HITS VI OCALA WINTER CELEBRATION

March 16-20, 2010
HITS Post Time - Ocala, FL

Beautiful weather in our last week in Florida! The rain came back on Sunday morning for the Grand Prix and by afternoon it was back to warm and nice! Horsies and doggies were ready to get back home as were some of us?...
We all enjoyed our three weeks in FL and everyone did very well. This week Sophy and Oriental showed in the Adult Jumper High and got a 7th place. Maren and DC got a 5th and 6th in the 2'6" Adult Hunters, Carlos and DC got 4th place in the Schooling Hunters and 8th in the Hits Hunters at 2'6". Carlos and  Fandango got a 3rd in the Level 3 and did very well in the Level 5 with unfortunate single rails in every class keeping them out of the ribbons. Carlos and Oriental got a 4th and a 6th in the $1000 Level 5 Jumpers.

HITS V OCALA WINTER FINALS - Part 2

March 9-14, 2010
HITS Post Time - Ocala, FL

After ALL the rain and two days of competition lost, everyone was glad to be out and back in the show ring.
Carlos with Oriental and Fandango showed first thing in the Grand Prix field, they jumped around very well but both had one unlucky rail. Sophy and Oriental showed in the High Adult Jumpers and had the last rail down.
Carlos and Maren showed Dream Catcher in the HITS 2'6" Hunters and did very well.
Saturday night we got to watch the $10,000 Chronicle of the Horse/USHJA International Hunter Derby, it was a bit cold and breezy but what a nice class. Sunday morning Sophy went back to Wilmington for a few days of class and in the afternoon we watched the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix.
We're ready for our last week in Ocala!

HITS V OCALA WINTER FINALS - Part 1

March 9-14, 2010
HITS Post Time - Ocala, FL

Nice start of the week, much warmer weather than last week - tank top weather!
On Wednesday DC and Carlos showed in the Baby Greens, did very well. Fandango and Oriental showed in the Level 5 in the Grand Prix field, Ori was first in the order and set the pace with a double clean fast round but ended up 7th after 40 plus horses gave it a shot. Fandango got a bit frazzled :( in the big field.
Thursday and Friday we had to scratch because it rained and thundered the entire two days. We've had some time to visit tack shops and update the blog and flickr - will try to keep updating as much as I can!

Having some fun trying on racing goggles

HITS IV OCALA TOURNAMENT

March 2-7, 2010
HITS Post Time - Ocala, FL

Very busy week after a delayed departure from Wilmington to Ocala due to "vehicle malfunction". We arrived on Wednesday March 3, did the setup and schooling on Thursday and showed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
BEAUTIFUL weather!! a bit cold still overnight for Florida but daytime sunshine and warmth! Sophy got here on Thursday, and Maren & parentals on Friday.
Fandango and Ori showed in the level 4: Fandango got 2nd and 3rd, and Ori 3rd. Sophy showed in the Adult Jumper High, 4th place. DC showed in the HITS 2'6" Hunter with Carlos and Maren. Huge classes as always! Miss Nelly and Danny got their workout as well.
We are enjoying the facilities at Sandra Gray's barn where we're stabled across from the showgrounds. There's a nice riding ring (with a liverpool - perfect for Fandango:) and we have our own private turnout paddock.