| OCALA, FL (October 25, 2007)--If you are headed to Post Time Farm for the Ocala Winter Circuit, you better bring your appetite as several fabulous local restaurants will be featured each Sunday during VIP luncheons highlighting each week of the rated horse shows.
"We appreciate the HITS exhibitors and are proud to have them as part of Horse and Hounds clientele," said Wendle Landries, owner of the Horse and Hounds Restaurant. "We welcome the opportunity to provide the VIP luncheon during the opening week of rated horse shows." Horse and Hounds is a favorite restaurant and watering hole for the HITS competitors right up the street from Post Time Farm on Highway 27.
"I want to be involved 100 percent," says Jose Moreno, owner of Carmichael's Café. An upscale restaurant open to the public, Carmichael's Café is located within the Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club. Known for its American cuisine with an Italian flair, Carmichael's Café is in close proximity to the show grounds. Reasonable prices, outstanding service and an inviting atmosphere make it the perfect place to relax after a long day of competing at HITS Ocala.
"Its always fun to be part of HITS. Once HITS clients taste Felix's cuisine we are sure they will visit us at our restaurant in town and enjoy the historic 1890's setting of Felix's restaurant," said Loring Felix of Felix's Restaurant. "While the dining is the best, the atmosphere is 'Ocala casual' and we look forward to serving HITS."
Other exclusive restaurants joining the HITS VIP Club this year are the Melting Pot and the Ipanema Brazilian Steak House. The Melting Pot will be providing their renowned fondue dishes. Located on the 'square', The Melting Pot is the perfect place for the entire barn to celebrate its victories. Another favorite for large groups is Ipanema Brazilian Steak House located off of Route 200. On Sunday, March 16 the final VIP luncheon will welcome Ipanama Brazilian Steak House serving its famous Brazilian style entrees to the VIP guests.
The VIP Club overlooks the Grand Prix ring and the Hunter Stadium. Membership for a table of eight includes continental breakfast Wednesday through Saturday, and the special catered lunch on Sunday. Membership for the VIP Club is only $450 per week. Membership information for the VIP Club can be found in the prize list For more information e-mail Lisa@HitsShows.com.
The 2008 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will kick-off with the return of the popular $20,500 Marshall & Sterling Children's/Adult Jumper Championship during the two unrated shows in January. More commonly known as the "Are You a Champion?" series, the Jumper Championship was first offered in Ocala during the 2007 Winter Circuit and was an immediate success. Offered for one of the fasted growing segments in the sport today, this unique four-phase event also includes bonus prize money of $5,000 awarded to the top-eight finishers overall and points from the second and fourth legs count towards the Marshall & Sterling League.
For more information on the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit visit www.HitsShows.com or call 845.246.8833.
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 on the HITS horse shows 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 HITS Ocala Show Schedule
Unrated
Ocala Pre-Circuit 1: January 23-27
Ocala Pre-Circuit 2: January 30 - February 3
AA-Rated
Ocala Winter Classic: February 12-17
Ocala Winter Festival: February 19-24
Ocala Masters: February 26 - March 2
Ocala Tournament: March 4-9
Ocala Winter Finals: March 11-16
© 2007 Lili Weik Photography
Kyle King has been competing at HITS Ocala most of his life. All of that hard work has finally paid off as he won the top prize in the $100,000 Grand Prix of Ocala, presented by Great American Insurance Group during the 2007 season.
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