September 6, 2006

Laura Chapot Lands a 1-2 Finish in the $50,000 Tavern on the Green Catering Grand Prix Aboard Little Big Man and Samantha at HITS Saugerties

Saugerties, NY - September 4, 2006 - Laura Chapot certainly saved her best for last, as she delivered the perfect 1-2 punch riding Little Big Man, and Samantha to a first and second place finish respectively in Sunday's $50,000 Tavern on the Green Catering Grand Prix concluding week VII at HITS Saugerties.

Chapot also won the $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grand Prix on July 23 aboard Little Big Man. The duo has a long history together. She bought him as a four-year-old and over time has turned him into a successful Grand Prix mount. When asked if she saw his potential early on, Chapot answered, "You never know how a horse is going to turn out and if it will go on to become a Grand Prix horse, but from the first time I saw him I knew he was a special horse."

Chapot 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 United States Grand Prix League horse/rider combinations. Chapot is currently third in the USGPL Standings, behind only Canadian Jill Henselwood and last years winner Aaron Vale.

A special $25,000 Wild Card Grand Prix on Friday, September 29 gives one more rider the chance to qualify for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix. The rider who finishes the highest and is not already qualified will earn a spot in the field.

Robert Ross got the jump-off that included six horses started aboard Henry Jota Romano. Ross had only one rail down and his four-fault score of 48.575 was good enough for sixth place for Joe Zada & Romance Farm, Inc. Katy Levy was next aboard Vent Du Nord. The horse/rider combination set the Great American Time to Beat at 41.183 with their clear round.

Thanks to Chapot, Levy's time wouldn't be the fastest for long. Chapot and Little Big Man completed course designer Jerry Dougherty's jump-off course in 39.248 shattering the Great American Time to Beat."It seemed like we were just gliding over the jumps," said Chapot. "When I looked up at my time and saw I was under 40 seconds I knew we had a great chance of winning."

Michelle Spadone and Melisimo were the next to pass the course designer's test. The horse/rider combination made it all the way home clear but Spadone's time of 43.760 was well off Chapot's pace. Mark Jungherr and Olinoeska also went clear but his time of 44.911 was only good enough for fifth place for owners Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters.

Last to go was Chapot aboard Samantha. Her time of 40.123 wasn't quite fast enough to beat her time aboard Little Big Man but she certainly gave it her best shot scoring the 1-2 finish and $26,000 in prize money. "Little Big Man is just a bit faster," said Chapot. "I was pushing Samantha and she just missed winning. However, I am thrilled that both of my horses performed so well today. It was a great way to end the circuit in Saugerties and I am looking forward to the USGPL Finals in Culpeper."

Show Jumping at HITS Culpeper resumes at the USGPL Finals on September 27, featuring the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic, the $15,000 Junior/A-O Jumper Low Classic, the $25,000 Junior/AO Jumper High Classic, the $25,000 Wild Card Grand Prix and the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix in its final week in Culpeper. There is no question that this prestigious event saves the best for last, as the lineup includes $175,000 in prize money for special classes alone.

The USGPL Finals will be the last HITS Horse Show before HITS switches to International Surfaces Group (ISG) footing at most of its locations. ISG is proudest of its revolutionary dust-free footing that allows horses to compete under a wide range of weather conditions while minimizing the risk of injury.

For more information about show jumping at HITS Saugerties as well as all other HITS venues call 845.246.8833 or visit the HITS website www.HitsShows.com.

$50,000 Tavern on the Green Catering Grand Prix, September 4, 2006

Placing Horse - Rider- Owner - Prize Money - Rd 1 Faults - JO Faults - JO Time
1 Little Big Man - Laura Chapot - Laura Chapot - $15,000 - 0 - 0 - 39.24
2 Samantha - Laura Chapot - Sundance Group - $11,000 - 0 - 0 - 40.12
3 Vent Du Nord- Kate Levy - Kate Levy - $6,500 - 0 - 0 - 41.18
4 Melisimo - Michelle Spadone - Morgan Hill Partners, LLC - $4,000 - 0 - 0 - 43.76
5 Olinoeska - Mark Jungherr - Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Waters - $3,000 - 0 - 0 - 44.91
6 Henry Jota Romona - Robert Ross -Joe Zada/Romance Farm, Inc. - $2,500 - 0 - 4 - 48.57

OTHER MAJOR AWARDS AT HITS SAUGERTIES INCLUDED:

• HBO Junior Medal: Kaelin Tully, Sea Cliff, NY
• HBO Adult Medal: Ari Abboud, Bedford, NY
• HBO Child Medal-Horse: Lili Abboud, Bedford, NY
• HBO Child Pony Medal-: Diane DeCastro, Ridgewood, NJ
• Farnum Adult Hunter (18-35): Prima Donna, ridden and owned by Aly Haug, Manhasset, NY
• Farnum Adult Hunter (36-45): Three Cheers, ridden and owned by Evelyn Constantino, Salt Point, NY
• Farnum Adult Hunter (46&over): Romance, ridden and owned by Lisa E. Wentworth, Granby, MA
• Adequen Open Hunter: Dark Skys, ridden by David Connors and owned by Carol Stillwell, Edison, NJ
• M&S Children's Hunter Wild Card: New Recruit, ridden and owned by Gabriella Cataldo, Massapequa, NY
• M&S Children's Jumper Wild Card: Koko, ridden and owned by Holly Cerasano, Stillwater, NY
• M&S Adult Hunter Wild Card: Romance, ridden and owned by Lisa E.Wentworth, Granby, MA
• M&S Adult Jumper Wild Card: Henry, ridden and owned by Judy Jacob Mcvey, New York, NY