Gabriella Salick And Sandstone Laurin Win The $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix

Indio, CA (February 24, 2003)—Gabriella Salick and her mount Sandstone Laurin, delivered an exciting finish to Sunday's $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix at the HITS Indio Desert Circuit. Salick was last to ride in the three-horse jump-off and finished her clear round with finesse. Salick and Sandstone Laurin turned in the only double-clear round of the field of thirty-six riders. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and El Campeons Cirka Z incurred four faults and took second place. Rich Fellers paired with Tulip for an eight-fault performance that gave him third place.

The $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix was the penultimate World Cup qualifying class on the West Coast and attracted a host of high-caliber entries. The $150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert on March 9th will determine the final qualifiers for the 2003 World Cup in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 16-20.

Anthony D'Ambrosio designed a challenging 13-obstacle course that narrowed the field to three riders—Fellers, Shahinian-Simpson and Salick. Richard Spooner and Robinson, winners of the $75,000 Bayer/USET Grand Prix, left all the rails up but incurred a time fault by going .19 seconds over the time allowed of 90 seconds. Marley Goodman and Herr Schroder also incurred a time fault that prevented them from advancing to the jump-off.

Rich Fellers was the first to attempt the 8-fence jump-off course. Fellers and Tulip had a rail at the double and at the last fence to finish their round with eight faults in a time of 46.76 seconds. Nicole Shahinian-Simpson and El Campeons Cirka Z outdid Feller's performance, but failed to deliver a clear round. The pair incurred four faults in a time of 45.43 seconds. Last to enter the ring was Gabriella Salick and Sandstone Laurin. A clear round within the time allowed would deliver them victory and the crowd hushed in anticipation. Salick and Sandstone Laurin secured their victory with a command performance. The pair left all the rails up and crossed the line in a time of 48.06 seconds.

Bayer Legend Leading Hunter Rider - Heidi Austin-Fish, Hebron, IL
Bayer Legend Leading Jumper Rider - Guy Thomas, Burson, CA
HBO Junior Medal Winner - Kate Hart, Englewood, CO
Charles Owen Children's Medal Winner - Mavis Spencer, Santa Monica, CA
Charles Owen Adult Medal Winner - Megan Lewis, San Anselmo, CA

Show jumping will resume at the HITS Indio Desert Horse Park on Wednesday, February 26th. The $50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix presented by Adequan® will be the feature event of the week, taking place on Sunday, March 2nd at 1:00pm. The Grand Prix competition will coincide with Seniors Day, sponsored by LaQuinta Rotary Club and KESQ TV3. Seniors will enjoy a free shuttle, free shaded seating, and special displays/vendor demonstrations.

$50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix - Sunday, February 23, 2003
Indio Desert Circuit IV - Indio, CA
Anthony D'Ambrosio, Mt. Kisco, NY: Course Designer
Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd 1
Faults
Rd 2
Faults JO Time
1st Sandstone Laurin Gabriella Salick Sandstone Horse Sales LLC $15,000 0 0 48.06
2nd El Campeons Cirka Z Nicole Shahinian-Simpson El Campeon Farms $11,000 0 4 45.43
3rd Tulip Rich Fellers Harry / Mollie Chapman $6,500 0 8 46.76
4th Robinson Richard A Spooner Half Moon Bay Investment Group $4,000 2
5th Herr Schroder Marley Goodman Marley Goodman $3,000 2
6th All Star Peter Breakwell Adonis Capital $954.54 4
6th Edesa's Divine Eddy Sepul Edesa Horse Promotion Inc. $954.54 4
6th Eezy Duncan McFarlane Kathie B Cheatham $954.54 4
6th Bradford Richard A Spooner Tracey Kenly / Kenly Farms $954.54 4
6th Sapphire Mark Watring Watring / Bohannan $954.54 4
6th El Campeons Ado Annie Will Simpson El Campeon Farms $954.54 4
6th Remember Me 9 Laura Linback Woodrun $954.54 4
6th Grand Soso 2 Laura Linback Woodrun $954.54 4
6th Cacique Marley Goodman Marley Goodman / Turtle Lane Farm $954.54 4
6th Apprapos Marley Goodman Marley Goodman / Turtle Lane Farm $954.54 4
6th Lady D Jeff Campf Oz Investments / Sequoia Farm $954.54 4

UPCOMING EVENTS DATE TIME
$50,000 King Shavings Grand Prix, Presented by Adequan® Sunday, March 2 1:00 pm
$150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert Sunday, March 9 1:00 pm
SPECIAL EVENTS
Seniors Day, Sponsored by LaQuinta Rotary Club and KESQ TV3 Sunday, March 2 11:00 am -1:00 pm
Fiesta Day Sunday, March 9 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Circuit Awards Sundays Prior to 1:00 Grand Prix

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