Aaron Vale & Obi Wan are the Jedi of the Day in $50,000 Hits Grand Prix

By Jumper News Branches on January 26, 2022

Ocala, Florida – January 23, 2022 – The 41st HITS Ocala Winter Circuit kicked off this past week with the Ocala January Classic. Horses and riders brought their best to the new year, with plenty of highlights for Jumpers and Hunters alike. Read on for a recap of the week’s featured competition.

On a crisp Sunday, the sun broke through just in time for the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix. Of the competitors that took to the course designed by Kerry Kocher, only three completed a clear first round to advance to the jump-off. First to return was Junior rider Genevieve Munson aboard ZONDERLING. A refusal at the third jump of the course took them out of the running.

Next to return was David Jennings. Jennings led CENDATUS PS to a clean round, but lamented himself for being too conservative with Aaron Vale (USA) & OBI WAN still to go. Knowing the time to beat, Vale did just that, edging Jennings to claim the victory. Vale (USA) navigated OBI WAN through the course in 46.421, a half-second faster than Jennings’ time and good enough for the win. While Vale was pleased to get the win, his daughter Kinser was even more excited, and immediately started negotiating with her father to claim the winner’s check for herself!