Source: News Release

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 3, 2010) — Maryland’s Tracy Magness and Mr. & Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude are on a mission to the Pfizer Million, winning two premier events thus far at HITS-on-the-Hudson VII, just one week before the historic Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

After winning the $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome on Wednesday, the team followed up with another big win in the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

International Course Designer Aki Ylanne of Riihimaki, Finland, set a challenging course that produced six for the jump off out of a field of 33.

“It was a difficult course,” said Magness. “It was hard enough and had some difficult striding to accomplish.”

Riihimaki’s first-round course featured 13 efforts, including two different combinations. The route proved difficult as the first three starters failed to go clean until California’s Helen McNaught, making her debut in the Strongid C 2X Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson aboard her own Caballo, produced the first clear round.

The anticipation began to grow as the following 11 horse-and-rider teams failed to complete the course fault free, until fan favorite and winner of last week’s $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health at HITS Culpeper, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas, aboard MTM Farm’s MTM Timon, joined McNaught for a jump-off. The feature marked an emerging showdown between long-time HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala competitors, all en route to the Pfizer Million.

At the end of the first round, California’s John Pearce aboard Elizabeth Oliver’s Lionel; winner’s Tracy Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude; Tracy Fenney on her second mount, MTM Farm’s MTM Centano; and Patty Stovel aboard her own Carigor Z; returned for the jump-off.

First to show in the jump-off was McNaught, who set the pace at four faults in 51.945 seconds, which ultimately placed fourth.

Second to show was Fenney and her first mount MTM Timon, looking to take the lead, however, eight jumping faults in 49.968 seconds would ultimately finish in fifth place.

Returning third was Pearce and Lionel, and quickly established the lead and set the Great American Time to Beat at 50.314 seconds.

Pearce’s lead was short lived, as Magness and Tarco Van Ter Moude quickly bested the challenge and produced a double-clear effort in 49.176 seconds that would go un-beat.

Stovel was next, scoring eight faults in 58.418 seconds.

Last to show and with a chance for the win was Fenney aboard her second mount MTM Centano. The team had four faults in 47.246 seconds which ultimately placed third.

“John [Pearce] was really fast,” said Magness. “I knew I had to go fast to win, so I decided to go for it. It’s been a good start so far, Tarco [Van Ter Moude] has had a great week and we’re really excited for Sunday.”

“It was a good course,” commented Pearce on his first time competing at HITS-on-the-Hudson. “Lionel is a new horse that I’m riding and I thought the footing was great in the ring.”

Pearce, originally from Toronto, now resides in California, and is enjoying his time back on the east coast. “It’s a lovely facility,” he commented. “It has lots of room and lots of character, the town itself is also quite nice to walk around in.”

Pearce, alongside fellow West coast competitors Jill Henselwood, Karen Cudmore, and Helen McNaught, have made their way to HITS-on-the-Hudson in order to compete in the Pfizer Million, and are looking to spice up the competition in the week to follow against long-time East coast superstars such as McLain Ward, Margie Engle, Jeffery Welles, and Todd Minikus.

Show jumping at HITS Saugerties continues this week with an exciting lineup of classes and events, including the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Derby on Saturday, September 4, and the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, on Sunday, September 5, as the last chance to qualify for the Pfizer Million.