AARON VALE and ARRISCRAFT SOLIEL win $2,500 BROOKLEDGE OPEN WELCOME at HITS OCALA II

OCALA, FL (February 19, 2004)—

Aaron Vale, holder of the record for the most Grand Prix wins in a single year, rode Arriscraft Soliel owned by Angelstone Farm to victory in the $2,500 Brookledge Open Welcome at HITS Ocala II. Vale also placed fifth aboard Romulus, owned by Town Creek Investment.

The competition attracted a field of thirty-seven horse/rider combinations. Leopoldo Palacios of Caracas, Venezuela, was the course designer for the class, which was held in the Grand Prix field. For Round One, Palacios built an 11-jump course that included two double combinations. Time allowed was set at 78 seconds. There were 12 clear rounds over the course. The six-jump short course had time allowed set at 54 seconds and also included two double combinations.

Vale was the first to post a double-clear aboard Romulus. His lead-time was soon bested by Erynn Ballard aboard Esprit D'Amour when the pair crossed the timers in 36.89 seconds to finish in fourth place. Beth Underhill and Magdaline further whittled down the time to post 36.41 seconds on the clock. The pair placed second in the competition. Vale had a second chance to grab the blue ribbon when he entered the ring aboard Arriscarft Soliel. Using his prior knowledge of the course, he tightened his turns and turned up the speed to gallop past the timers in the winning time of 35.94 seconds. Mary Lisa Leffler was the last rider to come close to catching Vale. She guided Kartousch clear in a time of 36.72 seconds to finish in third place.

Thursday's $25,000 Peterson & Smith Grand Prix is the next Grand Prix event of the Ocala Winter Circuit. On Sunday, February 22nd, spectators will have another chance to enjoy world-class show jumping competition as riders compete for top honors in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Lots of fun activities are planned for the 2004 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. On Sunday, February 29 HITS will host Family Day presented by Cox Communications. Kids and their parents will be invited to participate in a day filled with pony rides, face painting, clowns, and much more.

For more information on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, please visit www.hitsshows.com.

$2,500 Brookledge Open Welcome - Wednesday, February 18, 2004 HITS Ocala II - Ocala, FL
Course Designer: Leopoldo Palacios, Caracas, Venezuela

Place - Horse - Rider - Owner - Prize Money - Rd1 Faults - JO Faults - JO Time
1st - Arriscraft Soleil Aaron Vale Angelstone Farm $750 0 0 35.94
2nd - Magdaline Beth Underhill Darryl B Williams Assoc. $500 0 0 36.41
3rd - Kartousch Mary Lisa Leffler Rolling Acres / McClain Ward $325 0 0 36.72
4th - Esprit D'Amour Erynn Ballard Augustin Walch $250 0 0 36.89
5th - Romulus Aaron Vale Town Creek Investment $200 0 0 38.92
6th - Glory Days Lauren Van Eldik Lauren Van Eldik $175 0 0 39.73
7th - Quebec Chuck Waters M / M Chuck Waters $150 0 0 40.16
8th - Blackforest Asdi Eduardo Braun Karl Giebmanns $150 0 4 35.43

WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 2004 REMAINING SHOW DATES ARE:
Ocala Winter Festival II - February 18-22
Ocala Masters III - February 25-29
Ocala Tournament IV - March 3-7
Ocala Winter Finals V - March 10-14

FEATURED EVENTS:
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, February 22 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, February 26 at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, February 29 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 4 at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, March 7 at 1:00pm
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 11 at 1:00pm
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Junior / Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic - Sunday, March 14 at 10:00am
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Child / Adult Jumper Classic Sunday, March 14 at 12:00 noon
$100,000 King Shavings Grand Prix of Ocala presented by Great American Insurance Group - Sunday, March 14 at 2:00pm

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Kids Day presented by Cox Communications - Sunday, February 29
Grand Finale - Sunday, March 14
Champions of the Week Presentations are held on Sundays prior to the 1:00pm Grand Prix.

POST TIME FARM: 13710 U.S. Hwy 27; Ocala, Florida 34482; Tel: 352-620-2275. Website: www.HitsShows.com