PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
January 28, 2006

INDIO, CA (January 28, 2006) -- Canadian rider John Pearce's early trip south paid off thus far, as he secured Friday's $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix kicking off the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit on lightning-fast Champagne.

"It's minus whatever in Toronto," said Pearce. Pearce left his country in December to get his horse in show shape. This was a full month earlier than he had done for past Indio circuits. Pearce believes that giving his horses time to “climatize” had Champagne ready to win the first of 12 Grand Prix events that will take place during the 2006 Indio Desert Ciruit.

Pearce out-dueled a field of 34 including fellow Canadian Jill Henselwood, who finished second of the seven who qualified for the jump-off. Pearce was just 4 tenths of a second ahead of Henselwood and her mount Black Ice.

Course designer Buddy Brown predicted between six and eight horses making it through clean runs, and he was very happy with only seven navigating cleanly through the course to earn a shot at the winner’s check during the jump-off.

Veteran rider Richard Spooner gave Pearce his biggest scare. His popular horse Robinson, the career leader in Indio Desert Circuit winnings, clocked in at 38.12 beating Pearce's time of 39.78. But the second to last obstacle in the course tripped up his hopes of winning the circuit’s first Grand Prix and left him sixth.

"Robinson is the fastest horse here," said Pearce. "Plus anytime he (Spooner) hits a rail it's the biggest relief on all of the showgrounds." "It would have been nice to start with a win," said Spooner. "Robinson made no mistakes. It was completely rider error."

Pearce thanked a lucky can of pecans that he happened to snack on immediately prior to the jump-off at the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix. "Now I have to eat a few before every jump off" he said as he made sure to pack away the jar in his bag. "There is just enough for 6 weeks of Grand Prixs in this jar."

Pearce was a double winner since he was also wearing Ariat britches that scored him a prize in the "Got Ariat" campaign in addition to his check of $9,000.

Friday's event marks Ariat's second decade of sponsorship with the Indio Desert Circuit. John will be back again on Friday to tackle the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix in Week II.

For complete horse show results please visit http://www.hitsshows.com.

$30,000 Ariat Grand Prix - Friday, January 27, 2006
HITS Desert Circuit I - Indio, CA
Course Designer: Buddy Brown, Bend, OR

KIDS DAY
Sunday, February 12          11am - 1pm
Presented by KDFX Fox TV
Fun activities for kids of all ages       

WORLD OF THE HORSE presented by The Desert Sun, KESQ-TV and Time Warner Cable
Sunday, March 12          Noon - 2pm
Demonstrations of various disciplines and riding styles, introduction to several breeds 

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Mayone, Chris@HitsShows.com, Cell: 845-389-3272