PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 2, 2009

HITS-on-the-Hudson adds to the fun for Super Sunday with Purina Mills Kids Day and the $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix to close out the spring horse shows

SAUGERTIES, NY (June 2, 2009)—Just as the spring horse shows prepare to wrap with the final week of competition starting Wednesday, June 3, HITS is pleased to announce that three new activities have been added to the bill for this Sunday's super finale at the HITS Saugerties horse show.

On Sunday, June 7 the HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility in Saugerties, New York will host its annual Purina Mills Kids Day from 12 pm until 2 pm. This year's event is shaping up to be one of the best ever. In addition to a live musical performance by Ratboy Jr., a local children's band that's been the talk of the town as of late, HITS is also pleased to announce that Pony Pals has just signed on to be the title sponsor of the Pony Pals Precision Riding Contest. From noon to 1:45 pm, children three to six years old will have a chance to navigate the pony course aboard one of Pony Pals custom bicycles. Best “ride” will win a Pony Pals bicycle. A free drawing for a second Pony Pals bicycle will be held at the conclusion of the $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. All children, with a paying parent or guardian, will receive one free raffle ticket upon entering the horse show for the Pony Pals Bicycle drawing. Winner must be present to claim their prize. For more information about the Pony Pals bicycles, please visit PonyPalsRanch.com .

Another exciting addition to the Kids Day festivities is the Purina Mills Canine Costume Contest, which for the first time ever will be held during Kids Day and is open to both HITS exhibitors and the general public. No advanced registration is required. Participants can register on-site starting at noon at the Kids Day area. All dogs must be on a leash at all times in order to enter the show grounds and participate in the Canine Costume Contest. Prizes will be awarded based on crowd favorites for Best Overall, Most Beautiful, Most Unique and Most Comical. The Canine Costume Contest will take place at 1:15 pm.

Horses won't be the only thing jumping on Sunday, as members from the Gym Stars All Stars Cheerleading team will be on hand for Kids Day performing a segment from their award-winning tumbling routines prior to the $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix. The Gym Stars Team is a group of talented, gravity-defying youngsters from Saugerties, Kingston, Port Ewen and Catskill, New York, who have been named National Champions and World Qualifiers in some very prestigious competitions. For the past 20 years, Gym Stars has been part of the fun and recreation for the children and families of Ulster County teaching teamwork, confidence and self-esteem along with coordination and motor skill development. The staff at Gym Stars has been devoted to teaching every child, regardless of age, to overcome obstacles and to own the responsibility for self-achievement. For more information about Gym Stars and their award-winning students, please visit ILoveGymStars.com or call 845.246.3890.

In addition to these exciting new additions to the schedule, Kids Day will also feature some old favorites, including an appearance by a clown, a bouncy house and slide, arts & crafts and face painting.

The $125,000 Purina Mills Grand Prix will cap off the day's festivities with a star-studded field of the nation's top equestrians, including two-time Olympic Gold Medalist McLain Ward and several other former Olympians. Watch the stars of show jumping navigate over a challenging course as they compete for the big money. Immediately following the Grand Prix, spectators will be invited to a special photo and autograph session with McLain Ward and other riders from the afternoon's Grand Prix.

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.

Purina Mills Kids Day & $125,000 Grand Prix Event Schedule:

12:00 pm – Kids Day begins. Canine Costume Contest registration begins.Pony Pals Precision Riding contest begins

12:15 pm – Ratboy Jr. will headline the afternoon singing songs from their popular self-titled children's album.

1:15 pm – Canine Costume Contest parade and voting.

1:45 pm – Pony Pals Precision Riding contest winner announced.

2:00 pm – Gym Stars All Stars Cheerleading Team performance, Grand Prix ring.

Image Provided
A Pony Pals bicycle that will be raffled off at Purina Mill Kids Day this Sunday at HITS Saugerties.