An abundance of high-performance riders will call HITS Culpeper home this week as show jumping for the United States Grand Prix League (USGPL) Finals began on September 24 with the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix taking the stage on Sunday.

Headlining the feature class is Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood who comes to the USGPL Finals with the Silver medal she earned as a member of Team Canada during the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Hong Kong. The well-decorated grand prix rider won the Invitational last year aboard Black Ice. It's expected that she will be in the irons aboard her other grand prix mount, Special Ed, for this year's installment of the big grand prix class that closes out the season at HITS Culpeper.

Henselwood is going to have to tangle with the likes of three-time Invitational champion Aaron Vale and this year's USGPL leading rider Patty Stovel, as well as Callan Solem, Tracy Fenney and Tracy Magness, if she is going to take the first-place check of over $30,000 back to Canada with her.

Other grand prix riders expected to show this week include Michelle Spadone, Laura Linback, Kristen Vanderveen, Mary Lisa Leffler, Eliza Ferguson Shuford, Laura Bowery, Henrik Gundersen, Roberto Teran, Sulu Rose-Reed, Derek Petersen, Mike McCormick, Kelley Robinson, Melissa Rudershausen, Megan Edrick, Chuckie Waters, Matt Hollberg and Ian Silitch.

The Invitational will take place after the presentation of the Grand Circuit Champion Awards for 60 divisions in the majestic grand prix ring. For the current circuit award standings, visit www.hitsshows.com/2008/circuitstandings/va_2026.html. The SHALANNO Style of Riding Award Perpetual Trophy will also be presented prior to the Invitational to the junior jumper rider who best exemplifies the American style of equitation as modeled by Olympic medalists Joe Fargis, Conrad Homfeld and George Morris. The award recipient must have the respectful, dignified, courteous and workmanlike manner of a true sportsman. Kylie Wright and Ramsey Carter are two front runners to take home the award this year.

The prestigious week of show jumping will feature a full schedule of classes, including the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic, $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Classic, $25,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic, $25,000 Devoucoux Wild Card Grand Prix and the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.