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Canadians
Sweep 1-2-3 At First HITS Ocala Grand Prix Of The Season |
Ocala, FL (February 7, 2003)Two Olympic veterans and a rising
star made the Canadian presence felt at the $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand
Prix. World-class show jumper, Mario Deslauriers of Bromont, Quebec,
paired with Kathleen to lead the Canadian charge into the winner's
circle. Jonathon Millar of Perth, Ontario, fought for a close second
on Karat, while managing to relegate his father, seven-time Olympic
veteran, Ian Millar, to third place on his mount Promise Me.
The
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix marked the first of ten Grand Prix
events to be held each Thursday and Sunday over the next five weeks
at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. With over $1,000,000 in prize
money to be awarded, the circuit attracts many of the world's top
show jumpers. "Over the past twelve years, the HITS Ocala Winter
Circuit has received strong support from the Canadian contingent,"
said Tom Struzzieri, owner and president of HITS. "We are pleased
to see them here today to jump-start the circuit with such a fine
display of horsemanship."
Of
the 32 starters, five horse/rider combinations advanced to the jump-off
by successfully clearing the 13-obstacle course designed by William
"Buddy" Brown. Ian Silitch on Cable was the first to ride
in the six-fence jump-off, dropping an unlucky rail and posting
a fast time of 44.10 seconds. Ian Millar and Promise Me left all
the fences up and clocked in at 46.45 seconds. Derek Petersen and
Promised Land posted the fastest time of 43.93 seconds but paid
for it with eight faults. Mario Deslauriers was next up with Kathleen
and the pair sailed through the course in the winning time of 46.26
seconds. Jonathon Millar saw what he had to beat and he and Karat
gave it all, losing to Deslauriers by a split, but managing to top
his father for second place.
The
second Grand Prix event of the week will take place on Sunday, February
9th at 2 PM. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping competition
as riders compete for top honors in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix.
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix - Thursday, February 6, 2003
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit I - Ocala, FL
William Buddy Brown, Wellington, FL: Course Designer
Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd1 Faults Rd 2 Faults JO Time
1st Kathleen Mario Deslauriers Silver Oak Stables $7,500 0 0 46.26
2nd Karat Jonathon Millar Mr. & Mrs. Don Stewart Jr. $5,500
0 0 46.34
3rd Promise Me Ian Millar Ian Millar / Millar Brooke Farm Agent
$3,250 0 0 46.45
4th Cable Ian Silitch Ian / Jacquelyn Silitch $2,000 0 4 44.10
5th Promised Land Derek Petersen Derek / Anita Peterson $1,500 0
8 43.93
6th Grace Tracy Fenney Hidden Lakes Farm $1,250 2
7th Toyz R Us Jill Henselwood Juniper Farms Ltd. $1,000 4
8th Naboo Tracey Fenney Tracey Fenney $750 4
9th Coralecho Aaron Vale Petersen / Register $750 4
10th Allison Callan Solem Quiet Winter Farm $500 4
11th Jappaloe Kim Burnette Kimberden Farm $500 4
12th Quelle Damme Van De Heffinck Rory Hovell Rory Hovell $500
UPCOMING EVENTS DATE
TIME
$50,000 EMO Grand Prix
Sunday, February 9
2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Thursday, February 13
2:00pm
$50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix
Sunday, February 16
2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Thursday, February 20
2:00pm
$50,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Sunday, February 23
2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Thursday, February 27
2:00pm
$50,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Sunday, March 2
2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix
Thursday, March 6
2:00pm
$100,000 King Shavings Grand Prix
Sunday, March 9
2:00pm
Website: www.HitsShows.com
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