"This is my first Grand Prix win. Just this year I started competing in the regional Grand Prix with [Calido's Treasure], and we've only done five of those classes with some top finishes, but this time it just all came together," said Zimmerli. "I liked the course, it was a good mix of 1.40m and 1.45m fences, and it was straightforward for the most part with some appropriate questions."
First to return to the ring for the four-horse jump-off was Tracy Magness piloting Intenz Van HD, owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko. Magness won the $15,000 Johnson Horse Transportation Prix on Friday. They set down a clean round right out of the gate, stopping the clock in 38.59, eventually giving them third place and claiming another top five ribbon at HITS Culpeper.
Following Magness was Debbie McCarthy Connor riding Zim, owned by Connor & Ebetino Jumpers. Connor had been second to Magness in the Johnson Horse Transportation Prix and valiantly chased Magness’ round as they powered toward the finish. They would touch down past the timers with no faults, but their time of 39.91 was not quite quick enough to move up the leader board, settling them in fourth.
Zimmerli powered through the jump-off as the third contender in the four-horse jump-off. She galloped her victorious mount to the win in 36.42, two seconds ahead of the currently leading time. Zimmerli and Calido’s Treasure were fifth in the Johnson Horse Transportation Prix earlier in the week, and they made their exciting climb to the top on Sunday with an undoubtedly great ride to finish out the week on top.
"There was an option to do seven or eight strides to the triple combination and I chose the seven, I thought that would be the most challenging part of the course for my horse because he has a big stride and is not as tight in the front end," said Zimmerli. "Looking ahead, I want to continue to develop this horse and hopefully compete in a few national Grand Prix, and my goal would be to qualify for U25 finals at the end of the year."
There was only one more trip left in the jump-off, Harold Chopping riding Basje, owned by Kendra Bullington. They clocked in at 37.76, sealing the victory for Zimmerli and securing the second-place prize.
Competition returns to HITS Commonwealth Park during the Showday National, July 5-9. For a prize list, please click here.
