Nadine Tilley, proprietress of the Tilley Carriage House, a private museum in Hollywood. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Nadine Tilley is driven.  As at home driving a four-in-hand as in the saddle, Tilley’s love of equines prompted her to create a personal museum of horse-drawn conveyances.

Tilley traces her aesthetic obsession to the ’80s and a show in Santa Barbara. “It was a Saddlebred show, and I wasn’t into Saddlebreds at all, but my friend bred them, and her mother, who was about 70, came into the arena in an antique carriage with a matched pair of Saddlebred horses. There was a live symphony orchestra playing behind them, and it was just breathtaking. And I said, ‘Oh my goodness. That is something. That’s a vision. It’s living art and I would like to learn how to do that, [because] I didn’t know how to drive or do anything at the time.”

Her interest was also piqued by a practical consideration. “I said, ‘That’s great! If she can do it at her age, that’s something I should look into so I can stay involved with horses when I’m old.”

She proceeded to investigate, “one carriage at a time.” Now, tucked away at a very comfortable remove from the curb on Gower Street in Hollywood, the Tilley Carriage House contains 18 carriages dating from 1850 to 1905, “and one sleigh,” Tilley says, referring to a sleek Albany Cutter on the second floor that is one of the few items that doesn’t get hauled out for the occasional spin. “We don’t get much snow in California,” she smiles, sharing that she will sometimes attach the silver sleigh bells to a carriage during holiday season. There are hundreds of accessories―things like harnesses, tracings, whips and tack―and walls of books and cases full of ribbons,    artifacts and memorabilia.

Literally anywhere the eye lands there is one curious item or another. She has been collecting since 1986, and runs the Carriage House like an extension of her living room rather than a display venue. Although the museum is private, Tilley opens it to friends and industry associates. The California Andalusian Horse Alliance 2011 Year End High Point Dinner and the Whip’R Snapper Annual Membership and Holiday Party were two events recently held there.

When Tilley refers to the museum as her “private collection,” she qualifies it by saying, “private as in it’s a collection of things you’d find in a personal household. I have no commercial vehicles. A lot of people ask, ‘Why don’t you have a stagecoach?’ I like that they were a part of everyday lives. These are things people would say, ‘Bring us the basket phaeton, we’re going to town this afternoon.’”

Tilley Andalusians, a breeding farm in Hemet, is home to about 40 horses, some of which Tilley uses to pull her coaches. “They’re all used,” she says of the vehicles, and by that she does not mean “previously owned,” though they are that too. They have all been meticulously restored―the lacquer, brass, and in some cases, crystal, sparkling.

“They’re real vehicles and I compete in them. There are a lot of competitions around, pleasure driving days, where you take antique vehicles to the fair.” The Ventura and L.A. County Fairs are two in which she has participated. “There are a lot of different divisions.”

But whatever you do, don’t call them buggies. “A buggy was very utilitarian. They were square-boxed and affordable. They were the Volkswagens of their day.”

The Curtain Coach, circa 1850, once owned by John D. Rockefeller, is trimmed in velvet and the leaded-glass windows are lavishly beveled. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

The leaded-glass windows open and close via pull straps. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Lighting detail on the Curtain Coach (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Parasol Top Basket Phaeton, circa 1965. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

The Basket Shell Phaeton. circa 1860, is a sporty conveyance that can be driven with a small horse, matched pair or pony.
(Photo by Paula Parisi)

A "trap" (circa 1880) typically has sliding or collapsible seats. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

The Barouche, circa 1860, was a coveted summer conveyance of nobility.
(Photo by Paula Parisi)

John "Jack" Fritz devoted many years of service to the equestrian community.

A graduate of Princeton University and a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Fritz was an integral part of the United States Equestrian Team for nearly three decades. He was a member of the USET board of directors since the early 1960’s and an officer since 1974, which includes his role as USET vice president for administration and CEO from 1974-1989.

