PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 30, 2007

Culpeper, Virginia (April 30, 2007) - Eliza Ferguson Shuford certainly has "plenty" of reasons to celebrate, as she and her mount Plenty emerged victorious in Sunday's $50,000 EMO Grand Prix to conclude the Showday National Horse Show at HITS Culpeper.

Shuford and Plenty were the third team to tackle Danny Foster's jump-off course and stopped the clock at 41.789. Canadian Michael Grinyer and Moritze held the Great American Time to beat at 44.480, before Shuford shattered his time. He was also ninth aboard Garth. In all, he collected more than $12,000 in total prize money.

"I had a good feeling heading into the final jump that I had the time," said Shuford. "I heard the crowd yelling for me to go faster, so I pushed it and came away with the win. It was exactly how I wanted to start my spring. I am looking forward to a lot of success here in Culpeper and in Saugerties when those shows start next month."

"She dominated," said Foster. "It seems like she has a terrific horse that suits her well. It was a pretty technical course with complicated lines all around. But she certainly mastered it."

Foster filtered the field of 23 riders in the opening round down to a jump-off of six. Three pairs went double-clear, including Eliza Lehram and Ricardo T. They went first in the jump-off but the duo's time of 46.543 wouldn't keep them in the lead for long, especially when Grinyer entered the ring next. Lehram, who had the ride for Five Way Farm, LLC, finished in third place and collected $6,500 in prize money.

Robin Sweely had the envious last-to-ride position aboard Tinka's Lad. A rail down pushed her into fourth place for Acord Hill Farm. Also finishing with four faults in the jump-off were Peter Leone and Real Eagle. Their time of 44.622 resulted in a fifth-place finish and $3,000 in prize money for Lion Share Farm. Leone was also 10th aboard Candide. Jennifer Gray and Roxette Delores had eight jumping faults in the jump-off, as they finished in sixth place.

Another noteworthy finish came from Tracy Magness and her mount Tarco Van Ter Moude. Magness blossomed at HITS Ocala this winter and continues to stay hot as she finished eighth, collecting $1,500 in prize money for owners Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko. Look for Magness and other talented riders at HITS Saugerties on May 30 when the spring shows commence with three consecutive weeks of show jumping at the state-of-the-art equestrian facility, in Saugerties, New York.

The riders who competed in the Grand Prix class got a chance to tune up for the competition in the newly surfaced Grand Prix schooling ring, which features new footing. "The footing in the jumper schooling area is the best addition to the showgrounds that I have seen here in many years," said Gavin Moylen, who has 28 horses at HITS Culpeper. "It's a great complement to the footing that is in the Grand Prix ring. That footing is always in great condition."

"It was a perfect start for the series of shows. The weather was about 80 and close to perfect. When I drove onto the grounds the other day for the first time and saw the entrance with all the new landscaping, it proves that HITS is dedicated to the constant improvements at Commonwealth Park," continued Moylen.

According to Moylan, he saw some fresh faces at HITS Culpeper during the opening week. One of those faces includes Pam Baker, who came back to Commonwealth Park for the Commonwealth National Horse Show after not showing in Culpeper for a few years. "I love it here," said Baker. "It is right in my backyard and wouldn't miss a show here this season for any reason."

"I love Culpeper," said Foster. "We had a perfect first week. The jumps in the Grand Prix ring look great and the footing was just fantastic. I look forward to building at Culpeper every year."

Shuford earned some valuable points with this win as each Grand Prix at every HITS horse show, including HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties, is a qualifier for the United States Grand Prix League Finals. The Finals for the League will be held in Culpeper on September 30, when $100,000 in prize money will be on the line. The event is limited to the top-30 USGPL pairs. Shuford, who earned $15,000 in prize money, looks to earn even more points for the USGPL Finals when show jumping at HITS Culpeper resumes for the Showday National on July 11, followed by the Cavalier Classic on July 18.

The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 U.S. Cup, the grand finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park since 1998. Approximately $1 million in total prize money is offered at the six events.

In January 2006, HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidifies its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.

©Lili Weik Photography 07

Eliza Ferguson Shuford and Plenty seized the $50,000 EMO Grand Prix.

HITS CORPORATE OFFICE: HITS, Inc., 319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
phone 845.246.8833  fax 845.246.6371  www.HitsShows.com

Photos ©Lili Weik Photography 07