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Canada's Paul Halpern and Rolls Royce win the $25,000

HITS Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

January 28, 2008

Ocala, FL --- Fan Favorite Paul Halpern and his mount Rolls Royce rode all the way to the winner's circle on Sunday as he secured $7,500 in prize money for Rebecca Irvine in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix to close out the first Pre-Circuit week at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida.

The Canadian went toe-to-toe with Aaron Vale and Sinatra in a two horse jump-off. Halpern dropped the final hurdle on course designer Jerry Dougherty's route for a total of four faults. However, Vale couldn't take advantage of the envious last-to-ride position. He had two rails down for a total of eight faults, including the final obstacle as he had to step on the gas in order to beat Halpern's time of 43.962. Vale's final time of 43.539 would have propelled him into first place, but jump 14 did him in.

"I knew I had to be a little quicker getting to the last jump," said Vale. "Paul played a good enough hand to win today and put the pressure on me at the end. I had to take a chance. Unfortunately, I dropped the last rail but I am excited about my new horse."

Vale collected $5,500 on his new mount. Sinatra is eight and Vale purchased him in England just a few months ago. Vale was also 10th aboard another new mount, Be Lucky.

"I wasn't thinking about showing Sinatra at first but he jumped very well on Wednesday and Friday so I took a chance today," said Vale. "He showed me that he was ready and I am very excited about what is in store for me this winter in Ocala."

Although Vale was second in Sunday's featured class, he is loaded for bear this winter in Ocala. He has 15-20 new horses, including Platinum who he plans to unveil during the rated horse shows that begin on Tuesday, February 12 with the Ocala Winter Classic. Vale, a three-time winner of the $100,000 class that wraps up the season in Ocala, feels that Platinum may be the horse that gets him the blue ribbon in that class again this year.

With the victory, Halpern earned some valuable points for the USGPL standings. This means that he increased his chances of being on the list of the riders who will be invited to participate in the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper in late September. The top 30 riders in the Marshall & Sterling League National Standings (based on money won by the horse/rider combination) will qualify to participate in the Invitational. In addition, one Wild Card slot will be allotted. The rider may elect to ride any horse of their choice, but may ride only one horse in the Invitational.

Also excelling at HITS Ocala last week was Sydney Smith of Rockport, Massachusetts who secured the Central Equine Junior Medal riding Calimero. Jodi Czaplick of Speonk, New York rode Untold to the Adequan Hunter Championship to highlight an exciting week of competition. For more information on Central Equine please visit http://www.centralequine.com, and for more information on Adequan please visit http://www.hitsshows.com/press/pdf/adequan.pdf.

Other major award winners at HITS Ocala include:

$500 M&S Child/Adult Hunter Classic - Bay Watch, owned by Colby Hassfurther, ridden by Victoria De Benedicty, Ocala, Florida

$5,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic - Canaan, owned and ridden by Jenny Childs, Archer, Florida

$2,500 Child/Adult Jumper Championship 1st leg - Fast Break, owned by Lance

Williamson, ridden by Tiffany Hammack, Hawthorne Woods, Illinois

$4,000 Child/Adult Jumper Championship 2nd leg - Fast Break, owned by Lance

Williamson, ridden by Tiffany Hammack, Hawthorne Woods, Illinois

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