The highly anticipated HITS Saugerties Spring & Summer Show Series will kick off with three back-to-back weeks of competition on Wednesday, May 25 - June 12, followed by another three consecutive weeks Wednesday, July 20 - August 7. Within the Summer Series, HITS is proud to once again host the 2011 USEF National Junior Hunter Championship – East Coast on August 1 - 3, while the HITS-on-the-Hudson Tuesday I, a one-day Jumper and Equitation show, will take place one week earlier on July 26.
HITS is once again offering popular discount packages for its Gold and Silver permanent and tent circuit stalls. Silver and gold permanent stalls will be offered at the weekly rates of $250 and $300, respectively, while three-week circuit prices are $600 for Silver and $825 for Gold, unchanged from 2010. Tent stalls will be offered at $180 for a weekly rate, $300 for a semi-circuit (two consecutive weeks during either the spring or summer shows), and $400 for the circuit.
Coming off two of the most successful seasons at the winter circuits in Thermal, California and Ocala, Florida, HITS is poised to continue that momentum in Saugerties. Trainers, owners, and riders, alike have enthusiastically embraced this season’s two unique offerings of the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the first-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, two of the world’s richest classes! The HITS Saugerties Spring & Summer Show Series will hold the key to qualifying for these two extraordinary classes with 12 Grand Prix Qualifiers for the Pfizer Million, including two $100,000 Grand Prix on Sunday, June 12 and Sunday, August 7, and six $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix Qualifiers during the six weeks of competition.
“The excitement and support we experienced this winter for both the Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final demonstrates to me that HITS is tapped into what our exhibitors are looking for in their show schedule,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “Early indications are that the Saugerties Series will be quite strong this spring and summer, which will make for some great horse shows and contribute to the energy and excitement of the qualifying season for the Pfizer Million and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.”
In addition to the two headlining qualifiers for the Pfizer Million and the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, HITS has also incorporated several new offerings on this year’s schedule. The Saugerties Children’s Hunter and Saugerties Adult Hunter will be two new divisions offered each week at the 2’3” height, while the Adult Equitation and Marshall & Sterling Adult Hunter Classic divisions will be adjusted by age groups for 18-35, 36-49, and 50 plus.
Open Jumpers will have an action-packed week starting on Wednesdays with the $10,000 Brook Ledge Open Welcome, a table 11.2.b. 1.40 meter class. On Thursdays, the $5,000 Open Jumper Speed, a table III 1.40 meter class, paves the way for Friday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix. Saturday the action continues with the $15,000 Open Jumper, a table II.2.b. 1.40 meter class, and then on Sunday, the weekend finishes with a $50,000 Grand Prix Weeks I and IV, a $75,000 Grand Prix Weeks II and V, and a $100,000 Grand Prix Weeks III and VI, sponsored by Purina Mills and Strongid C 2X, respectively.
Olympian and member of the HITS Saugerties Trainer Committee Margie Engle participated in a conference call earlier in the year when the revised Open Jumper schedule was vetted with the team. "The new Open Jumper schedule is a very nice incentive for the jumpers who are not quite ready to move up to the Grand Prix level, but still would like the opportunity to compete for some extra money. It's perfect for the young horses on their way up, and I think everyone will really appreciate that."
"We always look forward to showing in Saugerties," added Engle. "There are lots of nice restaurants in the area that we love to go to, and the show grounds are very nice, with lots of extra room for the horses. If you have young horses, there are different open rings for schooling. It’s a very comfortable place with plenty of areas for riding and for clients to take lessons. I also appreciate that HITS offers the added incentives for the stall packages. It’s nice when a show management company tries to help out exhibitors with deals like that, it really makes a difference. As a trainer, I think one of the best parts about showing in Saugerties is the fact that you can bring clients at whatever level they are ready for and the schedule really has something for everyone."
The schedule also includes popular favorites such as the Adequan Hunter, 2’6” HITS Hunter, $500 Bit O’Straw Hunter Classic, $1,000 Hunter Classics for Small and Large Junior Hunters and for Amateur-Owner Hunters, $1,000 Pony Hunter Classics separated for Small, Medium and Large, and the $3,500 Marshall & Sterling Low Junior/Amateur Jumper Classic. In addition, the $10,000 Marshall & Sterling Children/Adult Jumper Classic will take place Weeks I and III, while the $5,000 NAL Junior Jumper and Amateur-Owner Jumper Medium Classics will be offered each week along with the $10,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic.
Property enhancements at HITS-on-the-Hudson include landscaping projects and an assortment of new equipment and jumps for all rings.
The 2011 HITS Saugerties prize list has been mailed and is available on-line at HitsShows.com/Saugerties. Entries for the Spring Shows close on Wednesday, April 27, while entries for the Summer Shows close on Wednesday, June 22. Entries for the USEF National Junior Hunter Championships – East Coast are due on Wednesday, July 13.
As always, HITS suggests making lodging plans early and has negotiated special HITS exhibitor rates with some key lodging partners in the area. To see the complete list of Official HITS Lodging Partners please visit the Lodging Partner page of the HITS website.
2011 DATES
HITS-on-the-Hudson I: May 25-29 - entry I
HITS-on-the-Hudson II: June 1-5 - entry II
HITS-on-the-Hudson III: June 8-12 - entry III
HITS-on-the-Hudson IV: July 20-24 - entry IV
*HITS-on-the-Hudson Tuesday I: July 26 *Local Member Show - entry Tuesday I
HITS-on-the-Hudson V: July 27-31 - entry V
USEF National Junior Hunter Championships - East: August 1-3 - Jr Hunter Prize List & entry
NY Horse & Pony Show (VI): August 3-7 - entry VI
ENDS