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Derek
Peterson And Promised Land Win $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix
At HITS Ocala II |
OCALA,
FL (February 23, 2004)—Derek Peterson and Promised Land delivered
the only double-clear of a field of thirty-eight horses to win the
$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix at HITS Ocala II. Tricia O'Connor
and Furistos Treasure, owned by Cloverlea Farm Inc., were the only
other pair to join Peterson in the jump-off. Their four-fault performance
gave them second in the competition. Jonathon Millar and Sweet Dreams,
owned by Scotia Farms, took third place. Aaron Vale rode Arriscraft
Soliel, winner of Thursday's $25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix,
to fourth place.
Course
designer Leopoldo Palacios of Caracas, Venezuela, built a 14-jump
Round One course that included a triple at Fence No. 8, and a double
at Fence No. 10. Time Allowed was set at 87 seconds. "This
is the strongest field of Grand Prix riders and horses that I have
seen in the past four years here in Ocala," said Palacios.
So, I decided to build it not so big but very technical and only
2 clear in the first round proved that it was just that."
Derek
Peterson certainly agreed with Palacios, quipping to him right after
the jump-off: "Tricky, tricky coursevery technical!" The
tough course saw rails down at 16 of 17 obstacles during Round One.
Tricia O'Connor was the first to earn a clear round aboard Furistos
Treasure. The crowd had to wait until Peterson, who was 25th in
the order, to be assured of a jump-off.
Palacios
built a seven-obstacle jump-off course and set Time Allowed at 56
seconds. Tricia O'Connor and Promised Land were the first to enter
the ring. Their time was fast with 45.88 seconds on the clock, but
an unlucky rail at the double cost them their clear round. For Derek
Peterson and Promised Land, a clear round within the time allowed
would win them the competition. Peterson took it steady, guiding
Promised Land clear in a time of 48.45 seconds for the win.
Derek
Peterson is a deeply religious family man. Born in South Africa
he rode there as a Junior and then hung it up to come to the States
in 1988. He hired on as a member of the jump crew and used to say
to the other guys on the crew, "I'll be out there riding one
day, just watch." "They all laughed, but a couple of years
later I got my first horse here in the States, said Peterson."
Derek, who has lived for the past seven years in Archer, FL, is
deacon of his church and his pastor was in the audience cheering
(and praying, he admitted) for the jumps to stay up. And stay up
they did in the jump-off.
Derek
said "I had a revelation that this horse was going to take
me to the 'Promised Land' and that's why I named him thathe is a
gift of God." Promised Land is a 17.1 hand gelding that was
German born from an unknown sire. This is the 4th year Derek has
been showing this horse.
The
next Grand Prix event at HITS Ocala—the $25,000 HITS Grand
Prix will take place on Friday, February 27th. On Sunday, February
29th, spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping competition
as riders compete for top honors in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.
The Grand Prix will coincide with Family Day presented by Cox Communications.
Children and their parents will be invited to participate in a day
filled with pony rides, face painting, clowns, and much more.
For
more information on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, please visit
www.hitsshows.com. For further press information: contact Mary Creech
845-246-8833 or creechmm@cs.com.
$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix - Sunday, February 22, 2004
HITS Ocala II - Ocala, FL
Course Designer: Leopoldo Palacios, Caracas, Venezuela
Place
Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd1 Faults JO Faults JO Time
1st Promised Land Derek Peterson Derek / Anita Peterson $15,000
0 0 48.45
2nd Furistos Treasure Tricia O'Connor Cloverlea Farm Inc.$11,000
0 4 45.88
3rd Sweet Dreams Jonathon Millar Scotia Farms $6,500 4
4th Arriscraft Soliel Aaron Vale Angelstone Farm $4,000 4
5th Cybella Mac Cone Southern Ways $3,000 4
6th Quelle Damme Van De Heffinck Rory Hovell Rory Hovell $2,500
4
7th Quendo Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $2,000 4
8th Valentino Amy Millar Amy Millar $1,500 4
9th Cortino Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $1,500 4
10th Magdaline Beth Underhill Darryl B. Williams Assoc. $1,000 4
11th Melinda Mac Cone Southern Ways $1,000 4
12th Romulus Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $1,000 4
WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 2004 REMAINING SHOW DATES ARE:
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 - 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 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 11 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
$100,000 King Shavings Grand Prix of Ocala presented by Great American
Insurance Group - 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 FARM: 13710 U.S. Hwy 27; Ocala, Florida 34482; Tel: 352-620-2275.
Website: www.HitsShows.com
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