Return of Germany’s Million Dollar Man
By Staff Report February 11, 2012
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.
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