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EVENT: HITS Thermal Desert Circuit

HOURS: 8 am to approximately 4 pm

DIRECTIONS:
From points West: From I-10 E. Keep RIGHT to take CA-86 Spur S toward Brawley / El Centro. 6.5 miles. Turn RIGHT onto Airport Blvd. 2.2 miles. End at 85-555 Airport Blvd.

From points East: From I-10 W. Take the Dillon Rd exit toward CA-86S Expressway / Coachella. 0.2 miles. Turn LEFT onto Dillon Rd. 0.7 miles. Turn LEFT to take the CA-86S-Expressway S ramp. 0.2 miles, Merge onto CA-86 Spur S. 5.2 miles Turn RIGHT onto Airport Blvd. 2.2 miles. End at
85-555 Airport Blvd.

PARKING: Parking is free.

ADMISSION: No admission charge Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday admission is $5 per person, children under 12 are free.

SHOW GROUNDS: 13 all-weather hunter, jumper and equitation rings located on 239 acres.

CLASSES: Approximately 250 classes take place each week including three Grand Prix classes each Friday and Sunday.

GRAND PRIX DATES:

Desert Circuit Premiere:
	Sunday, January 13	$25,000 Grand Prix (Free admission)
Desert Circuit I:
	Friday, January 25	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Sunday, January 27	$75,000 EMO Grand Prix
Desert Circuit II:
	Thursday, January 31	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Friday, February 1	$50,000 Tourneau Grand Prix CSI-W (FEI) presented by Adequan (Free admission)
	Sunday, February 3	$50,000 Grand Prix
Desert Circuit III:
	Thursday, February 7	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Friday, February 8	$50,000 Tourneau Grand Prix CSI-W (FEI) presented by Adequan (Free admission)
	Sunday, February 10	$50,000 Grand Prix
Desert Circuit IV:
	Thursday, February 21	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Friday, February 22	$50,000 Tourneau Grand Prix CSI-W (FEI) presented by Adequan (Free admission)
	Sunday, February 24	$50,000 Grand Prix
Desert Circuit V:
	Friday, February 27	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Sunday, March 2	$75,000 Waldorf=Astoria Collection Grand Prix
Desert Circuit VI:
	Thursday, March 6	$25,000 Ariat Grand Prix (Free admission)
	Friday, March 7	$50,000 Tourneau Grand Prix CSI-W (FEI) presented by Adequan (Free admission)
	Sunday, March 9	$50,000 Grand Prix
Desert Circuit Championship:
	Sunday, March 16	$200,000 Invitational Grand Prix

ATTENDANCE: Approximately 3,500 horses and 10,500 horsemen are on the grounds, and more than 25,000 spectators attend during the eight-week event.

PRIZE MONEY: More than $2 million

FOOD: Prepared and served by HITS food service personnel, a complete and diverse menu of food and beverages is available at three locations on the show grounds every show day.

SHOPPING: The Desert Marketplace located near the Grand Prix arena features dozens of shops offering quality equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry, videos and more.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: Based on an independent study commissioned by HITS from Sport Management Research Institute of Weston, Florida, the total economic impact produced by the Thermal Desert Circuit equates to $121,734,061 per year.

IN BRIEF: 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.

ON-SITE SCHOOL: For information on HITS' School Station please contact Mary Cunning 802.372.8990 or 505.235.6793 or mycunning@msn.com or schoolstation@msn.com

HITS DESERT HORSE PARK: Important - use this contact information only during the horse show. HITS Desert Horse Park, 85-555 Airport Blvd., Thermal, CA 92274, 760.399.9200