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SAUGERTIES, NY (August 6, 2007) — On Saturday, August 4, hundreds of enthusiastic children packed HITS' state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Saugerties, New York for the annual Kids Day event at the horse show.
Children enjoyed a gorgeous day filled with family fun and activities for all. Highlighting the afternoon were free pony rides courtesy of Saugerties' Green Heron Farm. Other activities included a bounce house, a gigantic slide, face painting, an arts-and-crafts area manned by volunteers from FAMILY of Woodstock, Inc. and a special appearance by Whoopsy Daisy the Clown.
Saturday's Kids Day event was the largest gathering of spectators at HITS Saugerties since its inaugural season in 2004. FAMILY, which receives 100 percent of the gate proceeds, collected $1,550 on Saturday alone. Children 12 and under are admitted free to the horse show, while adults are just $5 per person on weekends.
"It's tough for us to calculate the actual number of people that attend Kids Day because all children are admitted for free," said FAMILY Director Michael Berg. "We had about 300 adults pay at the gate and you figure they all brought two or three kids with them. Attendance was at an all-time high for Kids Day."
Kids Day is becoming a family tradition for many people in and outside the Hudson Valley, including Kristin Simonsen. She grew up in Saugerties, New York and now lives in Norwalk, Connecticut with her husband and their two daughters, Keegan and Emma. The Simonsen's come every year for Kids Day with their parents, Bill and Kathy Leahy who still live in town.
"As a family, we come each year; in fact, the girls look forward to it months in advance. Walking in feels as if you have entered an entirely new world, one that lets kids step into their own dreams. HITS allows kids to see that there exists more to horses than they previously imagined. In the end, it's simply a special place--one that my girls will keep talking about until next year," said Simonsen.
The next special event at HITS will be the World of the Horse exhibition on Sunday, August 12. World of the Horse offers a closer look at breeds such as Palamino, Quarter Horse, Paso Fino, Shire Stallion, Thoroughbred and Mini Horses. The World of the Horse exhibit will start immediately before the $75,000 In The Woods Grand Prix in the Grand Prix amphitheater at HITS Saugerties.
Also on August 12 at HITS-on-the-Hudson, FAMILY will get set for the 37th Anniversary Drawing of its Big $$$ Raffle. On Sunday, August 12, one lucky first prize winner will be awarded a check for a whopping $20,000.
Tickets are $50 a piece and if you are feeling really lucky, buy five and get the sixth one free. FAMILY will award prizes for winners up to tenth place, so don't miss out. Tickets are still available and will continue to be sold until the final drawing on Sunday, August 12. Those wishing to purchase tickets by phone should call 845.331.7080 by Friday, August 10 or visit www.familyofwoodstockinc.org.
The HITS equestrian facility is nestled at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just one mile outside the village of Saugerties. The facility offers an on-site food service pavilion, an ice cream parlor featuring an assortment of frozen delights and Starbucks® coffee. The HITS Bar and Grill serves up pizza and cold beer in a spacious air-conditioned lounge. 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 right here in the Hudson Valley.
Those interested in the behind the scenes of show jumping can watch the horse show farrier put new shoes on a horse and even tour the stables to see some of the horses and riders up close. And for those who love to shop, HITS does not disappoint. The HITS Saugerties Mall features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art, photography and custom HITS souvenirs. For more information on any of the HITS Horse Shows or special events, please call 845.246.8833 during the week and 845.246.5515 on weekends during horse shows or visit www.HitsShows.com .
Admission is $5 for adults, which is donated to Family of Woodstock, Inc. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking for spectators is located at Gate E, which is directly across from the Kiwanis Ice Rink and is always free.
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.
All Photos (C) 2007 Danette Kadlic for HITS, Inc.
Keegan Simonsen of Norwalk, CT and grandmother Kathy Leahy of Saugerties get creative at Kids Day
Whoopsy Daisy the Clown makes balloon treats for Kids Day
Julia Quinlan of Saugerties gets a free Pony Ride from Green Heron Farm at Kids Day 
Family of Woodstock, Inc. volunteers make salt bracelets at Kids Day
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