Saugerties, NY - Sunday’s Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix was an epic show jumping event that has sent waves of excitement throughout the world. When HITS announced its intentions to host a million dollar grand prix class as the finale to its 2010 show season, reactions ranged from excitement to disbelief since a purse of that size had never been offered before, especially in the United States.

Fast forward one year and reactions following Sunday’s superb grand finale are squarely in the camp of pure thrill and excitement now that show-jumping history was made right here in the United States. The line-up of riders who qualified, and the small handful that were lucky enough to be extended a manager’s pick, will forever cement the Pfizer Million in their career highlights. For those who were there to watch, or who were following along online, the event was truly one in a million.

HITS pulled out all the stops, engaging Olympic Course Designer Steve Stephens, Olympic Course Decorator Flora Baptiston, the legendary voice of show jumping, Peter Doubleday, and capped it all off with a concert by another legendary voice, John Fogerty, for its inaugural Pfizer Million.

U.S. Olympian and highly accomplished equestrian Michael Page was one of the honored guests who enjoyed watching the Pfizer Million from the comfort of the HITS VIP Chalet.

“Having been exposed to six Olympic Games and being one of the old-timers in the sport, the thing that struck me the most is that all the riders participating understood what an impact this event had on the sport. There we were in Saugerties, and all the things that Tom and HITS have done over the years led to this wonderful moment. This event epitomized what American show jumping could, and should, be. Everything from the quality of the course and venue, to the quality of the riders and horses, to the quality of the presentation was just splendid. I thought it was wonderful that the world had an opportunity to either watch or participate in the highest level of show jumping. The fact that this class took place in the United States, let alone in Saugerties, was just incredible. For the first time in the history of show jumping you didn’t need to travel out of the country to see the world’s biggest event."

Page went on to state, "What happened here on Sunday was unique and special. Only Tom could have created and executed this event to a level of perfection. And to have three of the riders competing in the Pfizer Million who will represent our country at the WEG truly spoke of the standard and level of this event. I was impressed with all the riders who qualified and stepped up to compete in this class. Obviously McLain [Ward] and Sapphire are the best in the world and to have them win this class was a perfect fit. But beyond that, everyone really brought their A-game. Charlie [Jayne] is always impressive, John [Pearce], Duncan [McFarlane] on an eight-year-old horse, Mario [Deslauriers], Jill [Henselwood], and the three young girls; Jessica [Springsteen], Saer [Coulter], and Katie [Dinan] really looked liked they belonged there. The top 20 were all very deserving winners."

Ralph Caristo of Glenview Stables was in the audience and completely captivated by what he saw taking place. "I’ll be frank; this was the biggest thrill I’ve ever had watching a jumping class knowing that it was for a million dollars. I hope everyone realizes what Tom Struzzieri and HITS have done for this industry, and for our sport. I’ve heard from friends and colleagues all over the world, and everyone agrees it was just extraordinary. My wife Holly and I enjoyed every minute of it. It was the Super Bowl of show jumping!"

Caristo and his wife Holly are very involved in the Zone II Young Riders and Prix d’Etats and were very proud to see members of their group have success in the Pfizer Million. "We were thrilled to see two of our young riders from Zone II, Jessica Springsteen and Katie Dinan, earn ribbons in this incredible class," added Caristo.

While Page and Caristo had ringside seats along with thousands of other fans who were onsite to watch, more than 13,000 viewers tuned in from around the world to watch live coverage from the team at Equestrian Life, who brought their state-of-the-art, high-definition cameras to capture each jump and each roar of the crowd.

“The world was literally watching on Sunday," said Scot Evans, Equestrian Life Commentator who called all the action, live with co-anchor and equestrian Darragh Kenny of Ireland. "The amount of feedback and interaction we experienced during the broadcast was just astounding. For the world to watch as the United States made history with this event and to see our American riders on their way to the WEG was just unbelievable. It was by far the most global response we’ve had to a broadcast. In addition to more than 10,000 individual streams from the United States, we also had people tuning in from Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, France, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands and Spain."

Accomplished equestrian Betty Oare was part of the on-line viewing audience who participated in the live chat taking place during the Pfizer Million broadcast. "Thanks for the wonderful opportunity for all of us to watch an amazing event! History was made today, you two were super with great information on riders and horses. Again, thanks to all for a great class. I never moved away from my computer for the entire class."

According to Evans, Oare’s remark about being glued to the screen was not an uncommon occurrence for the Pfizer Million broadcast. "We saw some remarkable lengths of engagements, which just shows the interest and support pouring in from the equestrian community for the riders, horses, and HITS."

According to early data from Equestrian Life, its Pfizer Million coverage has been replayed more than 10,000 times since Sunday and is also being shared through social networking channels like YouTube and Facebook, which are helping to drive incremental reach and exposure.

The fabulous inaugural Pfizer Million drew top-caliber equestrians from around the United States and the world, as riders had been working to qualify for this event since January. In the end, the top 20 finishers included a healthy mix of both American and International riders.

With McLain Ward and Sapphire taking the first-place honors and Charlie Jayne and Athena finishing in second, Canadian John Pearce was the top international finisher in third place, while fellow Canadian Jill Henselwood was the top female finisher in seventh place.

New Zealand’s Duncan McFarlane finished the day in eighth place thanks to a fantastic round aboard Simone Coxe’s eight-year-old Mr. Whoopy. "We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and it was certainly worth the trip from the West Coast. The course was demanding, the footing was super and the jumps were spectacular. I was in Athens in 2004, and, I have to say, this event was comparable to that in regard to the jumps and visual quality of the course. I couldn’t be happier with how Mr. Whoopy performed. He’s only eight, so we were a little concerned this would be over his head, but he really stepped up to the challenge and it was great move for his career. All of our customers really enjoyed the event and everyone that rides with us wants to come back next year in full force. We are going to make it a main focus of our year. It was truly a top-notch event."

