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THERMAL, CA (January 28, 2008)—HITS
unveiled its brand-new, covered EquiBase™ Arena Systems ring on Saturday
afternoon when 26 competitors took aim at the blue ribbon during the
jumper phase of the Washington Equitation Classic at the HITS Desert
Horse Park in Thermal, California.
The jumper phase of the competition was won by Nicoletta Von Heidegger of Chatsworth, California aboard Armageddon. She received a score of 89 from the judges. Mallory Olson of Newport Coast, California won the red ribbon aboard Patriot and third place was awarded to Audrey Coulter of San Francisco, California and her mount Presidio. Von Heidegger would be the eventual winner of the class after each phase was complete.
The EquiBase Arena Systems Ring features brand-new jumps from Olaf
Petersen and elegant decorations from course decorater Evie Frisque.
"Plain words can't do justice to the incredible job Evie has done,"
said HITS Thermal's Office Manager Donna Vale. "The combination of her
skills and the new jumps make the ring a very elegant place to show."
Throughout the course of the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit, the EquiBase Arena Systems Ring will be the site of four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers, presented by Adequan. On Friday, February 1 Grand Prix riders from numerous countries will compete in the inaugural FEI class.
In other action at HITS Thermal during DC I, Holly Dickinson of
Westlake Village, California secured the Central Equine Junior Medal aboard Victor.
David Chartrand of Coachella, California rode Glow 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.
©Flying Horse Photography
The new EquiBase™ Arena Systems Ring at HITS Thermal
©Flying Horse Photography
New jumps from Olaf Petersen premiered during the Washington Equitation Classic at HITS Thermal
©Flying Horse Photography
An exhibitor on course during the Washington Equitation Classic at HITS Thermal
Dog Days of Winter
A great week of competition came to an end during DC I with the
first-ever Desert Circuit dog costume contest, "Canine Affair,"
presented by Purina Mills. Sophia Starkman's Golden Doodle took home
the top prize when her dog Canelope
dressed up as a lunch lady complete with a hair net. Starkman and
Canelope received a gift basket filled with an assortment of fun prizes
from Purina Mills.
Second place was awarded to Karen Lucian and her Brindle Chihuahua Rico Suave who was a skier in the desert. Love was in the air when third place was awarded to Lisa Thorpe and her Dashound Mix Little
who wore a festive Valentine's Day outfit. The contest was judged by
the veterinary staff from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and VIP
Oasic Club chef Ric Orlando had a great spread for everyone to enjoy.
©Flying Horse Photography
Mold and Madison were the "Got Milk" team at Saturday's Canine Affair at HITS Thermal. Mold (left) is owned by Lisa Baldassari and Madison is owned by Lisa Adams Mitchell.
©Flying Horse Photography
Millie was one of three French
Bulldogs at the Canine Affair on Saturday night. Nancy Shaw's dogs all
dressed in a theme from the Wizard of Oz.
Three's Company!
Show jumping at HITS Thermal resumes for DC II on Tuesday, January 29
and will feature three Grand Prix classes. First on Thursday, January
31 exhibitors will shoot it out for the top prize in the $25,000 Ariat
Grand Prix. Then on Friday, February 1 the first of four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers, presented by Adequan takes
center stage. All World Cup Qualifiers will be held in the new covered
EquiBase™ Arena Systems Ring, which features new footing and a
state-of-the-art matting system. Finally, on Super Bowl Sunday some of
the top equestrians in the world will vie for first place in another
HITS Grand Prix, presented by EMO.
The circuit will continue for two consecutive weeks of shows, followed
by an off week, February 11-17. Then competition at HITS Thermal
returns on Tuesday, February 19 for four consecutive weeks of shows and
runs until Sunday, March 16 when the new Desert Circuit Championship
will close out the season with 17 different championship classes,
including the R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic and the first-ever $200,000
Invitational Grand Prix of the Desert.
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
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