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Father/Daughter
Millar Team Sweep 1-2 At First HITS Ocala Grand Prix Of The
Season |
Ocala, FL (January 26, 2004)—Seven-time Olympic veteran Ian Millar
and his daughter Amy placed first and second respectively in Sunday's
$25,000 Grand Prix during the opening week of the HITS Ocala Winter
Circuit. The duo from Perth, Ontario, lead the Canadian charge, followed
by Erynn Ballard of Hornby, Ontario, who took both third and fourth
place honors in the competition.
Ian
Millar and In Style, owned by Susan Grange & Lothlorien Farm
took home the blue ribbon. Amy Millar was a split second behind
for second place aboard Valentino, owned by her family's Millar
Boorke Farm. Erynn Ballard rode Exprit D'Amour, owned by Augustin
Walch to third place, and Robin Van Roosendael, owned by her family's
Looking Back Farm to fourth place. Aaron Vale, holder of the record
for the most Grand Prix wins in a single year, finished in fifth
place with one of his barn's up-and-coming horses, Liatos, owned
by Town Creek Investment.
The
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix is the first of twelve Grand Prix
events to be held each Thursday and Sunday over the next six weeks.
With over $1,000,000 in prize money to be awarded, the HITS Ocala
Winter Circuit attracts many of the world's top show jumpers. It
is a thrill to see such high-caliber riders here today to jump-start
our 2004 winter circuit, said Tom Struzzieri, owner and president
of HITS. We have the pleasure of welcoming many of Canada's show
jumping stars to Ocala each year, and as always, we are treated
to a fine display of horsemanship.
Of
the 25 starters, five horses advanced to the jump-off by successfully
clearing the 13-obstacle course designed by Jerry Dougherty of Geneva,
Illinois. Erynn Ballard and Esprit D'Amour were the first to ride
in the seven-fence jump-off, posting a clear round in a time of
48.90 seconds. Next up was Aaron Vale aboard Liatos. Vale had an
unlucky rail at the last, for four faults in a time of 44.66 seconds.
Amy Millar guided Valentino clear, crossing the timers in 48.14
seconds. Ian Millar sailed through the course with In Style, shaving
a split second off his daughter's time to secure the win. Erynn
Ballard finished out the field aboard Robin Van Roosendael, posting
a clear round in a time of 52.69 seconds.
Other
major award winners at HITS Ocala January 1 included:
Charles Owen Children's Medal Winner - Tess Renker, North Hampton,
NH
Charles Owen Adult Medal Winner - Kimberly Jungherr, Amesbury, MA
The
next Grand Prix event of the circuit will take place on Sunday,
February 1st at 1pm. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping
competition as riders compete for top honors in the second of the
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix. In the following weeks, a $25,000 Grand
Prix will be offered each Thursday and a $50,000 Grand Prix each
Sunday.
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix - Sunday, January 25, 2004
HITS Ocala January 1 - Ocala, FL
Jerry Dougherty, Geneva, IL: Course Designer
Place
Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd1 Faults Rd 2 Faults JO Time
1st In Style Ian Millar Susan Grange / Lothlorien Farm $7,500 0
0 47.63
2nd Valentino Amy Millar Millar Brooke Farm $5,500 0 0 48.14
3rd Esprit D'Amour Erynn Ballard Augustin Walch $3,250 0 0 48.90
4th Robin Van Roosendael Erynn Ballard Looking Back Farm $2,000
0 0 52.69
5th Liatos Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $1,500 0 4 44.66
6th Magdaline Beth Underhill Darryl B Williams /Assoc. $1,250 2
7th Arriscraft Soliel Aaron Vale Angelstone Farm $1,000 4
8th Nicos Ian Millar Todd / Nancy Snell $750 4
9th Kilpatrick Tracy Bartko Magness Tracy Bartko Magness $750 4
10th Gusto Jonathon Millar Bridge Brook Farms / Kelly Soleau $500
4
11th Kartousch Mary Lisa Leffler Rolling Acres / McLain Ward $500
4
12th Trova Gary Young Amanda Hudspeth $500 4
WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 2004 SHOW DATES ARE:
Ocala January 2 - January 28-Feb 1
Off week - no show February 4-8
Ocala Winter Classic I - February 11-15
Ocala Winter Festival II - February 18-22
Ocala Masters III - February 25-29
Ocala Tournament IV March 3-7
Ocala Winter Finals V - March 10-14
FEATURED
EVENTS:
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, February 1 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, February 12 at 1:00pm
$50,000 EMO Grand Prix - Sunday, February 15 at 1:00pm
$25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix - Thursday, February 19
at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, February 22 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, February 26 at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, February 29 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 4 at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, March 7 at 1:00pm
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Junior / Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic
- Sunday, March 14 at 10:00am
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Child / Adult Jumper Classic Sunday,
March 14 at 12:00 noon
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 11 at 1:00pm
$100,000 King Shavings Grand Prix of Ocala presented by Great American
Insurance - Sunday, March 14 at 2:00pm
SPECIAL
EVENTS:
Kids Day presented by Cox Communications - Sunday, February 29
Grand Finale - Sunday, March 14
Champions of the Week Presentations are held on Sundays prior to
the 1:00pm Grand Prix.
POST
TIME TRAINING FARM - 13710 U.S. Hwy 27; Ocala, Florida 34482; Tel:
352-620-2275. Website: www.HitsShows.com
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