PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
March 13, 2006

TUCSON, AZ (March 13, 2006) -- Brandie Holloway finished out the six-week HITS Arizona Winter Circuit in winning style by claiming Sunday's $25,000 HITS Grand Prix with her nine-year-old stallion Argentina. This was Holloway's third Grand Prix win of the circuit, and her second with the young stallion she imported from Ecuador last year.

Scott Starnes set the test for the field of twenty-six starters. Fence no. 10, a 4'9" oxer with a 5' spread leading into a double-combination was the line that saw the most rails down. "The oxer was very square and wide, and the combination was kind of spooky because it had green boxes at the bottom," said Holloway. "I jumped no. 10 and balanced right away to do an inside turn to the combination. It was a tight turn and he (Argentina) really only had time to think about jumping the jumps, and didn't really get a good look at what he was coming up to."

Four other horses joined Brandie Holloway and Argentina in the jump-off, and Holloway had the unenviable position of going first. "I didn't have anyone helping me, so when I walked the jump-off course I tried to think what would my trainer from childhood, Mike McCormick, tell me to do right now. I didn’t think that speed on the flat was the right way to go, even though I’m a person who will really gallop to the jumps. I decided to take very tight turns and I didn't leave steps out anywhere."

Brandie Holloway's strategy gave her a clear round in a very fast time of 39.32 seconds.

The pressure was on, and the rails tumbled for the next two riders. Alex Granato and Monsoon had Holloway's time beat with 38.46 seconds, but a rail at the double-combination dashed his chances. Sharn Wordley and Mr. Flanagan, three-time Grand Prix winners during the circuit, also pulled a rail at the double-combination.

Michelle Parker rode fast and clear with Nouska, but her time of 39.76 seconds just wasn't fast enough to catch Holloway.

Alex Granato finished out the competition with his second mount Mad Season. Two rails down in a time of 41.74 seconds left him in fifth place.

Even though Brandie Holloway wouldn't wish it too often, she does admit that every once in a great while going first can be in your favor. "I guess this time it worked to my advantage, because when I went in there was no pressure on me. I just did the best I could and went clean. When Alex and everybody else took their turn they knew I was fast and the pressure caused the mistakes, like leaving out a stride going to the combination. I think that risk is what made the rails come down."

Brandie Holloway enjoyed a very successful circuit at HITS Arizona. There is no doubt that when she returns next year with Argentina a year older and a year wiser, she will be the one to watch. Holloway is thrilled with her new horse and says, "there is something about certain horses, they are just winners, and I believe he is one of them."

Other major award winners at HITS Arizona Desert Finals include:

Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (18-35) - Chapelle, ridden by Heather Christie, Golden, CO
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (36-49) - Unbridled, ridden by Sherri Kahn, Topeka, KS
Farnam Adult Hunter Division Champion (50+) - Duffy, ridden by Kathie Cox, Athens, TX
Adequan® Open Hunter Division Champion - Dylan, ridden by Molly Allred, Gilbert, AZ
Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic - Phantom, ridden by Geri Hormel, Paradise Valley, AZ
Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Classic - Manitou, ridden by Carrie Henderson, Wayzata, MN
Marshall & Sterling Child/Adult Jumper Classic - Taylor Howell, Castle Rock, CO riding Vegas

For complete horse show results please visit http://www.hitsshows.com.

$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, March 12, 2006
HITS Arizona Desert Finals, Tuscon, AZ
Course Designer: Scott Starnes, San Juan Capistrano, CA

MEDIA CONTACT: Mary Creech, HITS Media & Public Relations, 319 Main Street, Saugerties, New York 12477-1330. Tel: 845-246-8833, Fax: 845-246-6371, E-Mail: mcreech@frontiernet.net. Web: www.HitsShows.com