Richard Spooner couldn't catch his breath. The Indio Desert Circuit's all-time leading money winner had five mounts in the $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix, and he brought three into the jump-off. Quirino 3 delivered Spooner another victory, posting the jump-off's best time of 39.36. Ezrah also had a clean-round at 40.08 giving him second place in the competition.

His third mount, Airtime, smacked into jump 12, a white and blue vertical jump near the end of the course, leaving him sixth. In the opening round, Robinson and Live Fire each made him happy, too.

Jenn Serek and Shin Shin also posted a clean round in the jump-off but her time of 43.08 was well off Spooner's pace, but still good enough for third place. Mark Watring aboard Brilliant also completed the jump-off without knocking down a rail, but a time fault cost them a clear round. He completed the round in 48.16 and grabbed fourth place. Jill Henselwood and Black Ice also posted a clean opening round, and she went for it in the jump-off. Her time was super fast, actually too fast approaching the jump-off's last obstacle, and she settled for the fastest four fault score and fifth place the Ariat Grand Prix.

The winner of last Friday's $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix, John Pearce couldn't get out of the first round with either Archie Bunker or Uriso, but he was pleased with what he saw from the in-gate Sunday afternoon, as he got an up-close look at Susan Artes' fault aboard Presto B that handed him the $75,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Once Presto B took down jump six, it sealed the deal for Pearce. Pearce, who said he always watches the jump-off, was one of six riders to go clear in a round of nine aboard the eventual champion Uriso. His time of 36.20 just nicked Will Simpson and Boxster, who cleared the final jump at 36.80.

Spooner kicked off the intense jump-off aboard Live Fire, posting a clean round of 37.72, telling the rest of the field if they wanted the cash they better come get it from him. Fellers' time of 37.30 pushed Spooner off the pace as McGuinness had a short-lived lead. However, if he had taken Pearce's advice, he may have captured the blue ribbon.

Pearce, who arrived in Indio one month before the 2006 Desert Circuit began, told Fellers that he may want to put studs in McGuinness' shoes to help with the footing. Fellers didn't listen and had some trouble negotiating a few turns that seemingly cost him the time needed to beat the winning run.

The win is Pearce's second on the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit. In week one's $30,000 Ariat Grand Prix he rode Champagne to victory.

The $75,000 HITS Grand Prix was the first of four World Cup U.S. West Coast League qualifiers held at the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit. With his fourth place finish, Spooner gains 15 points to remain on top of the leaderboard with 77 total points. Fellers' 17 points brings his total to 41 points and Simpson's 20 pull his tally to 30 points.

There are 11 total qualifiers for the U.S. West Coast League, with the top four riders advancing to April's World Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Currently, Spooner, Gabriella Salick, Joie Gatlin and Rebecca Hoffmann are in the top spots. The Bayer $75,000 Grand Prix on Feb. 12 marks the next qualifier.

For complete horse show results please visit www.hitsshows.comwww.hitsshows.com.


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