HITS Culpeper $25,000 Devoucoux Wild Card Grand Prix Offers High-Performance Riders Final Chance at $100,000 USGPL Invitational Field
RELEASE: September 22, 2009
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Chris Mayone
When show jumping returns to HITS Culpeper for the United States Grand Prix League (USPGL) Finals, September 23-27, a slew of high-performance riders will be in town for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix that is set to highlight the week of competition at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA.
On Friday, September 25, grand prix riders have one final chance to qualify for the big-ticket class when the $25,000 Devoucoux Wild Card Grand Prix takes the stage. The rider, who is not already qualified, who finishes the highest in Friday's feature class will earn the final spot in the star-studded field and will have to face international course designer Olaf Petersen's, Sr.'s course first on Sunday.
Headlining this year's $100,000 Invitational is Maryland's Tracy Magness. She will ride Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko's Tarco Van Ter Moude in the enviable last-to-go spot. In 2009, Magness took a commanding lead in the USGPL standings thanks to a strong start at HITS Ocala. She continued to earn qualifying prize money at HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties en route to accumulating over $100,000 in HITS Grand Prix prize money for the year. To view the final 2009 rider rankings, visit
www.hitsshows.com/pdf/09_usgpl_riderrankings.pdf.
"It's always been one of my goals to win the big class in Culpeper," said Magness. "Tarco has had a surreal year, so far. We won the $100,000 class in Upperville and have won almost $200,000 in grand prix classes."
Rhode Island native Bill Lowry and his horse Rio Corde will be in town for the grand prix with his eyes set on the top prize. "I always like coming to Culpeper," said Lowry. "It's a great atmosphere, and the $100,000 class is always a lot of fun. I would like to think I am going to do well in it because my horses really like it there."
Other riders expected to show in the $100,000 class include Callan Solem, Michelle Spadone, Aaron Vale, Danielle Torano, Mary Lisa Leffler, David Jennings, Kyle King, Laura Linback, Marilyn Little-Meredith, Ramiro Quintana and Sulu Rose Reed, just to name a few.
The Invitational will take place after the presentation of the Grand Circuit Champion Awards for 60 divisions in the majestic grand prix ring at HITS Commonwealth Park. Visit
www.hitsshows.com/2008/circuitstandings/va_2026.html for the current circuit award standings.
The Shalanno Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy will also be presented on Sunday, September 27, to the Junior Jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation as modeled by Olympic medalists Joe Fargis, Conrad Homfeld and George Morris.
In addition to the Wild Card and the Invitational, the prestigious week of show jumping at HITS Culpeper will also feature a full schedule of classes, including the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic, $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Classic and the $25,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic.
Out-of-Ring ExcitementOn Friday evening, September 25, there will be a special launch party for the newly formed non-profit High Performance Equestrian Foundation. The High Performance Equestrian Foundation (HPEF) has been created to cultivate and provide financial support for the capable, under-funded equestrians who aspire to compete at the highest levels of equestrian sport. The focus for the foundation will be on those competing at the grand prix level for the first couple of years, until funds grow substantially enough to include aspiring riders not yet competing at the highest level.
The event will be open to all HITS exhibitors attending the USGPL Finals and will feature a live band, food, wine, beer and soft drinks in the Grand Prix Pavilion. While there will be no charge, donations will be accepted and appreciated.
HITS, Inc., prod