HITS Ocala Winter Horse Show Circuit
- OCALA GRAND FINALE WEEKEND
WHAT:
Nine-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from January through March annually. Since its introduction in 1982, the HITS Winter Circuit in Florida has been a fixture on the East Coast show-jumping circuit. Each winter, the circuit attracts national and international participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Located in Marion County, the heart of Florida's horse country, the area is home to over 600 horse farms and hundreds of supporting facilities and businesses. Classes offered range from the grand prix show jumping classes to a selection of divisions for both the novice and experienced rider. The circuit features 18 grand prix events worth a total of $725,000 in prize money, which includes the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group, to close out the circuit during the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.
WHERE: HITS Post Time Farm, 13710 US Highway 27, Ocala, Florida 34482
Phone: 352.620.2275 (during horse shows only)
WHEN: Tuesday - Sunday 8 am to 4 pm during show weeks
2013 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
All Grand Prix events at the HITS Post Time Farm will be qualifiers for the $1 Million Grand Prix to be
held September 8, 2013 at the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, New York.
All Grand Prix classes are presented by Zoetis |
| Ocala lX - OCALA GRAND FINALE WEEKEND |
| Thursday, March 14 |
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| Friday, March 15 |
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| Saturday, March 16 |
$50,000 East vs.West Hunter Challenge - round 2
$1,500 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $10,000 Junior Jumper Classic Medium
$10,000 A-O Jumper Classic Medium
$25,000 U-Dump Junior/A-O Jumper Classic High |
| Sunday, March 17 |
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ADMISSION:
No admission charge Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday admission is $5 per person, children under 12 are free.
DIRECTIONS:
I-75 to Exit 354 for Hwy 27 North. Travel twelve miles, Show grounds on the left.
ENTRANCES:
Exhibitor:
Main Entrance – Horse Show Office and Competition Rings.
Stabling Entrance – Permanent and Temporary Stabling.
Spectator:
Entrance & Parking - Past Main Entrance on 137th Avenue
THE FACILITY:
HITS Post Time Farm, Ocala, Florida
Post Time Farm was originally built as a training center for Thoroughbred racehorses. The facility is professionally landscaped and features gated entrances, 52 miles of four-board fencing, 24 permanent barns that house 560 stalls, numerous paddocks, bridle paths and additional buildings for the horse show office and restaurant. In 2007, HITS completed a renovation project that added two new rings to the facility–a new Grand Prix ring and a new Main Hunter ring–increasing the total ring count to 12. Spectator seating is available at every ring. Spectator parking is located on 137th Avunue off Highway 27 at the main entrance gate.
For a map of the property, please click here.
REFRESHMENTS:
HITS Post Time Farm offers one of the best on-site Food Service Pavilions in equestrian sports today. Spectators can grab some lunch and find a grassy spot on the berms while watching some of the world's best show jumping with the entire family in the heart of the Marion County.
SHOPPING:
The vendor courtyard at HITS Post Time Farm features more than a dozen shops offering quality equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry and souvenirs.
LODGING:
For a complete listing of lodging options near the show grounds, please check out our HITS Ocala Lodging Partners.
HITS-TORY:
Since its introduction in 1982, the HITS Winter Circuit in Florida has been a fixture on the East Coast show-jumping circuit. Each winter, the Circuit attracts national and international participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Located in Marion County, the heart of Florida's horse country, the area is home to over 600 horse farms and hundreds of supporting facilities and businesses. Classes offered range from the Grand Prix show jumping classes to a selection of divisions for both the novice and experienced rider. In 2009, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit was expanded to eight weeks of competition with the addition of a sixth week of AA-rated competition. The expanded Circuit features 14 Grand Prix events worth a total of $575,000 in prize money, which includes the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix, presented by Great American to close out the circuit during the all-new HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.
Each year, more than 3,500 horses, 7,500 horsemen and 10,000 spectators attend HITS Ocala and more than $1 million in prize money is awarded.
The economic impact of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit on the surrounding community is estimated at $50 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the seven-week circut.
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For information prior to the start of the horse shows, please contact:
HITS, Inc. | 319 Main St. | Saugerties, NY 12477
info@HitsShows.com | HitsShows.com
845.246.8833 | fax: 845.246.6371
For information during the horse shows, please contact:
HITS Post Time Farm | 13710 US Highway 27 | Ocala, FL 34482
352.620.2275 | fax: 352.620.2059 |
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