Canadian Legend Ian Millar Wins The $25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix

Ocala, FL (February 21, 2003)—Ian Millar, seven-time Olympic veteran, and member of 13 winning Nations Cup Teams, demonstrated his outstanding horsemanship skills to a field of 34 entries in the $25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Millar and his mount Nicos took top honors in the competition. Tracy Fenney and S & L Willie claimed second place, with Aaron Vale and his mount Picasso taking third place.

Course designer Danny Foster was responsible for building a fair and challenging 13-obstacle course, which included three doubles. The competition attracted a high-caliber field of entries, with twelve horses advancing to the jump-off.

The first to ride in the seven-fence jump-off was Lauren Hayes on Avalanche Junior. Hayes turned in a clear round and established the Great American Insurance Group Time To Beat of 50.51 seconds—a time that was paired down by each consecutive rider. Tracy Fenney was second to ride on her mount Grace. The duo are having a terrific season, winning two $50,000 Grand Prix competitions at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Fenney and Grace saw their way clear also and shaved 4 seconds off Hayes' time, clocking in at 46.18. Ian Millar was next to ride with Nicos. Millar rode a blistering round, setting an unbeatable time of 43.74 seconds. Kevin Babington and Libera, winners of last week's $25,000 Grand Prix, chased Millar's time coming the closest of the field with 44.28 seconds, but incurring a rail at the second to last fence. Aaron Vale and his mount Picasso sailed through the course, but try as he might, Vale could not beat Millar's time. The pair secured third place with their time of 45.43 seconds. Tracy Fenney entered the ring with S & L Willie and the pair delivered a faultless round in a time of 44.71 seconds, one second behind Millar. Fenney secured second place with her time.

Millar, Fenney, and Vale rode their second mounts to finish out the field. Fenney took fourth place with Grace and tenth place with Naboo. Vale placed fifth on his mount Coralecho, and Millar placed ninth on Promise Me. The next Grand Prix event at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will take place on Sunday, February 23rd at 2 PM. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping as riders compete for top honors in the $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix.

$25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix - Thursday, February 20, 2003
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit III - Ocala, FL
Danny Foster, Ontario, Canada: Course Designer

Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd 1 Faults Rd 2 Faults Jump-Off Time
1st Nicos Ian Millar Todd / Nancy Snell $7,500 0 0 43.74
2nd S&L Willie Tracy Fenney Tracy Fenney $5,500 0 0 44.71
3rd Picasso Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $3,250 0 0 45.43
4th Grace Tracy Fenney Hidden Lakes Farm $2,000 0 0 46.18
5th Coralecho Aaron Vale Petersen / Register $1,500 0 0 48.25
6th Avalanche Junior Lauren Hayes Uplands Farm $1,250 0 0 50.51
7th Libera Kevin Babington Karim Souilmi $1,000 0 4 44.28
8th Matilde Lina Manuel Torres Andrea Torres $750 0 4 48.41
9th Promise Me Ian Millar Ian Millar / Millar Brooke Farm Agent $750 0 4 56.02
10th Naboo Tracy Fenney Tracy Fenney $500 0 8 46.12
11th Graf Rossini S Mary-Lisa Leffler Bruce Chovnick LLC $500 0 8 48.10
12th Watch This Sulu Rose The Galloping Field $500 0 16 47.55

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE TIME

$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix Sunday, February 23 2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix Thursday, February 27 2:00pm
$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix Sunday, March 2 2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix Thursday, March 6 2:00pm
$100,000 Volvo Grand Prix Sunday, March 9 2:00pm

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