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Canadian Rider Mario Deslauriers Wins The $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix

Ocala, FL (February 28, 2003)—Mario Deslauriers partnered with Kathleen, an eight-year-old Holsteiner mare owned by Silver Oak Farm, to win Thursday's $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix. Deslauriers and Kathleen placed second in the $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix held during Week II of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The pair also won the season's opening $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix. Deslauriers has been chosen as a team member to represent Canada in the upcoming Samsung Nations' Cup, and he is preparing Kathleen for that competition. Judging by their performance over the past four weeks, the duo seem ready for the challenge.

Tracy Fenney advanced to the jump-off with two mounts, Naboo and Grace, and it was on Naboo that she secured second place. Aaron Vale rode Picasso for third place, the same placing the pair achieved in last week's $25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix.

Thirty-two horse/rider combinations took to the field in the $25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix. Anthony D'Ambrosio set a challenging 13-obstacle course that narrowed the field to seven riders. Tracy Fenney and Naboo were the first to attempt the seven-fence jump-off course. The pair had a four-fault performance, and clocked in with a very fast time of 39.63 seconds establishing the Great American Insurance Companies Time To Beat—a time that gave them second place. Sulu Rose and Cool Waters were next to ride. The pair had four faults in a time of 43.42 seconds—good enough for fourth place. Derek Petersen and Promised Land dropped the first rail at the double and the final fence to deliver an eight-fault performance in a time of 38.92 seconds. Aaron Vale and Picasso also had the first rail at the double, crossing the line in 40.74 seconds to secure third place. Mario Deslauriers was the last to ride and for this veteran Grand Prix rider this was an excellent position to be in. Deslauriers saw the difficulties experienced by the previous six riders and set his sights on a clear round. Kathleen showed her agility as Deslauriers guided her through the course, leaving all the rails up and posting a time of 45 seconds.

The second Grand Prix event of the week will take place on Sunday, March 2nd at 2 PM. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping as riders compete for top honors in the $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix.


$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix - Thursday, February 27, 2003
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit IV - Ocala, FL
Anthony D'Ambrosio, Mt. Kisco, NY: Course Designer

Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd 1 Faults Rd 2 Faults JO Time
1st Kathleen Mario Deslauriers Silver Oak Stables $7,500 0 0 45
2nd Naboo Tracy Fenney Tracy Fenney $5,500 0 4 39.63
3rd Picaso Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $3,250 0 4 40.74
4th Cool Waters Sulu Rose The Galloping Field $2,000 0 4 43.42
5th Karat Jonathon Millar Mr. & Mrs. Don Stewart Jr. $1,500 0 4 44.13
6th Promised Land Derek Petersen Derek / Anita Peterson $1,250 0 8 38.92
7th Grace Tracy Fenney Hidden Lakes Farm $1,000 0 8 42.06
8th Snepts Courtney Phibbs Court-Lin-Frae Farm $750 0 18 61.71
9th S&L Willie Tracy Fenney Tracy Fenney $750 1
10th Ears To You Callan Solem Quiet Winter Farm $500 4
11th Big Sir Mario Deslauriers Mario Deslauriers Inc $500 4
12th Jasmijn Ian Millar Susan Grange / Lothlorien Farm $500 4


UPCOMING EVENTS DATE TIME

$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix Sunday, March 2 2:00pm
$25,000 HITS Ocala Grand Prix Thursday, March 6 2:00pm
$100,000 Volvo Grand Prix Sunday, March 9 2:00pm



Website: www.HitsShows.com

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