Ocala, Florida, USA – December 14, 2024 – Top show jumping competition returned to the newly-renovated Hits Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida as action got underway during the Holiday Classic. With classes for exhibitors of all levels, the week offered a variety of jumper, equitation, and hunter divisions, as well as an extra-special treat for hunter riders in the form of a WCHR designation. In the jumper arenas, anticipation built throughout the week until it culminated in a blazing win for local hero Tracy Fenney (USA) and Can Talk to Me TD MTM in the $25,000 Hits Grand Prix on Saturday, December 14. 

With 18 duos prepared to give it their best, course designer Oscar Soberon (USA) set a challenging but appropriate track to welcome the athletes back to grand prix competition in the main event of the week. Fenney was one of seven top combinations that conquered the first round’s obstacles fault-free to qualify for the jump-off, among the likes of fellow U.S. rider Callan Solem, and New Zealand Olympian Sharn Wordley.

With several notable challengers behind her, Fenney fiercely fought for the title with an unbeatable round in 37.20 seconds aboard the MTM Farm’s eight-year-old Holsteiner mare (Catoki x Acorado). 

After winning Wednesday’s $2,500 Adequan Open Welcome Stake, Kirk Webby (NZL) and Cameron 38, Jamie Stryker’s 10-year-old Mecklenburg gelding (Cellestial x Lord Kemm), maintained a consistent performance through the end of the week, this time finishing just off the pace in 37.76 seconds for the second-place title to wrap up the main event.

Already a winner in Thursday’s $10,000 Alliant Private Client Cup, Ocala native Jared Petersen (USA) rounded out the top three in 37.85 seconds with Kawir MS, Jordan Petersen’s eight-year-old Belgian Sporthorse gelding by Comme Il Faut. 

“In the jump off, I watched another rider who went really fast and beat my other horse by about a second and a half,” detailed Fenney. “I knew I needed to burn it a little bit. I also knew that I had three or four really fast riders behind me too. My mare was really great everywhere, from her angles to her turns.”

Like many of Ocala’s equestrian community, Fenney and her MTM Farm team are now full-time residents — a move she states has been a game changer for the business, allowing her to see the evolution of the neighborhood first-hand.

“We actually love being in Ocala, and we’re so lucky to not have to travel like we used to,” she admitted. “It’s just so nice to be able to sleep in your own bed, and we built a house — we love it. This whole place has just boomed, and it’s so nice to have the facility that we have here.”

Final Results – $25,000 Hits Grand Prix

1) Tracy Fenney (USA) & Can Talk to Me TD MTM – 0 / 0 – 37.20

2) Kirk Webby (NZL) & Cameron 38 – 0 / 0 – 37.76

3) Jared Petersen (USA) & Kawir MS – 0 / 0 – 37.85

Source: Press Release from Hits Horse Shows

Photos: © Hits Horse Shows / ESI Photography

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