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HITS-on-the-Hudson III Week in Review: John Fogerty to Perform at Pfizer Million, McLain Ward Dominates, Texas' Lucas Porter Rules in the Children's Hunters and Jumpers, and Purina Mills Weekend rocks HITS-on-the-Hudson

June 16, 2010

SAUGERTIES, NY --- The final week of the HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring Series capped off with a huge announcement for the Pfizer Million as legendary Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer John Fogerty will perform a live concert to celebrate the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 12 in Saugerties, New York.

“We’ve been working hard to secure a top name performer to follow the Pfizer Million,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “We are thrilled that we were able to book John Fogerty for this event. His music crosses over to a huge audience from young to old and everyone in between. It’s going to be a great class with a fabulous finish.”

Tickets for the Pfizer Million and John Fogerty concert are $50 and go on sale Thursday, June 17 through Ticketmaster, as well as the Bardavon, UPAC and HITS Corporate Office box offices in the Hudson Valley. For more information, please visit HitsShows.com.

Grand Prix Domination!

Two-time Olympic Gold Medal Winner McLain Ward (Brewster, New York) made his mark at HITS Saugerties when he posted back-to-back Grand Prix victories in the irons on Goldika 559 collecting a total of $45,000 in prize money this week to close out the spring series of horse shows at HITS-on-the-Hudson, in Saugerties, New York.

Ward's win on Sunday of the $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, marked his sixth of eight Grand Prix qualifiers needed for the Pfizer Million. He now has $59,100 in prize money aboard Goldika 559, his leading horse, which puts him on the fast track to a spot in the Pfizer Million Eligible Rider Rankings.

This summer, Ward plans to return to HITS-on-the-Hudson to earn the remaining Grand Prix classes needed to qualify for the historical Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix that will take place on Sunday, September 12 in the Strongid® C 2X Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson. Ward also said he plans to ride his mare Sapphire if he qualifies for the big-ticket event.

The Road to the Pfizer Million Heats Up

HITS Saugerties produced several changes in the top 40 Eligible Rider Rankings for the Pfizer Million during the three weeks of spring shows. Taylor McMurtry added to her winnings aboard Just An Illusion and climbed from 30th to 19th in the Rankings. Megan Edrick enjoyed her first Grand Prix victory of her career and moved from 18th to 9th aboard her leading horse Cadence, while Michelle Spadone and Melisimo also broke into the top 20 at HITS Saugerties. David Beisel and Moet Walk entered the Rankings at number 33 after completing their eighth qualifying Grand Prix during Week I.

High-Performance riders still have plenty of opportunities to get in on the Pfizer Million action with four more Qualifiers offered in July and August at HITS Culpeper, with a $40,000 Grand Prix offered on July 11, July 18, August 22 and August 29.

HITS will host another six Qualifiers for the Pfizer Million during its HITS-on-the-Hudson Summer Series, which begins on July 21 and continues until August 8. In order to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, a rider must compete in eight or more HITS Grand Prix classes. The Top 40, based on prize money won, will then be qualified to compete in the class.

Double Trouble!

Junior Rider Kelsey Hart (Albany, New York) rode her horse Agostino past 30 starters on a course set by Rian Beals in Saturday's $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby.

This was Hart's second big win of the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby and she collected $8,000 in prize money over the last three weeks at HITS Saugerties.

"I have fallen in love with the Derbies," said Hart. "I look forward to them all week and my horse seems to really come out with his game-face on."

Hart, a Senior at Albany Academies, trains at Stepping Stone Farm with Monty Kelly, Sandy Kelly, Amy Momrow and Shaine Brooks. The group from the Albany, New York based barn attended all three weeks of HITS Saugerties this spring, and plans to return for the summer shows with about 30 horses.

Texas Two Step!

Lucas Porter danced his way to a pair of Marshall & Sterling Classic triumphs during HITS-on-the-Hudson III. The Texas native had the highest score in the $500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Hunter Classic aboard Downtown Flyer. The horse-and-rider team were also weekly champions in the Children's Hunters, 14 & Under, guided by the watchful eye of trainer Frank Madden.

Then in the jumpers, 12-year-old Porter captured the top prize in the $2,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's Jumper Classic aboard Kardigan Noir. He then swept the Children's Jumper Division riding Kardigan Noir to seize the overall weekly Children's Jumper Championship, and his other horse Azteca earned the Children's Jumper Reserve Championship.

"I love to show here," said Porter. "My horses always go really well. I was circuit champion here last year on my horse Polo. This year we got to show in the new jumper ring and I really liked it a lot"

Purina Power!

The much anticipated Purina Mills Weekend was a smash during HITS-on-the-Hudson III. The festivities got started on Saturday night with a pre Grand Prix Party which featured some fabulous food, drink and conversation, while the best of John Fogerty's music played in the background.

On Sunday the annual Purina Mills Kids Day took the stage in an afternoon that featured fun-filled activities for children of all ages. The star of Purina Mills Kids Day was Olivia Blotch (New Rochelle, New York) who won the highly contested Horseless Horse Show. Second place went to Blythe Ruppel (New York, New York) and third place was awarded to Clementine Talmage (New York, New York). The three winners each received monogrammed bags from Mona’s Monograms.

Other activities featured at the popular event included old fashioned games, face painting and balloon animals by Whoopsy Daisy the Clown, arts & crafts as well as cookie decorating and a bounce house, both courtesy of Price Chopper. And local children’s music band Ratboy Jr. performed hits Banana Stand and Worms from their new CD, Smorgasbord.

The EXCLUSIVE Top Dog Contest closed out the festivities with a special dog talent competition. Taking the top honors in the contest was Mia owned by Max and Michaela Decesare from Marbletown, New York. Guests and their precious pets received gift bags and prizes from local pet store The Keen Dog of Saugerties, New York.

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