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Katie Cook Sweeps the First Two Weeks of HITS Thermal

THERMAL, CA (February 1, 2014) – The pinto Oldenburg gelding, Symphony, has quickly gone from catch ride to dream horse for Katie Cook of Newport Beach, California. Cook had never sat on Symphony, owned by Amy Knox, before she arrived at HITS Thermal, but the two have become fast friends, jumping to three blue ribbons during Week I and winning the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix on Friday for the second week in a row.

Knox has owned the gelding, who is now 10, for three years and rode him in equitation and children’s hunters before moving up to a bigger horse. “He is the sweetest horse I have every ridden,” said Knox. “He was the prefect horse for me to grow up with because he never once stopped with me, would leave from anywhere and was so forgiving. He gave me so much confidence.”

Cook was sitting pretty after the first round with an 84 and was quick to agree with Knox regarding Symphony’s temperament. “I was super nervous this morning after seeing that the course was a little more challenging this week,” she said. “Some of the long 10 and 12-stride distances were really hard for me because I tend to psych myself out, but he was right there the whole time, just like he always is.”

“They are the perfect pair,” said Knox of Symphony and Cook. “I love how great they are doing – it’s really fun to watch him going well for another rider. Katie is an amazing rider, but I always knew that he had it in him.”

After leading the field into the second round, Symphony and Cook posted a 79 to finish with a final score of 163 and the win.

“I need to buy lottery tickets,” Cook said in reaction to the possibility of making Symphony hers. “I would die to own that horse – he gives 100% every time and never lets me down, leaving it up to me to make it smooth and nice.”

Behind Cook, Jaime Xie of Atheron, California piloted Robert Gabriel’s CR Carolato II to second place. Their scores of 78 and 80 combined for a 158. Third went to Heidi Kane of Newport Beach, California on her own Samba Gracious with scores of 72 and 85, respectively. Jerrie Calandra of Encinitas, California was fourth aboard Wonderwall for owner Moonlite Beach, LLC. They rode to a 154, while owner/rider Emma Townsend of Sacramento, California jumped CR Haribo to a 151 and capped the top five.

As Cook continues to collect blue ribbons at the HITS Desert Circuit, including two in the Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final qualifiers, she is growing increasingly more excited about a possible appearance at the HITS Championship. “I would love to make it to Saugerties – I have never shown on the East Coast,” she said.

The Platinum Performance $250,000 Hunter Prix Final will take place during the HITS Championship September 5-7 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About Platinum Performance
Platinum Performance provides more than 10 supplements essential to your horse’s health and conditioning in just one scoop. Platinum Performance Equine addresses a horse’s total body health from joint and hoof care to athletic performance and coat health, and is the 2014 sponsor of the $250,000 Hunter Prix Final and all qualifiers. For more information on Platinum Performance, visit platinumperformance.com.

Two in a Row for John French, Eyes $500,000 Final
John French of Woodside, California rode Soldier to a win last week in the $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and put up a repeat performance on Friday, this time aboard Lee Kellogg Sadrian’s Comex Gold. They jumped to impressive scores of 91 and 90, to finish with a 181 for the win. Consistently smooth to every fence, Comex Gold and French topped a field of 48 contenders.

While winning is still a top priority, French has another goal in mind for HITS Thermal. A Devoucoux-sponsored rider himself, French had to sit out the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final last year due to injury, but is confident that he will be present at the HITS Championship at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York this year. Every Devoucoux Hunter Prix during the HITS Desert Circuit will serve as a qualifier for the HITS Championship.

The high score of the day was posted in the second round by Jenny Karazissis of Calabasas, California with a trip on Kelly Straeter’s undeniable. An 87.5 advanced them to the second round, but her 92 is what prompted celebration from the perimeter of the ring. She and Undeniable finished second.

Nick Haness of San Clemente, California dabbled in the 90s as well, earning a 91 in the second round with Krave, owned by Mountain Home. The score was combined with an 86.5 from the first round to settle them in third.

Marisa Metzger of Modesto, California rode Maillisko to fourth for owner Bailey Campbell, with scores of 85 and 88, respectively. Karazissis also capped the top five with Straeter’s Norwegian Wood after scores of 86 and 86.75.

About Devoucoux
Devoucoux, makers of fine French saddles, is proud to be the title sponsor of each and every qualifying Hunter Prix leading up to the phenomenal Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Devoucoux offers a wide range of saddles in many colors and sizes and matching accessories. Devoucoux craftsmen are devoted to creating beautiful products that reflect their obsession with quality and lovingly finished work. For more information on Devoucoux, visit devoucoux.com.

Ponies Shine in $1,000 Pony Hunter Prix
The jumps were lowered in the Outside Course at HITS Thermal on Friday and the spotlight was pointed to ponies. Twenty-three small, medium and large ponies carried their riders over an exciting course in the $1,000 Pony Hunter Prix. Alicia Hart of Calabasas, California was all smiles after she piloted her gray medium mare Maybelline to the top with scores of 85 and 83 in the two-round class.

Amber Ayyad of RCF, California rode her own Wish Me Luck to second with a total score of 163, while Emma Hansen of Canyon Country, California piloted her own My Little Romeo to a score of 161 and third place. Fourth was awarded to Kaitlyn Lovingfoss of Santa Clarita, California on her own Salt Water Taffy with a score of 160. Owner/rider Grace Tuton of Paradise Valley, Arizona capped the top five in the irons of Woodlands Huck Finn. They earned a score of 151.

The $1,000 Pony Hunter Prix will return to the desert during Week VI and welcome pony riders back to the Outside Course on March 7.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
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