Gladstone, New Jersey—January 12, 2002—John Pearce of Canada and Harry Potter, worked magic besting the four-horse jump off field in the $75,000 Bayer/USET Grand Prix. "This horse is dangerous in a jump-off," said John Pearce with a grin. "If he makes it to the second round I know he is fast, he is careful and he tries hard." Like the Harry Potter of literature, the equine Harry Potter has magic in his genes. He is by Jus de Pomme, winner of the 1996 Show Jumping Olympic Gold in Atlanta, GA.

During the first week of the HITS Indio Desert Circuit, Pearce was a bit cautious in the jump-off citing unfamiliarity with the footing. By the third week he had it wired and pulled all the stops out. "Coming out of the snow and a small indoor ring, it takes a couple of weeks to work out the kinks," continued Pearce. "He jumped wonderfully," said Pearce of Harry Potter, "and my first phone call will be to my wife and the second will be to Jane (Clark), the horse's owner." Clark bought the horse from Pearce and ultimately gave Pearce the ride on the talented chestnut gelding.

Nicole Shahinian-Simpson was second aboard El Campeon's Cirka Z. Although clean, she was three seconds slower than Pearce with a time of 45.45. Will Simpson had to settle for third, behind his wife, with El Campeon's Ado Annie. They accumulated four faults in a time of 42.73.

The United States Equestrian Team is a non-profit organization that selects, trains, equips and finances equestrians of the highest possible standard to represent our country in major international competition, including the Olympic Games and the World Championships. To accomplish this the USET seeks out and nurtures the development of talented athletes - riders, drivers and horses - and provides the support and guidance they need to help them attain their fullest potential. For more information on the USET, please call (908) 234-1251, or visit USET ONLINE at www.uset.org.