PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2006

INDIO, CA (February 27, 2006) -- Two of the best riders in North America battled it out in a jump-off of only a pair of horses Sunday afternoon in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix with American Rich Fellers topping Canadian John Pearce to seize the blue ribbon and ending the fourth week of competition on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit.

McGuinness and Fellers had the advantage of watching Pearce and Uriso take down the last rail in the jump-off. His four-fault time was 41.86. Slowly, Fellers conquered two-time Olympic course designer Olaf Petersen’s route posting the day’s lone double-clear round. His time was 46.03 seconds.

"I was thinking when I was warming up that I was going to go slow and jump clear," said Fellers. "He (McGuinness) loves to go in fast, so it was different warming him up."

Pearce, the winner of three Grand Prix's on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit wouldn't allow a second place finish to rain on his parade.

"I'm not complaining," he said. "I think I'm up to about $70,000 in prize money. It's been a good tour." Pearce added that on jump 13 he protected Uriso a bit too much forcing him to drop the orange and blue vertical.

World-renowned course designer Olaf Petersen built a first-round test that whittled the field down to only two horses. Rails came down all over the course, with thirty horses posting jumping faults, and three finishing with one time fault.

"It was tough and for $75,000 it should be," said Guy Thomas. "Olaf is no slouch and when he sets the course you know what you're in for."

"He's a master," said Fellers. "He knows something we don't know."

The course grabbed the Indio Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner Richard Spooner on each of his two rides. First it was Live Fire, then crowd favorite Robinson looked as if he would go clear but jump 12C and 13 ended his day with an eight-fault score. This left him in an unfamiliar place; watching a jump-off. "It's aggravating not to be in it," he said.

"It was a great course," added Spooner. "It rode difficult and Olaf certainly knows what he's doing."

The $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix was the third of four U.S. West Coast League World Cup qualifiers on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit. Spooner looks to be a lock for one of the four spots that are awarded to West Coast riders.

Fellers' win pushes him into second place, knocking Joie Gatlin into a third place tie with Gabriella Salick. Coincidently, Salick is not at the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit leaving the door wide open for 21-year-old Rebecca Johanson-Hofmann, who has 44 points. However, veteran Hap Hansen is not far behind with 42 points. Both finished out of the money in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix. Everyone has one more chance next Sunday to earn a few insurance points as HITS hosts the $75,000 SURPASS Grand Prix.

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.

The good news for the riders is Petersen will not be designing the course.

"Olaf's a tough one," joked Kim Farlinger. "I'm glad to see someone else in there."

Other major award winners at HITS Indio IV included:

HBO Children's Medal - Carly Anthony, Woodinville, WA
HBO Junior Medal - Katie Kramer, Sherman Oaks, CA
HBO Adult Medal - Sasha Fryer, Danville, CA
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (18-35) - Blue, ridden and owned by Lesley A. Bulechek, Los Altos Hills, CA
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (36-45) - Q, ridden and owned by Cindy Cruciotti, Elizabeth, CO
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (46 & over) - Claudine, ridden and owned by Nancy Shaw, Fredericksburg, TX
Adequan® Open Hunter Division Champion - Tredington Suite, ridden by Jennifer Weeks, Los Angeles and owned by Jennifer Weeks and Kristen Coe.
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic - Chilly, ridden and owned by Carson Gibson, Magnolia, TX
Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Classic - Q, ridden and owned by Cindy Cruciotti, Elizabeth CO
Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic - NZ Sneaky Feeling, ridden and owned by Annie Laurie Cook, Woodside, CA

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

$75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix - Sunday, February 26, 2006
HITS Desert Circuit IV - Indio, CA
Course Designer: Olaf Petersen, Seefeld, Germany

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