HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series and the 11th Annual
$100,000 USGPL Invitational Fast FactsEvent:
HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series presented by HITS, Inc. and 11th 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 11th 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 16-20
Showday National: July 9-13
Cavalier Classic: July 16-20
Winston National: August 20-24
Constitution Classic: August 27-31
USGPL Finals: September 24-28
Highlights Fridays: $15,000 Brook Ledge Open Jumper Prix and Adequan Hunter, Weeks I-V Saturdays: $ 5,000 Hunter Classic; Equitation Classic and Central Equine Junior Medal, Weeks I-V Sunday, April 20: $40,000 EMO Grand Prix Sunday, July 13: $40,000 Strongid ® C 2X TM Grand Prix Sunday, July 20: $40,000 HITS Grand Prix Saturday, August 23: Zone III Junior Equitation Finals Sunday, August 24: $40,000 HITS Grand Prix Sunday, August 31: $40,000 HITS Grand Prix Friday, September 26: $25,000 Devoucoux Wild Card Grand Prix Saturday, September 27: $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic, sponsored by Stillwell-Hansen, Inc.
and FourWinds FarmSunday, September 28: $15,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Low Classic, $25,000 Jr/A-O Jumper High Classic, Parade of Champions and the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix
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.For a map of the property, please click here .
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 | 540.825.8396HITS-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.
Corporate Contact Information:
HITS, Inc.
319 Main Street
Saugerties, New York 12477
Phone: 845.246.8833 | Fax: 845.246.6371
E-mail: info@HitsShows.com | Website: www.HitsShows.comMedia Contacts:
Chris Mayone or Danette Kadlic
Phone: 845.246.8833 | E-mail: media_info@HitsShows.com
Lodging--Directions--Press--Results--HITS Facility Rental--Vendor Contract -Grounds Map--Contract Info--Culpeper Home
HITS, Inc. | 319 Main St., Saugerties, NY 12477
info@HitsShows.com | www.HitsShows.com
845.246.8833 | fax: 845.246.6371
