Last Updated on February 1, 2026 by adminahb
Lisa Goldman-Smolen and Romeo B. Photo © ESI Photography
Riders at HITS Ocala raced to put the finishing touches on their warm-ups on Saturday, January 31, as the penultimate day of competition during HITS Ocala Premiere week came to a head for the $60,000 FarmVet Grand Prix. Always one to bring the heat in a jump-off, Lisa Goldman-Smolen (USA) stepped on the gas with her rising star Romeo B to take the win with a leading time of 40.480 seconds.
Mark McGowan (GBR) set the track for the opening field of 19 horse-and-rider combinations. Using delicate fences and the berth of HITS Post Time Farm’s impressive Grand Prix Ring, McGowan managed to dwindle the contestants down to seven pairings that were able to produce a fault-free first round and punch their ticket to the jump-off.
“He is kind of my main horse now at this level,” said Goldman-Smolen of her nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion (Heartbreaker x Branco). “My other main guy decided that he didn’t want to come down here this winter, and I have Sovereign still, who was double-clear last week, but he’s 20 this year. So, Romeo had to step up. He’s got some big shoes to fill, but I’m really proud of him today.”
For more information, visit HitsShows.com.