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THERMAL, CA (January 13, 2009) — One
week from today, the show-jumping action returns to the HITS Desert Horse Park in
Thermal, California with the start of the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit.
This year's circuit will feature eight weeks of hunter/jumper
competition beginning on Tuesday, January 20 and continuing until March
22, when the season culminates with the $150,000 Grand Prix of the
Desert and several other special classes.
This
season's circuit highlights include four FEI World Cup Qualifiers,
which will once again be held in the indoor ring as night classes
during Weeks II, III, IV and VI and showcase some of the best Grand
Prix riders in the country, including U.S. Olympic Champions Will
Simpson and McLain Ward, as well as Canadian Silver Medalist Jill
Henselwood, Richard Spooner, Rich Fellers, Jill Humphrey and Joie
Gatlin, just to name a few. In addition to high-jumping Grand Prix
action, the HITS Desert Circuit will also feature two installments of
the $10,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby,
the return of the Ronnie R.W. Mutch Equitation Championship and
hundreds of other exciting classes throughout the season.
Aside
from schedule highlights, exhibitors will be treated to several
property enhancements at the HITS Desert Horse Park, starting with
brand new temporary stabling. HITS has made a substantial investment to
upgrade these stalls, which feature wood and steel dividers and new
tenting. Exhibitor Linda King from Calgary, Alberta was recently in
town and got a preview of the new stalls.
"They
are a great improvement from last year's tent stalls," said King. "I
can tell that a lot of care and consideration was taken in the set up
of these stalls, from where the poles are placed to the overall flow of
traffic, and they look beautiful. I can't wait to get there for the
season!"
In
addition to new tent stalls, HITS has also installed new footing in the
two Main Hunter rings, created a Hunter VIP pavilion between the two
main rings, and installed grass on all the hunter berms. Olympic Course
Decorator Flora Baptiston will be in Thermal decorating rings and
adding her special creative touch to all the courses, including
the hunter rings. As for course design, HITS has assembled a fresh team
of top international course designers from around the world, including
both new and returning designers like Bob Ellis of Great Britain, Aki
Ylänne of Finland, Marina Azevedo of Brazil, Florencio Hernandez
of Mexico and Olaf Petersen, Jr. and Olaf Petersen, Sr. of Germany.
Denise
Finch of Hunters Edge Farm in Las Vegas, Nevada, who is a
veteran to HITS Thermal, has been there each year since the horse show
moved to Thermal with eight to 20 horses. "I am so thrilled that HITS
put in new tents this year for us, and I am also very excited about all
the other improvements HITS has made to the rest of the facility. My
clients and I are looking forward to a fantastic 2009 season at
HITS Thermal," said Finch.
"We've
spent much of the off-season focusing on the priorities set out by both
the Management Team and our Trainer Committee," said Tom Struzzieri,
HITS President and CEO. "I continue to be proud of what we are
achieving out here in Thermal and I look forward to welcoming
exhibitors back to the Desert Circuit for a great season. As always, we
are committed to ensuring that this circuit continues on the path to be
one of the best show experiences in the country on all fronts, from footing and stabling to competition and exhibitor enjoyment."
One
suggestion coming from the Thermal Trainer Committee was the idea to
adjust the way nominations for jumpers are handled and, as a result of
the recommendation, HITS has altered its policy for declaring and
changing nominations for the season. HITS
recently announced that ship-in fees for Thermal have been eliminated
this year and that exhibitors will have the opportunity to purchase
discounted warm-up tickets booklets for the season. In addition, the HITS School Station also announced discounted rates for students enrolled in the on-site educational program for the circuit.
"The
fact that HITS offers a school program during the circuit is one of the
main reasons we are able to come," said King. "All three of my children
attend the school and it's a wonderful experience. In fact, my youngest
returned to his home school last year ahead of the class! Mary
[Cunning] does a fabulous job."
The
HITS Desert Circuit officially kicks off on Tuesday, January 20 and
continues for three weeks. After a one-week break, the circuit resumes
with five consecutive weeks of competition and concludes on Sunday,
March 22. For more information on the HITS Desert Circuit, please 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 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.
©HITS Staff
New tent stalls at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California.
©HITS Staff
An inside view of the new tent stalls.
©HITS Staff
The view of the new berm at the Main Hunter ring looking towards the new Hunter VIP pavilion.
2009 DATES
DC I
January 20-25 | Entry
DC II - CSI-W
January 27 -February 1 | Entry
DC III - CSI-W
February 3-8 | Entry
OFF-WEEK, February 9-15
DC IV - CSI-W
February 17-22 | Entry
DC V
February 24 - March 1 | Entry
DC VI - CSI-W
March 3-8 | Entry
DC VII
March 10-15 | Entry
DC VI I I
March 17-22 | Entry
PRIZE LIST INFORMATION
Prize List
Schedule | Off-Week Entry
Feed & Bedding Order Form
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