Tom Struzzieri and HITS Return to West Coast

Saugerties, N.Y. – June 9, 2022 – HITS LLC is pleased to announce that it will be returning to the West Coast, having been awarded the lease to operate and manage the prestigious Del Mar Horsepark. Tom Struzzieri and HITS will work diligently to improve the existing facility and create an incredible venue for equestrian athletes of all disciplines to enjoy. As the leading producer of hunter/jumper competitions in the United States and having built two facilities on the West Coast at the HITS Desert Horse Park at Indio and Thermal, Struzzieri and his team are well-versed in the needs of exhibitors, sponsors and spectators on the West Coast to create successful competitions throughout the year.

The HITS team hopes to reopen the doors of the Del Mar Horsepark in 2023, operating all seven of the current dates allocated through US Equestrian (USEF) as part of the newly restructured California show schedule. In addition to seven hunter/jumper competitions, HITS will help support events of all disciplines at the facility.

“I founded HITS over 40 years ago and have been responsible for a number of different facilities around the country, including two right in the desert of California,” said Struzzieri. “The benefit of being a lifelong horseman, rather than just an investor, gives me a unique perspective in not only developing and designing facilities, but also in acting as a horseman in the coordination of events. These skills will be instrumental after witnessing the challenges the sport has experienced this past year. I look forward to starting the project of renovating one of the most iconic horse facilities in the country, and then producing some of California’s most outstanding events!”

The Del Mar Horsepark is a 65-acre equestrian facility located about three miles east of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, at the corner of El Camino Real and Via de la Valle in the San Dieguito River Valley. Nestled in a serene tree-lined setting, the facility currently features 400 permanent stalls, two grass jumping stadiums, four show rings and a covered lighted arena.

During 2022, HITS will address the environmental concerns that caused the original closure of the Del Mar Horsepark. HITS will also improve the footing in the rings, adjust the facility layout to be more exhibitor friendly, and upgrade the quality of the stabling.

HITS looks forward to returning to the West Coast for the 2023 show season and welcoming exhibitors back to the storied Del Mar Horsepark, allowing the West Coast to continue its long tradition of top equestrian competitions at the popular venue.