Royal Champion Leading World Cup Rider Award Competition Begins This Week in Thermal with First of Four FEI World Cup Qualifiers

THERMAL, CA (February 4, 2010)—The second week of show jumping is underway at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. Highlighting the week for jumpers will be three Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix Qualifying Grand Prix classes, including the first of four FEI World Cup Qualifiers when the $50,000 Strongid® C2 X Grand Prix takes the stage in the covered arena on Saturday night. Top equestrians are expected to compete, including Olympians McLain Ward, Jill Henselwood and John Pearce.

Each of the four Saturday World Cup Qualifiers (February 6, 13, 26 and March 5) at HITS Thermal this season earns the top-six-placed riders valuable points in the Royal Champion Horse Supplements Leading World Cup Rider Award competition. The horse and rider pair that has the most points overall in the four Saturday classes will win a special Royal Champion trophy and cooler, as well as a year’s supply of Royal Champion horse supplements.

"We are very excited to have the support of Royal Champion and this spectacular award for our World Cup riders this year," said Tony Hitchcock, Sr. Vice President of HITS, Inc. "I'm sure the riders will appreciate having yet another incentive to be among the top finishers, which should make for even more excitement!"

According to Hitchcock, HITS and Show Jumping Unplugged TV have joined together to offer live coverage of all four FEI World Cup Qualifiers this season in Thermal. Viewers from around the world will be able to watch all the live coverage beginning at 6:00PM PST from the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California, USA. Live Broadcasts are only $9.95 and available as a video on demand. To sign up, or for more information, just log on to Show Jumping Unplugged TV.

Royal Champion was created in 1974 when it was developed by Dr. Trevor M. Cook at the direction of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. For sixteen years it was used exclusively by the Royal Family and select clients in the UK equine community. In 1990, Dr. Cook brought his prized horse supplement product to the U.S. and incorporated it under the name of "Royal Champion."

Since 1991, Royal Champion horse supplement products have provided nutritional support for optimal health, healing, and performance for your equine partner. As the original industry leader, Royal Champion horse supplements contain a proper balance of all the essential nutrients needed to bring a horse to peak fitness, keep them healthy and strong, and provide them with the extra stamina they require. The combination of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, essential amino acids, and special ingredients promote and sustain a healthy immune system, and provide superior support for joints, hooves, coat, and digestion. Royal Champion currently offers two products to suit horses’ needs. Royal Champion Premium Horse Supplement is formulated for show and recreational horses with light-to-moderate work schedules, and those that are not working. On the other hand, Royal Champion Premium Plus Horse Supplements are formulated to meet the nutritional demands of high-performance horses and those in heavy work. With the release of two new products designed by Dr. Trevor M. Cook later this year, a Breeding formula and a Senior formula, Royal Champion horse supplements will provide the nutritional support for the life of your horse.

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 riders, based on money won by horse/rider combination, will be eligible to ride for the Pfizer Million. For more detailed information on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, please visit Hits Shows.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit Hits Shows.

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.