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HITS March Madness! Three Winter Circuits all Wrap on Sunday, March 16

with More than a Half Million Dollars up for Grabs in One Day

March 11, 2008

Thermal, CA --- 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."

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.

$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."

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

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