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SAUGERTIES, NY (November 21, 2007)-Each year hundreds of school-age riders attend the HITS Winter Show Circuits in Thermal and Ocala opting for life at the show grounds instead of at the school grounds. For many, this can mean extended periods of time away from school right in the middle of the academic calendar. It's for this reason that HITS offers on-site educational facilities at both circuits to help make it easier for students of all ages to keep current with their curriculum without sacrificing their passion and commitment to show jumping.
"We started the HITS Education Station in Ocala over 15 years ago and right away it was clear that this was a valuable and welcomed service for our young riders," said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS, Inc. "This will be our third year offering the school on the West Coast and that program has also really taken off. We have exceptional program leaders at both locations which is attributable to the growth in enrollment we've seen through the years."
Education Station-HITS Ocala Winter Circuit
The popular Education Station will be opening its doors at Post Time Farm once again. It offers services exclusive to student riders participating in the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit for grades Kindergarten through 12.
Director Patricia Struzzieri holds a Master's Degree in Education and has spent the last 27 years of her educational career as the administrator of a private school and camp in New York. Furthermore, all of the teachers are experienced and certified in their subject areas.
"It's our goal to provide a strong academic arena," said Ms. Struzzieri. "It's a great social environment, too. Children come from all over the country to Ocala with one common interest and they can interact with each other in an educational environment in addition to the show scene."
Educational services will be available beginning January 21, 2008 with convenient school
hours on Monday through Thursday from 9 am - 12:30 pm. The schedule allows students to study in the morning and ride in the afternoon.
"We encourage students to enroll early," added Ms. Struzzieri. "We do put a cap on enrollment in order to keep the classes small and intimate."
Deadline for Applications is January 9, 2008. For more information on the Education Station, please contact
Patricia Struzzieri at
845.628.8722 or to register online visit www.HitsShows.com.
The 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will kick-off with the return of the popular $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's/Adult Jumper Championship during the two unrated shows in January. More commonly known as the "Are You a Champion?" series, the Jumper Championship was first offered in Ocala during the 2007 Winter Circuit and was an immediate success. Offered for one of the fastest growing segments in the sport today, this unique four-phase event also includes bonus prize money of $5,000 awarded to the top-eight finishers overall and points from the second and fourth legs count towards the Marshall & Sterling League.
For more information on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and the HITS Education Station visit www.HitsShows.com or call 845.246.8833
School Station-HITS Desert Circuit
The School Station at the HITS Thermal Desert Circuit also offers a complete academic facility designed especially for equestrian families. The program stresses the academic curriculum of the student's local school. It is an integral part of the support system for the equestrian rider. Classrooms are located on the show grounds with certified teachers and individualized study programs for students in Kindergarten through College.
The highest priority is given to continuing each student's regular school studies. The School Station encourages and assists students in collaborating with the faculty and their home school.
"It's a great place to be and I went back to school ahead of my class," said Catherine Fill, an eighth grader from Washington, who attended the school last year.
During the 2007 circuit, total student enrollment for the HITS School Station was 51 with many of the students being enrolled for the duration of the circuit. Retention for the program has been high as well, with 85% of the students returning since the inception of the program. HITS is looking at the possibility of enhancing the services offered and hopes to one day offer preparatory courses for the SAT and ACT exams.
"The equestrian community really embraces the program," said Director Mary Cunning. "We anticipate another terrific school season at HITS Thermal."
Registration for the School Station is underway. For additional information
and registration please contact
Ms. Cunning at
802.372.8990 or 505.235.6793.
The 2008 HITS Desert Circuit kicks off on January 9 with the Desert Circuit Premiere. With the addition of the two new weeks, the 2008 Desert Circuit features 18 Grand Prix events with $925,000 in Grand Prix prize money. The season concludes with the $200,000 Invitational Grand Prix on Sunday, March 16. During the eight-week circuit, HITS will offer nearly $2 Million in total prize money.
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.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com
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