PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 13, 2006

OCALA, FL (February 13, 2006) -- Aaron Vale seized his second Grand Prix victory at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit when he powered past the timers on Celano Ethna in Sunday's $50,000 EMO Grand Prix. Vale clocked in with a super-fast time of 43.03 seconds, besting his nearest rival by over four seconds. Aaron Vale admitted that he didn't intend to be so fast, but Celano Ethna, an 11-year-old gelding in his first season at the Grand Prix level, had other ideas.

"I had hoped turning back to the combination to take a little more time, but he (Celano Ethna) cut in on me, so I had to be a bit more aggressive than I wanted. Then at the next fence I wanted to stay out to get a little straighter, and again he cut in a little bit. I ended up being more aggressive than I wanted to be at two of the more difficult fences on the jump-off course."

Some valuable seconds saved early on, however, allowed Aaron Vale to take his time going into the two big verticals that finished out the course. With all the rails in place and 43.03 seconds lighting up the board, Celano Ethna proved that he could be fast and clean, showing great potential for a young horse just starting out in the Grand Prix ring.

Aaron Vale also qualified three other mounts for the jump-off, placing eight, ninth, and tenth on Arriscraft Soliel, Romulus 16, and Droxello respectively.

Kenny Krome's first round course saw eleven horses go clear, but the real test proved to be his jump-off round. "It was quite technical from start to finish - a little bit tricky for sure," commented Aaron Vale. Out of eleven qualifiers, only three horses went clear.

Second place went to Chris Sorensen who opened the jump-off round with a time of 47.73 seconds aboard Ilian De Taute. Ian Silitch was the only other clear, posting a time of 48.70 seconds with Cable.

The next Grand Prix show jumping event at HITS Ocala will be the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on Thursday, February 16. The $50,000 Duggan Equipment Grand Prix will finish out the week on Sunday, February 19.

Other major award winners at HITS I Ocala Winter Classic included:

HBO Junior Medal - Michael Danner, Tampa, FL
HBO Children's Medal - Morgan Hale, Odessa, FL
HBO Adult Medal - Rachael Ragozinno, Schenectady, NY
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (18-35) - Quiet Arrival ridden and owned by Jodi Czaplick, Long Island, New York
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (36-45) - Muse ridden by Michael Jones, Ocala Fl and owned by Warren Lang
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (46 & over) - Mandrake ridden by Parker Minchin, Vass, NC and owned by Ed & Parker Minchin
Adequan® Open Hunter Division Champion - Untold ridden and owned by Jodi Czaplick, Long Island, New York (2nd week in a row)
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic - Celebrate ridden and owned by Maggie Schottenfeld, Alpharetta, GA
Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Classic - Quiet Arrival ridden and owned by Jodi Czaplick, Long Island, New York (2nd week in a row)
Marshall & Sterling Child Jumper Classic - Straight Up ridden and owned by Catie Torcivia, Rumson NJ
Marshall & Sterling Adult Jumper Classic - Marantha ridden and owned by Kristin Beyer, Clearwater Fl

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

$50,000 EMO Grand Prix - Sunday, February 12, 2006
HITS I - Ocala Winter Classic, Ocala, FL
Course Designer: Kenny Krome, Westminster, MD

MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Creech, HITS Media & Public Relations, 319 Main Street, Saugerties, New York 12477-1330. Tel: 845-246-8833, Fax: 845-246-6371, E-Mail: mcreech@frontiernet.net. Web: www.HitsShows.com