He served as secretary for nearly two decades before retiring in 1999. After retiring he continued to serve as a volunteer member of the board and assistant secretary, and was an honorary trustee at the time of his passing.

A technical delegate for dressage and combined training for 25 years and a dressage judge for more than 20 years, Fritz judged many three-day events and dressage shows. In addition to judging and officiating, he was the author of a number of books on horse sports.

He was a founder of numerous equestrian organizations including the United States Combined Training Association (USCTA), whose foundation he chaired in 1959. He was also a founder of the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) whose foundation he chaired in 1973.

Fritz was an advocate supporter of the American Horse Shows Association (now USEF) and served on numerous committees. Fritz, a sustaining member of the United States Pony Club (USPC) since 1955 was named USPC governor in 1960 and in 1961 became a national examiner, a role he held for 30 years. Over that time he also served on numerous USPC committees. In 1972 he was elected USPC vice president followed by his election to first vice president in 1976, a position he held until he was elected president in 1981. In 1982 he became a member of the advisory committee and served as its chairman from 1988-1990. He was also the USPC’s representative to the USET and an ex-officio member of the advisory committee since 1988.

Fritz had many accolades over the years including being honored with the USEF Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000, “Horseman of the Year” first in 1968 by the New Jersey Professional Horseman’s Association and again in 1969 by the New Jersey Horse Council. In 1978 he won the prestigious Wofford Trophy, awarded annually by the USCTA to a “non-riding” member who has done the most to further the sport of Combined Training. He was inducted into the USCTA’s Hall of Fame in 1999. The Chronicle of the Horse listed him as one of the top 50 most influential people in this century.

In addition to his equestrian interests, Fritz was also deeply involved in early American history. A professor of history at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, he was dean of arts and sciences at the University’s Madison campus. He was also a member of the board of trustees and officer trustee of Centenary College.

Fritz is survived by numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. at the Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford, IL. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jack may be made to the USET Foundation, P.O. Box 355, Gladstone, NJ 07934 or the Culver Military Academy, 1300 Academy Road, Culver, IN, 46511.

Larry Lumsdon brings a lifetime love of animals and love of challenge to American's Country Store. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

In today’s economic environment, retail is a battlefield. But if it’s true, as Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi once said, “life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can,” then Larry Lumsdon has a few things going in his favor. The proprietor of America’s Country Store in Norco knows a thing or two about late rallies.

After being forced to sell his B&E Feed business in 2006 following a stroke, Lumsdon slowly worked to regain his health. His improvement seemed to mirror B&E’s decline, and in June 2011 he was informed that the new owner was filing for bankruptcy protection and vacating the property (which the Lumsdons still owned).

Ruth Lumsdon is Larry's partner in running the store. They recently celebrated 49 years of marriage. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Hoisting the flag, this time as America’s Country Store, the Lumsdons enlisted the help of friends and vendors and retook the field. “We re-modeled, re-stocked and re-opened on July 17,” said Lumsdon, whose office door opens directly onto the expansive show floor that is bright, colorful and stocked with a wide variety of feed and supplies for every kind of pet (though they do not carry tack). The space has a distinctive feel, kind of like an upscale barn, and Lumsdon shares the credit for that with the Land O’Lakes Purina Feed Company.

Having outgrown the original B&E location at 1414 Sixth Street, the Lumsdons in 1999 embarked on new construction on three acres just down the block. “Many of our customers remember when this was a vacant lot―before the fire house, the Norco Animal Hospital or the Norco Country Center were built,” he noted. In a convergence of interests, the Lumsdons’ goal of a local superstore meshed with the interests of Purina Mills. “At that particular time, they were looking for feed dealers that wanted to invest in a new concept they called ‘ruralpolitan’―kind of a suburban idea of what a ranch should look like.”

Although the architectural design was handled by Purina, Lumsdon stressed that they have no ownership stake in the store, and said the misperception that ACS is part of a large international conglomerate is something he is continually battling. “Norco is a real community town. People didn’t want a big corporate store here, and that’s not what we are. We are just another local merchant that leveraged a business relationship to better ourselves and expand.”

