Jill Henselwood and Callisto Triumph in $75,000 King Shavings Grand Prix at Hits-on-the-Hudson

Saugerties, NY - August 11, 2004 - Jill Henselwood rode Callisto, owned by Juniper Farms Ltd., to the blue ribbon in the $75,000 King Shavings Grand Prix during week VI at HITS-on-the-Hudson. The Grand Prix attracted a field of 49 horse/rider combinations, and Henselwood was the only rider to post a double clear. Olympic veteran, Anne Kursinski, took second place with Eros, owned by The Eros Group. Jeffrey Welles and Armani, owned by Kimmel, Yager Equine LLC/Triton Ventures Farm took third place. Norman Dello Joio took fourth and fifth places with Peace Train and Sun God respectively. Peace Train is owned by Raining Stone Farm and Sun God is owned by Split Creek Farms.

The Grand Prix finished out an exciting week of showing at HITS-on-the-Hudson, the state-of-the-art New York show grounds designed and managed by Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS). Over the past six weeks, HITS-on-the-Hudson hosted exhibitors from all over the country, and the facility has already received many accolades. Former Olympian Michael Page who attended the circuit as a rider, trainer, and judge was most impressed with the footing. "Even in wet weather, the footing is absolutely first class. In a new facility from a horseman/trainer/rider perspective, the bottom-line is the footing. If the footing is good, then the horses will be happy and it's a great place to show."

Special activities highlight each Sunday of the circuit, and record crowds turned out for the annual Kid's Day event. Hundreds of children and their parents enjoyed a petting zoo, pony rides, and a bouncy house. Autograph hunters met with Joe Sinnott, the comic book artist who created Spiderman. Several lucky kids walked away with an original signed copy of the superhero. Artist Lorraine Herschkorn was on hand to draw caricatures and cartoons of the children, and The Art Lab offered them the opportunity to create their own original artwork on free t-shirts.

Many families also took in the action in the Grand Prix ring. Course designer Buddy Brown set a challenging first round course that whittled down a large field of 49 contestants to only six horses for the jump-off. With the first five riders posting faults, Jill Henselwood, the last in the order, had the opportunity to ride the course slow and careful. Her caution paid off with a clear round and the win.

Other major award winners at HITS-on-the-Hudson VI included:
Bayer Legend Leading Hunter Rider - Jen Alfano, Buffalo, NY
Bayer Legend Leading Jumper Rider - Todd Minikus, Wellington, FL
Charles Owen Adult Medal - Deirdre Catani, Duxbury, MA
Charles Owen Children's Medal (Pony) - Caitlin Watterson, Pound Ridge, NY
Charles Owen Children's Medal (Horse) - Lauren Cechini, Flemington, NJ
HBO Junior Medal - Casey Arndt-Hodges, Aiken, SC

$75,000 HITS-on-the-Hudson Grand Prix - Sunday, August 8, 2004
HITS-on-the-Hudson VI - Saugerties, NY
Buddy Brown, Bend, Oregon: Course Designer