PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
February 4, 2008

THERMAL, CA (February 4, 2008)—For the second time in the past three years, Joie Gatlin captured the top prize in the annual EMO Grand Prix at the HITS Desert Circuit. On Sunday, Gatlin secured $37,500 in prize money for Camaron Hills Farm with her triumph aboard Camaron Hills Shan Roe in the $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO to conclude DC II at HITS Thermal.

During the 2005 HITS Desert Circuit, Gatlin won the blue ribbon in the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix. "I love to win the EMO class," said Gatlin. "They are a great supporter of our sport and I am very appreciative of everything that they do."

Speaking of being appreciative, Gatlin was just that when she was sitting in the envious last-to-ride spot in a jump-off that featured eight pairs. Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe raced to the clocks in 40.947 to win the class. Camaron Hills Shan Roe is 13 and Gatlin had the ride in place of rider Molly Talla who is expecting her second child.

Starting off the jump-off was Jill Humphrey who rode Rudy Leone's Kaskaya. The pair negotiated a clear round and set the Great American Time to Beat at 46.330.

Canadian Olympian John Pearce was next to go in the jump-off aboard Allison Moore's Chianto. They had four faults and finished in eighth place. Third to go was Ashlee Bond and her mount Tommy Gun. Bond and her mount went clear in a very fast 41.588 to take over the top spot. The combination would eventually finish in third place. "I thought I was very fast but knew I had some big competition behind me," said Bond. "Richard Spooner had already beaten my time but had a rail down so I knew my time was reachable."

Tommy Gun is 10 and will compete in this Friday's $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal. "He is my baby," added Bond. "We went through a rough patch together last year but we are really working together this year. He has done everything that I have asked him to do."

Fourth to go was the HITS Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner Richard Spooner and Cristallo. One rail down would land them in fifth place. Recent Pan Am Games Gold Medal Winner, Jill Henselwood was next aboard Callisto. Henselwood and her mount would be eliminated and finish in eighth place.

Pearce was back in the irons aboard his second ride of the jump-off. This time it was Archie Bunker and they were fast and clean stopping the clocks in 41.582. The combination's time pushed Bond and Tommy Gun off the top of the mountain as they set the new Great American Time to Beat. Pearce and Archie Bunker eventually finished in second place.

"Two horses in the top six is a fair chunk of change," said a happy Pearce after the class. "The vibe is good and the people seem very happy this year."

Pearce also has his eyes Friday night's $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan where he plans to show Archie Bunker and his top gun Urioso. His fellow countryman, Henselwood, was back for her second trip of the jump-off aboard Black Ice. The pair had two rails down and finished in seventh place.

Finally, it was Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe's turn. They were lightning-fast and stopped the clocks in 40.947 to win the class. "I wanted the horse to go clean but I knew I had to go fast because John Pearce set a fast pace," said Gatlin. "We were slow to the first jump and then I said to her, 'Come on. Lets go!' We were very fast from two to nine and we kept cruising through 10. Once we cleared 12B I heard the crowd getting behind me so I knew we had a good chance to win."

In other action at HITS Thermal during DC II, Demi Stiegler of Tustin, California secured the Central Equine Junior Medal and John French of Gilroy, California rode Obelix to the Adequan Hunter Championship to highlight an exciting week of competition. For more information on Central Equine please visit  www.centralequine.com, and for more information on Adequan please visit  www.HitsShows.com/press/pdf/adequan.pdf.

Show jumping at HITS Thermal continues on Tuesday, February 5 for DC III. Highlighting DC III are three Grand Prix classes. First, on Thursday, February 7 the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix takes the stage. Friday, February 8 the second of four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers, presented by Adequan takes place in the new covered EquiBase™ Arena Systems ring, which features new footing and a state-of-the-art matting system. Finally, some of the top competitors in the world will shoot it out for first place in the $50,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix on Sunday, February 10.

Also on the calendar for DC III is the ever-popular Kids Day on Sunday, February 10. The afternoon is full of family fun and entertainment. Children will be treated to free pony rides and petting zoo, 25 foot race car slide, pumper fire truck tunnel, face painting, clowns and a very special Grand Prix rider autograph session.

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

Click here for a video from DC II courtesy of Show Jumping Unplugged

©Flying Horse Photography
Joie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe win the $125,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO at HITS Thermal


©Flying Horse Photography
HITS' Senior Vice President Tony Hitchcock and trainer Ginnie Bryant congratulate Joie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe at HITS Thermal

HITS CORPORATE OFFICE: HITS, Inc., 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
phone 845.246.8833  fax 845.246.6371  www.HitsShows.com