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oie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe Win the $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier

Presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal

February 23, 2008

Thermal, CA --- Friday evening was ladies night at HITS Thermal when Joie Gatlin and her mount Camaron Hills Shan Roe secured the top prize during the $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan.

Gatlin and her 13-year-old mount had the sole clear round on Canadian builder David Ballard's route and secured $15,000 in prize money for Camaron Hills Farm. More importantly, the triumph catapults Gatlin into the mix of riders near the top of the FEI U.S. West Coast League World Cup Standings.

It was only Gatlin's seventh class aboard Camaron Hills Shan Roe as she had the ride in place of rider Molly Talla who is expecting her second child. "I am very fortunate to have this ride," said Gatlin. "We might go Sunday but he was so good today I am not sure. We are going to take next week off and come back strong for week six and the championship week."

"Having the class indoors was a lot of fun," said Gatlin. "Everytime you step into the ring there is such a great vibe. It's a great thing for the riders on the West Coast."

Gatlin ended Rich Fellers and his mount Flexible's run of two consecutive victory's in the $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal. The pair eventually finished in ninth place. "Rich is a tremendous competitor but he has so to share the wealth," joked Gatlin.

Rounding out the top finishers were Mandy Porter and her mount Summer who were second and Richard Spooner and his ride Apache finished in third place.

With the victory, Gatlin earned some valuable points towards the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix to be held on Sunday, March 16 during the all new Championship Week at HITS Thermal. The top-30 pairs based on prize money won on the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit will be invited to compete in the class. The pair currently sits in first place in the standings.

Competition at HITS Thermal continues all weekend and features the $50,000 STRONGID® C 2X™ Grand Prix on Sunday, February 24. On Saturday, February 23, the first ever HITS Thermal Fashion Show, presented by Horse Connection will take center stage at 6 pm in the VIP Oasis Club at HITS Thermal.

Highlighting the fashion show will be apparel from several merchants of El Paseo. Located in Palm Desert, the famous El Paseo Shopping District features over 300 world-class shops, clothing boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, restaurants and more all lined along a beautifully maintained picture-postcard floral and statue-filled mile. Known as the Rodeo Drive of the Desert, El Paseo boasts a wide spectrum of stores from Sak's 5th Avenue to individually owned boutiques.

Several vendors from HITS Thermal will also have their merchandise on display. Participating vendors include Ariat, Stirrup Cup, Shorty's Loft and Ayora Saddles. Accomplished equestrians such as Willowbrook's Kate Considine and Grand Prix riders Ashlee Bond, Jill Humphrey and Bliss Heers will be among the models.

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.

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