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The Race for a spot in the USGPL Grand Prix heats up when HITS returns to Culpeper

July 6, 2025

CULPEPER, VA (July 6, 2025)—All eyes are now shifting to HITS Culpeper and the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix that takes place in late September, as the next two weeks of show jumping at Commonwealth Park feature a pair of qualifying Grand Prix classes for the season’s big finale.

The Showday National, (July 11-15) and the Cavalier Classic, (July 18 - 22) each offer a chance to get into the field for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix. The top 30 horse/rider combinations based on prize money won are invited back to HITS Culpeper for the USGPL Finals, where they will duel it out for the top prize. The only way to get into this invitational class is to be in the top 30 in prize money won at any HITS horse show throughout the show season. On Sunday, July 15, the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix takes center stage and on Sunday, July 22, the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix will once again be the featured class.

Six Olympians packed the star-studded field in last year’s $100,000 USGPL Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper with Chris Kappler coming out of the class $30,000 richer when he secured the blue-ribbon aboard VDL Orame.

Currently California’s Jill Humphrey is on top of the leaderboard with almost $80,000 in prize money captured. East Coast riders are looking to catch up over the rest of the summer. Sitting pretty is Tracy Magness and her trusty mount Tarco Van Ter Moude with more than $57,000 in prize money. They are second in the standings and according to HITS Ocala’s leading money winner, it’s a spot that she doesn’t want to relinquish. “It’s important to be near the top,” said Magness. “The start order is based on your ranking and it would be nice to sit in the catbird’s seat.”

“The race to get in is starting to heat up,” said HITS’ President and CEO, Tom Struzzieri. “Looking at the standings, there are some pretty big names that are already qualified. I am looking forward to seeing how the field shapes up over the rest of the summer. A lot can change between now and September.”

“It’s not too late to get in the mix” said HITS’ Senior Vice President Tony Hitchcock. “One win in a $75,000 Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties puts you right in the thick of things.”

Grand Prix is not the only action at HITS Culpeper; given that each week will feature more than 250 classes for all levels. In addition, Don Stewart will be giving his Zone III/USHJA Equitation Seminar on Friday, July 13.

In addition to these two weeks of horse shows in July, HITS Culpeper also will host the Winston National, (August 22 - 26); Constitution Classic, (August 29 - September 2); and the Grand Finale of the Culpeper shows, the USGPL Finals, (September 26 - 30). The Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals return to Culpeper on Saturday, August 25 during the Winston National Horse Show.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter-jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.


Written by HITS · Filed Under Culpeper, HITS, Press Releases 
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