March 20—Ocala, Fla.
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There’s plenty to see around the HITS Ocala showgrounds, and it doesn’t all happen in the show ring. Here are a few of our favorite moments from today. Want to see more from HITS Ocala? Check out this gallery from yesterday’s action.
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KC Hunter just got a young mini zebu—a kind of African cow—that she brought over to the showgrounds, and Maddie Tosh stopped by to say hello. “Levi” will be about 8 hands high when he’s full grown. |
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After a rough first go, Kaitlyn Kurtz and Palm Beach laid down a perfect round to take blue in the low amateur-owner, 18-35, hunter over fences class. |
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Donald Sheehan stands at 5’8″, and Kenan (nicknamed Geoffery the Giraffe) towers over him. That 7-year-old grew several inches since he came to this country last year, but his willing demenor and athleticism helped Elizabeth McKim win today’s 14-15 equitation on the flat class. |
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These three young equestrian were enthralled with the photos in the equestrian calendars. |
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Bobby Braswell’s Terrapin Farm has turtle crossing signs up on all the nearby trees. |
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Hunt Tosh only had to turn to his wife, Mandy, to remember who won one of the 28 coolerettes on display outside his Hunt Tosh Inc. “Liza [Boyd] teases me for having all these up, but I say, ‘Hey you’ve been winning these since you were on ponies, mine are all new!” he said. Tosh’s coolerettes date back just to 2009 and are all from major shows like Devon [Pa.] and Pennsylvania National. |
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Judy’s tack shop has loads of fantastic kids’ jumps, including this seahorse-style one. |
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Bibby Farmer Hill went over the USEF Pony Medal Finals course with Casey Oliver (left) and Libbie Gordon. |
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Kate Eppinger was beside herself to win the ASPCA Maclay Class and both the equitation, 16-17, over fences classes. |
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Kate Eppinger’s mom came running to congratulate her on her fantastic trips. |
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Lisa Arena thanked Balou for a winning amateur-owner, 18-35, class. Arena is a new mom who just came back to the show ring a few weeks ago. |
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Amanda Steege’s three proteges (from left) Emma Sameth, 9, Caroline Sameth, 12, and Grace Sameth, 6, all joined her in the schooling area. The pony-crazy trio, whose mom Kristen also rides with Steege, even have a white board at home where they decide who gets to ride which horse—just like their trainer does. |
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A true horse show dog—like Sarah Stanton’s Snickers—can balance on any mode of transportation. |
