Claudia Colo of Stand & Deliver Farm announced that registered Irish Draught stallion The King of Hearts was recently awarded Mid-Circuit Champion and Reserve Circuit Champion for Level 6 Jumpers at the HITS 2007 Desert Circuit Show in Thermal, CA.

During the six-week long grueling competition against the best West Coast horses and riders, The King of Hearts and noted grand prix rider Hap Hansen competed in the Level 6 Jumping Classes, each averaging from 60-80 horse-and-rider combinations. By the time the dust had settled and the show was finished, The King of Hearts and Hansen had won Mid-Circuit Champion and Reserve Circuit Champion in Level 6 Jumpers.

Colo, manager of the stallion, is absolutely thrilled with his performance, but not surprised with this accomplishment. “Both the owners and I believe in this stallion because he has that hard-to-find combination of natural desire to jump competitively, an incredible heart that gives when asked and athletic jumping ability. After 25 years in the breeding business, what does surprise me about this stallion is how The King of Hearts is consistently passing on these positive traits to his sons and daughters, including the recently approved registered Irish Draught sport horse stallion Jack of Hearts, who is currently in training for competing in the five-year-old jumping championships during the 2007 competition season.”

Look for The King of Hearts and his son Jack of Hearts to continue performing well in jumping competitions during the 2007 season.

The King of Hearts is owned by pro football legend Joe Montana and his wife Jennifer, who imported the stallion after discovering him while on a trip to Ireland. He is currently standing at Stand & Deliver Farm in Calistoga, which is owned and managed by Colo. For more information, visit www.kingofheartsstud.com. ~~~