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TUCSON, AZ (February 12, 2007) — A lightning-fast double clear round for Paul Rohrbach and Vancouver was all it took to win Sunday's $25,000 Footing Authority Grand Prix™ during the opening week of the HITS Tucson Winter Circuit. Out of a starting field of 28 horse/rider combinations, Rohrbach was the fastest of nine riders that returned for course designer Mike Gallaway's jump-off route.
Rohrbach was second to go in the jump-off and set the Great American Time to Beat at 38.558. "I knew when I stopped the clocks with that time it would be tough to beat," he said. "The Grand Prix had some very fine riders in it and I am glad to come away with the win today."
He collected $7,500 in prize money for RJR Farm, Inc. Aboard Jack of Hearts, he scored a sixth place finish and collected an additional $750 for RJR Farm. "It was certainly a great start to the circuit," said Rohrbach. "With five more weeks of competition in Arizona, I hope I can have a few more trips to the winners' circle."
Christina Marlin and Raleigh also went double clear. Her time of 40.746 was good enough for second place and $5,500 in prize money for Milestone Farm. Posting the last double clear round was JJ Atkinson aboard Callino 2. They stopped the clocks in 43.706 and collected $3,250 in prize money for third place. Another noteable finish was Brandie Holloway, who won three Grand Prix classes at HITS Tucson last year. She was 10th aboard her mount S&L So Be It. In 2006, S&L So Be It won the first Grand Prix on the HITS Tuscon circuit.
The 2007 HITS Tucson Winter Circuit will run for another five weeks at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. Show jumping will resume at HITS Tucson on Wednesday, February 14, and the next Grand Prix show jumping event will be the $25,000 Footing Authority™ Grand Prix on Sunday, February 18.
The six-week event has been a staple of West Coast circuits for many years. HITS took over production of this circuit in 1991. The Arizona Winter Circuit offers a full range of competition classes for beginners to advanced riders. Exhibitors gain valuable experience in the show ring under the eye of some of the country's top judges. In January 2006, HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidify its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of the HITS Desert Horse Park. HITS generates significant economic impact in each of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
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Placing
|
Horse
|
Rider
|
Owner
|
Prize
Money
|
Rd
1 Faults
|
JO
Faults
|
JO
Time
|
|
1
|
Vancouver
|
Paul Rohrbach
|
RJR Farm
|
$7,500
|
0
|
0
|
38.55
|
|
2
|
Raleigh
|
Christina Marlin
|
Milestone Farms
|
$5,500
|
0
|
0
|
40.74
|
|
3
|
Callino 2
|
JJ Atkinson
|
Cordi Atkinson
|
$3,250
|
0
|
0
|
43.70
|
|
4
|
Mad Season
|
Alex Granato
|
Alex Granato
|
$2,000
|
0
|
4
|
35.06
|
|
5
|
Opus
|
Georgie Murray
|
Georgie Murray
|
$1,500
|
0
|
4
|
35.93
|
|
6
|
Zambezi
|
Gretchan Lof
|
Jamie Hormel
|
$1,250
|
0
|
4
|
38.15
|
|
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