PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 11, 2006

INDIO, CA (February 11, 2006) -- Some people might think seven is their lucky number. However, nobody ever said anything about 7B, as three riders in the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix couldn't handle the blue and white oxer leaving just one clear round in a jump-off of seven horses.

That run belonged to Richard Spooner and Live Fire. The horse is a brand new one for Spooner and he already has him wearing a blue-ribbon, after posting a time of 45.03. Another one of Spooner's mounts, Cristallo took second place.

"It was real tight," said Susie Hutchinson, of jump 7B. "Coming off a sharp turn everybody is in a hurry to get to the final jump. But you can only go so fast."

Hutchinson finished third on Playboy. The $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix was only the eight-year-old's second grand prix. "Next time Richard Spooner better watch out," she joked. "We are learning new things about this horse every day and sometimes it's hard to believe how fast he is. He's just eight and has a long road ahead of him."

Spooner brought three horses into the jump-off, as Quirno 3 placed sixth with an eight-fault score. His other two mounts, Apache and Airtime couldn't get past the first round on course designer Danny Foster's route.

"I'm just tickled pink with all of my horses," said Spooner.

Can you blame him? This is the second consecutive $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix he has won. Plus, he has finished one and two on back-to-back weeks. This time he bested a field of 43.

Eddie Macken and Lexicon placed fourth, as the veteran rider kicked off the jump-off with a four-fault time of 48.15.

Leapy Hill ridden by Molly Talla and John Pearce's mount Uriso, the winner of the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix, finished fifth and seventh respectively with eight-fault scores.

Sunday's $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix marks the second World Cup qualifier on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit. Spooner and Live Fire are the current leaders in points among West Coast riders.

"I'm looking to get more familiar with my horse," said Spooner. "Right now I am in good shape with points."

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

$30,000 Ariat Grand Prix - Friday, February 3, 2006
HITS Desert Circuit II - Indio, CA
Course Designer: Danny Foster, Georgetown, ON

KIDS DAY presented by KDFX Fox TV & Woodrun Farm
Sunday, February 12          11am - 1pm
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