PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 11, 2008

TUCSON, AZ (February 11, 2008)—Allison Kroff and her mount Miss Hans negotiated the fastest double-clear round during the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to conclude the Sundance Welcome at HITS Arizona.

Kroff and her mount Miss Hans got the best of 18 pairs in the first round and five combinations in the jump-off to secure $7,500 in prize money.

Natasha Merback and her mount Van Schundel's Cincy were first to go in the jump-off and their clear round set the Great American Time to Beat at 42.157; however, that time would only be good enough for third place. Next in the order were Laura Van Meter and her mount CVF's Satisfaction. Two rails down landed the duo in fifth place.

Next, Merback was back in the irons with her second mount of the jump-off. This time she was aboard Samar and the pair also had a double-clear round but their time of 42.146 would land them in second place. When the class was completed, Merback collected $8,750 in prize money for the day.

Kroff and Miss Hans were fourth to go in the jump-off. They were lightning fast, stopping the clocks in 39.225 to establish the new Great American Time to Beat.

Finally, sitting the envious last-to-ride spot were Brandie Holloway and her mount Gabriella Z. An unlucky rail down early in the jump-off landed the combination in fourth place. Holloway, who won several Grand Prix events at HITS Arizona in 2007, was also sixth aboard Argentina to collect $3,250 for Hays Investment Corp. 

In other action at HITS Arizona during the Sundance Welcome, Jamie Sailor and Tiny Toons secured the $4,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic; Savannah Lang and Thor lead the way in the $2,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Low Classic; while Carol Bird and W.C. Swing took home blue in the $2,500 Modified Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. In the Hunters, it was Annaliese Kannow and Mad Hatter who triumphed in the $1,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Hunter Classic; Ali Randall and Macallen took first in the $500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic; while Susan Beesemyer and Ratino took home the blue in the $500 Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Classic. For more results from the Sundance Welcome click here.

The 2008 HITS Arizona Winter Circuit continues next week at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. Show jumping will resume at HITS Arizona on Wednesday, February 13 and the next Grand Prix show jumping event will be the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday, February 17.

The six-week HITS Arizona Winter Circuit has been a staple of West Coast circuits for many years. HITS took over production of the circuit in 1991. The HITS 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.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com

Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com

 

© Deb Dawson Photography
Allison Kroff and her mount Miss Hans win the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Arizona

HITS CORPORATE OFFICE: HITS, Inc., 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
phone 845.246.8833  fax 845.246.6371  www.HitsShows.com