OCALA, FL (February 27, 2026) —Three ladies dueled it out for the top prize on Sunday during the jump-off for the $50,000 Duggan Equipment Grand Prix at HITS Post Time Farm. When it was all said and done, Libby McKinney and Gun Du Desfi came out on top to conclude the Ocala Winter Festival.
McKinney went fourth in Course Designer, Anthony D’Ambrosio’s first round course stopping the clocks in 81.476. That time proved to be the fastest out of the 39 competitors who took aim at the top prize. She was first to go in D’Ambrosio’s jump-off course and went through clean setting the Great American Time to Beat at 40.769.
Becky Johanson-Hofmann and Blue Okkels were next to go in the jump-off. The horse/rider combination also made it all the way home unscathed in 41.774. Her time was good enough for $11,000 in prize money for Blue Hills Farm. Sunday’s featured class was Hofmann’s debut at HITS Ocala as she used to show on the West Coast at the HITS Desert Circuit.
The last to ride position belonged to Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude. Magness experienced heartbreak at the final effort when she dropped a single rail pushing her to third place. Her time of 39.157 would have assured her the winner’s share of the prize money. Instead, she took home $6,500 for owners Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko. In last Thursday’s $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix she took home the blue ribbon.
Callan Solem and Mianta were the fastest of the group with four faults in the opening round as they secured fourth place for Quiet Winter Farm. Finally, Sergio Campos scored a ribbon for the men as he was fifth aboard Shakira Do Jacare.
Aaron Vale finished with two horses in the money, but is still looking for his first victory of the winter at HITS Ocala. At the 2006 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, Vale won the $100,000 Grand Prix of Ocala. On Sunday, he took home $3,000 in prize money on his two Grand Prix mounts Serval and Droxello.
Show jumping at HITS Ocala resumes on Wednesday, February 28, with the Ocala Masters. Thursday’s featured class is the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix and on Sunday, March 4, competitors will take their best shot at the $50,000 Iron Springs Farm Grand Prix, presented by Sag Harbor Realtors.
HITS is proud to host competitions in its new Grand Prix ring and new Main Hunter ring with a raised berm for VIP seating that overlooks both rings. These rings are located at the east end of the current show ring area. Both rings feature state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing Authority™, a division of International Surfaces Group, Inc. The Grand Prix ring features Polyrite™, the industry’s most advanced polymer-coated synthetic footing, while the Main Hunter ring provides a soft ride on EuroFelt® -enhanced footing.
“The new Grand Prix ring is very picturesque and the footing is great,” said Canadian Olympian Beth Underhill. “I will be here in Ocala every week this winter. I wouldn’t miss it!”
Since its introduction in 1982, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has become a fixture on the East Coast show jumping circuit. Each winter, the Ocala Circuit attracts national and international participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Classes offered range from the Grand Prix show jumping classes to a selection of divisions for both the beginning and experienced rider. Located in Ocala/Marion County, the heart of Florida’s horse country, the area is home to over 600 horse farms and hundreds of supporting facilities and businesses. HITS moved the Ocala horse shows from the 100-acre Golden Hills International Show Grounds to the circuit’s new home, the 300+ acre Post Time Farm in 2002. HITS Post Time Farm is located just a few miles west of the Golden Hills International Show Grounds on Highway 27. The Post Time Training Center was originally built for thoroughbred racehorses. The facility is professionally landscaped and features gated entrances, 52 miles of four-board fencing, 26 permanent barns that house 500 stalls, numerous paddocks, bridle paths, and additional buildings for the horse show office, restaurant, and on-site school.
In January 2006 HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidify its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of the new HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. HITS generates significant economic impact in each of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
Results
1 Gun Du Desfi Libby McKinney Libby McKinney $15,000 0 0 40.76
2 Blue Okkels Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann Blue Hills Farm $11,000 0 0 41.74
3 Tarco Van Ter Moude Tracy Magness Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko $6,500 0 4 39.15
4 Mianta Callan Solem Callan Solem $4,000 4
5 Shakira Do Jacare Sergio Campos Sergio Campos $3,000 4
6 Heaven Bound Derek Petersen Derek Petersen $2,500 4
Other Results
Adequan Open Hunter - Churchill, ridden by Jennifer Alfano and owned by Meredith Lipke Bartolone, Buffallo, NY
Farnam Adult Hunter 36-45 - Sunfest, ridden by Kelli Colby and owned by Lily Gildor, Washington, D.C.
M & S Adult Hunter Classic - Leonardo, ridden and owned by Jessica Makris, Celebration, Florida
M & S Child Hunter Classic - Natalie ridden and owned by Lauren Hogan, Tampa, Florida
M & S Children’s Jumper Classic - Gustav, ridden and owned by Claudia Billups, Gulfport, Mississippi
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