INDIO, CA (February 13, 2006) -- Molly Talla and her horse Cameron Hills Shan Roe were the only pair to get the best of course designer Danny Foster’s path, posting the only double-clear, securing the winner’s share of the $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix concluding week three of the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit.

"I went late enough so I got to see what jumps were giving everyone the most trouble," said Talla. "The gold jump had me the most worried. It was airy, ugly and easy to get down." However, she was able to clear jump 11. Three other riders weren't as lucky. Nine riders were tripped up by 6A.

Jeff Campf aboard Lady D and Duncan McFarlane’s mount Eezy each advanced to the jump-off in a field of 26. Campf placed second with an eight-fault time of 44.51, while McFarlane started the jump-off with his own eight-fault time of 48.29. Campf flirted with a clean run before jumps 6A and 6B dispersed of that thought. McFarlane took a rail down on jump two, a peach and white vertical, that ended his shot at a clean round early. A rail down at jump five ended his day.

"It's the end of week three and being a World Cup qualifier I think everyone expected a tough course," said Foster. "This is the kind of course that makes me happy that I don't ride anymore, but it also reminds me of the great respect that I have for all the horses and riders."

Mark Watring and Brilliant placed fourth with just one time-fault in round one.

Twenty-one-year-old Kim Farlinger was tops among eight riders to finish with four-faults. "Anytime you can place fifth on one of Danny's courses it's a good day," she said. "My horse (Del Destino) jumped really well. We only had number four down and that's because I tried to go too fast."

The $75,000 Bayer Grand Prix was the second of four U.S West Coast League World Cup qualifiers on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit. Talla entered the day in 15th place but after her blue-ribbon performance, she looks to be back in the hunt. Current leader Richard Spooner didn't earn any points as Live Fire finished out of the money. There are 11 total qualifiers for the U.S. West Coast League, with the top four riders advancing to April's World Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

On February 26, HITS host its third qualifier during the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix. The 2006 Indio Desert Circuit takes a week break but returns for three more weeks of show jumping on February 21.

Other major award winners at HITS Indio III included:

HBO Junior Medal - Hilary Helfrich
HBO Children's Medal - Catie Verano
HBO Adult Medal - Holly Scapa
Farnam Adult Hunter Division - Quintessential ridden and owned by Morgan Coats
Adequan® Open Hunter Division - Tredington Suite ridden and owned by Jennifer Weeks
Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic - Latino ridden and owned by Naomi Sedgwick

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

Video provided by Showjumping Unplugged! TV
Click logo to view :

Windows Media Player is required.

www.showjumpingunplugged.tv

$75,000 Bayer Grand Prix - Sunday, February 12, 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 & 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