Kevin Babington and Mark Q Capture the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Culpeper

CULPEPER, VA (July 11, 2011) — With all new footing in the Grand Prix ring and beautiful weather, the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, was well suited to highlight the Showday National. Kevin Babington of Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania, could not have asked for much more, as he captured the first place honors aboard his own Mark Q.

Sunday's course was designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. Four riders went clean, including standout junior and Grand Prix newcomer Hasbrouck Donovan of Gainesville, Florida. Donovan went third in the order, posting her clear round early aboard her own Delilah. Babington showed sixth in the order and earned the second clear round of the class to secure a jump-off.

"I thought it was a great class," said Babington. "I really enjoyed this show. Today's class had a nice turnout, and the new footing was fantastic. We had some rain earlier in the week that gave it a good test and it passed with flying colors."

Babington, like so many others, has circled the Pfizer Million on his calendar this year. "The Pfizer Million is one of my main goals this year since it's such a great opportunity to jump for that much prize money. This is a new horse that I didn't realize would be such a strong contender for the Million but I think we'll be ready."

Babington plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties to help cement his spot in the Pfizer Million lineup. "I will be in Saugerties for three weeks and will hopefully get six qualifiers in then," he said. "This was my third one so I should be in good shape after Saugerties."

Donovan was first to return for the jump-off, and although she had no jumping faults, five seconds over the time allowed would set the pace with five time faults. "This was my fifth Grand Prix ever so I was very excited to go clear," said Donovan. "I brought this horse up from the Low Junior Jumpers and it's been really rewarding to watch her develop into a successful Grand Prix horse," said Donovan. Donovan ultimately finished third in Sunday's Prix as well as sixth in the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic aboard Michael Kirby's KT Champ earlier in the afternoon. While Donovan won't be ready to compete in the Pfizer Million this year, she is one of the talented junior riders who is currently near the top of the qualified list for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and plans to attend.

Babington returned second in the jump-off and posted what would eventually be the only clear round in the jump-off, in 40.733 seconds, which set the Great American Time to Beat.

Matt Williams of Wellington, Florida returned third aboard Samantha Tuerk's Watch Me VD Mangelaar and had a rail down at the A element of the double combination, coming home to settle into second place with four jumping faults.

Last to show was the winner of Friday's $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix, Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, this time aboard Candeloro, owned by WTBJ, LLC. Chopping had eight faults in 43.891 seconds, which would finish in fourth place.

$15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix
Harold Chopping and Danielle Quinn's Corland captured the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday to start off the weekend of High-Performance competition in the Grand Prix ring. Second place was Sunday's Grand Prix winning duo, Kevin Babington and Mark Q, while Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois took third aboard Woodrun's Uppsala.

Culpeper Horse Owners' Event, Presented by Pfizer Animal Health
The Culpeper Horse Owners' Event, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, took place on Friday at HITS Commonwealth Park. The $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix provided great in-ring action for exhibitors and guests who were on hand for the event, which included a lecture on strategic deworming by renowned veterinarian Mark Crisman, DVM, MS, Diplomate, ACVIM, Equine Veterinary Service on behalf of Pfizer Animal Health.

"I was really happy to have been able to attend Dr. Crisman's lecture," said Maureen Allen of Woodedge Stables in Moorestown, New Jersey. "I was expecting more of a sales presentation-it was nothing like that. It was completely educational and informative. It really shows Pfizer's commitment to the equine community and horse health by reaching out and giving us great information."

A country cookout and live music performance by the Gold Top County Ramblers made the event a fun and memorable evening for everyone involved.

Purina Mills Weekend!
Purina Mills Weekend makes its way to Commonwealth Park this week and will highlight the Cavalier Classic. The fun begins on Saturday, July 16, at 5:30pm when the Purina Mills Pre-Prix Party takes place at the HITS Restaurant. All exhibitors are welcome to come and enjoy food and fun for everyone! Please be sure to enter the Purina Mills raffle to win a ton of feed, talk with Purina Mills representatives, friends, family and fellow horsemen. The popular Boot Hill Band will also be on hand for a live performance. Then on Sunday, July 17, the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health will take place and will also serve as a qualifier for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York on September 11. If the lucky winner of the Grand Prix is a current Purina Mills customer, they'll receive a ton of free Purina Mills feed along with their first place check! Also, prior to the Grand Prix, exhibitors and spectators will be treated to a special performance by the talented Topaz Vaulters. An equestrian discipline, vaulting combines dance and gymnastics on horseback and will undoubtedly be a memorable addition to the weekends' activities.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.

© ESI Photography.
Kevin Babington and Mark Q on course in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

© ESI Photography.
HITS' Lisa Engel and Palmer Valentine of Pfizer Animal Health presented the blue ribbon, awards and Strongid C 2X Dewormer to Kevin Babington and Mark Q in the $40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.


© ESI Photography.
Harold Chopping and Corland won the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix on Friday.


© ESI Photography.
HITS' Amanda Lambert presented the blue ribbon to Harold Chopping for his victory in the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix.


HITS Staff.
Dr. Mark Crisman gave a lecture on strategic deworming to a group of guests at the Culpeper Horse Owners' Event, presented by Pfizer Animal Health on Friday.


HITS Staff.
The Gold Top County Ramblers provided live music during Friday's Culpeper Horse Owners' Event while guests enjoyed a country cookout.


Image Provided.
The Topaz Vaulters were established in 1980 and currently practice in Catharpin, Virginia and Broad Run, Virginia. They will be on hand Sunday, July 17, for a special performance prior to the start of the $40,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

$40,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health