THERMAL, CA (March 5, 2007) When Canadian Olympian John Pearce and his mount Archie Bunker cleared the final hurdle on course designer Danny Foster’s jump-off route it was like a piano was lifted off his back.

Pearce, who dominated the Desert Circuit in 2006, has been winless at HITS’ new facility in Thermal, California; however, he was the only rider to negotiate a double clear round on Sunday, as he captured the $75,000 Footing Authority Grand Prix.

“I needed that for sure,” said Pearce. “I had been a little unlucky here so far. But sometimes in life you need to go through a stretch like that to keep your ego in check.”

Pearce had the last-to-ride position in the jump-off that included only one other rider, Richard Spooner. Spooner and Airtime clipped the final hurdle of the jump-off course resulting in a four fault score. However, his time of 42.81 was very fast and put the pressure on Pearce.

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