David Raposa and Five-Year Old Jade Win $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

Saugerties, NY (July 28, 2014) – This weekend’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix may have only been the fifth hunter class of Jade’s life, but with David Raposa steadily guiding in the irons, the five-year old mare jumped like an old campaigner. Imported from Belgium just a few weeks ago, Jade was showing eight days out of quarantine and took blue in her first-ever Hunter Prix with Raposa of Clinton, New York.

“She’s a new ride and only five, so bound to make some mistakes. But she’s brave, careful and always tries. It’s hard to find one like that,” said Raposa. “A five-year old won the [Diamond Mills Hunter Prix] Final last year, so I’m hoping that kind of luck is with us because that’s absolutely where she’s headed.”

Raposa pulled off the perfect preparation for their HITS Championship debut, jumping Jade to an 86 in the first round and 88 in the second for a total of 174 and top honors. Despite it being her first experience with the Outside Course at HITS Saugerties, Jade handled the innovative track with ease. “She locked her eyes on that seven-stride bank line and was fearless,” said Raposa. “The wall and hill are nerve wrecking at times, but sure beat the old side-diagonal-side.”

As qualifying heats up for the HITS Championship, hunter riders are turning out in droves to punch their ticket for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Winning is sweet, but beating 62 other pairs sweeter yet and that’s exactly what Raposa and Jade did this weekend.

With two Devoucoux Hunter Prix blue ribbons already hanging in his barn, David Oliynyk of Franklin, Massachusetts followed close behind, piloting Lori Gaudet’s Generous to an 87 and 85.5 for second. Erynn Ballard of Tottenham, Ontario rounded out the top three riding Playlist for Silver Springs Farm. They boasted scores of 82.75 and 89.

Emily Hill of Sandwich, Massachusetts captured fourth with Rebecca McGoldrick’s Pocage Marblesien on scores of 83 and 87.5, while Laena Romond of Colchester, Vermont took fifth aboard Heritage Farm’s Shoemaker after scores of 84 and 86.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, maker of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.

$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix
Place  Horse  Owner  Rider  Prize $  Rnd. 1/2 Total
1 Jade     David Raposa  David Raposa $1,500 86/88 174
2 Generous  Lori Gaudet  David Oliynyk $1,000 87/85.5 172.5
3 Playlist  Silver Springs Farm  Erynn Ballard     $700 82.75/89 171.75
4 Pocage Marblesien  Rebecca McGoldrick  Emily Hill  $500  83/87.5  170.5
5 Shoemaker  Heritage Farm, Inc.  Laena Romond     $400  84/86  170
6 Given  Shannon Hogue     Shannon Hogue  $350 88/81.5 169.5
7 Cornetto Royal  Holly Caristo  Heather Caristo- Williams $275 83.5/85.5 169
8 Candor  Redfield Farm  Adrienne Iverson  $275  89/79     168
9 Corice Z  Claire Kenna  Claire Kenna     - 82.5/85 167.5
10 Montenegro  Lilly Ulrich  Peter Wylde - 81.5/84.5  166
11 Monte Cristo  Paula Kennedy     Darren Graziano - 81.75/83 164.75
12 Quinn  Cailin Mc Namara  Brian Feigus - 82/80 162

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
On Sunday the Hunter Stadium showcased 38 pairs eager to qualify for the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship. One, however, rose to the top. Rebecca Clawson and her six-year old Thoroughbred gelding Freeport pocketed a pair of 84s for the win.

Kathryn Haefner of Hamburg, New York, jumped her own Columbus to second with a 79 and 85 – also the top score of the second round. Third was awarded to Margot Peroni of Califon, New Jersey on Orlon, with an 81.5 and 82.

Jordynn Shaffer of Tinton Falls, New Jersey rode to fourth with her own Wonder Street. They scored an 82 and 80, while Tracie Schoelen of Toms River, New Jersey rounded out the top five on Redford with a 77.75 and 81.

Diamond Mills and Platinum Performance Hunter Prix qualifiers will be offered weekly throughout the Saugerties and Culpeper summer circuits before the finals return to the HITS Championship this fall and offer hunter riders the opportunity to show for unprecedented prize money over thrilling courses.

About Platinum Performance
Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance® Equine addresses a horse's total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix
Place  Horse  Owner Rider Prize $ Rnd. 1/2 Total
1 Freeport  Rebecca Clawson  Rebecca Clawson $450 84/84 168
2 Columbus  Kathryn Haefner  Kathryn Haefner $300 79/85 164
3 Orlon  Margot Peroni     Margot Peroni $200 81.5/82 163.5
4 Wonder Street Jordynn Shaffer Jordynn Shaffer $150 82/80 162
5 Redford  Tracie Schoelen  Tracie Schoelen $125 77.75/81 158.75
6 Crosby  Kathryn Haefner  Kathryn Haefner $100 81/77 158
7 Not Fade Away  Kirsten Ostling  Kirsten Ostling  $100 80/74 154
8 Anucci  Monica Hunt  Jess Lusty $75 77/76 153
9 Sebastian  Monty Kelly  Isabella Usenza  - 77.5/73 150.5
10 Byplast De Neige  Silver Springs Farm  Kirstiina Claffee - 77.25/71 148.25
11 Larger Than Life  Linda Corvari  Linda Corvari - 83/65  148
12 Eye Spy  Twin Oaks Stables, Inc. Tess Mahoney - 78/68 146