French Anthem Played at HITS

By Staff Report March 15, 2012

John French and Small Affair trumped a field of 38 to take the blue in the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix that capped the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit.

It was a contentious battle, and at the end of the Sunday, March 11, class only three names dominated the top seven slots, with French sitting atop with the horse that is Olivia Esse’s Junior Hunter mount. “I bring him out on special occasion. He is an extremely careful horse and that’s why he is perfect for these classes,” French said.

Course designer Rian Beals set the track in the main hunter ring and welcomed both horse and rider to take aim at the richest hunter purse of the circuit. French of Woodside, CA, piloted five mounts amidst a total field of 38 horses. Three of those mounts earned ribbons, but it was Small Affair who found a home in the top spot.

French earned a top score of 89 in the first round only to steal the lead from himself after posting an 88 in the irons of Jessica Singer’s Cruise. He coupled his first round score with a second round score of 88 to win the class. Fourteen competitors joined French in the second round – all vying for pivotal qualifying points as September’s $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final begins to near.

When the dust settled, French also landed sixth on Oscany Inc.’s Clooney.

Coming off two Devoucoux Hunter Prix wins on the Desert Circuit, Nick Haness of San Clemente, CA, rode Carolyn Mittler’s Cristiano to second place. Cristiano was one of three horses ridden in the class by Haness, who also finished seventh on Mittler’s Cousteau.

Haness scored an impressive 92 in the second round on Cristiano, which combined with an 81.5 to give the pair a total of 173.5 for the red ribbon. “I am feeling very blessed and grateful for the opportunities that have come my way,” Haness said. “Today was a great class and finishing in second place to one of the best riders in the world is such an honor. I can’t wait to see the HITS crew in Saugerties [for the Final].”

Hope Glynn of Penngrove, CA, gained some qualifying leverage riding Helen Mc Evoy’s Chance of Flurries to third place with an overall score of 173.25. Glynn and Chance of Flurries have been regulars on the HITS Desert Circuit and it’s obvious that the horse she calls “a once-in-a-lifetime” partner is a cherished part of her riding roster.

Glynn also piloted Shelly Gambardella’s SVS Caremunde Z to fourth place with an overall score of 173. Rounding out the top five was French and Cruise after earning a total score of 172.

“I loved that it was in main hunter ring,” said French of the last Devoucoux class of the season. “The course designer did a wonderful job dressing up the ring and making sure it was special. I didn’t show last week to make sure the horses were on and fresh for this week.”

French’s plan worked, as most of his mounts found themselves near the top of the finishing order. French will be able to take his pick this fall and return for the second Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final. He, along with Glynn and Haness, were top contenders at the inaugural 2011 Final, and all plan to return to Saugerties Sept. 7-9, 2012 for HITS Championship Weekend.

Also on Sunday, Emily Winkler of Long Beach, CA, won her third HITS 3’ Hunter Prix of the circuit aboard her own Landmark, teeing up as one of the pairs to beat in the $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final this fall in Saugerties, New York.

“Emily is a contender to win it all because she is consistent,” trainer Tracy Baer said. “You can always count on her for consistency.”

Consistent she was as Winkler and Landmark posted an 85 in the first round to sit third. They returned with another 85 in the second round to combine for a total score of 170 and capture the win.

Lily Blavin of Scottsdale, AZ, rode her own Opportunity to second place behind Winkler and Isabelle Collins of Manhattan Beach, CA, was third in the irons of her own Littlewood. Rounding out the top five was Rachel Boggus of Denver, CO, in fourth aboard her own Lotario X and Blavin in fifth on Ashley Pryde’s Kendjira.

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