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OCALA, FL
(February 23, 2008)—HITS Ocala is proud to announce that the
Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club will sponsor and host an
evening of exceptional equine art during the inaugural HITS Ocala
Equine Art Reception on Thursday, February 28. This exclusive, by
invitation-only event takes place from 6 pm to 10 pm in the magnificent
Clubhouse of the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, located on US Highway 27, a few miles away from the show grounds.
The reception will feature the works of Melissa Mason the HITS
Ocala Cover Artist for the 2008 Official Show Program. Mason's
extraordinary original acrylic painting "Tequila Sunrise" was selected
from dozens of submissions received by HITS Art Director Leslie
Phillips. According to Phillips, it was Mason's use of color and
abstract that caught her eye and inspired her to put the piece in the
final seven for approval.
"There were several really nice pieces we received, some more realistic
but there was just something special about the colors in
that one," said Phillips. "Once we narrowed it down, I was really vying
for that one and, luckily, Tom [Struzzieri] agreed."
"This is a new encounter for me," said Mason. "I saw a call for artists
in one of the publications and thought that 'Tequila Sunrise' would be
the perfect piece to submit. I had a feeling it would work for the
program cover." Mason's horse Raisin was the inspiration for the painting and her husband is credited with the naming of the piece.
Mason is an award-winning artist whose paintings are featured in
several private collections throughout Europe and the United States.
Most recently, she received the Distinguished Artist Award at the
Daytona Beach Art League's Annual Members Show in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Mason is a resident of Ponce Inlet, Florida, which is just outside
Daytona Beach. In addition to participating in the Equine Art
Reception, Mason will be on-site at HITS Ocala during the Ocala
Masters, February 26 - March 2 with a selection of works from her
collection.
Other artists
participating in the reception include Eric Smith of Inverness, Florida
who specializes in Equine Frescoes; Mindy Colton who is a well-known
sculptor and painter from Orlando, Florida; Bobbie
Deuell of Ocala, Florida who specializes in horse portraits and
photography; and Bunny Hanley, also from Ocala, who does sculptures in
bronze, just to name a few.
Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.,
the United States distributors of Vertical Vodka, will be providing a
complimentary Martini bar and fine wine. Hors d'oeuvres, cash bar and
entertainment will be provided by Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.
Invitations are available to HITS Ocala exhibitors and sponsors. To request an invitation, please email Lisa Engel of HITS. Guests must provide
their invitations at the door. Jacket and proper attire required.
Show
jumping at HITS Ocala continues through the weekend with the Ocala
Winter Festival featuring the $50,000 Duggan Equipment Grand Prix
on Sunday,
February 24.
Also on the agenda for the Ocala Winter Festival are several fun
out-of-ring activities. On Friday and Saturday, February 22 and 23, The Ranch Fitness Center and Spa
presents Spa Daze. Both afternoons will feature chair massages and spa
services compliments of The Ranch. On Sunday, February 24, the
HITS Mardi Gras Exhibitor Bash will follow the Grand Prix at the HITS
Restaurant. The event will feature live music by The Saucecats,
complimentary food and drink provided by Four Winds Farm, Quiet
Hill, Team Barber, Hawkins LLC, Top Call Farm, Doug and Starr Meijer, DC Sales & Marketing, Huntington Ridge, Equine
Medical Center of Ocala and The Custom Fox/Fox Meadow Farm.
Show jumping returns to HITS
Ocala on Tuesday, February 26 with the Ocala Masters and continues for
another two consecutive weeks with the Ocala Tournament, March 4-9
followed by the Ocala Winter Finals, March 11-16. The circuit comes to
an end on Sunday, March 16 when the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra
Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group closes out the
season.
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.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com
HITS
Ocala Equine Art Reception presented by Golden Ocala Golf &
Equestrian club, sponsored in part by Frederick Wildman & Sons,
Ltd.
What: Invitation-only Art Exhibit and Reception for HITS Ocala Exhibitors and Sponsors
When: Thursday, February 28 from 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club
8300 NW 31st Lane Road, Ocala, Fl 34482
To request an invitation, please contact Lisa Engel via email at: Lisa@HitsShows.com.
Photo Provided.
The Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club.
Photo Provided.
2008 HITS Cover Artist, Melissa Mason. Mason will participate in the
HITS Ocala Equine Art Reception at the Golden Ocala Golf &
Equestrian Club on Thursday, February 28.
Photo Provided.
'Round-up' by Melissa Mason. Acrylic on watercolor paper, 41" x 50".
Participating Artists and Websites:
Mindy Colton: www.mindycolton.com
Bobbie Deuell: www.bobbiedeuell.com
Phyllis Frazier: www.pfrazier.com
Lissa Friedman: www.lissafriedman.com
Gail Guirreri-Maslyk: www.equine-impressions.com
Bunny Hanley: www.bunnyhanley.com
Melissa Mason: www.melissamason.org
Marsha Schloesser: www.carouselworkshop.com
Eric Smith: Site not available at press time.
Joanna Zeller Quentin: www.moosepantsstudio.com
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