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Saugerties,
New York (March 31, 2008) – With the mercury rising and all of the snow disappearing in the historic Hudson Valley it can only mean one thing. The horse show season is fast approaching at HITS' equestrian facility, in Saugerties, New York.
To help kick things off,
HITS Saugerties will host a preview of its facility during a special open house on May 3-5. The open house will highlight some of the facility enhancements that have been made to the show grounds in preparation for the 2008 HITS Saugerties series of hunter/jumper horse shows.
Upgrades include new footing, the installation of ceiling fans in the permanent barns for improved ventilation and improved wash racks.
Exhibitors will also be able to preview new jumps from Olaf Petersen, similar to what was used at HITS Ocala. In addition, HITS Ocala's course decorator, Flora Baptiston, will bring her majestic decorating abilities to the rings at HITS Saugerties making the courses more elegant.
In just four years the HITS Saugerties horse show series has become a mecca for East Coast horsemen hosting the largest hunter/jumper horse shows offered during the spring and summer in the United States.
During the course of the seven-week series, the HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility offers stabling for over 2,000 horses, more than 250 different classes each week, and over $1 million in prize money, more than any other circuit during the spring and summer. In addition, the facility boasts 10 permanent, all-weather hunter, jumper and equitation rings where riders of all ages and skill levels compete throughout the circuit.
Lili Weik Photography
Accomplished Grand Prix rider Laura Chapot clears a hurdle at HITS Saugerties in 2007
Legendary Southern rockers, the 'Outlaws' to perform at HITS Saugerties
On Saturday, May 3 exhibitors will be treated to an exhibitor party barbeque that will be highlighted by a concert featuring the legendary southern rock band the Outlaws.
The band originated in Tampa, Florida and released its first album in the late 1970's. In 1981 The Outlaws most commercially successful album Ghost Riders was released. It became the band's third gold album with a top charting single Ghost Riders in the Sky. After a hiatus, the band launched a 30th anniversary tour in May, 2005. They toured extensively through 2007 with the Charlie Daniels Band and are currently planning the release of the album “Once An Outlaw” in memory of one of the bands original members Hughie Thomasson.
For more information on the Outlaws, please visit their website at www.outlawsmusic.com
Click here for a music clip!
For more information on the open house, please contact Danette Kadlic at 845.246.8833. Those who plan on attending should RSVP via e-mail to RSVP@HitsShows.com.
Photo Provided
Legendary rock band, The Outlaws will perform at HITS' state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Saugerties, New York on Saturday night, May 3.
Gates open at HITS Saugerties for second annual Quarter Horse Show
Before the hunter/jumper competition begins during the HITS Saugerties spring series of horse shows on Wednesday, May 28, the gates of the facility will swing open for the 2nd Annual HITS Saugerties Quarter Horse Show, Thursday, May 1 through Sunday, May 4.
The HITS Saugerties Quarter Horse show will offer what's known as a special event at Quarter Horse Shows on Thursday, May 1, consisting of 25 classes, some of which will be New York State Horse Council Equitation classes, as well as Trail and Working Hunter classes. Friday will feature 100 classes and on Saturday and Sunday, the schedule will follow a split/combined format enabling riders to be scored by two Judges, increasing their chances for those oh-so valuable points.
In 2007, HITS took over production of the show formerly held in Horseheads, New York at the Chemung County Fairgrounds under the management of Linda Connors. The show was known to most as the English Ridden QH Group "Klassic" Show. The 2007 show attracted a large exhibitor base due in large part to its ample facility and central location in the North East.
"Once the site change for the Klassic was a go, we reached out to Tom Struzzieri," said Connors. "He had expressed an interest a while back and we thought it would be a great match with the operational experience of the HITS team and central location of the HITS facility in Saugerties, New York."
"Hosting the show last year was our initial step into the Quarter Horse Show industry," said Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS. "As with any show we produce, our goal was to ensure that the loyal customers who had been coming to this show for years were satisfied with our efforts and would continue to participate. I was pleased with the turnout we had and am confident that this year's show will be another success."
For more information about the 2nd Annual HITS Saugerties Quarter Horse Show or to request a prize list by mail, please contact Holly Bachor at 845.246.8833 or via email at Holly@HitsShows.com.
The HITS Saugerties series of horse shows runs from May to September. Set amidst the beautiful and historic Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley, this circuit is produced at HITS' equestrian facility, which features an amphitheater containing the Grand Prix ring and a Feature Hunter ring, 1,100 permanent stalls, and permanent buildings housing offices, food concession, rest rooms and equestrian retail shops.
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
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