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SAUGERTIES,
NEW YORK (September 5, 2008) – The
Marshall & Sterling League is pleased to announce that the 2008
National Finals will be broadcast live on the Internet during all
four days of the competition.
The webcast will be featured on the Productions East Video
website on a pay-per-view basis for a fee of $25 per day or $49.95 for
the entire week. In addition, Productions East Video will have one of
its custom-built tractor-trailers, designed for athletes, coaches and
families to view their performances for training and memorabilia
purposes, on-site during the Finals.
Since 2002, Productions East has partnered with leading streaming
providers to offer the very best live webcasting from some of the
finest hunter/jumper events throughout the country. For more
information on Productions East Video please visit http://www.productionseast.com.
This season's Marshall & Sterling League National Finals kick off
on Thursday, September 11 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New
York. The four-day competition
will offer $35,000 in prize money, as well as numerous perpetual
trophies and awards. New to the schedule this year are the popular
$1,500 Pony Jumper Classic, $1,500 Bit O' Straw Hunter Classic and the
Local Hunter Classic. Other classes and divisions on tap include
favorites such as the $2,000 Adequan Hunter Division, $4,000 Children's
Hunter Pony Division, $4,000 Children's Hunter Horse Division, $4,000
Adult Hunter Division, $10,000 Children's Jumper Division, $10,000
Adult Jumper Division, M&S Children's Horse Medal Final, M&S
Children's Pony Medal Final, M&S Adult Medal Final, and the Central
Equine Junior Medal Final.
The Marshall &
Sterling League Finals
will once again feature a festive League Awards Dinner and Party on
Friday, September 12. This year's bash will have a Mardi Gras theme highlighted by a Cajun and Creole dinner
and live music.
The Essex Classics Year-End High-Point Awards will be presented following the fabulous
dinner. The awards will be presented to the top 10 riders in each
division based on the Marshall & Sterling National Point Standings.
The top rider in each division will receive a certificate for a free pair of Tretorn riding boots courtesy of EquiFit. In addition, the other riders in the top 10 of each division will receive a valuable coupon towards the Tretorn riding boots. Completely unlike any other riding boot, EquiFit's new Tretorn boot combines
the superior technological functionality of modern sports shoes with
the styling required for optimum riding performance.
"EquiFit
is proud to sponsor HITS and the Marshall & Sterling League,"
said Travis Day of EquiFit. "We are thrilled to be a part of this
year's National Finals and are very excited to offer these special
boots to the winners of the Top-Ten Awards for their outstanding
achievements."
EquiFit, inc. recently acquired exclusive distribution rights in
the U.S.
and Canada for Tretorn's performance riding boots. The design is a
collaborative project between Swedish boot and sport shoe manufacturer Tretorn
[a subsidiary of PUMA AG] and top Swedish show jumper Malin Baryard, chief
advocate and cooperative designer.
The Tretorn boot uses advanced modern materials combined
with innovative design and style to bring a new breed of tall riding boots into
the 21st century with a bang. With the comfort of a sneaker and the ease
and simplicity of cleaning with a damp sponge, the performance boot offers
riders an additional option to the traditional leather boot.
Once all of the awards are handed out, it will be time to boogie during
a special musical performance by Captain Squeeze and the Zydeco Moshers that will be sure to delight the crowd.
The
fun doesn't stop on Friday. After Saturday’s action in the
ring, exhibitors are invited to a special Ice Skating Party from
6:30-9:30 PM at the Kiwanis Ice Rink across the street from the show grounds. There will also be an Ice Cream Social on Saturday afternoon on the show grounds.
During the
year, riders from coast to coast compete at more than 980 Marshall
& Sterling League member horse shows to earn points for a place at
the Finals. Since its inception in 1991, the Marshall & Sterling
League Finals have provided the goal that has fueled the competitive
spirit of child and adult riders at all levels of competition. Click here for the current standings.
Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc.,
founded in 1864, is among the largest privately-owned insurance
agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century,
Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with
unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a
champion race horse or a commercial farm. An employee-owned
company, Marshall & Sterling has been recognized by IIABA as one of
the nation's top “Best Practice Agencies”. The company
maintains a national presence and is licensed in all 50 states and the
U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information contact Mary Moeller at
800-836-3046, extension 224.
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.
© Lili Weik Photography.
Alison Cooney (middle) stands on top of the podium after
winning the M&S Children's Medal-Pony during the Marshall &
Sterling League Finals. Joining Cooney are Lauren Mantikas (left) and
Isabelle Torsiello (right).
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