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SAUGERTIES,
NEW YORK (May 16, 2008) – The
HITS Saugerties Spring Series of horse shows are right around the
corner and, as always, will feature the season's most diverse
hunter-jumper schedule offered in the country for three consecutive
weeks beginning on Wednesday, May 28.
Each week HITS Saugerties
features nearly 80 different divisions with more than 250 classes
offered to riders of every level from beginner to high-performance.
This season HITS is pleased to debut an all-new Local Hunter division.
This new 2'6" division is open to horses stabled within a 50-mile
radius of the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, New York.
"The new division provides
a unique opportunity for those who live locally to compete against
their peers at an A-rated show," said Show Manager Kristen Vale. "This
year, more than ever, the Hunters will have plenty of opportunities to
show their stuff."
One of the most popular up-and-coming Hunter classes is the $500 Bit O'
Straw Hunter Classic. The two-round classic will be offered every
week and the fences will be set at 2'6". The Classic is open to Junior
and Amateur riders who are not showing in a rated hunter division.
"The new Bit O' Straw Classic is proving to be a popular, well
sought-out division at our Marshall & Sterling League member
events," said League Representative Patti Guerriero. "With a 2'6" fence
height for juniors and amateurs, this is the perfect division for those
not quite ready for the 3' hunters. It gives goal-oriented riders a
chance to compete year round for a chance to qualify for the National
Finals in September."
Also returning to the weekly schedule are the popular Adequan Hunter,
M&S Children's Hunter Classic and the M&S Adult Hunter Classic.
"We love showing in the Adequan division," said Glen View's Troy
Hendricks. "[With the fences set at 3' 5"], it's great for the horses
that are still a little green and serves as a good stepping stone for
the horses that are looking to move up."
"The classes [are held] in
the Main Hunter ring and that's always fun too," added Hendricks. "It's
a great big ring and we love to show off our hunters in there."
©Lili Weik Photography
Jenny Fischer clears a jump in the Adequan Hunter Division at HITS Saugerties in 2007.
Jump Around!
The jumper rings at HITS-on-the-Hudson will also be hopping this
spring. Grand Prix riders Todd Minikus, McLain Ward, Jeffrey Welles and
Margie Engle have each been short-listed for the 2008 Summer Olympics
and plan to come to HITS Saugerties this spring.
The fearsome foursome will join some of the top equestrians in the
country as they duel it out for the top prize in two Grand Prix
classes each week. On Thursday, the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix will take
center stage and then on Sunday, riders can take aim at the $50,000
Grand Prix, which will be sponsored by EMO, Waldorf=Astoria Collection
and Purina Mills during the spring shows. Every Grand Prix at HITS
Saugerties is a qualifier for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational, which
will take place on Sunday, September 28 at HITS Culpeper in Culpeper,
Virginia.
"There is a lot of prize money up for grabs," said Minikus, a regular
competitor at HITS Saugerties. "The level of competition in Saugerties
will get me ready for the Olympics if I am fortunate enough to
qualify."
Some other weekly jumper events featured include the M&S Pony
Jumper Classic and the $5,000 Brook Ledge Friday Class. During
HITS-on-the-Hudson III, the $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Low Classic and
$25,000 JR/A-O Jumper High Classic will highlight the final day of
competition in the spring on Sunday, June 15.
"HITS Saugerties has something for all of my clients," said
Knightsbridge trainer Mary Babick. "The horse show allows my
higher-level clients to earn points and get our horses qualified for
year-end finals, while at the same time our riders who are just
starting out can experience a high-level show with great footing!"
©Lili Weik Photography
Olympic hopeful Todd Minikus will compete at HITS Saugerties this spring.
Speaking of Footing!
Footing similar to the well-received material that was used during
HITS' winter circuits in Ocala and Thermal highlight this season's list
of facility enhancements at HITS-on-the-Hudson. In addition, HITS has
just completed installing more than 33,000 feet (over six miles) of
drainage in many of the rings.
Another significant upgrade for this season is new temporary stabling.
HITS will be debuting 800 portable stalls and seven new tents which,
combined with gold and silver permanent stabling, gives Saugerties a
total of 2,000 available stalls. The new temporary stalls are
constructed of wood and steel dividers and are similar to structures
used in permanent stabling.
Exhibitors will also enjoy new jumps from Olaf Petersen, which debuted
at HITS Ocala this past winter. 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.
©Danette Kadlic for HITS, Inc.
Exhibitors who choose temporary stabling at HITS-on-the-Hudson will enjoy brand-new tents and stalls this season.
©Danette Kadlic for HITS, Inc.
The new stalls are on display at HITS-on-the-Hudson.
See you in the Summer
When the spring series of horse shows is complete, HITS Saugerties then
takes a short hiatus before returning on July 23 for three more weeks
of world-class show jumping. During the summer series of shows, HITS
Saugerties will once again host the USEF Junior Hunter National
Championships for the East Coast, August 4 - 6. In addition, on
Thursday, August 7 HITS will premiere two new events, the $5,000 Pony
Commotion Hunter Classic and the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter
Derby.
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.
2008 HITS Saugerties Dates
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON I
May 28 – June 1
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON II
June 4-8
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON III
June 11-15
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON IV
July 23-27
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON V
July 30 – August 3
USEF JUNIOR HUNTER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – EAST COAST
August 4-6
NY HORSE & PONY SHOW (VI)
August 6-10
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON VII
September 3-7
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