New Jumps to Debut at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ during HITS Ocala Winter Circuit February 13, 2015

Ocala, Florida (December 9, 2014): To celebrate the arrival of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, the creative team at HITS, Inc. has designed unique new jumps to challenge horses, excite riders and entertain spectators.

The jumps debut at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium February 13 at 1 pm at HITS Post Time Farm, as part of the 2015 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. HITS was chosen to host this year’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, a prestigious international class that is a qualifier for the Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona this September.

The jumps will also be used for the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix March 23 in Ocala.

During the initial phases, the HITS Art Department created almost 40 different visuals and narrowed them down to 10 distinctive jumps, which the Jump Building Department will construct and have ready in time for their February premier.

“It’s all about ideas. Of course, a priority is making them functional for the horses, particularly for this exciting new event,” said HITS Assistant Art Director Elizabeth McClain. “But the fun part is the inspiration.”

New jumps include a bridge over the New York City skyline; old fashioned sailboats, and a jump that features two large heads of garlic to pay tribute to the annual Hudson Valley Garlic Festival, which draws tens of thousands of visitors to Saugerties each September, just weeks after the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix.

Other innovative jumps feature balls of knitting yarn, a large abacus, and Grecian columns topped with flowers inspired by the myth of Pegasus, the flying horse.

“In addition to the ‘Wow’ factor for spectators, we’re trying to challenge the horses and riders with different kinds of obstacles, and how they interact with the jumps,” said McClain. “It makes the event more special – that’s why we wait for these days to premier them. No one’s seen them before and the Grand Prix riders will be the first to jump over them.”

In addition to original jumps for Grand Prix riders, exhibitors at HITS can always expect top-of-the-line footing and facilities. For more on recent HITS facility upgrades, visit: hitsshows.com/hits-press.


(C) HITS Art Department
A new jump inspired by 35mm film gives a nod to the HITS Triple Crown of Show Jumping.


(C) HITS Art Department
Paying tribute to the New York's largest food festival, a garlic jump will greet horses at HITS Ocala.


(C) HITS Art Department
Horses will sail over this jump inspired by the sloop Clearwater.


About HITS, Inc.

HITS, Inc. produces high quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the Village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.

While hosting the richest weekend in show jumping at HITS-on-the-Hudson, HITS also formed the Triple Crown of Show Jumping. This includes the AIG $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Mortgage Call, in Thermal, California, the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix in Ocala, Florida, and Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Wells Fargo, in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.


2015 Horse Show Dates

HITS Desert Circuit  |  Thermal, CA  |  January 13 - March 15, 2015
HITS Ocala Winter Circuit    |  Ocala, FL  |  January 13 - March 23, 2015
HITS Arizona Winter Circuit  |  Tucson, AZ  |  January 28 - March 8, 2015
HITS Culpeper Show Series  |  Culpeper, VA  |  April / July / August / September
HITS Saugerties Show Series  |  Saugerties, NY  |  May-June / July-August / September
HITS Championship  |  Saugerties, NY  |  September 2-6, 2015
HITS Marshall & Sterling Insurance National Finals  |  September 9-13, 2015
National Sunshine Series  |  October 28 - November 8, 2015