Germany’s Andre Thieme and his mount Aragon Rouet spent their winter showing in the United States at HITS Ocala and Thermal in order to qualify, returned home to Germany, and then traveled back from Europe just for the Pfizer Million. The pair finished in ninth place and took home $15,000. "I think our experience was a little different, since we took such a risk to fly the horses over for this event. But, in the end, I have to say I really enjoyed the class and it was worth the risk. My country’s team understood that this was a big deal and fully supported my desire to go for it. I’ve heard from several friends and big riders who watched it on the internet, and they all agreed it was worth my effort. I really hope to qualify again and will plan to be in Ocala for the winter in order to do so."

Thieme’s participation in the Pfizer Million was big news back in Germany and a film crew from Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) followed him to Saugerties to shoot a 30-minute documentary which will air on German TV sometime this fall.

Great Britain’s Helen McNaught also had some European media attention with Suzanne Jones from Horse and Hound Magazine, who made the trip to the United States to cover McNaught’s Pfizer Million experience for fans back home in the UK. "My friends who came to watch me ride felt that the Pfizer Million was on a par with anything they have ever been to. HITS did a great job generating an audience for the class by bringing together a diverse and energetic crowd. Of course I would have been happier to be in the top 10, but I’m delighted with the way my horse went. It was a thrill to participate and we hope to be back for it again. I hope now that everyone has seen what this event turned out to be that even more people will support it."

A Season and a Weekend to Remember
It’s been a long road to the Pfizer Million and thanks to the tremendous support from HITS sponsors and customers, the 2010 season was a great success. Support for the Pfizer Million reached beyond Pfizer Animal Health and included the backing from other great sponsors and brands.

Earlier this year, Purina Mills, the Official Feed of HITS Shows, brought some additional excitement to all the Pfizer Million buzz when they announced their "Win a Free Ride to the Pfizer Million" contest. Spectators and equestrians from coast to coast entered their contest and on September 3, a winner was announced.

Linda Dysinger of Farwell, MI, was selected from hundreds of entries that were submitted from January through the end of August from all over the country and Canada. Dysinger and her best friend arrived, in style, for the Pfizer Million Weekend thanks to Adriano Limousine and they enjoyed four-star treatment during their stay in the Hudson Valley. They dined at Le Canard Enchaine in Kingston, and enjoyed the local restaurant favorites, Mirabella and Stella’s Station. They were treated to a lovely stay at the famous Beekman Arms and simply raved about the entire experience. Dysinger said she plans on watching all the riders again this winter in Ocala.

Arenus presented their Performance and Conditioning Award to McLain Ward and Rothchild, and Catena presented Margie Engle with a stunning diamond timepiece for winning this season’s HITS-on-the-Hudson Leading Grand Prix Rider Award. New sponsor Odor-No-More’s Jeffrey Wallace flew in from California to present all the qualified Pfizer Million riders with a beautiful cooler in honor of their efforts, as well as a free product samples.

Pfizer Animal Health employees and guests were treated to a special course walk by Olympian McLain Ward. "It was such a treat for all of us to hear him explain the complexities and elements of this historic course. We all really enjoyed it!" said Kristen Ruff, Pfizer Animal Health.
the buzz from the Pfizer Million continues to penetrate the show jumping world, HITS Management is already fast at work gearing up for its winter show season and intends to announce all the exciting plans for 2011 very soon. The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit kicks off January 19 and runs through March 20. On the west coast, the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California will take place January 25, through March 13, while the HITS Arizona Winter Circuit will run six consecutive weeks from February 2, through March 13.

All HITS Winter Circuit Prize Lists will be available by mid-to-late October. To request a prize list, please visit HitsShows.com.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on September 12, in Saugerties, New York.

Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix
PLACING HORSE OWNER RIDER PRIZE
MONEY RD 1
FAULTS JO
FAULTS JO
TIME
1 Sapphire McLain Ward & Blue Chip Bloodstock McLain Ward $350,000 0 0 44.200
2 Athena The London Group Charlie Jayne $200,000 0 4 44.782
3 Chianto Forest View Farm John Pearce $120,000 1
4 Lazaro Jordan Coyne Derek Petersen $100,000 4
5 Armani Abigail Wexner & Triton Ventures Farm, Inc.
Jeffery Welles $75,000 4
6 Urico Jane Clark Mario Deslauriers $40,000 4
7 Bottom Line Bradon Construction Jill Henselwood $30,000 4
8 Mr. Whoopy Simone Coxe Duncan McFarlane $20,000
9 Aragon Rouet Andre Thieme Andre Thieme $15,000 4
10 Pavarotti Todd Minikus, LTD. Todd Minikus $10,000 4
11 VDL Torlando Torlando Group Callan Solem $7,500 4
12 Vent Du Nord Kate Levy, LLC. Kate Levy $4,500 8
13 Caballo Helen McNaught Helen McNaught $3,500 8
14 Top Gun Iron Horse Farm Kent Farrington $3,500 8
15 Paparazzi 10 Thinkslikeahorse Aaron Vale $3,500 8
16 Skara Glen's Davos Skara Glen Stables Candice King $3,500 8
17 MTM Timon MTM Farm Tracy Fenney $3,500 8
18 Southern Pride Blair Cudmore Karen Cudmore $3,500 8
19 Vornado Van Den Hoendrik Stone Hill Farm Jessica Springsteen $3,500 9
20 Amoroso Grant Road Partners Katie Dinan $3,500 10
ENDS