Last Updated on February 8, 2026 by adminahb
The penultimate day of prestigious World Champion Hunter Rider (WCHR) competition during the HITS Ocala Winter Classic debuted under a crisp Florida sunrise on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as pairings put the finishing touches on their warmup for the second $2,500 ClipMyHorse.TV Classic Qualifier of the season. Topping a week full of elite hunter performances, the event was the second of eight qualifying classes taking place across HITS venues ahead of the prestigious $300,000 ClipMyHorse.TV 3’6” Open Hunter Classic Final and brand-new $50,000 ClipMyHorse.TV 3’ Junior and Amateur Hunter Classic Finals, all taking place at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York in September. Topping the field and punching her ticket to the final, 18-year-old Emma Bao of Ottowa, Ontario piloted Baker’s Dozen to the win.
Riders vying for a spot in the event’s epic finale brought their best hunter mounts to compete over the single-round track designed by Maja Lindemann. Judges Gary Duffy and Scott Williamson kept a watchful eye to determine the class’s eventual winner. As Bao landed from the final fence of her trip and cheering ensued, it was clear the performance stood out, as the judges awarded her an impressive total of 88.00 points for her efforts.
“We’ve really come a long way because we started in the Children’s and are now in the Junior Hunters and starting to compete in some of the bigger derbies,” she explained. “He is just such a classy horse, and he really enjoys knowing exactly what he’s supposed to do. I think he truly loves a classic round because he can just take a breath and focus on a simpler track than say a derby or a handy round.”
Matthias Hollberg and Acorn Grow into a $60k HITS Grand Prix Win
A competitive field set the stage for the $60,000 HITS Grand Prix, where Matthias Hollberg (USA) rose to the occasion aboard Acorn.
Course designer Ivan Tagle (ARG) crafted a thoughtful track that encouraged forward riding while demanding precision throughout. From an opening field of 36 entries, nine combinations advanced to the jump-off, with Hollberg ultimately emerging on top.
“This is her first grand prix win,” said Hollberg of Dean Richardson’s 12-year-old American Warmblood mare (R. Johnson x Concept 2). “Her owner has always called her the best horse in the world, and now she’s starting to prove it.”
For more information, visit HitsShows.com.