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Thermal, CA (January 25, 2008)
– HITS, Inc. is proud to announce that the R.W.
“Ronnie” Mutch Equitation Classic will be a featured event
during the new Desert Championship, March 11-16 at the 2008 HITS Desert
Circuit in Thermal, California.
Since
1999, the R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic, more commonly known as the
Ronnie Mutch Classic, has been a fixture of the Winter Equestrian
Festival in Wellington, Florida. In addition to the change in venue,
there’s also a change to the qualifying rules. For the first time
in the Classic’s history, riders from all five Winter Circuits
will have an opportunity to participate. Riders who win a major
equitation class, including the USEF Talent Search Medal, ASPCA Maclay,
USEF Hunter Seat Medal, or the Washington International Horse Show
Medal in any of the Hunter or Jumper Phases or Overall at the Gulfport
Winter Series, WEF, HITS Thermal, HITS Ocala or HITS Arizona will
automatically be eligible to compete in the 2008 Ronnie Mutch Classic.
Qualified riders will need to declare 24 hours prior to the class and
supply a resume and bio.
Executive
Directors of the R.W. Mutch Educational Foundation, Carol Coleman and
Sherry Robertson, are looking forward to a new beginning for the
Classic. “We were so successful in Wellington for so long, and
during that time we had so many West Coast applicants for the
Scholarship, that we felt it was the right time to bring the Classic to
California,” said Coleman. “It’s thrilling to be able
to offer the trainers, riders and owners, not only on the West Coast
but from all five circuits, a chance to participate and experience this
very special event.”
“We’re
very excited to be able to hold the R.W. ‘Ronnie’ Mutch
Equitation Championship as part of our Championship Week at the Desert
Circuit,” said Fred Bauer, HITS’ Vice President West Coast
Operations. “This is one of the most prestigious equitation
classes in the country and will fit in perfectly with the high level of
competition that week.”
The
two-round classic will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2008 as part of the
new Desert Championship week at HITS Thermal. In the first round,
riders compete over a course of fences, which may include gymnastics,
trot fences, oxers, verticals and combinations. Historically, the
course was designed by the judges; however, this year a course designer
will set the course with the consultation and approval of the judges.
In the second round, the course will be set by the judges and the
course designer. The top-ten riders will be called back in reverse
order of their score to complete the second round, with further testing
at the discretion of the judges.
Throughout
the competition, riders will not be allowed to communicate with their
trainers or any other resources – they have to do it all, from
preparation of their horse to course walking, on their own. Scores will
be given from two sets of judges and there will be a judge in the
schooling area that will also provide a score.
The
Classic is held in honor of accomplished equestrian, and life-long
artist, R.W. Mutch. An early student of Gordon Wright and Al Homewood,
Mutch won the AHSA Medal Finals in 1950 at the age of 15. At 18, he was
the youngest rider at the time to ride for the USET. It is a highly
sought-after honor to be invited to participate in the Classic and, as
a result, it has become a major goal of juniors participating in the
competitions. Over the years, the Ronnie Mutch Classic has crowned nine
champions, including two-time winner Maria Schaub, who holds the honor
of being the first person to win the award two years in a row during
the ’06 and ’07 seasons.
“Ronnie
was my trainer (and brother-in-law), and always challenged his riders
to use their own brain,” said Bauer. “I know he would love
the format of this class, where riders must plan and prepare their
horses on their own. This is particularly fitting, as Ronnie would have
chosen to do this with his students, to show their own understanding
and initiative.”
As
part of the festivities, a signed Ronnie Mutch drawing will be
auctioned off during the Championship week at HITS Thermal. Plans are
also in the works for a book signing by Susan Daniels, the mother of
the first Ronnie Mutch Scholarship winner and author of the acclaimed
book, The Horseshow Mom’s Survival Guide. More details and
information will be available in the coming weeks regarding the auction
and book signing.
The
2008 HITS Desert Circuit resumed on Tuesday, January 22. The circuit
will continue for three consecutive weeks of shows, followed by an off
week, February 11-17. Then competition at HITS Thermal returns on
Tuesday, February 19 for four consecutive weeks of shows and runs until
Sunday, March 16 when the first-ever Desert Circuit Championship will
close out the season with 17 different championship classes, including
the R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic and the first-ever $200,000
Invitational Grand Prix of the Desert.
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
Image Provided.
A signed R.W. Mutch print, similar to the one that will be auctioned
off at HITS Thermal during the Desert Championship, March 11-16, 2008.
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