THERMAL, CA (January 26, 2007) It was clearly ladies day at the HITS Thermal horse show for the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix as Romelia Calderon and Sea Bridge seized the first ever Grand Prix Class at HITS Thermal besting a field of 45 riders.

Calderon had the fastest double-clear round on course designer Anthony D'Ambrosio's route. She was second to go in the jump-off that included four horses and set the Great American Time to Beat at 40.66.

"I got chills," said Calderon after capturing the first Grand Prix Class at HITS' new state-of-the-art equestrian facility. "This year couldn't have started any better for me."

According to D'Ambrossio, she put the pressure on the other two riders to follow her with her lightning-fast time. "It was exactly what I expected for the first time out," he said. "Riders had little mistakes all over the course and you can attribute that to rust. I set each course with the intent of the best horse winning and I am confident that the best horse won today."

Amateur rider Susan Anderson kicked off the jump-off with a second round score of 16 jumping faults pushing her into fourth place. "The horse rode was as sweet as it could have in the first round," said Anderson. "I think in the jump-off I went too fast and too long."

Jill Humphry was next to tackle the jump-off course for Leone Equestrian. Her mount Kaskayanavigate d the course clean but her time of 41.103 wasn't good enough to top the Great American Time to Beat set by Calderon as Humphry finished with the red ribbon.Laura Linback and Grand Soso 2 held the envious last to ride position but dropped two rails that resulted in eight jumping faults and a third place finish to cap off the all female jump-off. "To come out and win today with some of the best riders in the world competing in the same class is surreal," said Calderon. "I plan on being here for most of the circuit and expect great things from my horse."

Sea Bridge is a 10-year-old Irish Sport Horse that has been in the United States for three years. The horse brought home $9,000 in prize money to Riley Stables. Another noteable finisher was Richard Spooner and fan favorite Robinson. The duo made it all the way home unscathed but one time fault kept him out of the jump-off. Spooner, the all-time leading money winner on the HITS Desert Circuit was pleased with his effort. "All in all it was a good start," he said. "I am going to get ready for Sunday's Grand Prix and hopefully get my first win in Thermal."
Show Jumping at HITS Thermal continues all weekend and culminates Sunday with the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix, on January 29. Also on Sunday, is the World of the Horse celebration. The World of the Horse is a stunning Parade of Breeds that will precede the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix class in the newly constructed Million Dollar Grand Prix Ring at HITS Thermal.

Hollywood trick rider Ramon Becerra will be the featured act in the World of the Horse that will include a Mexican rodeo exhibition by Coachella Valley Charros and Escaramuzas. World of the Horse also will feature a performance by the famed all-woman Mane Event Drill Team and a special exhibition of the Olympic sport of Dressage riding.
The Parade of Breeds during World of the Horse will offer a closer look at breeds like Friesians, Clydesdales, Icelandics, Tennessee Walkers and Fox Trotters. For more information visit the HITS website www.HitsShows.com.
For the past 15 years, HITS has produced a six-week winter horse show circuit just five miles from HITS Thermal at the intersection of Monroe Street and Avenue 52 in Indio, California. The 2007 HITS Desert Circuit is being held at the new, state-of-the-art HITS Desert Horse Park equestrian facility in Thermal, California.

The new horse park is the largest Hunter/Jumper horse show venue in the United States and houses more than $10,000,000 in improvements, including stabling for more than 3,000 horses and 12 competition rings. HITS Thermal also features the new state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing Authority.

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 allow for new growth opportunities including the construction of 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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HITS CORPORATE OFFICE: HITS, Inc., 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
phone 845.246.8833  fax 845.246.6371  www.HitsShows.com