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SAUGERTIES, NY (September 27, 2007)—In just four years, the HITS Saugerties horse show circuit has become a mecca for East Coast horsemen hosting the largest hunter/jumper horse shows offered during the spring and summer in the United States.
During the course of the seven-week circuit, the HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility offers stabling for over 2,000 horses, more than 250 different classes each week, and over $1 million in prize money, more than any other circuit during the spring and summer. In addition, the facility boasts 10 permanent, all-weather hunter, jumper and equitation rings where riders of all ages and skill levels compete throughout the circuit.
“I'm pleased with the diversity of riders that we had competing in Saugerties,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “In other years the ratio has been either skewed with high-performance riders or exhibitors at the other end of the spectrum. This year, we had a great mix of both and it made for some great classes.”
Speaking of diversity, HITS-on-the-Hudson also played host to some rather successful dressage events this year, including the New England Dressage Association's Fall Festival. Its nearly 600 competitors made it the largest dressage event in the country.
Grand Prix Galore!
HITS Saugerties offers two Grand Prix competitions each week totaling $100,000 in combined prize money for a season total of $700,000 for the circuit. Six former Olympians made their way to the historic Hudson Valley to compete for their share of the purses. Todd Minikus, Mclain Ward, Margie Engle and Anne Kursinski each took turns taking home the blue ribbon but it was Ireland 's Darragh Kerins and his mount Night Train that owned the Grand Prix ring during the summer series as the pair had three Grand Prix triumphs totaling nearly $40,000 in prize money for Double H Farm.
Hillary-on-the-Hudson
Kerins was not the only rider making news at HITS Saugerties. The spring series of horse shows marked the arrival of one of the sport's up-and-coming riders, Hillary Dobbs. From Sussex, New Jersey, Dobbs attends Harvard and is the daughter of CNN's Lou Dobbs. She is only 19 but already is known as the next big thing in the world of show jumping thanks in part to her performance at HITS Saugerties. Dobbs won a pair of $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix classes during her two-week stay in Saugerties, and collected an additional $22,500 in prize money when she won the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix on Sunday, June 10.
Dobbs trains under the watchful eyes of Missy Clark from Vermont's North Run who said that Dobbs was on a heck of a run at HITS Saugerties and every time she entered the ring she had a chance to win the class. "She has been a great student of mine for a number of years," said Clark. "It is tremendous to watch her excel. I haven't seen a rider get that hot in a while."
"I am constantly amazed at Tom Struzzieri's tireless efforts to help improve our sport," added Clark. "From the permanent stabling to offering the best food service, bar none, at any horse show, I certainly look forward to showing at HITS in the future."
©Lili Weik Photography 07
Hillary Dobbs and her mount Quincy B win the $25,000 Ariat Grand Prix earlier in the year at HITS Saugerties. Dobbs is now in her second year at Harvard.
Another Harvard undergrad jumps to success at HITS Saugerties
Also featured at HITS Saugerties this summer was the 2007 East Coast USEF Junior Hunter National Championships. Addison Phillips, of New York, New York, rode Mirasol to the Grand Championship at the competition on Wednesday, August 8 at HITS Saugerties. Phillips, who is a freshman at Harvard, is also a successful jumper rider. In fact, she took home second place in the $75,000 Footings Unlimited Grand Prix aboard her Grand Prix mount Trezebees earlier in the season at HITS Saugerties.
One of the featured events at the 2007 USEF Junior Hunter National Championship was the USHJA Hunterdon Cup, presented by World Equestrian Brands. Maggie Mcalary of Amherst, New Hampshire and her mount Cheyenne won this second annual equitation competition on Tuesday, August 7.
©Lili Weik Photography 07
Addison Phillips and her mount Mirasol clear a jump during the 2007 East Coast USEF Junior Hunter National Championships at HITS Saugerties.
The Marshall & Sterling League Finals provide a fun-filled weekend for all at HITS-on-the-Hudson
The Marshall & Sterling League Finals took center stage at HITS' state-of-the-art equestrian facility in Saugerties from Thursday, September 13 through Sunday, September 16. The four-day event featured more than $30,000 in prize money, perpetual trophies and awards. Highlighting the event was the Marshall & Sterling League Finals Award Dinner and Party on Friday, September 14. More than 800 exhibitors attended a fabulous dinner that included a hot and cold buffet, passed hors d'oeuvres and an open bar that lasted the duration of the evening provided by New York City's Tavern on the Green Catering. The Essex Classics Year-End High Point Awards
followed dinner. The awards were presented to
the Top-10 riders in each division based on
their Marshall & Sterling National Point Standings. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony guests kicked back and enjoyed a special performance by GRAMMY®-nominated singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega.
©Lili Weik Photography 07
(Left to Right) Ralph Caristo, Jenny Fischer, Giovanni Fischer, Troy Hendricks and Jen Rubio
(front) celebrate at the Marshall & Sterling League Finals Awards Dinner and Party.
Fun outside the rings
When the competition in the rings finished, the action did not stop. During the spring and summer series of horse shows, exhibitors were treated to weekly special events, including a season-opening celebration at Le Canard Restaurant, an Equine Art Gala at New World Home Cooking Co., a karaoke contest presented by Tavern on the Green, a Saturday night mixer to celebrate the $75,000 RV Sales of Broward Grand Prix, a golf tournament, a fashion show and a costume party for dogs.
“HITS really put on some fun events this year for the exhibitors," said HITS exhibitor Holly Caristo. "We had the Taste of HITS and the fashion show during the spring horse shows. Both events were really fun. This summer we had the golf tournament and the dog costume party. All of this complements a great horse show at a world-class facility.”
New for 2008 at
HITS-on-the-Hudson
Even though the 2007 season just ended, plans are already underway for 2008. HITS has finalized plans with Bart Poels, Footing Specialist for the 2008 Olympics Games, to oversee footing at all facilities, with a special focus on the Grand Prix footing. Other enhancements will include improved ventilation in the barns and improved jumps and decorations for each ring. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to preview the facility at a pre-season Open House event in April of 2008 at HITS-on-the-Hudson.
“This year, more than ever, we've been focusing on our exhibitors and what they look for in a show, and how we can help to make their show experience special,” said Struzzieri. “Working closely with the trainers has enabled us to prioritize our efforts on the things that are most important to our customers. That will continue to be our primary focus for 2008 across all of our facilities.”
The HITS Saugerties series of horse shows runs from May to September. Set amidst the beautiful and historic Catskill Mountains and the Hudson River Valley, this circuit is produced at HITS' equestrian facility, which features an amphitheater containing the Grand Prix ring and a Feature Hunter ring, 1,100 permanent stalls, and permanent buildings housing offices, food concession, rest rooms and equestrian retail shops. 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.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.
Media should contact Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com
2008 Horse Show Dates
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON I
May 28 - June 1
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON II
June 4 - 8
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON III
June 11 -15
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON IV
July 23 -27
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON V
July 30 - August 3
NY HORSE & PONY SHOW
August 6-10
HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON VII
September 3-7
M&S LEAGUE FINALS
September 11-14
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