Ian Silitch Sweeps 1-2 In The $50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix

Nine of the first-round riders managed to go clean on the Danny Foster designed course. Last to ride in the jump-off, Silitch guided Brave Ally to a win that topped his earlier performance on Captain Willie by a split second. Babington delivered a clear round on ABC Cassius in a time of 48.847 seconds-a little over a second behind Silitch and Captain Willie.

Silitch's win at HITS Culpeper not only crowns his participation at the circuit, but also enhances his horses' standings in the New Marshall & Sterling League. Silitch, who won the $100,000 Volvo Grand Prix at HITS Ocala, is currently second in the League's standings, which is based on money won. This year the League is introducing a national indoor finals, September 17-21, at Worcester's Centrum Centre in Worcester, Massachusetts. Riders who qualify will have the exceptional opportunity to ride in two back-to-back $100,000 Grand Prix at the Marshall & Sterling National Indoor Finals as well as the King Shavings US Grand Prix League (USGPL) Invitational Finals. The New Marshall & Sterling League national standings will be used to determine the top 30 who will qualify.

The King Shavings USGPL Invitational Finals, September 24-28, will take place at HITS Commonwealth Park during the final week of the HITS Culpeper Circuit. The King Shavings USGPL will also feature; a $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Invitational, $25,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner High Invitational, and $25,000 Pre-Green Hunter Invitational Classic, sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and Four Winds Farm.

Other major award winners at HITS Culpeper/Showday National included:

Bayer Legend Leading Hunter Rider - Olin Armstrong, Staunton, VA
Bayer Legend Leading Jumper Rider - Ian Silitch, Sperryville, VA
HBO Junior Medal Winner - Elizabeth R. Coughlin, Lutherville, MD
Charles Owen Children's Medal Winner - Laura Van Den Berg, Winter Park, FL
Charles Owen Adult Medal Winner - Lauren Edelmann, Rexford, NY

Show jumping resumes at HITS Culpeper on Wednesday, July 9th. The week will conclude with another exciting Grand Prix competition—the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix on Sunday, July 13th.

HITS CULPEPER: HITS Commonwealth Park, 13256 Commonwealth Parkway, Culpeper, VA 22701. Telephone during horse shows: (540) 825-7469

MEDIA CONTACT: HITS Media & Public Relations, 319 Main Street, Saugerties, New York 12477-1330. Tel: 845-246-8833, Fax: 845-246-6371, E-Mail: info@hitsshows.com. Web: www.HitsShows.com

HITS CULPEPER SIDEBAR INFORMATION

HITS CULPEPER 2003 SHOW DATES ARE:
Cavalier Classic - July 9-13
Winston National - August 13-17
Constitution Classic - August 20-24 (Marshall & Sterling League Wild Card Classes Offered)
King Shavings USGPL Invitational Finals - September 24, 28

FEATURED EVENTS:
July 9, $50,000 HITS Grand Prix
August 17, $50,000 HITS Grand Prix
August 24, $50,000 HITS Grand Prix
September 28, $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix


$50,000 Rio Vista Grand Prix - Sunday, July 6, 2003
HITS Culpeper, Showday National - Culpeper, VA
Eric Hasbrouck, NY: Course Designer

Place Horse Rider Owner Prize Money Rd 1 Faults Rd 2 Faults JO Time
1st Brave Ally Ian Silitch November Hill Farm $15,000 0 0 47.664
2nd Captain Willie Ian Silitch Page Flournoy $11,000 0 0 47.698
3rd ABC Cassius Kevin Babington Kindle Hill Syndicate $6,500 0 0 48.847
4th Caucalis Henri Prudent Fred Graham $4,000 0 4 46.699
5th Libera Kevin Babington Karin Soulimi $3,000 0 4 48.340
6th Graf Rossini S Mary-Lisa Leffler Bruce Chovnick LLC $2,500 0 4 49.501
7th Alibi Amanda Fusscas Helen Krieble $2,000 0 4 52.310
8th Korina Chris Kappler Moonraker Farm/Chris Kappler $1,500 0 8 50.245
9th Roller Coaster Todd Minikus Elaine Decanio $1,500 0 8 63.195
10th Cable Ian Silitch Ian/Jacquelyn Silitch $1,000 4
11th Thrilled Todd Minikus Y Z Partners LLC $1,000 4
12th Gasherbrum Todd Minikus David Robinson $1,000 4