HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series and the 12th Annual
$100,000 USGPL Invitational Fast Facts
EVENT:
HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series presented by HITS, Inc. and 12th Annual $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix, which features the top 30 Grand Prix riders in the National Rankings of the Marshall & Sterling League.
WHAT:
Six-week hunter/jumper horse show series produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from April through September each year. The 12th Annual $100,000 USGPL Invitational is the Grand Finale of the Culpeper Season and highlights the League's most accomplished Grand Prix riders. The USGPL Finals marks the final week of the HITS Culpeper season each year and, in addition to the $100,000 USGPL Invitational, features the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic, sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc. and Four Winds Farm; the $15,000 Junior/A-O Low Jumper Classic; the $25,000 Junior/A-O High Jumper Classic; and the $25,000 Devoucoux Wild Card Grand Prix, which enables one rider not already qualified the opportunity to earn a spot in the Invitational.
WHERE:
HITS Commonwealth Park
13256 Commonwealth Parkway
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540.825.7469 (during horse shows)
WHEN:
Daily, Wednesday - Sunday 8 am to 4 pm during show weeks.
Commonwealth National: April 15-19
Showday National: July 1-5
Cavalier Classic: July 8-12
Winston National: August 12-16
Constitution Classic: August 19-23
USGPL Finals: September 23-27
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
| Commonwealth National: |
| Friday, April 17 |
$15,000 Brookledge Open Jumper Prix |
| Saturday, April 18 |
$5,000 Culpeper Hunter Classic |
| Sunday, April 19 |
$30,0000 EMO Grand Prix, $3,000 M&S/Nal Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, $5,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic |
| Showday National: |
| Friday, July 3 |
$15,000 Brookledge Open Jumper Prix |
| Saturday, July 4 |
$5,000 Culpeper Hunter Classic |
| Sunday, July 5 |
$40,0000 HITS Grand Prix, $3,000 M&S/Nal Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $15,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic |
| Cavalier Classic: |
| Friday, July 10 |
$15,000 Brookledge Open Jumper Prix |
| Saturday, July11 |
$5,000 Culpeper Hunter Classic |
| Sunday, July 12 |
Strongid C 2X Grand Prix, $3,000 M&S/Nal Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $15,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic |
| Winston National: |
| Friday, August 14 |
$15,000 Brookledge Open Jumper Prix |
| Saturday, August 15 |
$5,000 Culpeper Hunter Classic |
| Sunday, August 16 |
$30,000 HITS Grand Prix, $3,000 M&S/Nal Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, $5,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic |
| Constitution Classic: |
| Friday, August 21 |
$15,000 Brookledge Open Jumper Prix |
| Saturday, August 22 |
$5,000 Culpeper Hunter Classic |
| Sunday, August 23 |
$30,000 HITS Grand Prix, $3,000 M&S/Nal Children's/Adult Jumper Classic, $5,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic |
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ADMISSION: Wednesday – Sunday: Free
DIRECTIONS: The HITS Culpeper Show Series are held at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia located just off of Route 522.
From the North (Warrenton): Take US 15/29 south to the Culpeper area. Take the US 522/VA Route 3 Exit west, towards Fredericksburg. Turn Left off the ramp and then turn right onto 522 south. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
From the South (Charlottesville): Take US 29 north to the Culpeper area. Take the US 522/VA Route 3 Exit west, towards Fredericksburg. Turn right off the ramp and then turn right onto 522 south. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
From the East (Fredericksburg): Take VA 3 west towards Culpeper. Turn left (south) on US 522. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
THE FACILITY:
HITS Commonwealth Park, Culpeper, Virginia
The show grounds feature seven different competition rings, including a Grand Prix ring, a Jumper ring, five Hunter rings and three separate schooling areas. Spectator seating is available at every ring and in the Pavilion, which is located between the Grand Prix ring and the Main Hunter ring. Spectator parking is located just off the main entrance to the right.
REFRESHMENTS:
HITS Culpeper features a full-service food concession, the Showday Café. The Café offers a complete and diverse menu of food and beverages. Hours: 6 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Sunday.
SHOPPING:
HITS Culpeper features numerous shops offering horse-themed gifts, clothes, art, antiques and jewelry.
LODGING: (in Culpeper, more listed online and in the prize list)
Best Western Culpeper Inn | 540.825.1253
Microtel Inn & Suites | 800.771.7171
Super 8 Motel | 540.825.8088
Comfort Inn | 540.825.4900
Red Carpet Inn | 540.829.6700
Lord Culpeper Hotel | 540.829.6400
Sleepy Hollow | 540.825.8396
HITS-tory:
The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of the Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 United States Cup, the Grand Finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park since 1998. Each year, on average more than 3,000 horses, 4,500 horseman and 2,500 spectators attend HITS Culpeper and more than $1 million in prize money is awarded throughout the six-week season.
The economic impact of the HITS Culpeper Show Series on the surrounding community is estimated at $20 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the six weeks of shows.
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For information during the horse shows please contact:
HITS Commonwealth Park | 13256 Commonwealth Parkway
Culpeper, Virginia 22701
540.825.7469 | fax 540.827.1175
For information prior to the start of the horse shows, please contact:
HITS, Inc. | 319 Main St., Saugerties, NY 12477
info@HitsShows.com | www.HitsShows.com
845.246.8833 | fax 845.246.6371 |
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