British Columbia Equine ...On-Line News: At it again! Richard Spooner and Ezrah Win the $25,000

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At it again! Richard Spooner and Ezrah Win the $25,000

Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Thermal

March 7, 2008

Thermal, CA - Richard Spooner is up to his same old tricks, winning Grand Prix events at HITS Thermal. This time around, the win came aboard his mount Ezrah when they got the best of a field of 43 pairs in the first round and nine combinations in the second round to capture Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Thermal.

Spooner had the fastest double-clear effort on Olaf Petersen's route to secure $7,500 in prize money for S & B LLC Corp. Spooner, the HITS Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner, now lays claim to four Grand Prix triumphs at HITS Thermal in 2008, including his 100th career win aboard Ezrah during DC II. To date, Spooner has captured more than $119,000 in prize money thanks to his performances on seven different horses!

"It was my first win aboard Ezrah since I won my 100th Grand Prix," said Spooner. "It was nice to take the victory gallop on him again."

"The jump-off was very exciting," he added. "There were some great riders in it. Anytime you can beat Mandy Porter and Eddie Macken in the same jump-off, you are going to be happy with your ride."

First to go in the jump-off were Kim Farlinger and her mount Bay Street. The Canadian and her horse dropped one rail and finished in seventh place. Next to show were Mark Watring and his ride Brilliant. The combination had eight faults and finished the day in ninth place.

Third in the jump-off order were Helen McNaught and Pandeur. They were the first pair to go clean and set the Great American Time to Beat at 42.840. They would eventually finish in fourth place as their time would prove to be no match for the "Master of Faster", Spooner. Macella O'Neill and her mount Rockstar were next to challenge Petersen's jump-off route. With two rails down and eight faults, the pair had to settle for sixth place.

Fifth to compete in the jump-off were Julia Koetting and her mount Chilara. The duo had eight faults and finished in eighth place.

The jump-off ended with four consecutive clear rounds, including Jennifer Crooks aboard SF Shakira who were sixth in the jump-off order. The pair stopped the clocks in 43.657, which earned them fifth place and $1,500 in prize money.

Spooner and Ezrah were next to show, and set the new Great American Time to Beat at 40.465 to eventually win the blue ribbon.

Ireland's Eddie Macken was next to go clear aboard his mount Tedechine Sept. The combination's time of 41.578 landed the duo in second place with a $5,500 check for owner Valerie Robinson.

Sitting in the desired last-to-go spot were Mandy Porter and Stairway. A clean round in 42.510 landed Porter and her ride in third place.

With the victory, Spooner 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. Spooner and Ezrah now round out the top ten in the standings with a total of $22,500 in prize money. The top 30 pairs based on prize money won on the 2008 HITS Desert Circuit will be invited to compete in the class.

Competition at HITS Thermal continues all weekend and features the final $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan on Friday, March 7. On Sunday, March 9 some of the top riders on the West Coast will shoot it out for the winners share in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Spooner plans to compete in the Friday's FEI class with two mounts, Apache and Ace. He also plans to show in Sunday's featured class.

"The circuit features some great prize money," said Spooner. "Time is running out, so I want to make sure I have every opportunity to take advantage of it."

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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