CULPEPER, VA (July 16, 2025)—A full house packed HITS Culpeper for the Showday National horse show that concluded on Sunday, July 15 with Texas native Tracy Fenney and her mount S & L Willie taking home the top prize for MTM Farm in the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix.
Even though the Grand Prix featured 32 pairs, it was not the only action at HITS Culpeper as all of the rings were jammed with enthusiastic exhibitors.
According to judge and former Olympian Michael Page it was a magnificent week at Commonwealth Park. “It was the best horse show in Culpeper that I have seen,” said Page. “HITS has made some dramatic improvements to the facility and the number of people showing here certainly backs up their efforts.”
According to HITS’ stabling manager Eileen Edwards, she had to turn people away because every stall was filled. “Exhibitors are coming from all over the country to get to Culpeper,” said Edwards. “Don Stewart and Sergio Campos each came from Florida with a ton of horses. While Troy Linback made the trip all the way from Illinois. On top of that, we even had some Canadian exhibitors. It was truly a remarkable turnout.”
Edwards said she expects the same this week for the Cavalier Classic horse show which begins on Wednesday, July 18 and concludes on Sunday, July 22 with another $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix.
HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri said he is excited about four new hotels opening in Culpeper that will allow the horse show to expand. Three of the hotels should be ready for the 2008 show season offering an additional 250 hotel rooms right in the heart of Culpeper. A Microtel with 59 units, is expected to be completed in time for the USGPL Finals in late September. Ground has already been broken for a Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn and Homestead Suites.
“Having enough lodging for our customers close to the horse show has kept us from expanding at HITS Culpeper,” said Struzzieri. “Now with these four hotels coming to Culpeper that’s not going to be a concern anymore. We are going to continue to improve the facility and get bigger each season. Things are definitely happening here.”
Fenney goes double-clear in the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix
Things were certainly happening in the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix for Fenney, as she negotiated the only double-clear round on course designer Jerry Dougherty’s route. She and S & L Willie were third to go in the jump-off and set the Great American Time to Beat at 49.703. Fenney outlasted a field of four riders in the jump-off.
Fenney, who is a regular at the HITS Desert Circuit, made the most of her trip from Texas. She also was third aboard Grace and eighth aboard MTM Centano. Fenney had the first trip in the jump-off aboard Grace. She made it all the way clean until she dropped the final rail. Her time of 48.375 was good enough for third place and $5,200 in prize money for Hidden Lakes Farm.
Next to go in the jump-off was Michelle Spadone and Melisimo. The New Jersey native had an unlucky rail down mid-way through the round, as she finished with four faults. Her time of 48.555 scored a fourth-place finish for Morgan Hill Partners.
Fenney took center stage again, this time aboard S & L Willie. The duo navigated the jump-off course without any faults as Fenney took home $12,000 in prize money this time for MTM Farm.
The envious last-to-ride position belonged to Mary Lisa Leffler and her trusty mount Gerona 92. The combination had the time, as they stopped the clocks in 47.500. But heartbreak at the final effort pushed them into second place when she dropped the final rail. Leffler collected $8,800 in prize money for Rolling Acres Farm.
RESULTS
1 S & L Willie Tracy Fenney MTM Farm $12,000 0 0 49.703
2 Gerona 92 Mary Lisa Leffler Rolling Acres Farm $8,800 0 4 47.5
3 Grace Tracy Fenney Hidden Lakes Farm $5,200 0 4 48.375
4 Melisimo Michele Spadone Morgan Hill Partners $3,200 0 4 48.555
5 Contendress Erin Stewart Thomas Feigel $2,400 4
6 Tarco Van Ter Moude Tracy Magness Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko $2,000 4
Adequan Open Hunter - Seventh Son, ridden by Kelley Farmer and owned by Larry Glefke, Keswick, VA
Farnam Adult Hunter 18-35 - Regarding Paris, ridden by Eric Dirks and owned by Mary Keevil, Manakin, VA
Farnam Adult Hunter 36-45 - Stop the Music, ridden by Carol Lynn Nelms and owned by Stone Gate Stables, Aldie, VA
Farnam Adult Hunter 46 & Over - Look About, ridden by Debbie Kelley and owned by Larry Glefke, Keswick, VA
M & S Children’s Hunter Classic - Classic Memories, ridden and owned by Jessica Chappel, Warrenton, VA
M & S Adult Hunter Classic - Stop the Music, ridden by Carol Lynn Nelms and owned by Stone Gate Stables, Aldie, VA
M & S Children’s Jumper Classic - Hidden Creek’s Levity, ridden and owned by Nellie Foosaner, Middleburg, VA
M & S Adult Jumper Classic - Kick the Clouds, ridden and owned by Rebecca Forbes, Stuarts Draft, VA
Show jumping at HITS Culpeper continues with the Cavalier Classic horse show on Wednesday, July 18 and concludes on Sunday, July 22 with the $40,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix. The featured class offers yet another 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 will be invited back to HITS Culpeper for the USGPL Finals in late September, 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. 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.
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.
The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse-sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 U.S. Cup, the grand finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park ever since. Approximately $1 million in total prize money is offered at the six HITS Culpeper events.
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.
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