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Fentastic! Tracy Fenney and Grace Win the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

March 7, 2008

Ocala, FL --- Tracy Fenney continued her impressive run in the Grand Prix ring as she captured Thursday's $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

Fenney and her mount Grace had the quickest double-clear round on Canadian builder Danny Foster's track to secure $7,500 in prize money for Hidden Lakes Farm. She outlasted 27 pairs in the first round and eight in the jump-off to score her second consecutive Grand Prix victory aboard Grace. It was also her fourth Grand Prix triumph since arriving at the 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

"It's actually getting pretty hard to believe," said Fenney. "Everything seems to be going right for me in the Grand Prix ring. I hope it carries over into next week during Sunday's $100,000 class."

"Danny Foster set a perfect course for a Thursday Grand Prix," continued Fenney. "He had eight clear and that's a perfect number. He is a world-class course designer."

"From what I understand, she is on one heck of a roll," said Foster. "I have only been here for a couple of days, but I can certainly see it. Tracy Fenney is on fire!"

First to go in the jump-off were Laura Linback and her mount Asdi Villagana. The Illinois native set the Great American Time to Beat at 42.503 with a clear effort. They would eventually finish in fourth place for Woodrun

Second to challenge Foster's route were Manuel Torres and his mount Chambacunero. The combination went clear and quickly pushed Linback and her mount off the top of the mountain when they set the new Great American Time to Beat at 40.961. They would finish the class in second place and take home a $5,500 check.

Next in the order were Fenney and Grace. They established the new leading time when they stopped the clocks in 40.120 to take a lead that they would not relinquish.

"With Callan Solem and Aaron Vale behind me, I knew I had to go really fast," said Fenney. "I put the pedal to the metal and came away with the fastest time."

Fourth to compete in the jump-off were Aaron Vale and his mount Sinatra. One rail down landed the pair in seventh place. Vale was also 11th aboard Be Lucky. Next to show were Tracy Magness and her mount Tarco Van Ter Moude. With two Grand Prix wins under her belt already during the 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, Magness would have to settle for fifth place in Thursday's featured class as, this time around, the pair had four faults.

Sixth in the jump-off round were Alex Granato and Mad Season. Eight faults landed the pair in eighth place. Finally, sitting in the enviable last-to-ride spot were Callan Solem and Mianta. This duo also has two Grand Prix wins to their credit, but despite going clean they couldn't stop the clocks fast enough. Their time of 41.352 would only be enough for a third-place finish this time around.

Show jumping at HITS Ocala continues all weekend and will feature the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix, presented by Bel~Lago on Sunday, March 9. Also on Sunday, Superior Landscape, HITS Ocala's Official Landscaping Partner and sponsor, will present the winner of the 2008 HITS Ocala Tack Room Competition. Sunday's featured VIP Luncheon is presented by Felix's restaurant.

The Ocala Tournament features several fun out-of-ring activities this weekend. On Friday, March 7 a Golf Swing Clinic & Spa Experience sponsored by Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club took place at the HITS Restaurant from 12-12:30 with Golden Ocala's Head Golf Professional Jay Kragh and Golf Director Mike Cooney covering the basic fundamentals of golf: grip, stance, posture, back swing and down swing. The clinic was followed by a question and answer session about the golf swing and golf at Golden Ocala. Two fitness instructors were on hand to demonstrate fitness strengthening exercises and massage modalities specific to fitness conditioning. Participants received free spa products compliments of Golden Ocala.

On Friday night, the HITS Ocala Star Search comes to Post Time Farm. The event will take place at the HITS Restaurant starting at 6 pm and will include pizza courtesy of Mona's Monograms, Wild Horses LTD,Toad Hall, Bead by Bead and Tenney's Custom Saddlery. A select panel of judges, including Don Stewart, Mike McCormick and another surprise guest, will provide their words of encouragement as only horse trainers can as they judge the fun-filled competition. Lots of great prizes will be awarded and the winner will have the opportunity to sing the National Anthem before this Sunday's $50,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix, presented by Bel~Lago .

Also on the agenda for the Ocala Tournament is an Evening in Tuscany at Bel~Lago. Breathtaking rolling acreage framed by majestic, towering oaks and crystal lakes surrounding fabulous Tuscan-inspired homes make Bel~Lago an oasis in Ocala. Bel~Lago will be hosting this special by-invitation-only HITS reception, including bar and hors d'oeuvres from 6 pm - 10 pm on Saturday, March 8. Please see Lisa Engel or email Lisa@HitsShows.com to request an invitation.

Then on Sunday, March 9 HITS Ocala's first-ever World of the Horse event will take place at HITS Post Time Farm and HITS' Official Radio Station, Thunder Country WTRS 102.3, will be on-site doing a live broadcast. The World of the Horse event will feature numerous breeds of horses in a colorful parade sure to delight horse lovers of all ages. The event is scheduled to start prior to the $50,000 Strongid® C 2X™ Grand Prix, presented by Bel~Lago at approximately 1:30 pm.

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

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