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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 6, 2006
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HITS
UNVEILS PLANS FOR NEW EQUESTRIAN CENTER
USET Foundation Honored
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Indio,
CA (March 6, 2006)--More than 400
of the West Coast's top riders, owners and
trainers attended a special, by-invitation-only
party in honor of the United States Equestrian
Team Foundation on Friday, March 3 at the HITS
Desert Horse Park in Indio, California. The
party was hosted by Jami Morse Heidegger and
Show Circuit Magazine and included presentations
by George H. Morris, Chef d'Equipe of the U.S.
Show Jumping Team, Bonnie B. Jenkins, Executive
Director of the USET Foundation and Thomas
G. Struzzieri, President of HITS, Inc.
Chef d’Equipe Morris spoke with passion about the future of show jumping
in this country, noting that "the West Coast is so important to the country's
high performance equestrian programs." He went on to say that he is "encouraged
by the talent and interest that has been generated out here" and that he
looks "forward to working with the riders to seize opportunities that will
contribute to making the United States equestrians the best in the world."
The USET Foundation’s Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins spoke of the great
enthusiasm and passion that is evident here on the West Coast for the Team and
praised Jamie Morse Heidegger of Show Circuit Magazine for her commitment to
the sport and for hosting this party. “The evening was simply wonderful,” she
observed.
The management team at HITS used the party as an opportunity to unveil its preliminary
site plans for its new 250-acre venue to be constructed during the next year
on property near Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal, California.
Thomas G. Struzzieri, President of HITS, Inc., spoke of the role he expects the
new HITS Desert Equestrian Center to play in the development of international
show jumping athletes and selection of teams that represent our country abroad.
Selection trials are held for international competitions including the Olympics
and World Championships as well as the World Cup of Show Jumping and the Pan
Am Games. “The new HITS venue will be well suited as a host facility for
this level of competition,” he said. Struzzieri paid special recognition
to Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, who has been instrumental in helping
make this project a reality.
Twenty special items were offered in a Silent Auction at the party for the benefit
of the USET Foundation and auction proceeds reached almost $30,000. “These
funds will help support our country’s high-performance programs,” Jenkins
added. |
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Jami
Heidegger and Warren Christopher of Show Circuit
Magazine flank
Hollywood's Alfre Woodard at the HITS-USET Party
in Indio |
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©Todd
Sutherland/Flying Horse Photography |
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For
the past 14 years, HITS has produced a six-week
winter horse show circuit on approximately
100 acres at the intersection of Monroe Street
and Avenue 52 in Indio, California. The new
facility, when completed, is expected to
be the largest hunter-jumper horse show venue
in the United States and will encompass more
than $10,000,000 in improvements including
stabling for more than 3,000 horses and ten
to twelve competition rings.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management
company primarily focused on producing hunter-jumper
horse shows. Based in upstate New York in
the village of Saugerties, HITS produced
its first horse show circuit in Gainesville,
Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has
grown into a nationwide company with world-class
hunter-jumper circuits in California, Florida,
Arizona, New York, and Virginia. In January
2006 HITS entered into a private equity arrangement
with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in
Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able
to develop and execute exciting operational
and strategic initiatives that both solidify
its well-established position as the leader
in horse show management and allow for new
growth opportunities including the construction
of HITS Desert Equestrian Center.
HITS generates significant economic impact
in each of its five venues in California,
Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
The six-week circuit, presently held at HITS
Desert Horse Park in Indio, is estimated
to produce a total economic impact in excess
of $120,000,000 each year. Because the new
site is considerably larger and will accommodate
more horses for a longer period of time,
the economic impact in future years is expected
to increase substantially.
For more information about the new HITS Desert
Equestrian Center at Thermal, CA:
General Information:
Donna Vale
info@HitsShows.com
845-246-8833
Stabling Information:
Eileen Edwards
Eileen@HitsShows.com
845-246-8833
For press shots from the party, please
email requests to Mary Creech mcreech@frontiernet.net
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HITS
CORPORATE OFFICE: HITS,
Inc.
319 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
phone
845.246.8833 fax 845.246.6371
www.HitsShows.com
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