CULPEPER, VA (July 11, 2011) — With all new footing in the Grand Prix ring and beautiful weather, the $40,000Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more, as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.

Sunday's course was designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Four riders went clean, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida. Donovan went third in the order, posting her clear round early aboard her own Delilah. Babington showed sixth in the order and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.

"I thought it was a great class," said Babington. "I really enjoyed this show. Today's class had a nice turnout, and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors."

Babington, like so many others, has circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year. "The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it's such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money. This is a new horse that I didn't realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we'll be ready."

Babington plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup. "I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then," he said. "This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties."

Donovan was first to return for the jump-off, and although she had no jumping faults, five seconds over the time allowed would set the pace with five time faults. "This was my fifth Grand Prix ever so I was very excited to go clear," said Donovan. "I brought this horse up from the Low Junior Jumpers and it's been really rewarding to watch her develop into a successful Grand Prix horse," said Donovan. Donovan ultimately finished third in Sunday's Prix as well as sixth in the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic aboard Michael Kirby's KT Champ earlier in the afternoon. While Donovan won't be ready to compete in the Pfizer Million this year, she is one of the talented junior riders who is currently near the top of the qualified list for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and plans to attend.

Babington returned second in the jump-off and posted what would eventually be the only clear round in the jump-off, in 40.733 seconds, which set the Great American Time to Beat.

Matt Williams of Wellington, Florida returned third aboard Samantha Tuerk's Watch Me VD Mangelaar and had a rail down at the A element of the double combination, coming home to settle into second place with four jumping faults.

Last to show was the winner of Friday's $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix, Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, this time aboard Candeloro, owned by WTBJ, LLC. Chopping had eight faults in 43.891 seconds, which would finish in fourth place.

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Harold Chopping and Danielle Quinn's Corland captured the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday to start off the weekend of High-Performance competition in the Grand Prix ring. Second place was Sunday's Grand Prix winning duo, Kevin Babington and Mark Q, while Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois took third aboard Woodrun'sUppsala.