Kingsland of Culpeper! Avalon Team Kingsland win the Central Equine Relay at HITS Culpeper
Equestrian News Release

Culpeper, VA (July 16, 2008)—It all came down to four teams in last weekend's Central Equine Relay with Avalon Team Kingsland capturing the blue ribbon in the class at HITS Culpeper to conclude a very exciting competition in the majestic Grand Prix arena at Commonwealth Park.

The Central Equine Relay is an event in which teams of three riders compete in a Nation's Cup-style class. Two clear rounds by Megan Edrick and Chris Nelson propelled Avalon Team Kingsland to an early lead in the class. Then up-and-coming rider Taylor Ann Adams brought it home with a great ride to anchor the squad en route to the triumph. All three riders show with Don Stewart Jr. of Ocala, Florida.

Avalon Team Kingsland also sponsored a team during the Central Equine Relay at HITS Thermal where that group of riders finished in fourth place. "I was happy to sponsor a team at HITS Culpeper because it's such a fun and exciting class," said Lisa Sweet of Avalon Saddlery. "We had a good group of young riders who really wanted to win and it showed with their performance in the class."

"All four teams were really going for the win," said course designer Jerry Dougherty. "I was involved in the Central Equine Relay at HITS Ocala and it was a smash hit both times. Bringing a team aspect into it really builds comradery among the riders."

Lightning-fast Grand Prix rider Evan Coluccio, world-renowned rider Pato Muente and Christina Mangold grabbed the red ribbon in the class. Mangold and Muente went clear but their times left them a bit off the pace. Trailing by several seconds Coluccio was forced to put the pedal to the metal. But he dropped two rails on his trip to land their team in second place.

The yellow ribbon in the class went to Team Goddard, which featured Colin Savaria, Sarah Colmer and Renee Merante. Another notable finish was Team Roseberry, which came in fourth. Riders on Team Roseberry were Debbie Pyle, Elizabeth Stutts and Adair Roper.

The next installment of the Central Equine Relay will be on Saturday, August 9 during HITS-on-the-Hudson VI in Saugerties, New York.To register your team for the Central Equine Relay at HITS Saugerties, please click here. Completed entry forms can be faxed to 845.246.6371.

In addition to the Central Equine Relay, Central Equine is the title sponsor of the Central Equine Junior Medal Division of the Marshall & Sterling League, which is featured nationwide at all HITS Horse Shows. Central Equine is an equine communications company whose goal is to connect the show horse world's riders, trainers, horses, retailers, horse shows and events together more quickly and more efficiently through print, web and video, thus making Central Equine the essential equine resource.

Show jumping at HITS Culpeper resumes with the Cavalier Classic on Wednesday, July 16-20 and will feature the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix, $10,000 Low Jr/A-O Jumper Classic, $15,000 High Jr/A-O Jumper Classic, Central Equine Junior Medal, Adequan Hunter Division and the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix.

The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse-sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 U.S. Cup, the grand finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park ever since. Approximately $1 million in total prize money is offered at the six HITS Culpeper events.

HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit http://www.HitsShows.com


PHOTO: ©2008 Lili Weik Photography; Avalon Team Kingsland members are congratulated by HITS' Holly Bachor and Avalon's Lisa Sweet after winning the Central Equine Relay at HITS Culpeper.