Show Results
Matt Hollberg and Full A's Win $50,000 Grand Prix
Matthais Hollberg and Full A's take home the blue in the $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS OcalaOCALA, FL (February 22, 2010)—Matthais Hollberg, of Apex, North Carolina, rode APEX Equestrian Center's Full A's to an exciting double-clear victory in Sunday's $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit to close out the second week of the AA-rated circuit.
"This was only the fifth Grand Prix he’s [Full A’s] ever done," said Hollberg, who was excited for his first Grand Prix victory of the season. "He’s won a few ribbons but this was the first time he’s ever jumped clean in a Grand Prix, let alone won!"
International Course Designer Bernardo Cabral's course proved difficult, as only three out of a field of 33 riders returned for the jump-off. Quite different from Thursday's start where the first three riders all went clean, in Sunday's featured class the first five riders all dropped at least one rail on the course. Kristen VanderVeen and Bull Run Jumpers, LLC's Bull Run's La Bamba was the first pair to put forth a clean round, making it in just under the time allowed in 89.019 seconds.
After VanderVeen went clear, seven more riders failed to master Cabral's first-round course. Hugh Graham and Executive Privilege 3E, owned by King Ridge Stables, gave it their best shot, coming through clean to force a jump-off.
Hollberg and Full A's were the only team to go clear in the second half of the order. All three competitors advancing to the jump-off knew it would be a tight finish for the blue.
Showing first in the jump-off was VanderVeen of St. Charles, Illinois, who took second place in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, last Thursday.
"I know he has it in him to win," said VanderVeen, a rising star in the high-performance circle. "It was a pretty challenging course and I knew going first in the jump-off wasn’t to our advantage." The pair dropped a rail halfway through the round and finished in 54.067 seconds, which was enough for third place.
VanderVeen has placed in the top three in three of the four Grand Prix classes to take place so far during the AA-rated Circuit at HITS Ocala, making her a serious contender to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on September 12, 2010.
"I’m really looking forward to competing in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix," said VanderVeen.
Next to show was the team of Graham and Executive Privilege 3E, who jumped in 53.533 seconds with four faults to take the lead, while Hollberg waited in the wings.
"This was the biggest course he’s ever jumped," said Hollberg. "Since I was going last, I just knew I needed to jump it as fast as I could and it worked." While 61.429 seconds wasn’t the fastest time, his clean round was enough for the win.
Rounding out the top five were Kate Levy and Lirving Du Volsin, owned by Kate Levy LLC and Christian Woshenko, in fourth place and Harold Chopping and Little Glen's Valentino, owned by Penelope Strait and Jenna Hoy, in fifth place.
How did Hollberg plan on celebrating his very first Grand Prix win? “I’m having a dinner party tonight at The Melting Pot!” he said. The Melting Pot was the VIP Restaurant of the week, serving delicious shrimp, meats, cheese and chocolate fondues and salad menu items during Sunday’s $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.
"We were thrilled with the entire event," said Penny Hubbard, USA Sales Manager for Charles Owen. "We loved the audience, the great field of riders and we were happy to be a part of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit."
"The $50,000 Charles Owen Grand Prix was really exciting!" said Lisa Engel, HITS Account Executive for Corporate Sponsorship. "The stands were full of spectators. The cheers from the crowd after the riders cleared the Liverpool in the first round really kept the excitement and anticipation building as we approached the jump off. It was great to have Charles Owen’s marketing team on-site on such a beautiful day!"
Show Jumping continues on Tuesday, February 23, with the Ocala Masters. A full lineup of exciting classes and special events will highlight the week, including the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Thursday, the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby, and the $75,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday as the road to the Pfizer Million continues.
Missed the Grand Prix action? That’s alright – you can watch every Grand Prix at HITS this season on Galopando TV at www.galopandotv.com, either live during the event for a small fee or after the event for no charge. At any time throughout the year, viewers can watch select competitions from HITS Ocala.
In order to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, a rider must compete in eight or more HITS Grand Prix classes. The top 40 riders, based on money won by horse/rider combination, will be eligible to ride for the Pfizer Million. For more detailed information on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, please visit our website at HitsShows.com.
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .