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OCALA, FL (February 1, 2007) — Five weeks of A-rated horse shows are set to get underway on Wednesday, February 14, when the Ocala Winter Classic kicks off the season at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. The circuit continues weekly with a $25,000 Grand Prix every Thursday afternoon and a $50,000 Grand Prix every Sunday afternoon at 1 pm. The season wraps Sunday, March 18, with the $100,000 Footing Authority™, Grand Prix presented by Great American Insurance Group.
Aside from world-class show jumping, spectators will be treated to several special events during the Ocala Winter Classic. The Morrisville State College Six-in-Hand Belgian Draft Horse Hitch is scheduled to perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the horse show. Exact performance times are to be determined. The Morrisville Belgian Hitch is an impressive exhibit that consists of six horses from four to nine years of age ranging from 17.2 to 18.3 hands and weighing anywhere from 1,900 to 2,300 pounds each.
On Sunday, February 18, the season's first $50,000 EMO Grand Prix will be held in the newly designed Grand Prix Arena. Visitors to the horse show that Sunday will also be treated to chocolate tasting courtesy of the Melting Pot and relaxing chair massages courtesy of The Ranch Fitness Center from noon until 2 pm.
In addition to the unveiling of the new Grand Prix Ring, HITS will premier its' new Main Hunter Ring and a raised berm for VIP seating that overlooks both rings. These rings will be located at the east end of the current show ring area. Both rings will feature state-of-the-art footing provided by Footing Authority ™, a division of International Surfaces Group, Inc. The Grand Prix Ring will feature Polyrite™; the industry's most advanced polymer-coated synthetic footing, while the Main Hunter Ring will provide a soft ride on EuroFelt ® -enhanced footing.
Since its introduction in 1982, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has become a fixture on the East Coast show-jumping circuit. Each winter, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit attracts national and international participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Classes offered range from the Grand Prix show-jumping classes to a selection of divisions for both the beginning and experienced rider. Located in Ocala/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. HITS moved the Ocala horse shows from the 100-acre Golden Hills International Show Grounds to the circuit's new home, the 450-acre Post Time Farm in 2002. HITS Post Time Farm is located just a few miles west of the Golden Hills International Show Grounds on Highway 27. The Post Time Training Center was originally built for thoroughbred racehorses. The facility is professionally landscaped and features gated entrances, 52 miles of four-board fencing, 26 permanent barns that house 500 stalls, numerous paddocks, bridle paths, and additional buildings for the horse show office, restaurant and on-site school.
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 allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of the new HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. HITS generates significant economic impact in each of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
Photo Provided
The Morrisville State College Six-in-Hand Belgian Draft Horse Hitch is scheduled to perform February 16–18 at HITS Post Time Farm during the Ocala Winter Classic.
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