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SAUGERTIES, NY (August 20, 2009)—In just three weeks, HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New
York will host the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals,
bringing together hundreds of riders from around the country who have been
competing their hearts out to earn a spot at the prestigious year-end
Finals.
This year's Marshall & Sterling League National Finals
will be held September 10-13 and will feature 13 divisions, including the
all-new $5,000 3'3" Marshall & Sterling Hunter Derby, which for this
year only will be open to both members and non-members. This unique two-round
classic has been getting quite a bit of buzz over the past couple of months as
riders look forward to the inaugural class at the Finals.
"There's been a tremendous amount of interest in this
division since we announced it earlier in the spring," said Tom
Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. "I'm really pleased with how popular
this has become with our exhibitors. It will be a great addition to our 2009
Finals for the Marshall & Sterling League, and in 2010, we will offer the
division at all of our shows starting in January. If the past few months have
been any indication, this is going to be a very hot division with a lot of
followers."
The new 3'3" Hunter Derby will become the 13th division
offered in the Marshall & Sterling League and one of the six different
hunter divisions, including the Bit O'Straw, Tri-State, Adequan, Adult
and Children's Hunter Horse and Pony. The League also offers three jumper divisions,
the Children's, Adult and Pony Jumpers and four equitation divisions, including
the Central Equine Junior Medal, Adult Medal, as well as Children's Medals for Horses and Ponies.
The Marshall & Sterling League has been going strong for
nearly 20 years as a grass-roots organization giving riders of all levels a
chance to compete throughout the year towards the goal of a qualifying for a
National-level Finals. Each year the League's popularity continues to grow by
leaps and bounds, swelling from just 10 member shows and 100 members in 1991,
to a very strong following today. Nearly 2,400 riders belong to the League and
more than 1,100 horse shows around the country offer Marshall & Sterling League
divisions and classes.
Qualifying Period Ends August 30 for 2009 National Finals
With just 10 days left in the 2009 qualifying period, members
will be looking to tack on extra points to secure their place at this year's
finale. One young rider who is assured of a spot at this year's Finals is 12
year old Taylor Johnson of Alachua, Florida. This is Johnson's first year in the
League and since joining in December of 2008, she is holding down first place
in both the Children's Hunter Pony and the Children's Pony Medal divisions.
"I am very excited about qualifying for the Finals,"
said Johnson, who splits her time with trainers Leslie Schneider and Georgeanne
and Ann Powers. "I've been to New York City before, but this will be my
first time to Saugerties and I can't wait. I've seen the arena that we will be
competing in on YouTube and it's just amazing, I'm so excited!"
Of the two divisions that she's qualified for, Johnson is
most looking forward to the Medal Final. "It's more complicated and I love
a good challenge," she said. "The best thing about being part of the
Marshall & Sterling League is knowing how much my pony Swanney and
I have been able to accomplish in such a short time. I'm really proud of
that."
While Johnson may be assured her spot at the Finals, other
riders will have an opportunity to take advantage of two weeks of Wild Card Qualifiers at
HITS Saugerties starting on Wednesday, August 26 when show jumping returns to
HITS-on-the-Hudson. Wild Card classes will be held in the Children’s Hunters,
Adults Hunters, Children’s Jumpers, Adult Jumpers, Bit O’ Straw and all four
medals – Junior, Adult, Children's Horse and Children's Pony.
The top two finishers in each Wild Card class, who are not already
qualified for the Finals, will receive an automatic invitation to the
prestigious event in each respective division. Riders competing in the
Wild Card class must be current members of the Marshall & Sterling
League.
The 2009 National Finals will be held at HITS-on-the Hudson from
September 10-13. All of the classes at the National Finals will be held
in HITS' Majestic Grand Prix ring that is set at the foothills of the
Catskill Mountains. The Grand Prix ring will also feature lights for
the Hudson Equitation on Saturday night as exhibitors prepare for the
medal finals on Sunday.
Highlighting the extended weekend is the Marshall & Sterling League
Finals Party and Awards Dinner on Friday, September 11, featuring the
presentation of the Essex Classics Year-End High Point Awards to the
top-10 riders in each division based on the Marshall & Sterling
National Point Standings.
On Saturday night, there will be a special Merry-Go-Round Gala and
Auction at the show grounds where 46 fiberglass carousel horses from
the Hors'n Around Saugerties Exhibit
will be up for bid. Each horse is decorated by an artist in
themes reflecting the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, and
they will be on display around the Village of Saugerties from May
through September.
For additional information, e-mail Patti@HitsShows.com or visit the Marshall & Sterling League's website at www.HitsShows.com/marshallsterling.
During the year, riders from coast to coast compete at more than 1,100
Marshall & Sterling League member horse shows to earn points for a
place at the National 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
racehorse 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.
© 2008 Lili Weik Photography
Samantha Kraus on course during the 2008 Marshall & Sterling Children's Horse Medal Final. |
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