JohnAndersonWEB.jpghermal, California – John Anderson of Calgary, AB, claimed the $30,000 HITS Grand Prix riding Terrific on Thursday, February 4, in Thermal, CA.

Anderson had the distinct advantage of being the final rider from the 42-horse starting field to enter the indoor arena. Using a format that saw the fastest clear first round win, Anderson knew exactly what he had to do to win – be faster than fellow Canadian Olympian John Pearce, who sat atop the leader board following a clear round in a time of 54.74 seconds riding Chianto. Anderson set off over the track built by two-time Olympic course designer, Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela, and, after leaving all the jumps in place, crossed the timers in 53.65 seconds to capture the win.

“John (Pearce) had only been the second rider in the ring, and he really put the hammer down,” said Anderson, who represented Canada at the 1986 World Championships and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. “I was last to go and I knew if I only put in a nice, clear round, I would end up eighth or ninth. I had to put my foot on the gas, and Terrific responded. He was focused, and we did all the inside turns. I broke the 54-second barrier and, with no one coming behind us, it was enough to win.”

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