SAUGERTIES, NY (January 26, 2010)—Devoucoux is excited to join forces with HITS, Inc. to be the title sponsor for its new 3'3" Hunter Derby, the latest division to count for points in the Marshall & Sterling League.
The Devoucoux Derby will be a featured event for hunters this winter at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida and the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California. This new division has been lauded by top trainers throughout the sport as one of the most exciting additions to the 2010 show jumping calendar, as it offers consistent and unprecedented prize money for hunters.
Riders have their first opportunity to compete in the $5,000 Devoucoux Derby as part of the two un-rated weeks preceding the six-week AA circuit starting February 10. For the rated circuit, the HITS Ocala schedule will feature a $10,000 Devoucoux Derby during weeks I-IV. When the HITS Desert Circuit kicks off next week in Thermal, California, riders on the west coast will have their first chance to jump in the $10,000 Devoucoux Derby, which will be a fixture on the schedule for DC I, II, IV, V, and VI.
"We are thrilled to have a leader in the fine, custom saddle market brand itself with what has quickly become one of the most talked about Marshall & Sterling divisions in the country," said Lisa Engel, HITS Account Executive, Corporate Sponsorship and Marketing. "Devoucoux's title sponsorship of the Hunter Derby will provide them presence at all HITS shows and the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, as well as select Marshall & Sterling shows running the Devoucoux Hunter Derby. Already, this has become a fantastically popular event, as the 3'3" height is inviting for both horse and rider. The opportunity to have all levels of riders from professionals to amateurs and juniors compete against one another, coupled with the significant prize money attached to the event makes it a winner!"
Devoucoux is a leader in the French sport saddle industry for English riding and has been a sponsor of HITS horse shows since 2007. Devoucoux manufactures and sells more than 3,000 saddles and 15,000 accessories throughout the world every year. Their saddles carry the image of luxurious and handcrafted fine French leatherwork throughout the world. "We are excited to be the title sponsor of one of the most exciting and popular events in the hunter/jumper industry", said David Attal, US Sales Manager for Devoucoux. Attal continued, "The Devoucoux Derby really increases our ability to showcase our saddles to an expanded audience at all Marshall & Sterling League events."
Devoucoux saddlery products are designed for all riders and all different types of mounts, for either competition or leisure. A true testament to the brand and its quality, Devoucoux boasts an extensive and impressive list of accomplished riders, including leading hunter riders John French, Scott Stewart, Sandy Ferrell and Tim Goguen. Top high-performance riders sponsored by Devoucoux include Laura Kraut, Mandy Porter, Brianne Goutal, Norman Dello Joio, John Pearce, Jeffery Welles and Joie Gatlin.
In addition to the $10,000 classes at HITS winter shows in Thermal and Ocala, qualifying classes for the Devoucoux Derby will also be offered at the HITS Culpeper and HITS Saugerties shows this spring and summer. HITS has also invited a select number of additional horse shows in the Northeast to add the Devoucoux Hunter Derby to their show schedules in order to facilitate the growth of the class and to provide further qualifying opportunities for the Finals. The Devoucoux Hunter Derby Finals will be offered at the 2010 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals on September 16-19 in Saugerties, New York.
The complete list of shows offering the Devoucoux Hunter Derby for Marshall & Sterling points are:
Ocala January Classic: January 20-24 Ocala, FL
Ocala January Festival: January 27-31 Ocala, FL
Desert Circuit I: January 26-31 Thermal, CA
Desert Circuit II: February 2-7 Thermal, CA
Ocala Winter Classic: February 9-14 Ocala, FL
Ocala Winter Festival: February 16-21 Ocala, FL
Ocala Masters: February 23-28 Ocala, FL
Desert Circuit IV: February 23-28 Thermal, CA
Desert Circuit V: March 2-7 Thermal, CA
Ocala Tournament: March 2-7 Ocala, FL
Desert Circuit VI: March 9-14 Thermal, CA
Commonwealth National: April 21-25 Culpeper, VA
North Shore Eq. Center: April 30 Brookville, NY
Garden State: May 5-9 Augusta, NJ
Old Salem Farm II: May 18-23 North Salem, NY
HITS on the Hudson I: May 26-30 Saugerties, NY
HITS on the Hudson II: June 2-6 Saugerties, NY
HITS on the Hudson III: June 9-13 Saugerties, NY
Fairfield County Hunt Club: June 22-26 Westport, CT
Showday National: July 7-11 Culpeper, VA
Briarwood Farm: July I July 13 Flemington, NJ
Cavalier Classic: July 14-18 Culpeper, VA
HITS on the Hudson IV: July 21-25 Saugerties, NY
HITS on the Hudson V: July 28-Aug 1 Saugerties, NY
NY Horse & Pony (HITS VI): August 4-8 Saugerties, NY
Northampton Hunter/Jumper: August 11-15 Northampton, MA
Winston National: August 18-22 Culpeper, VA
Constitution Classic: August 25-29 Culpeper, VA
HITS on the Hudson VII: Sept 1-5 Saugerties, NY
HITS on the Hudson VIII: Sept 8-12 Saugerties, NY
Marshall & Sterling League Finals: Sept 16-19 Saugerties, NY
During the year, riders from coast to coast compete at more than 1,100 Marshall & Sterling League member horse shows to earn points for a place at the National Finals. Since its inception in 1991, the Marshall & Sterling League Finals have provided the goal that has fueled the competitive spirit of child and adult riders at all levels of competition.
Marshall & Sterling Insurance, Inc., founded in 1864, is among the largest privately owned insurance agencies in the United States. For more than a quarter century, Marshall & Sterling has protected precious equine assets with unparalleled service and support, whether the family hunter, a champion racehorse or a commercial farm. |
