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THERMAL, CA (March 11, 2008)—On
Sunday, March 16 all three of the HITS winter shows will celebrate the
end of another successful season. HITS Thermal, HITS Ocala and HITS
Arizona represent a total of 21 weeks of hunter/jumper horse shows, 36
Grand Prix classes worth more than $1.5 million in prize money and
thousands of classes for every level of rider. From season-ending Grand
Prix finales to a host of other big-dollar classes to the crowning of
this season's circuit champions, it's all happening on HITS' Super Sunday!
DC Championship to close out the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California
At the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California
the all-new DC Championship (March 11-16) will take center stage.
DC Championship marks the return of the $10,000 ASG Software
Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Classic. The popular class
will take place on Friday night in the Grand Prix ring under the
lights. During DC III, Jenny Karazissis rode El Campeon's Swoon to victory and she plans to try for a repeat this weekend.
"We are the only circuit to host two of these exciting new classes
highlighting show hunters over old-style fences with special emphasis
on handiness and brilliance," said HITS' Vice President of West Coast
Operations Fred Bauer.
On Saturday night, the lights in the Grand Prix ring will be shining
bright again. This time the spotlight will be on the equitation riders
when the R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic makes its debut on the West
Coast. "The R.W. 'Ronnie' Mutch trophy is one of the most prestigious
equitation classes in the country and we're delighted to welcome it to
Thermal and showcase it in our Grand Prix ring." added Bauer.
Sunday will be all about the accolades in the Grand Prix ring. Prior to
the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix, the Second-Half Circuit Award
winners will be revealed as well as the Antares Sellier France Overall
Circuit Award winners. The perpetual trophies will also be changing
hands prior to the featured class on
Sunday, including the Potcreek Meadow Farm Junior Sportsman Award,
Jimmy Kohn Style of Riding Award, SHALANNO Style of Riding Award,
Michael Patrick Perpetual Trophy and the HITS Grand Hunter
Champion.
In
all, more than 30 different champion classes will be offered at HITS
Thermal over the course of the weekend, including popular favorites
like the $10,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, the $15,000 Jr/A-O Jumper
Low Classic, the $25,000 California Horsetrader Jr/A-O Jumper High
Classic, $5,000 Junior Hunter Classic and
the $5,000 A-O Hunter Classic, just to name a few.
Without a doubt, the crown jewel of DC Championship is the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix. The
top 30 pairs, based on prize money won during the 2008 HITS Desert
Circuit, will be invited to compete in the class. The final list of the
top 30 competitors for the Invitational is expected to be released by
Wednesday, March 12. The Invitational Show Committee has the option of
awarding a total of four invitations. Will Simpson of El Campeon Farms
was invited last week by the Invitational Show Committee. It is
expected that at least one more Grand Prix rider will be named prior to
Sunday's class.
"It's going to be a fantastic class," said Richard Spooner. "The riders
who did the best this circuit get rewarded with a great event. There is
no entry fee and a ton of prize money up for grabs."
"That's a lot of prize money," said Chris Pratt. "The buzz is in the air and everyone wants to win that first-place check."
©Flying Horse Photography
With $61,000 in accumulated winnings, Joie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe have earned the number one spot in the standings for the $200,000
Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, March 16 at HITS Thermal.
Gatlin may elect to ride any horse to compete in Sunday's class.
The Ocala Winter Finals are on tap at HITS Ocala
Big time prize money is also the name of the game on the East Coast.
HITS Ocala will feature the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix,
presented by Great American Insurance Group on Sunday, March 16 to
close out the Ocala Winter Finals and the seven-week circuit.
With four Grand Prix wins under her belt, Texas' Tracy Fenney looks to
be the odds-on favorite to win the featured event. Fenney has collected
$87,000 in total Grand Prix prize money at HITS Ocala in 2008 and would
love to add another check for $30,000 with a triumph on Sunday.
Fenney's not the only one eyeing that first-place payout. Tracy Magness
and Callan Solem have also been red hot during the 2008 HITS Ocala
Winter Circuit and could easily grab the blue ribbon. "It's certainly
been a fantastic run for me at HITS Ocala," said Fenney. "But the way
Tracy Magness and Callan have been riding, I wouldn't count either of
them out in this Sunday's class. Plus, Aaron Vale and Sinatra have been making tremendous strides together. I would say it's really anyone's class."
Thursday, March 13 the final $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix of the season will be rider's last test before the big class on Sunday. Friday
night the Florida Equitation Championship will take place in the Grand
Prix ring. Also on Friday night, exhibitors will be treated to an
old-fashion pig roast and
country barbecue thanks to HITS Ocala's Official Show Veterinarian Team
Barber. Then on Saturday night, the $10,000 ASG Software
Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby Classic will take place
under the lights in the Main Hunter ring.
Also
on the agenda for Sunday is the
presentation of the Antares Sellier France Overall Circuit Awards and
Ocala Style Magazine will present the Ocala Style of Riding
Award. Plus, the $25,000 M&S Child/Adult Jumper
Classic, $15,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic and $25,000 Team Barber
Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic all help to make the HITS Ocala Winter Finals a
special week of show jumping.
"Ocala
was a great place to be this winter," said HITS' President and CEO Tom
Struzzieri. "The property has never looked better and our team has been
just tremendous. We've experienced a 15 percent growth this season in
Ocala, with a good portion of that attributed to new customers, and we
look forward to welcoming them all back in 2009."
Finally, the Stallion
Services Department of the Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Florida will
offer the Leading Mare Award to the mare that finishes the highest in
the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group. The award consists of a free embryo transfer, which
will be performed by Dr. Corey Miller, head of reproduction at the
Ocala-based veterinary hospital.
©Lili Weik Photography
Tracy Fenney and Grace are
among the favorites to win $30,000 in first-place prize money in the
$100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American
Insurance Group on Sunday, March 16 at HITS Ocala.
$25,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix will close out the season at HITS Arizona
Show jumping at HITS Arizona will conclude with the Arizona Desert
Finals (March 12-16) and feature Sunday's $25,000 Strongid® C 2X™
Grand Prix to close out an exciting six-week event at the Pima County
Fairgrounds in Tucson, Arizona. Before the first horse enters the ring,
the Antares Sellier France Overall Circuit Awards will be handed out to
the season's top riders in their respective division.
"Arizona provided something for everyone in 2008," said HITS Arizona's
Show Manager Joe Dotoli. "Things really went well and I know everyone
that showed with us in Arizona walked away with a positive experience."
©Flying Horse Photography
Mandy Porter and Summer won the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix at HITS Thermal on Sunday, February 24. The $25,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix will close out the Arizona Desert Finals on Sunday, March 16.
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
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