Harold Chopping Goes Two for Two during the Winston National at Hits Culpeper

By Jumper News USA on August 21, 2024

Culpeper, Virginia, USA – August 17, 2024 – There was one name that was well-known throughout the Winston National at Hits Culpeper, and that name was Harold Chopping (USA). During the nationally-rated hunter, jumper, and equitation event that took place at the Hits Commonwealth Park on August 14-18, 2024, Chopping, of Southern Pines, North Carolina, won both of the event’s featured classes, including the $24,500 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix, as well as the week’s highlight hunter event, the $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby.

On Saturday, August 17, he produced the best round in the $24,500 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix with Geronimo SCF. The duo were one of only four entries to produce a fault-free first round and advance to the jump-off, and were then the fastest of only two double-clear efforts with a time of 37.93 seconds.

“I know Geronimo really well; we’ve been together for several years, so when I’m walking a course and making a plan, I know his strengths,” stated Chopping. “The jump-off was an A/B option, so I really only got to see parts of how the course rose for the two before me. I just stuck to what my original plan was and did all of the numbers I had decided to do. It turned out I didn’t need to be so fast, but I didn’t know.”

For Chopping, he credits the victory to the heart and determination in his partner, Diane Halpin’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Veron x Silvio I), Geronimo SCF.

“I loved how he jumped today,” he enthused. “He clearly wanted to be the winner no matter what. He’ll get a big bag of carrots this afternoon!”

Juliana Thorbecke (USA) guided her own 13-year-old Zangersheide mare, Andromeda Z, to the only other faultless performance, but with a time of 41.73 seconds, they settled for second place.

With a score of four and a time of 53.52 seconds, Andrew Ross (USA) and his own 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding by Cornet’s Prinz, Cornet’s Cobalt, landed the final top-three title.