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Central Equine Relay Rocks HITS Ocala and HITS Thermal

March 2, 2008

Ocala, FL --- The excitement from The Central Equine Relay rang from coast to coast as this new class highlighted an exciting weekend at both HITS Ocala and HITS Thermal.

First on Friday night at HITS Ocala, it was the Central Equine Southeast Team that triumphed. The team consisted of Aaron Vale, Kristinna Lindgren and Claudia Billups. In a special calcutta held before the event almost $5,500 was raised to benefit Kristen Halvorson, a junior rider who was seriously injured in a fall last week.

Kim Perlman of Riverside Farm won the calcutta with his bid on the Central Equine Southeast Team. The Calcutta was to be split in half but Perlman most generously donated his share of the winnings to the Kristen Halvorson fund. The family will use the money to help transport Halvorson back to Chicago via a medically equipped plane.

Just before the start of the class, the crowd of spectators enjoyed a seafood feast catered by the talented HITS Restaurant team. "It was a magical event," said HITS' Lisa Engel, who helped coordinate the event. "The cheering and clapping could be heard throughout the show grounds during the event. By the time the last rider was on course, the entire crowd was on their feet cheering and it was fitting that the Central Equine Southeast Team took the blues."

ŠLili Weik Photography

HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri went clear in the Central Equine Relay at HITS Ocala.

Saddle up! Devoucoux wins the Central Equine Relay at HITS Thermal

Almost 3,000 miles away at HITS Thermal, the Central Equine Relay had the same impact on Saturday night. Following a delicious southwest-sampler party the team competition took place in the brand-new covered arena and team Devoucoux won the saddle wars, grabbing the triumph in front of hundreds of enthusiastic spectators.

It took a team of women to capture the class as Joie Gatlin, Mandy Porter and Amanda Tallman each rocked the house with lightning-fast times. Tallman was the anchor of the team and her clear round in 44.197 pushed her team to the victory.

Team Antares captured second place and featured accomplished Grand Prix riders Richard Spooner, Chris Pratt and Katherine Bardis. Spooner even brought out his old pal Robinson for the class who retired from competition last year. Fittingly, Spooner and Robinson were clean. Team CWD was third in the class, as the three on-site saddle stores at HITS Thermal finished 1-2-3.

Steve Bond purchased Team Devoucoux and his daughter, Ashlee's squad Cinnabunns in the calcutta for $1,000, In all, more than $4,000 was raised in the calcutta with 40 percent being donated to The College 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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