We just officially wrapped the winter circuit in Ocala and we would like to congratulate all of our riders on a fantastic circuit! Our last three show weeks of the circuit included HITS Ocala Winter Celebration and two weeks at the Florida Horse Park for the Ocala Spring Classic II & III. We were excited to welcome some new partnerships over the last several weeks that already have made a fantastic debut in the show ring.

Ocala Winter Celebration & Circuit End

Grier Van Rooyen debuted at the Ocala Winter Celebration with her mom’s, Biarritz, in the Modified Children’s Hunter were they earned top ribbons like a pair of seconds and a class win to earn Reserve Champion together for their first show together.

In the equitation ring, Grier piloted Utrillo de Soleil also to top ribbons in the 12-14 Equitation to earn Champion of the division. This pair has had a super successful circuit together with top ribbons and trim colors every week! Congrats Grier!

Collette Arslanian & Diamond B Casanova continued their successful circuit with a 3rd in the Amateur Jumper 1.0m class & 5th in the 1.05m Classic this week. They also had a great time dressing up for the Sotheby Gambler’s Choice Class on the St Patrick’s Day weekend in classic “Signature” green tribute attire.

At the completion of the HITS circuit, this pair was awarded Circuit Champion in the Younger Amateur Jumper 1.0m Division. Congratulations Collette!

Ocala Spring Classic II & III

Jenn successfully showed some existing and new additions at the Florida Horse Park including barn favorite, Biarritz, to Champion in the USHJA 3′ Hunters. New addition, 007 Golden Eye debuted in the show ring with Jenn in the Baby Greens, receiving top ribbons. Both Evito Sun Z and Serendipity showed successfully with Jenn in the 3’3″ Performance Hunters including a class win for Vito. Lastly, new jumper, Cheiser B, earned a class win the Training Jumper 1M as a nice warm up for the weekend.

Grier debuted in the jumper ring with her new mount, Cheiser B, in the Jr/AO .85m division to earn top ribbons & Reserve Champion. What a great start to this new partnership!

In the Hunter ring, Grier stepped up to the Children’s Hunter with Biarritz to earn top ribbons for Reserve Champion and a 3rd in the Adult/Children’s Hunter Classic the first week and Reserve Champion again week two, including two class wins.

Both weeks, Grier & Utrillo de Soleil dominated to win classes in the 12-14 Equitation & won the THIS Children’s Medal both week as well. Congratulations Grier on a great circuit!

Laura Van Rooyen has a successful debut with Serendipity in the Amateur Owner 3’3″ Hunters including an under saddle win week two.

In the equitation ring, Laura also debuted Evito Sun Z in the Adult Medal classes, joining her daughter to win the Ariat week two. What a fantastic end to the circuit for this dynamic duo!

We head back to our home base at HITS for a few short weeks of R&R for the horses & team before heading north to our Spring/Summer home base in NJ. We would also like to thank our fabulous staff for their hard work during our time in Ocala, especially for their dedication to having our horses look & perform their best.

We kicked off the new year with three stellar show weeks at both WEC and HITS Ocala. Our two weeks at WEC both gave us some surprisingly chilly Florida weather but we managed to continue December’s great rides and results for all.

WEC Ocala Spectacular II

Laura Van Rooyen piloted her Gandalf to 6th out of a large competitive group in both the THIS and Ariat Adult Medal.

Grier Van Rooyen continued her mom’s beautiful equitation rounds on Utrillo de Soleil earning Champion in the 12-14 Equitation Division and a win in the THIS Children’s Medal.

Over in the hunter ring, Grier also rode Clair de Lune to two class wins & a third in the Low Children’s Hunter Division & 6th in the Non Pro 2’6″ Hunter Derby.

Colette Arslanian & Diamond B Casanova were clear all week in the Amateur Jumpers earning 7th in the .95m section & 2nd in the 1.05m Classic on Sunday.

WEC Ocala Spectacular IV

Grier Van Rooyen earned great ribbons in the 12-14 Equitation & won the THIS Children’s Medal with a score of 86! A personal best for this new pair!

Grier then stepped up to the 3′ Children’s Hunter with Clair de Lune earning great ribbons including a win in the under saddle.

Colette Arslanian & Diamond B Casanova were 6th in the 1.00m Amateur Jumper class this week out of a large competitive group.

Laura Van Rooyen & Gandalf got to show inside earning 5th in the Ariat Adult Medal with a stellar round.

HITS Ocala Premiere

Colette Arslanian made a special trip down to FL to show her Diamond B Casanova this weekend. They were consistent and fast all weekend earning 1st, 3rd, & 2nd respectively on each day and ultimately Champion in the 1.00m Amateur Jumper Division. Congrats Colette!

We also welcomed two fantastic sales horses to the barn in January, Konan Z and Cardano L. To read more about these two schoolmasters, click here and contact us to set up a trial at HITS. We are gearing up for another two consecutive weeks of showing at HITS starting with Week VI later this month. Thank you as always to our staff & clients for all of their hard work. What a great start to the 2025 season!

 

In honor of this amazing news, she shared her top 3 tips that judge’s notice both in and out of the ring that will help you nail your next round

 

 

It’s officially Fall & that means it’s time to be finalizing your plans for the winter show season. Join us in Ocala this year at our private, permanent barn located conveniently on the show grounds at HITS.

Featuring our own private outdoor ring with a full course set, manicured daily by the show staff, spacious stalls & tack room as well as private turn out paddocks located next to our stabling.

Enjoy a beautiful short walk right to the show ring from December through April. Contact us for how we can help you achieve your goals in sunny Florida this winter.

Click Here to read a great article about the importance of safety and traffic rules in the arena

Congratulations to Laura Van Rooyen & Grumpy on their 6th place finish at the THIS NHS Adult Equitation Area Championship

Grier Van Rooyen continued the family’s winning ways this weekend with a mic drop🎤 at the @saratogahorseshows WIB Spectacular!
🏆Viktory Road- Reserve Champion Large Pony Hunters
🥇Viktory Road Winner of the Pony Medal
🥇Universal Sound Winner of the Pony Classic
🥈Viktory Road Second in the Pony Classic
🏆Grier was awarded Best Child Rider on a Pony Congratulations Grier!

Congratulations to Grier van Rooyen on an impressive performance in the USHJA Pony Hunter Derby to finish our week off in Saratoga.
⭐️4th on Universal Sound
⭐️11th on Viktory Road
Out of 19 entries! What a nice ending to a great week at Saratoga Horse Shows ! Looking forward to returning next month.

Grier van Rooyen had a fantastic weekend with consistent rounds on both days in the Large Pony Hunters on her two ponies.
🥇 Champion with Universal Sound 🎤
🥈 Reserve Champion with Viktory Road 🏆
She has officially qualified both for this year’s Pony Finals! Congratulations Grier! ✨✨✨