Ocala, Florida, USA – Sunday, February 23, 2020 – The second half of the Hits Ocala Winter Circuit got underway with Week VI, where riders continued to show up and show off in featured competition at Hits Post Time Farm. After several top five finishes so far, Aaron Vale (USA) claimed the blue ribbon in the $150,000 Crum & Forster Grand Prix.

HITS Ocala welcomed 55 riders to the Grand Prix Stadium for Sunday’s $150,000 Crum & Forster Grand Prix. Grand Prix Champions and Olympic hopefuls took to a carefully planned course designed by Mark McGown of Kilmarnok, Scotland.

Each rider had their eye on the prize in the 12-horse jump-off hoping to take home the lion’s share of prize money. Aaron Vale (USA) and Elusive, an elusive chestnut gelding (Rodrigoo x Capfucino) led the field in 43.277 seconds, with over a full second separating them from the second place finisher.

“The course didn’t walk that difficult,” said Vale, “but it had some hidden challenges. In the jump-off you had to be quite careful in the beginning, so it made for an interesting test to stay clean, but still be fast.”

Vale and Elusive have had a successful season so far, winning both Grand Prix during the Hits Ocala Holiday Classic in December, and place third and sixth earlier this Circuit leading up to today’s victory.

Devin Ryan (USA) & Caspar’s Lasino

While Vale hasn’t finalized which horse he’ll show in the Great American Million, he had the chance to watch some of the competition he’ll face as previous three-time Great American Million winner Andre Thieme (GER) and Great American Million veteran Devin Ryan (USA) were hot on his heels.

Devin Ryan (USA) and Caspar’s Lasino (Berlin x Lasino) were the runners up, stopping the tiebreaker in 44.544 seconds.

Andre Thieme (GER) & Chakaria

Andre Thieme (GER) and Chakaria (Chap 147 x Askari 173) earned silver honors with a final time of 44.581 seconds.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release by Hits Horse Shows

Photos: © ESI Photography