Ten horses out of 36 starters advanced to the jump-off, with Gundersen stopping the clocks in the jump-off at 39.398 to secure the blue-ribbon. Six horses went double-clear, including the final five trips of the jump-off.

Gundersen left little room for suspense, as Laura Chapot and Samantha's time of 42.556 was nearly three seconds off the pace. Chapot won Sunday's $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grand Prix, presented by In the Woods Log Homes, aboard Little Big Man. Chapot grabbed second place on Thursday with Samantha securing $5,500 in prize money. Gundersen and Darvin Garbo also won the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on June 1, and have several other top finishes at HITS in 2006. 'I knew I had to go fast today because that was the only way to win with all the talented riders behind me," said Gundersen. "Luckily, my horse responded. He rarely lets me down" Darvin Garbo is a 10-year-old Warmblood owned by Gundersen and earned $7,500 in prize money with the triumph.

Margie Engle was third aboard Hidden Creek's Alibi. The rider with over $3 million in jumping prize money to her credit had the first perfect trip in the jump-off after the previous three horses faltered. She set the Great American Time to Beat at 44.100.

William Lowry passed Palacios' test, as Polygraaf went double-clear in 44.268. Lowry and Polygraaf won the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix on May 25 and took home fourth today. The star-studded cast of riders in the jump-off continued, as Todd Minikus and Pavorotti went clear in 45.519, a time that was good enough for fifth place. Indy Star II and Laura Bowery were the last horse/rider combination to make it through clean in the jump-off. They finished with a time of 48.375 and won $1,250 for sixth place. Olympian McLain Ward took Sapphire into the jump-off but a single rail down pushed him into seventh place. Ward was also 11th on Larioso. Both horses are owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock.

Another notable finisher was junior rider Addison Phillips, who is becoming a household name at HITS Saugerties. She is 17 and won the 2006 USHJA Hunterdon Cup, presented by World Equestrian Brands on Tuesday at the USEF Junior Hunter Finals at HITS. In the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, Phillips finished 10th aboard her Grand Prix Horse, Trezebees.

Palacios credits a talented cast of riders for making it an exciting jump-off. "I am very happy with the end result today," he said. "I was looking to have 8-10 go clean in the first round. We had 10 come back and that's exactly what I was aiming for."

Gundersen earned some valuable points with the win as every grand prix at all HITS horse shows, including HITS Saugerties and HITS Culpeper is a qualifier for the United States Grand Prix League Finals. The finals for the league will be held in Culpeper on October 1, where $100,000 in prize money will be on the line. The event is limited to the top 30 riders in the United States Grand Prix League standings.

Show Jumping at HITS Saugerties continues Wednesday through Sunday with competitions in up to 10 show rings. Week V culminates Sunday, July 30 with the $75,000 RV In The Woods Log Home Grand Prix, presented by RV Sales of Broward. On Saturday, HITS hosts Sweets of the Hudson Valley, presented by Stella's Station from noon - 2PM. For more information please call 845.246.8833 during the week and 845.246.8833 on weekends or visit the HITS website www.HitsShows.com.

When you visit the show grounds, be sure to shop at the two permanent vendor buildings and the more traditional Vendor Courtyard that form the HITS Saugerties Mall that features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art, photography, souvenirs and an ice cream parlor, serving Starbucks Coffee with wireless Internet access.

$25,000 HITS Grand Prix, Thursday July 27, 2006