FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2006

Gundersen caps off three weeks at HITS Saugerties with a win in Sunday's $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix

Saugerties, NY (August 6, 2006)—Henrik Gundersen rode Complete to win Sunday's $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix at HITS Saugerties concluding the NY Horse & Pony Show at HITS Saugerties' Summer Circuit. He negotiated the fastest double-clear round over Anthony D’Ambrosio's course, grabbing $22,500 in prize money for The Ridge Farm LLC.

Gundersen won a pair of $25,000 HITS Grand Prix's at HITS Saugerties. Today, he finally took home the elusive $75,000 title that he had just been missing. In last Sunday’s $75,000 In the Woods Grand Prix, Gundersen finished third behind teenage friends Addison Phillips and Brianne Goutal. "I finally got the big one," said Gundersen. "Last Sunday, I thought I had a perfect jump-off and just missed winning, so it was great to finish strong today."

Seven horses out of 30 starters advanced to the jump-off. Gundersen stopped the clocks in the jump-off at a blistering 41.642 securing the blue-ribbon. First to go in the jump-off were Federico Sztyrle and Fatalus Fatum. They went clear and set the Great American Time to Beat at 44.260. "It was exactly right for going first in the jump-off," said Gundersen. "Going first is always tough though. I knew I had a good chance to beat that time."

Next to go was Callan Solem and Allison. The horse/rider combination also won a $25,000 HITS Grand Prix earlier in the year. But bad luck in the jump-off for the duo happened when Solem got no score for her round. Then Gundersen and Complete went clean and very fast pushing Stzyrle off the leader board. Fourth to go in the jump-off were Pablo Barios and Sun God. They had the time, stopping the clocks at 41.384 but a single rail down left them in third place. Olympic Gold was added to the jump-off when McLain Ward and Alias challenged D'Ambrosio. Jump 13B was Ward's only blemish as he finished fourth and collected $6,000 in prize money.

With two riders left, Gundersen's time wouldn't be challenged. David Raposa and Pina Colada had four faults and Williamy Lowry and Polygraaf couldn't pass the test when they finished with eight faults.

D'Ambrosio credits a talented cast of riders for making it an exciting jump-off. "I am very happy with the end result today," he said. "I was looking to have six to eight go clean in the first round. We had seven come back and that's exactly what I was aiming for."

Gundersen earned some valuable points with the win as every grand prix at all HITS horse shows, including HITS Saugerties and HITS Culpeper is a qualifier for the United States Grand Prix League Finals. The finals for the league will be held in Culpeper on October 1, where $100,000 in prize money will be on the line. The event is limited to the top 30 riders in the United States Grand Prix League standings.

HITS Show Jumping now moves to Culpeper for two weeks, starting with the Winston National, August 16-20 and the Constitution Classic, August 23-27. Show Jumping at HITS Saugerties returns August 30 through September 3 for the final week of the HITS Saugerties series. Week VII culminates Sunday, September 3 with the $50,000 Tavern on the Green Catering Grand Prix. On Saturday, September 2, HITS hosts Seniors Day, presented by River Rock Health Spa in Woodstock. For more information please call 845.246.8833 during the week and 845.246.5515 on weekends or visit the HITS website www.HitsShows.com.

When you visit the show grounds, be sure to shop at the two permanent vendor buildings and the more traditional Vendor Courtyard that form the HITS Saugerties Mall that features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art, photography, souvenirs and an ice cream parlor, serving Starbucks Coffee with wireless Internet access.

©Lili Weik Photography 06

OTHER MAJOR AWARDS AT SAUGERTIES INCLUDED:

HBO Children's Pony Medal: Regina Barasch, New York, NY

HBO Junior Medal: Melissa Murphy, Brooklyn, NY

HBO Children's Medal-Horse: Samantha L Smith, Wakefield, RI

HBO Adult Medal-Section A: Kelly Cavanagh, South Glastenbury, CT

HBO Adult Medal-Section B: Valerie Primavera, New York, NY

HBO Adult Medal-Section C: Laurie Gundlach, Tolland, CT

Farnam Adult Hunter 18-35: Just ask me, ridden and owned by Jennifer Batchelor, West Chester, PA

Farnam Adult Hunter 36-45: Red Sierra, ridden and owned by Lisa Inganmort, Gladstone, NJ

Farnam Adult Hunter 46 & Over: Orielly, ridden and owned by Maureen Wurzel, Georgetown, MA

Adequen Open Hunter: Royal Palm, ridden by Chad Watridge and owned by Stephanie Riggio, New York, NY

M & S Children's Hunter Classic Pony: Artisian, ridden and owned by Jacqueline Millen, New York, NY

M & S Childern's Jumper Classic: Quali DE BD, ridden and owned by Tori Corts, Central Valley, NY

M & S Adult Jumper Classic: Joy ride, ridden and owned by Sandy O'Donnell and owned by Ladson LLC, Ancramdale, NY