Florida Horse.Com - Harold Chopping wins HITS Ocala III Grand Prix

HAROLD CHOPPING SCORES 1-2 IN $25,000 HITS GRAND PRIX AT HITS OCALA MASTERS

Ocala, FL (February 28, 2005) --

Harold Chopping dominated the field in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix during week III of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Chopping was the only rider in a six-horse jump-off to post a double-clear over Michel Vaillancourt's course. Not only was Chopping the only rider to master the jump-off course, but he also did it twice. First aboard Rabaila and then again with his second mount Kathleen, galloping away with the first and second place spots respectively.

Aaron Vale and Artur had four faults in a time of 38.94 seconds for third place. Brazilian rider Sergio Campos with his speedy mare Shakira Do Jacare had the fastest jump-off time of 37.89 seconds, but two rails down put them in fourth place. Kristi Smith and On The Sly were the first to attempt the jump-off course, and set out at a fast pace. Two rails came down and their time of 38.73 seconds left them in fifth place. Aaron Vale and Kilroy were the last to jump, and Vale can usually use this edge to his advantage. Two knockdowns dashed his chances, and a time of 41.01 seconds gave him sixth place.

Harold Chopping finished out the week at HITS Ocala with another successful Grand Prix aboard Rabaila. The pair placed third in Sunday's $50,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix.

The next Grand Prix event of the circuit will take place on Thursday, March 3rd at 1pm. Spectators will enjoy world-class show jumping competition as riders compete for top honors in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix. The $50,000 HITS Grand Prix will finish out the week on Sunday, March 6th at 1pm

$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, February 24, 2005
HITS Ocala Masters - Ocala, FL
Course Designer: Michel Vaillancourt, Canada

Placing	Horse	Rider	Owner	Prize Money	Rd 1 Faults	JO Faults	JO Time
1	RABAILA	HAROLD CHOPPING	SILVER OAK STABLES	$7,500	0	0	40.62
2	KATHLEEN	HAROLD CHOPPING	SILVER OAK STABLES	$5,500	0	0	43.73
3	ARTUR	AARON VALE	MILLSTREAM / PETERSON / REGISTER	$3,250	0	4	38.94
4	SHAKIRA DO JACARE	SERGIO CAMPOS	SERGIO CAMPOS	$2,000	0	8	37.89
5	ON THE SLY	KRISTI SMITH	KNIGHTS FORK INC	$1,500	0	8	38.73
6	KILROY	AARON VALE	CASPIAN FARM	$1,250	0	8	41.01
7	FURISTOS TREASURE	TRICIA O'CONNOR	CLOVERLEA FARM INC	$1,000	1
8	MIANTA	CALLAN SOLEM	QUIET WINTER FARM / REDFIELD FARM	$750	4
9	GERONA 92	MARY LISA LEFFLER	ROLLING ACRES FARM INC	$750	4
10	COWBOY	SERGIO CAMPOS	RODRIGO PESSOA	$500	4
11	JENNIETA	KRISTI SMITH	KNIGHTS FORK INC	$500	4
12	SEA CLOUD	AARON VALE	ANDREA C KING	$500	4

WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY REMAINING 2005 SHOW DATES ARE:
Ocala Tournament IV March 2-6
Ocala Winter Finals V - March 9-13

FEATURED EVENTS:
$10,000 U-Dump Junior / Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classics, Weeks I through IV
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 3 at 1:00pm
$50,000 HITS Grand Prix - Sunday, March 6 at 1:00pm
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Junior / Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic - Sunday, March 13 at 10:00am
$25,000 Marshall & Sterling Child / Adult Jumper Classic Sunday, March 13 at 12:00 noon
$25,000 HITS Grand Prix - Thursday, March 10 at 1:00pm
$100,000 Grand Prix of Ocala presented by Great American Insurance - Sunday, March 13 at 2:00pm

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Kids Day - Sunday, February 27
Grand Finale - Sunday, March 13
Champions of the Week Presentations are held on Sundays prior to the 1:00pm Grand Prix. Circuit Champions are presented week V.

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