Manager Wayne Rutherford, strikes a cowboy pose. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Lumsdon brings authentic small-town values to his Country Store. He grew up in Indiana “in a farming environment. When I was a kid, my father, uncle and grandfather had a business where they would go around and sell feed and things.” At 19, he joined the Air Force and set out to explore the world. He met Ruth in Madrid, where she was working for the Central Intelligence Agency.

They were married in Europe and the first of their two children was born there. After five years abroad the couple returned to the States, relocating to Ruth’s native California. Their first stop was San Gabriel, where Ruth grew up, then they moved to Diamond Bar, planting roots for 17 years as Lumsdon pursued a career in finance and Ruth continued in government work.

“We both found ourselves retired about the same time, but neither of us wanted to be sitting around. We have always loved pets, so we decided to go back to what we loved.” Asked how he found Norco, Lumsdon laughed, and said, “You have to really be looking for it! As it is, we happened upon this little feed store, B&E, and they had an absentee owner and we were able to buy it. So we leased the property and then five years later outgrew it and started in with the plans for this place.”

Though the concept of a pet superstore is fairly commonplace today, back then it was somewhat revolutionary. “You’ll find a number of these stores back East, where Purina put up 50 or 60, but there is only one in California besides ours.” Lumsdon said America’s Country Store is built on the premise that “if you offer the customer a selection of quality products at reasonable prices, combined with a pleasant shopping experience they will want to come back. We still believe this to be true today.”

Raul Rivera, who has worked for the Lumsdons for nearly 20 years, replenishes the feed shelves. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

For more info visit www.acsnorco.com.

Andre Thieme and Cesar on course at the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. (Photo by ESI)

Germany’s Andre Thieme, winner of the 2011 HITS Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on Aragon Rouet, is competing in Ocala, FL, and off to a great start qualifying for the 2012 grand slam. Riding Cesar, he won his first grand prix of the HITS winter circuit, the $25,000 SmartPak on Feb. 9.

In a field of 18 competitors, four made it to the jump-off on Tim Hott’s course, which boasted two challenging double combinations. Megan Edrick of Agoura, CA, Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, FL and Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, NC, joined Thieme in the second round to face six remaining obstacles.

Edrick and Procedures, Inc.’s Cadence posted the first clear round in the jump-off and set the time at a swift 36 seconds. Thieme was last to go in the second round and was in it to win it with tight turns and time to spare. He and Cesar posted a winning time of 35.28 seconds to bump Edrick to second place.

“I’m really happy about this win,” said Thieme. “The first round felt good, but he [Cesar] got a little flat in the end of the jump-off because she [Edrick] was really fast and I really had to go for it.”

Thieme with HITS' Lisa Engel and Caitlin Howley in Ocala.

Thieme, whose share of the purse was $7,500 for the win, plans to compete in the $50,000 Chartis Grand Prix on Feb. 11.

To participate in the Pfizer $1 Million, riders have to qualify by banking a top performance in at least eight eligible HITS grand prix classes. Riders on both coasts are currently duking it out, in Ocala and Thermal, CA, to make the cut. The top 40 riders, based on money won on their leading horse, will earn their spot in the line-up during HITS Championship Weekend, scheduled for September 9 at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY.

Jill Henselwood and IV sail to victory on the HITS Desert Circuit. (Flying Horse Photography)

Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood is hoping a great performance on the HITS Desert Circuit will help her and IV Ever get the attention of her nation’s Olympic selectors, and she solidified her position on Feb. 9, adding the $32,000 HITS Desert Classic to her prize list. She also won the first grand prix of the 2012 Desert Circuit, the $25,000 SmartPak on Saturday, Jan. 28.

The 16-obstacle course was set by DCIII designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico and was thought to be one of the more challenging courses Thermal jumpers have faced this season. Six starters found trouble at a vertical mid-way through while several others had their fate decided by the 10 a-b combination. But Henselwood found a way.

