/Camaron Hills Shan Roe вЂ" $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO, February 3

• Kim Farlinger/Cordoba вЂ" $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix, February 7

Since every Grand Prix at HITS Thermal is a qualifier for the season finale, the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, March 16, all eyes will be on the second half of the circuit to see who will make the cut for this exciting event. The top 30 pairs will be invited to compete.

Hunters also had their chance in the Grand Prix ring when the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Style Derby Classic closed out DC III. It was Jenny Karazissis and Swoon who bested 26 other exhibitors to take home the blue and $3,000 for owners El Campeon Farms. The $10,000 Hunter Derby Classic will be offered again as part of the Desert Championship week on Sunday, March 16.

Down in Sunshine State вЂ" Facility Updates, Grand Prix Action and Return of “Are You a Champion?” in Ocala, Florida.

Show jumping at HITS Post Time Farm got a warm start to the circuit during the two un-rated weeks. Exhibitors were greeted by