HITS Ocala, FL (USA): Dr. Fernando Cardenas Victorious in $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix on Homebred Stallion Quincy Car

18 March 2014

With a standing-room-only crowd in attendance at the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium, Dr. Fernando Cardenas and Quincy Car won Sunday’s $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis. The course included a first round time allowed of 83 seconds and 37 riders attempted to best a lengthy, technical test presented by grand prix course designer Florencio Hernandez of Mexico City, Mexico. His course consisted of 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts, two difficult lines both with combinations, finishing with a hard gallop to the last fence at fourteen, a big oxer.

“Quincy was just having fun today,” said Cardenas, who hails from New Hill, North Carolina. “We planned to pick up momentum today heading into the Million, and it proved no problem at all.”

The first of six riders returning to challenge the jump-off track, Angel Karolyi and Amigo, owned by Hollow Creek Farm, of Aiken, South Carolina took to the course, but unfortunately had a rein break over the first fence and were forced to retire. Next to challenge the jump-off was talented amateur rider Bryn Sadler and Bon Giorno, for owner Showcase 81, LLC and trainer Wendy Haig Sadler of Sante Fe, New Mexico. They established the Great American Time to Beat at 48.07 seconds, which would eventually put them in second place.

Next to jump off, with a one-two grand prix finish in her pocket earlier this circuit, was amateur Jordan Coyne of New Port Richey, Florida and her own very speedy Lazaro, trained by Derek Petersen. The skinny vertical came down however, producing four faults with a time of 43.55 seconds, good for third place. Two-time 2014 HITS Ocala grand prix winner David Beisel of Goshen, Ohio aboard Ammeretto for owners Equine Holdings LLC of Traverse City, Michigan were next to take on the track and clock. But, the feisty stallion was fired-up from the long gallops, producing 12 jumping faults, landing them in fourth. Karolyi and Amigo capped the top five.

The hopes of the five other riders faded when Cardenas entered the ring with Quincy Car. With several encouraging top-twelve finishes this circuit, Cardenas recorded one of only two double-clear rounds of the day to capture the win in a time of 46.51 seconds.

“Quincy Car is a very good horse and except for the day my child was born, I’ve never been prouder of anything,” said Cardenas, who admits that the win was not for him, but for his father, Fernando Cardenas Sr. – the breeder of Quincy Car. “It was his hard work, determination and careful breeding that produced this great stallion. This day honors him and his lifelong dedication to the sport of show jumping,” added Cardenas.

Grand prix action continues on March 24 when all attention will turn to the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, which debuts as the second jewel in the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium.

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Dr. Fernando Cardenas and Quincy Car on their way to a win in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala.

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©ESI Photography
Dr. Fernando Cardenas and Quincy Car are presented with winner’s prizes after the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Zoetis, at HITS Ocala.

Source: HITS