“This was the most technical course that we have had yet,” Henselwood said afterward. “It was really big and the triple combination heading towards the in-gate was tough. To be successful on this course you had to have a horse with great scope.”

Henselwood and IV Ever (owned by Brian Gingras) were fourth to show in the class and the first to go clean proving that, while technical, Hernandez’ course could be cracked. Five trips later, fellow Canadian Elizabeth Gingras of Edmonton, Alberta went clean aboard her own Avensis, ensuring a jump-off. Sarah Ballou of Grass Valley, CA, followed two trips later with a clean round aboard her own Absie, leading to speculation that an all-female jump-off could be in the works, with just four trips left in the first round.

But Oregon’s Rich Fellers was one of the four, and he had no intention of leaving it up to the ladies to decide the top finishes. Riding Harry & Mollie Chapman’s McGuinness, a crowd favorite in Thermal, Fellers edged his way into the jump-off with the only other clean ride in the first round.

For round two Hernandez introduced two new fences and brought back six, including the 12 a-b elements of the triple combination.

Jill Henselwood and IV Ever with HITS' Tony Hitchcock. (Flying Horse Photography)

Henselwood and IV Ever were up first and cruised through the course in a speedy 42.60 seconds, a pace none of the others would beat.

“I am looking to get on the long-list for the Olympic team,” Henselwood said. “With two wins already I think we are on the right track.”

After the class was complete, Hernandez shared his reaction to the win.“This was an international-level class with some very technical lines and height, similar to what you’d find in Europe,” he said. “I was looking to get four or five clean, which is what I got. I think it was a good class. Jill is a great rider and she knows what she’s doing out there and it shows. On Saturday for the World Cup I’m planning some challenging turns and take advantage of the atmosphere of the indoor arena.”

The Saturday, Feb. 18 class, the $53,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, is the second of four FEI World Cup Qualifiers offered this season in Thermal.

The two week event will again offer many feature classes culminating with the $50,000 Grand Prix of Sacramento CSI-W the final Saturday night.

New to the event is the North American Team Championships, a week one feature event for junior and amateur riders competing at the 1.20m level. Eleven regional teams have been invited to compete in this championship over three days of competition. Rider qualifications for those teams will be announced at a later date. Riders will also be allowed to compete as individuals for the $15,000 in prize money. PhelpsSports has signed on as presenting sponsor.

Week one, “Welcome Week,” takes place September 25-30 and in addition to the aforementioned NATC will also include the $20,000 SIHS Young Jumper Suitability Finals, Grand Prix Hunter Classic and a $25,000 Grand Prix.

Week two, “World Cup Week,” is October 2-7, and will feature a $35,000 Open Jumper Classic, $25,000 Showbiz Magazine Open Stake and the $55,000 Grand Prix of Sacramento CSI-W.

A line-up of clinics featuring world class professionals from six disciplines and other special events will be announced shortly. For details vsit www.jumpsacto.com or www.facebook.com/jumpsacto.

Robert Ridland is helping take the horse show business into the 21st century.

Blenheim EquiSports today announced that it will allow exhibitors to submit horse show entry forms online via the website Equestrian Connect.

Equestrian Connect is a two-year-old service used by more than 6,300 members to populate data and print entry forms for over 800 USEF A and AA hunter/jumper shows nationally. Until now, though, it hasn’t been possible to actually click a “submit” button to register and pay online.

Blenheim, based in San Juan Capistrano, has for the past few months worked closely with the Menlo Park-based Equestrian Connect to take things up a notch, and becomes the first company to offer the new service (for its cancelled Winter Classic―which was to have run Jan. 13-15, but was sidelined by an eve-of EHV-1 scare―and the upcoming Spring Classic series of three, March 28 through April 15).

Blenheim EquiSports president Robert Ridland said his company has been “pushing for this for some time. It’s an obvious next step that, while it sounds simple is actually a pretty big deal, because different shows have different entry forms, and there are legal issues and all kinds of things…”

Simone Coxe, co-founder of Equestrian Connect.

