OCALA, FL (December 28, 2009)—HITS is proud to announce that the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club is returning as a sponsor of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, set to begin at HITS Post Time Farm, in Ocala, Florida on Wednesday January 20.

For the past two years, Golden Ocala has played gracious host to the Equine Art Gala which this year is anticipated to be an even larger event as the Gala has established itself as the HITS Social exclamation point of the season.

The Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club will host an evening of exceptional equine art in a cocktail party setting complete with live music, during the third-annual Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Equine Art Gala on February 18 from 6 pm to 10 pm. This exclusive event takes place at the magnificent Clubhouse of the Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, located on US Highway 27, a few miles east of the show grounds.

This By-Invitation-Only event will feature the works of several talented artists. Last year, more than fifteen award-winning artists displayed paintings, frescos, sculptures and other mixed medium pieces while live music filled the air, complimentary wine and hors d'oeuvres were served to the well dressed HITS set. Again this year, there will be a silent auction to benefit the Humane Society of Marion County conducted at the Gala with 100 percent of the proceeds being donated to the no-kill shelter. If you are interested in providing an item for the auction, please email Lisa@HitsShows.com .

Invitations will be available to HITS Ocala exhibitors and sponsors in the horse show office once the 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit begins at HITS Post Time Farm. For further information on this event, or to secure your invitation early, please e-mail Lisa Engel at Lisa@HitsShows.com . Guests must have an invitation in order to gain entrance to this exclusive event.

Due to the popularity of the Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club Art Gala, HITS has extended the application deadline for participating artists until January 8, 2010. For more information on becoming an artist, contact HITS' Account Executive for Corporate Sponsorship Lisa Engel via e-mail at Lisa@HitsShows.com



HITS Staff
Equine Artist Mary Verrandeaux at the 2009 Equine Art Gala

Fore! Golden Ocala to host annual golf event

Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club will host its annual HITS Ocala Golf Tournament on February 22 at the exclusive golf course that is known as one of the best places to play in the Sunshine State.

The private club will open its doors for HITS exhibitors this year and is charging only $100 per person, which includes a Continental breakfast, awards luncheon, golf and cart. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for the popular tournament that kicks off with a shotgun start at 9 am and will be a four-person scramble. Tournament sponsors already include some popular HITS sponsors and vendors including Mona's Monograms. For more information on becoming a sponsor of the HITS Ocala Golf Tournament please e-mail Lisa Engel at Lisa@HitsShows.com .

HITS Exhibitors, sponsors and their guests are invited to experience Golden Ocala's tranquil beauty and award winning course design. The course replicates layouts from Augusta National and Scottish link courses including Royal Troon and St. Andrews. Towering pines outlining deep green grass, sugar white sand traps, paved paths and impeccable attention to every detail make Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club's golf facility unsurpassed in the state of Florida. To obtain an application to play in the golf tournament, e-mail Lisa Engel at Lisa@HitsShows.com .

HITS Staff
Kyle King during the 2009 golf event at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club

About Golden Ocala

Amidst the gently rolling hills of Central Florida, Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club has carved out a piece of paradise on 1,200 acres. A stately 77,000 square foot clubhouse serves as centerpiece to a one-of-a-kind lifestyle. Golden Ocala boasts championship golf and tennis, a state-of-the-art 17,000 square foot spa and fitness center and an equestrian compound. A myriad of home styles all designed to complement the native surroundings are crafted by renowned builders. From carefree coach homes to custom estates, your ideal home is here, no doubt tucked away in the dappled shade of a century-old oak. To learn more about Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club and some of their HITS Membership Specials, click here.

Show jumping returns to HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida for two consecutive weeks on Wednesday, January 20 with the Ocala January Classic followed by the Ocala January Festival on Wednesday, January 27. After a short break, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit continues with six AA-rated weeks of competition on Tuesday, February 9 and runs until Sunday, March 21, when the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group will close out the season. Entries for the January shows close on Wednesday, January 6, while entries for the six rated weeks close on Wednesday, January 20.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com

Media should contact the HITS Media Team at 845.246.8833 or e-mail Media_Info@HitsShows.com.