|
Thermal, CA (March 31, 2008)—HITS
is pleased to report that last week it received unanimous support from
attendees of the 2008 USEF World Cup Riders Meeting held at The Oaks in
San Juan Capistrano, California to once again host
four FEI World CupTM Qualifiers at the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal.
HITS
has successfully run the World Cup classes at its West Coast Circuit
since 1991, giving riders on the West Coast an opportunity to qualify
for the prestigious World Cups year after year right in their own
backyard. Originally HITS hosted two FEI events in Arizona. In
1992, those two FEI classes were moved to Indio and then in 1993 HITS
obtained an additional two classes to bring the total to
four. During the 2008 HITS
Desert Circuit, at the request of the World Cup riders, HITS
Management offered all four of the FEI World Cup Qualifiers in a new
indoor ring that featured a state-of-the-art matting system paired with
what
many riders praised as the best footing available.
"The
general consensus from the meeting was that the classes that were held
this past season at HITS Thermal were very well received and
successful," said Dale Harvey HITS Technical Coordinator and High
Performance Liaison. "It was obvious that riders really appreciated the
opportunity to prepare for the Finals in an indoor setting."
"The
indoor structure proved to be popular and the vote confirmed that,"
said Tom Struzzieri HITS President and CEO. "With 2009 being a Las
Vegas Finals year, we are going to make every effort to expand the pool
of riders interested in competing for World Cup points at HITS Thermal,
who will then ultimately stay for the Finals in Las Vegas."
The
2009 FEI World Cup Finals are scheduled to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada
on April 15-19, making HITS Thermal, which is just a four-hour trip
away, the perfect place to prepare for these prestigious finals.
“I
found the meeting very useful. It provides a good opportunity for
valuable dialogue between show management and riders so that their
respective needs can be met,” said Sally Ike Managing Director,
Show Jumping for USEF. “A good example of this was the discussion
that took place about Tom’s proposal to move the last of the
four FEI World Cup classes outside during the Championship week.
The riders preferred the indoor venue and Tom [Struzzieri] agreed to
move that class back to the original schedule and hold it in
February.”
“I heard nothing but great things about the World Cup
Qualifiers,” Ike continued. “Tom really stepped up to the
plate.”
In
2008, Richard Fellers and his mount Flexible had an incredible run,
taking three of the four $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifiers,
presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal. The only rider able to take
away what many believed could have been a clean sweep from Fellers was
California's own Joie Gatlin. Gatlin rode Cameron Hills Shan Roe in what turned out to be the only clear round on the day's course for the victory on Friday, February 22 during DC IV.
Thanks
to his efforts in Thermal, Fellers currently enjoys a spot
in the top three on the FEI Rankings for West Coast Riders, while Gatlin sits
comfortably in the top ten.
For more coverage from HITS Thermal, including great interviews and videos from the DC Championship, please visit SportHorse.TV
FEI
World Cup™ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series,
created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best
riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the 2008 final in
Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from April 24-27. For more information about the FEI World Cup please visit: www.feiworldcup.org.
2009 HITS Thermal Dates
DC I: January 20-25
DC II: January 27 - February 1* (FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix offered)
DC III: February 3-8* (FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix offered)
OFF-WEEK: February 9-15
DC IV: February 17-22* (FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix offered)
DC V: February 24 - March 1
DC VI: March 3-8* (FEI World Cup Qualifying Grand Prix offered)
DC VII: March 10-15
DC Championship: March 17-22
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 Flying Horse Photography
Rich Fellers and Flexible win $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal.
©Flying Horse Photography
Joie Gatlin and Camaron Hills Shan Roe win $50,000 Tourneau FEI World Cup Qualifier, presented by Adequan at HITS Thermal.
|