Until now, Equestrian Connect entry forms still had to be printed out and mailed with a check, requiring the data be re-entered by a show secretary.  Show managers can now log on to Equestrian Connect to receive and review entry information. “We also supply an export file, eliminating the need to rekey data,” said Simone Coxe, who founded Equestrian Connect with fellow rider Barbara Phillips.

Coxe said the new feature will roll out to other horse shows through the spring. “The Langer shows are going to use it, and we have been in talks with a number of others. Barbara went to the USEF convention in January and got a very strong reception.”

The value-added feature will be free to show management through the first half of 2012, after which time “they will be required to pay a small fee,” Coxe noted. Exhibitors are charged $50 per horse for unlimited entries per year. For those with more limited show schedules, or a sale horse, Equestrian Connect also offers a per incidence fee of $8. There will be no additional charge to exhibitors for registering online.

The service was launched in California, has 2,500 Zone 10 members, and generates an average of 250 entries for each of the 120 California shows it posts.

“Most people have no idea what trainers do on Mondays,” Ridland said. “They are not playing golf, they’re doing everything it takes behind the scenes to make the business run, like filling out the paperwork for shows.” Ridland, who in addition to managing competitions is a rider and a trainer,” said “We want to help things run more smoothly. That’s our philosophy.”

Blenheim Equisports was also one of the first to begin posting ride times online, Ridland noted. “What used to happen is people would show up two hours early and miss a tennis  game or a business meeting or whatever. Now owners can be there to see their horses go and grooms can have it all in writing. It makes things a whole lot more organized, and online entries is an extension of that thinking. If we can do something to make a rider’s life easier, a trainer’s life easier, a groom’s life easier, we’ll do it.”

Equestrian Connect offers a "guided tour" online, as well as a 45-day "free trial."

“We’re bringing the horse industry into the 21^st century,” said Coxe, who owns Mr. Whoopy, a grand prix horse ridden by Duncan McFarland of Outwoods Farms. “This is a pretty small industry, so some big company isn’t going to come in and automate the hunter jumper world, but for us, we love the sport and wanted to make it better.” Coxe’s background in public relations and Phillips’ in computers made them well-equipped to do just that. The two women hatched the idea over lattes in a Silicon Valley coffee shop.

Susie Hutchinson, of Susan Hutchison Stables in Temecula, CA, is one rider who swears by the service. “I started using Equestrian Connect last spring, and have been thrilled with the convenience,” she said, adding, “Electronic entries will be even better.”

For more information, and a “guided tour,” visit www.equestrianconnect.com.

The incident sent ripples of concern through the HITS Desert Circuit show seven miles away, where roughly 1,000 hunter/jumpers are expected to board between Jan. 24 through March 11. But the show was classified as “extremely low risk” by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and other veterinary experts, and went ahead with its opening as planned.

On January 11 a facility in San Juan Capistrano was quarantined after five horses were diagnosed with EHV-1 and a nearby Blenheim Equisports hunter/jumper show at the Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park cancelled. A total of 16 cases have since been diagnosed at that facility, the latest being identified Jan. 25.

The CDFA quarantines are lifted after 21 days without a new case. As of Feb. 7 there have been no new cases in Southern California.

HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri and the HITS Show Management team have been engaged in daily communication with the CDFA as well as Mike Manno – Official Veterinarian for the Empire Polo Club.

Manno said there are about 1,000 horses on the premises at Empire and of those, only one other animal raised concerns. “One horse had a mild fever, but no signs of illness.” The horse was isolated but the fever quickly subsided and test results came back negative.

“It’s really operations as normal here,” said Duncan Peters, DMV, MS of the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in Kentucky and the official veterinarian of the HITS Desert Circuit. “The State Vets did an excellent job of assessing any potential risk and they have told us that Thermal is considered very low risk. Everyone here is 100% confident with everything proceeding as normal. We have precautions in place and the communication from the state to show management and the vets onsite to the customers is open, accurate and frequent.”

HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri said show management continues to be vigilant in order to ensure that the show grounds and the equestrians are well-protected.

For more information, click here.

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Taunus. (Flying Horse Photography)

Francie Steinwedell-Carvin and Taunus were top of class in the first of World Cup Qualifier of the HITS Desert Circuit on Feb. 4, speeding to victory over the indoor course at the $53,000 Strongoid C 2X Grand Prix CSI-W 2* to best a field of 14 competitors.

The event played out before a packed house in the indoor arena at the HITS Horse Park in Thermal, CA, where the very next day day, Sunday, week two of the six-week circuit came to a close with Josephina Nor-Lantzman and Chello Z winning the $30,000 Smart Pak Grand Prix on Feb. 5.

Francie and Prentiss Partners’ Taunus were the only faultless round in the class, and in addition to valuable FEI World Cup points, also banked stock toward the third annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

For the first HITS Desert Circuit World Cup test, course designer Bernardo Cabral of Lisbon, Portugal presented 12 obstacles, including a double and a triple combination. Faults were scattered throughout the course, but it was the time allowed of 74 seconds that posed the most difficult question to both horses and riders. The first round birthed zero faultless rides, but four emerged with only one time fault to advance to the jump-off.

“I thought the time was fair for a World Cup qualifier,” said Steinwedell-Carvin, partnered with husband Dick Carvin in Meadow Grove Farms, based at Middle Ranch in Lakeview Terrace, CA. “Obviously I would have liked to come in under the time, but it worked out just fine for me and we had an exciting jump-off.”

Even without any fault-free first round efforts, Cabral was pleased with the class. “If I test the riders properly and the horses don’t get too anxious, I am happy,” he said. As it wound up, Steinwedell-Carvin was the only women representing the United States.

“It was so cool to be the only American woman in the class and to win it was surreal,” Steinwedell-Carvin said.

Joining her in the jump-off as the first to go was Helen McNaught riding her own Caballo. McNaught, who rides for Great Britain based at Outwood Farm in Castro Valley, CA, won the first HITS Desert Circuit grand prix of the 2012 season.

Cabral offered seven obstacles in the second round and McNaught covered the first three without fault, only to have trouble at the fourth – the second fence of the double combination. She and Caballo dropped a rail to pick up four faults in a time of 42.26 seconds, good for second place.

“This was our first time indoors this season and for the horses it’s a big deal,” McNaught said afterwards. “I rode that one fence badly and it caught me, not the horse – he was ready to go clear.”

Otavio Penedo of Zapopan, Mexico and his own Es Carando Z made it into the top three with only four faults in the jump off (at the second fence) and  a time of 42.35.

Mark Watring of Thousand Oaks, California aboard Horseworks etc Inc’s Green Sleeps Vioco finished in fourth with a four-fault jump-off round in 43.31 seconds. Duncan McFarlane of San Ramon, California and Simone Coxe’s Mr. Whoopy rounded out the top five after picking up two time faults in the first round.

Steinwedell-Carvin currently sits comfortably in the top 10 of the North American West Coast League FEI World Cup standings and will place some attention on making an appearance at the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, scheduled to take place on Championship Weekend, Sept. 7-9, at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY. “I would love to go to Saugerties,” Steinwedell-Carvin said. “I just have to make sure I qualify and get some money in the bank.”

To qualify for the $1 Million class, riders must bank eight qualifying classes to become eligible. Of those, the top 40 riders (based on money won on their leading horse) will earn a slot in the line-up.

Josephina Nor Lantzman and Chello Z. (Flying Horse Photography)

In Sunday’s Grand Prix, Nor Lantzman topped a field of 34-starters. “I couldn’t be happier with the way I finished my two weeks at HITS Thermal,” Nor Lantzman said. “I will be back for the second half of the circuit where I look forward to competing against some of the top riders in the world. I am riding for Brazil and my ultimate goal is to make the 2016 Olympics.”

