|
THERMAL,
CA (October
6, 2006)—The
gate at the HITS Desert Horse Park will open early
this fall for an up close and personal look at
HITS' brand new, state-of-the-art equestrian facility
in Thermal, California. HITS announced plans today
to host an open house at its new HITS Desert Horse
Park that will open this winter for the 2007 HITS
Thermal Desert Circuit.
Construction is well
underway at the new 250-acre venue located on
property near Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport
in Thermal, California. For the past 14 years,
HITS has produced a six-week winter horse show
circuit on approximately 100 acres just five miles
away at the intersection of Monroe Street and
Avenue 52 in Indio, California. The new facility,
when completed, is expected to be the largest
hunter/jumper horse show venue in the United States
and will encompass more than $10,000,000 in improvements,
including stabling for more than 3,000 horses
and 12 competition rings.
"We are excited
to offer this to our customers," said HITS
President Tom Struzzieri. "It is a great
way for them to see both the progress and the
plans for our newest facility. This property will
be something special and we are very excited about
opening this winter. We feel it will be the best
equine facility in the world."
The
new facility features more riding area than any
other show grounds in the world. HITS staff will
be on hand to provide tours of the site which
includes 1,000 permanent stalls with improved
facilities for added comfort and convenience.
The site will also include a new state-of-the-art
RV Park, a snack shack in the permanent stall
area, a raised VIP seating area overlooking both
the grand prix and main hunter rings and much
more.
Exhibitors can also
be the first to learn about the new state-of-the-art
footing provided by Footing
Authority™, that will have EuroFelt and/or
Polymer in every ring, including the newly designed
million dollar Grand Prix Ring.
Two weekends have
been set aside for the open house-October 27 and
28 and November 17 and 18. Those interested in
attending should RSVP to Eileen Edwards via e-mail
at Eileen@HitsShows.com at least one week prior
to the event.
HITS, Inc. is a special
events management company primarily focused on
producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in
upstate New York in the village of Saugerties,
HITS produced its first horse show circuit in
Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time,
HITS has grown into a nationwide company with
world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California,
Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.
In January 2006
HITS entered into a private equity arrangement
with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles.
As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and
execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives
that both solidify its well-established position
as the leader in horse show management and allow
for new growth opportunities including the construction
of HITS Desert Horse Park. HITS generates significant
economic impact in each of its five venues in
California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New
York.
The six-week circuit
previously held in Indio produces a total economic
impact in excess of $120,000,000 each year. Because
the new site is considerably larger and will accommodate
more horses for a longer period of time, the economic
impact in future years is expected to increase
substantially.
The 2007 season of
show jumping kicks off on January 23, 2007. For
more information on the 2007 HITS Thermal Desert
Circuit, please visit www.HitsShows.com.
|
