HITS, LLC announced the release of economic impact study commissioned for HITS-on-the-Hudson
Saugerties, NY (December 19, 2023) – HITS, LLC, the leading producer of hunter/jumper as well as dressage events in North America, announced today the release of an economic impact study that was commissioned for the 2023 series for the HITS Saugerties Show Series at the HITS-on-the-Hudson location in Saugerties, New York. The HITS Saugerties Show Series, together with several equestrian event rentals that took place at HITS-on-the-Hudson, produced a total economic impact of more than $187 million on the greater Ulster County region according to a study performed by Scott Minto, president of Netop Insights and Director of the Sports MBA Program at San Diego State University’s Fowler College of Business. The $187 million figure includes indirect and induced spending by existing Ulster County businesses as a result of direct spending by HITS and HITS customers in the amount of more than $143 million.
The report notes that over 30,550 out-of-market visitors enjoyed the season-long festivities with an average of over 94.5% of event attendees, participants and staff visiting the area from outside of Ulster County. The report also states that 98% of visitors said they would not have visited the Saugerties area during the season were it not for the HITS series of horse shows.
A large component of the direct spending is for lodging. Local hotel establishments benefitted from a total of 70,314 room-nights producing nearly $24.4 million in revenue. An additional $4.1 million was spent on “other lodging,” which includes Airbnbs/VRBOs, RV parks, campgrounds, etc.
HITS has special ties to Ulster County, having produced its first horse shows at Rose View Stables in nearby Dutchess County New York and then expanding its operations to Ellenville, NY in the late 1990’s. In 2004 HITS settled in Saugerties where it established its headquarters and in 2004 developed the nearly 200-acre HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian show grounds, which has been an important show jumping destination ever since.
In 2023, HITS completed major improvements to its Saugerties facilities including new footing in many of its riding rings, upgrades to its restaurant, bar and restroom facilities and substantial additional landscaping. Those improvements, coupled with the diverse amenities and beauty of the Hudson Valley, the extraordinary dining establishments and the superior customer service delivered by HITS staff, ensure that HITS and its show grounds will continue to attract thousands of horse owners, riders, trainers and their families and friends for many years to come.