Ocala, FL - The gift of warm weather, bright blue skies and outstanding competition have been the theme of this year's HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Last week's Ocala Masters marked the mid-way point of the six-week, AA-rated Circuit, and with just three more weeks of competition remaining, the Circuit is shaping up to be the one of the best yet.

Each week the Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 3'3" Hunter Prix Final continue to be the biggest attractions at HITS Post Time Farm. The first half of the circuit saw record-breaking numbers for both classes and there's no sign of letting up, as made evident by the strong numbers in the preliminary Rider Rankings for both year-end events.

The historic Pfizer Million took the equestrian industry by storm last year, and has inspired riders from around the world to be a part of history once again this year. This Pfizer Million fever has contributed to the swarm of High-Performance riders flocking to HITS Ocala to get an early jump on qualifying for this year's event.

Lots of new faces have emerged in the High-Performance winner's circle after each of the six Grand Prix at the AA-rated circuit, including today's brightest show-jumping stars. The preliminary Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings are dominated with HITS Ocala competitors, such as Maryland's Tracy Magness, who sits in the number two spot with six of the eight Grand Prix needed to become eligible and $23,750 in prize money aboard Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko's Tarco Van Ter Moude. North Carolina's Matthias Hollberg, aboard Apex Equestrian Center's Wadisson currently ranks fourth with three of the eight Grand Prix needed and $20,800 in prize money. The pair is enjoying a great season so far, with a string of second-place finishes as they continue their quest for a first-place victory.

After Sunday's win in the $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, Olympian Manuel Torres and TG Show Stables' Chambacunero entered the Rankings for the first time at number eight with $18,250 in prize money won. Fellow Ocala competitors Aaron Vale, Andre Thieme, Taylor McMurtry, Patty Stovel, Laura Linback, David Tromp, Silvio Mazzoni, Andres Rodriguez, David Beisel, Tracy Fenney, Harold Chopping, and Kent Farrington, all have spots in the current Rankings and will be names to watch in the coming weeks as the race to qualify heats up on the Road to the Pfizer Million.

As HITS Ocala goes into the homestretch, six Grand Prix remain this winter, including the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, on Sunday, March 20. Last year it was Texas' Tracy Fenney who took home the top honors in that class and used the first-place cash to propel herself near the top of the Rankings.

Devoucoux Hunter Prix Energizes the Sport

The introduction of the 3'3" Devoucoux Hunter Prix at all three HITS Winter Circuits has become a staple of the schedule, with each class serving as a qualifier for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. Each week, standout performers from the Professional, Junior, and Amateur ranks have found their way to the ribbons, with entries reaching as high as 70 per event.

It's clear that East Coast competitors are eager to qualify for this historic event, as the past three Devoucoux Hunter Prix at HITS Ocala have seen an outstanding amount of entries. Thanks to a couple of solid outings aboard Wilder Mountain Farm's Zivago, Mary Lisa Leffler of Brooksville, MD, enjoys the number two spot in the preliminary Diamond Mills Rider Rankings with two of the five Devoucoux classes needed to become eligible and 144 points. Cathy Inch of Ontario, Canada just claimed her fifth Devoucoux qualifier and is sitting pretty at number three with 135 points aboard her leading mount Katriina Ruotsalo's Rainier. Junior Callie Morgan Smith also has five Devoucoux qualifiers, and holds the number three spot in the Rankings with 129 points aboard her leading mount Sagaro, while Juniors Hasbrouck Donovan and Meg O'Mara also hold spots in the top 20. With two more Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers remaining at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and a full schedule of qualifiers offered at HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties this spring and summer, there are still plenty of opportunities for East Coast riders to make their way into the Rankings.

Catena Leading Rider Race Keeps on Ticking

Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude lead the way in the Catena Leading Rider Rankings. Silvio Mazzoni of Leesburg, Virginia and his own Remonta Habano have had an outstanding season so far, and sit comfortably in second. Rounding out the top three is Andres Rodriguez of Boca Raton, Florida and Andres Olivares' Davinci. This year's Catena Leading Rider will be crowned on Sunday, March 20, during the Parade of Champions and will receive a gorgeous diamond-faced watch courtesy of Catena USA.

$7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic

The $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner High Classic took place Sunday, and Junior Maria Van Buskirk of Chester, NJ, aboard her own VDL Theresa Lady took home the blue ribbon and $2,250 in prize money. Fellow Junior Callie Morgan Smith of Bernardsville, NJ, aboard Captain Krutzmann, owned by Smithfield Farms, LLC, came in second place, while Amateur Canadian Billie Derouet aboard her own Sweet Dreams placed third.

The Social Scene

HITS exhibitors have just as much fun out of the show ring as they do in it! This season's social calendar has featured some exciting events for all HITS horsemen to enjoy, with plenty more on the horizon. The annual Pfizer High-Performance Riders Reception took place last Thursday, where riders and their guests were treated to a fabulous dinner at Ipanema Brazilian Steakhouse. Riders were able to meet representatives from Pfizer Animal Health and enjoy dinner with friends in an intimate environment. Guests received Pfizer welcome bags complete with product samples and various items, courtesy of Pfizer Animal Health and select sponsors.

A parade of breeds trotted into the Grand Prix ring for the Annual World of the Horse exhibition which took place prior to Sunday's $50,000 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health. HITS' Official Radio Station, WTRS Thunder Country 102.3 FM, was also on-site for a special live-broadcast.

On Monday, February 28, the elegant Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club hosted the third annual HITS Ocala Golf Tournament. The beautiful sunny day allowed for a fun game of golf as teams of HITS exhibitors, friends and colleagues challenged each other on the golf course. After the game, all in attendance were treated to lunch and an awards presentation. The winners received an assortment of embroidered gifts, courtesy of Mona's Monograms, complimentary rounds of golf from hosts Golden Hills, and gift certificates to La Cuisine, Sonny's Bar-B-Q and Brook Ledge Horse Transportation.

Back in the Barns!

The second half of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit begins this week with the Ocala Tournament, as Short Stirrup to High-Performance riders call HITS Ocala home for the winter. The $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, takes place on Thursday, March 3; as well as the $50,000 Ring Power Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health and $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, both of which take place on Sunday, March 6.

ENDS