Five riders advanced past round one of Cabral’s 13-fence track (time allowed, 84 seconds). The winning pair posted 47.80 seconds in the jump off, besting second-placed Michelle Spadone and Redfield Farm’s Coco at 47.80.

$30,000 Smartpak Grand Prix  (Feb. 5, 2012)

1)  Chello Z  (Josephina Nor Stables LLC)  Josephina Nor Lantzman $9,000
2)  Coco  (Redfield Farm)  Michelle Spadone $6,600
3)  Kaskaya   (Leone Equestrians Inc.)  Jill Humphrey $3,900
4)  Angelli  (Paige Harryman)  Harley Brown $2,400
5)  Acorina   (Monarch International)  Will Simpson $1,800
6)  Con Capilot  (Plum Creek Hollow Farm)  Mandy Porter $1,500
7)  Hopscotch  (Poseidon Stables)  Karianne Boyce-Lockhart $ 1,200
8)  IV Ever (Brian Gingras)  Jill Henselwood $900
9)  Brown Thomas  (Kim Nixon)   Jenn Serek $900
10) Absie  (Sarah Ballou)  Sarah Ballou $600
11)  Sacramento N  (Kim Cox)  Katie Cox (TX)   $ 600
12)  Colgan Cruise  (Chapman & Fellers)  Rich Fellers $600

John Bragg and Castle Hill on course in Thermal (Flying Horse Photography)

John Bragg lived up to his name and earned boasting rights at HITS, winning the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix on Feb. 5 with a pair of scores in the 90s aboard Castle Hill.

Bragg, of Redwood City, CA, runs Bridgeport Farms. He rose to the top in a class of nearly 60 horse-and-rider combinations, over a course set by Rian Beals. The seasoned hunter rider brought home a 92 in the first round and set the stage for some exciting competition. In the second round, Bragg and Castle Hill (Owned by Stephanie Ray) didn’t disappoint the crowd as they nailed the round posting another 92 en route to the first-place ribbon.

More importantly, Bragg earned valuable dollars in an effort to qualify for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final that will take place at HITS on the Hudson in Saugerties, NY, this fall.

“We are going to Saugerties. That’s the whole reason why we are doing the class,” Bragg said. “We heard such great things about the big class in Saugerties and I think we have the perfect horse for it. I showed him in the performance working hunter this week and he was champion.”

Petaluma, CA-based Hope Glynn of Sonoma Valley Stables also had a great afternoon, scoring a second-place performance aboard Sarah Draxton’s Rienzo and landing fifth riding Helen McEvoy’s Chance of Flurries. Her student, Erin Bland, placed ninth aboard her gray hunter Weatherly, and was the top-placed amateur in the class.

Hope Glynn and Rienzo, left and Erin Bland and Weatherly (Photo by John Zambrano)

Other top awards in the class were given to Nick Haness of Coto de Caza, CA, riding Laura Wasserman’s Truman and John French of Woodside, CA and his own Kingsley, placing third and fourth respectively.

Sunday’s class was the second of six Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers to be hosted at this year’s HITS Desert Circuit for the 2012 Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. West Coast exhibitors will have plenty of opportunities to secure the five qualifiers needed to become eligible for the big ticket class, including the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Sunday, March 11.

The same day, amateur rider Emily Winkler of Long Beach, CA, led the way in the $1,500 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix riding her own Landmark to beat 25 other riders.

Winkler and Landmark had the top score in both the first and second round when they notched an 86 and an 86 respectively. The pair are now well on their way to qualifying for the brand new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final that will take place Championship Weekend at HITS on the Hudson.

“My horse was originally bred to be a Grand Prix horse,” Winkler said. “He has the jump, but was too slow. He is my favorite horse that I have ever owned because of his huge jump, but I have to be careful since I have been launched in the air because of his power.”