HITS Desert Circuit
EVENT:
HITS Thermal Desert Circuit
WHAT:
Seven-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from January through March annually. The Desert Circuit has been a mainstay of West Coast competition for the past 20 years and offers classes ranging from grand prix show jumping to a selection of divisions for both the novice and experienced rider. In addition, three of the 17 grand prix events at HITS Thermal are FEI World Cup Qualifiers. Total grand prix prize money offered for the 2013 season is nearly $2 million, which includes the all-new addition of the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini Newport Beach, Sunday, March 17. The HITS Desert Circuit is the winter show home to some of the most accomplished equestrian riders in the world, including U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Will Simpson and Canadian Olympian Jill Henselwood.
WHERE:
HITS Desert Horse Park
85-555 Airport Boulevard, Thermal, California 92274
Phone: 760.399.9200 (during horse shows only)
WHEN:
Tuesday - Sunday 8 am to 4 pm during show weeks.
DC I: January 22-27
DC II: January 29 - February 3
DC III: February 5-10
DC IV: February 19-24
DC V: February 26 - March 3
DC VI: March 5-10
DC VII: March 12-17
2013 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS:
| Desert Circuit I |
| Friday, January 25 |
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| Saturday, January 26 |
$15,000 Level 8 Jumper, $5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic |
| Sunday, January 27 |
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,500 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $5,000 Animo Jr/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 Jr/A-O Jumper Classic High, $50,000 EMO Grand Prix |
| Desert Circuit II |
| Thursday, January 31 |
$33,000 HITS Desert Classic FEI |
| Saturday, February 2 |
$5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, $54,500 Strongid C 2X Grand Prix CSI-W2* FEI |
| Sunday, February 3 |
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,500 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $5,000 Animo JR/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix |
| Desert Circuit III |
| Thursday, February 7 |
$33,000 HITS Desert Classic FEI |
| Saturday, February 9 |
$5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, $54,500 HITS Grand Prix
CSI-W2* FEI |
| Sunday, February 10 |
$10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $5,000 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $5,000 Animo Jr/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix, |
| Desert Circuit IV |
| Thursday, February 21 |
$33,000 HITS Desert Classic FEI |
| Friday, February 22 |
$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,500 HITS 3' Hunter Prix |
| Saturday, February 23 |
$5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic, $54,500 Purina Mills Grand Prix CSI-W2* FEI |
| Sunday, February 24 |
$5,000 Animo JR/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $30,000 SmartPak Grand Prix |
| Desert Circuit V |
Thursday, February 31
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Saturday, March 2
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$15,000 Level 8 Jumper, $5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic |
Sunday, March 3
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$5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,500 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $5,000 Animo JR/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $50,000 HITS Grand Prix |
| Desert Circuit VI |
Friday, March 8
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$ 5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, $1,5000 HITS 3' Hunter Prix, $1,000 Pony Hunter Prix |
Saturday, March 9
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$15,000 Level 8 Jumper, $5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic |
Sunday, March 10
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$5,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic Medium, $10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $50,000 HITS Grand Prix |
| Desert Circuit VII |
| Friday, March 15 |
R.W Mutch Equitation Championship, $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge - Round 1 , $5,000 HITS Hunter Prix, $3,500 JR/A-O Young Rider Qualifying Class, $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix |
| Saturday, March 16 |
$50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge - Round 2, $25,000 California Horse Trader JR/A-O Jumper Classic High, $15,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic |
| Sunday, March 17 |
$10,000 JR/A-O Jumper Classic Medium,
 $1 Million Grand Prix,
presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach
2 pm start time |
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ADMISSION:
No admission charge for daytime performances Tuesday through Saturday. Saturday evening and Sunday daytime admission is $5 per person, children under 12 are free.
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 and proceed to stabling gate. Spectators may enter via the Main gate.
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 ramp. 0.2 miles. Merge onto CA-86 Spur S. 5.2 miles. Turn RIGHT onto Airport Blvd. 2.2 miles. Proceed to stabling gate. Spectators may enter via the Main gate.
SPECTATOR PARKING & ENTRANCE:
Main Entrance, off of Airport Boulevard. Parking is free.
EXHIBITOR ENTRANCES:
Stabling Entrance - Permanent and Temporary Stabling
Main Entrance - Horse Show Office and Competition Rings
THE FACILITY:
HITS Desert Horse Park, Thermal, California is the newest addition to the HITS facilities, the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is one of the largest hunter/jumper horse show venues in the United States and is the new home to the HITS Desert Circuit. This 230-acre, state-of-the-art facility officially opened in January of 2007. There are 14 competition rings for hunter, jumper and equitation classes. Shaded spectator seating is available at every ring. Spectator parking is located off Airport Boulevard at the main entrance gate. For a map of the property, please click here
REFRESHMENTS:
The HITS Desert Horse Park offers one of the best on-site Food Service Pavilions in equestrian sports today. The HITS Bar and Grill serves pizza and cold beer in a spacious air-conditioned lounge. Spectators can grab some lunch and find a grassy spot on the berms while watching some of the world's best show jumping with the entire family in the heart of the Coachella Valley.
SHOPPING:
The Desert Marketplace located near the Grand Prix arena features dozens of shops offering quality equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry, videos and more.
LODGING:
For a complete listing of lodging options near the show grounds, please check out our HITS Thermal Lodging Partners.
HITS-TORY:
HITS operated its first West Coast winter circuit back in 1991 with great success. In 1992, HITS produced the Desert Circuit in Indio, California where the circuit continued to grow in popularity and success for the next 15 years. In 2007, HITS debuted its newest facility, the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, just five miles from the former Indio location. The newest addition to the HITS facilities, the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, is one of the largest hunter/jumper horse show venues in the United States and is the new home to the HITS Desert Circuit. This 230-acre, state-of-the-art facility officially opened in January of 2007 and boasts more than $20 million in improvements over the former location in Indio, including stabling for more than 3,400 horses and 14 competition rings.
The economic impact of the HITS Desert Circuit on the surrounding community is estimated to be more than $120 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the eight-week circuit.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Chris Mayone or
Lindsay Yandon
Phone: 845.246.8833 | E-mail: media_info@HitsShows.com
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For information prior to the start of the horse shows, please contact:
HITS, Inc. | 319 Main St. | Saugerties, NY 12477
info@HitsShows.com | HitsShows.com
845.246.8833 | fax: 845.246.6371
For information during the horse shows, please contact:
HITS Desert Horse Park | 85-555 Airport Blvd. | Thermal, CA 92274
760.399.9200 | fax: 760.399.1952 |
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