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Against the Odds, Aaron Vale Captures the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

July 12, 2025

CULPEPER, VA - Faced with a difficult task of going early in the first round and first in the jump-off didn´t derail Aaron Vale and his mount Arriscraft Soliel. Vale rose to the occasion as he so often does and captured the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix capping off a week of show jumping at the HITS Showday National Horse Show at HITS Culpeper (Virginia).

Vale was the second to tackle course designer Jerry Dougherty´s first round course and posted a first-round time of 85.275. His jump-off time of 41.864 was the fastest of the four horse and rider combinations that went double clear in the jump-off of six horses. “It´s not really an advantage going so early,” said Vale. “But I have a horse that I am real comfortable with. It is my third season riding him and we have a good partnership.” He credits some good maneuvering on jump six in the jump-off course that put him over he edge.

Following Vale in the jump-off was Pato Muente and Asdi Villagana. Muente on the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper on April. 23, but third was the best the pair could do on Sunday as their time of 44.354 was not fast enough. “After watching Pato go I wasn´t feeling good at that point,” said Vale. “But my horse was crafty enough to win today.”

Mark Jungherr and Olinoeska were next to tackle Dougherty´s course. Fence 14 ended their chance of a clear round as they clipped the second to last hurdle for four faults. Two time faults were added as the time of 51.882 was almost two seconds beyond the time allowed of 50 seconds. Their six-fault score was good enough for fifth place in the class.

Laura Linback and Remember Me 9 went next and the pair went clear in a time of 42.297. That time was good enough for second place and $8,800 in prize money. Michelle Spadone and Melisimo also went double clear stopping the clock in 48.327, nearly seven seconds off of the pace set by Vale. Spadone finished fourth and collected $3,200. Rounding out the roster of competitors in the jump-off were David Jennings and Costa Sur. Jennings clipped three rails and finished with 12 faults.

Vale earned some valuable points with the win as every grand prix at all HITS horse shows, including HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties is a qualifier for the United States Grand Prix League Finals. The finals for the league will be held in Culpeper on October 1, where $100,000 in prize money will be on the line. The event is limited to the top 30 USGPL horse and rider combinations. Vale, who earned $12,000 in prize money for Angelstone Farm, was also tenth aboard Waldi, a mount that he rides for Mill Stream. It was Vale´s third time jumping Waldi, and according to the veteran, he expects big things from him.

Show Jumping at HITS Culpeper resumes at the Cavalier Classic Horse Show July 12-16. For more information about show jumping at HITS Culpeper as well as all other HITS venues, call 845.246.8833 or visit the HITS website
www.HitsShows.com

CLASS 415. $40,000 HITS GRAND PRIX (Nt´l Std), July 10 , 2006
Pl. Horse Rider Faults Time
1 Arriscraft Soliel Aaron Vale 0/ 0 41.86
2 Remember Me 9 Laura Linback 0/ 0 42.29
3 Asdi Villagana Pato Muente 0/ 0 44.35
4 Melisimo Michelle Spadone 0/ 0 48.32
5 Olinoeska Mark Jungherr 0/ 6 51.88
6 Costa Sur David Jennings 0/12 42.34

OTHER MAJOR AWARDS AT CULPEPER INCLUDED:

HBO Children’s Medal: Adele Norton, Falls Church, VA
HBO Adult Medal: Tracey Harmon, Glen Allen, VA
HBO Junior Medal: Olivia Dorey, Sudberry, VA

Farnum Adult Hunter (18-35): Special Request, ridden by Shelly Madden and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Shelton, Fredericksburg, VA
Farnum Adult Hunter (36&over): Indigo, ridden and owned by Barbara Wamble-Kahle, Virginia Beach, VA

Adequen Open Hunter: Mouse, ridden and owned by Emma Boyce, Middleburg, VA

M&S Children’s Hunter Classic: Just one Look, ridden and owned by Adele Norton, Falls Church, VA

M&S Adult Hunter Classic: Lion King, ridden and owned by Molly Wilkof, Chevy Chase, MD

M&S Children’s Jumper Classic: Lavaro, ridden and owned by Zoe Glassman, Germantown, TN
M&S Adult Jumper Classic: Renzo, ridden by Ann C. Leins, Boyce, VA

Written by HITS · Filed Under Contributors, Culpeper 
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