Ocala, Fla.—Feb. 7

Spectators at the HITS Ocala Winter Classic wouldn’t have guessed that Nandy Fontaine was fresh off a recent break when he won the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, on Feb. 7.

But the 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding “is rusty after an extended lay-off,” said rider David Jennings of Franklin, Tenn. “As we saw today, this horse can rise to the occasion.”

Jennings has ridden Nandy Fontaine to past grand prix victories for owner Emily Reiney, who asked Jennings to show him as a sale horse, but this was their first of the season.

“He is a high-energy horse with a lot of talent,” said Jennings. “He loves to train and he loves to jump.”

The pair came out on top of a field of 29 riders, narrowed down to 13 after the course designed by Dave Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario, with a 74-second time allowed, resulted in many jumping faults. The triple combination at fence 11 saw the most rail downs.

The first five to compete in the jump-off were double clear, beginning with Kelley Robinson and Enzo, riding for Cimarron Farm of Russell, Ontario, who finished on a time of 38.2, earning fifth place.

A crowd favorite, Ammeretto, and David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio, threw caution to the wind with a blistering all-out-effort and time of 33.57 seconds, taking second place for Equine Holdings LLC.

Third went to Titus 2:11, ridden by Jared Petersen for Derek Petersen, both from Archer, Fla., with a time of 34.03 seconds. Coco and professional Scott Keach took fourth for Southern Cross Equestrian of Reddick, Fla., with a time of 34.57 seconds.

There will be more grand prix action on Sunday as the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continues with the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The show-down will return to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium as excitement builds for the first-ever Great American $1 Million Grand Prix. The Great American Million will debut as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping Monday, March 24 in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.

 $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis

Callan Solem and Cortender Win $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome

Callan Solem, of Glenmoore, Penn., and Cortender emerged as winners of the $2,500 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Feb. 5. This course was also designed by Ballard and allowed a time of 74 seconds.
 

In their first appearance at HITS Ocala this year, Solem rode the entry of Horseshoe Trail Farm to a clean first round to face six clean in the jump-off with a time allowed of 45 seconds. On a time of 38.06 seconds, the pair had a clear round to take the win.

Solem is glad to be back at HITS Ocala. “I feel like I’ve come home; this is where I grew up,” she said. “I can’t wait to jump in the new Ocala Horse Properties Stadium this weekend.”  

When asked about her horse, Cortender, the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood, she beamed. “I am crazy about him—he’s such a fun horse to ride,” she said. “I have only had him since last year, and this is his first trip to Ocala.”

As far as Solem is concerned, she’s set her goal high and plans to qualify for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on March 24 and hopes to have a good showing in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix this Sunday.

Solem also had a clean first round on her mare Magic Cruise. In the jump-off, they had the time of 36.78 seconds, but 4 faults moved them to third.

Second place went to rider/trainer Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas on Any Given Sunday for owner, Hays Investment Corp. with a time of 35.59 seconds and four jumping faults. Fourth went to Adare, ridden by Rebecca Conway of Wellington, Fla., owned by Blue Hill Farm LLC, while fifth went to Visette, entered by Redfield Farm and trained/ridden by Adrienne Iverson of Califon, N.J.

Brook Ledge Horse Transportation will continue to present a weekly jumper class throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Aside from the winner’s purse, Brook Ledge Open Welcome riders also compete for the Brook Ledge Rider Bonus, which includes a $1,500 shipping credit for the rider who accumulates the most points in those classes throughout the HITS Ocala circuit.