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HITS Saugerties to Host 2009 USEF Junior Hunter Championships, Pony Commotion, and USHJA International Hunter Derby

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: HITS-on-the-Hudson and Culpepper
Release Date: 2009-02-04

Saugerties, NY - February 4, 2009 - This year, HITS Saugerties will offer seven weeks of AA-rated hunter/jumper competition at its state-of-the-art facility, HITS-on-the-Hudson. Weeks V and VI of the series are your “Home for the Hunters” this year, and they will offer very special events for hunter competitors, including the 2009 USEF Junior Hunter Championships- East Coast, the $5,000 Pony Commotion Hunter Classic, and the $10,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby.

This marks the fifth year that the USEF Junior Hunter Championships- East Coast have been held at the HITS Saugerties. This year, the Championships will be held on July 27-29 (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between HITS V & VI) and will offer $50,000 in prize money.

The Championships feature competition for Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17 and Large Juniors 16-17. Also held during this competition is the popular and prestigious Hunterdon Cup, which offers an exciting equitation championship for junior riders. Equitation classes continue with the USEF/Pessoa Hunter Seat Medal, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Medal, and the WIHS Equitation Classic.

This year, HITS, Inc. is extending a very special offer to competitors at the USEF Junior Hunter Championships. Those competitors who stay and show at Weeks V and VI (the weeks before and after the finals) will receive their stall for free during the finals, which is a $200 value per stall.

Don Stewart, Jr., a prominent trainer from Ocala, FL, will be bringing horses and students to the HITS Saugerties show series for the fourth year in 2009. He enjoys having his students compete in the Junior Hunter Championships. “I really like the huge ring, as well as the venue,” he noted. “I’m also looking forward to the upgrade in the footing that they have this year. They take pride in the jumps; they have lots of color and fill. Plus, the prize money is fabulous for the hunters.”

For those riders who aspire to some day show in the Junior Hunter Championships, there is a special class offered at HITS Saugerties. Younger pony riders can look forward to the $5,000 Pony Commotion Hunter Classic on Thursday, July 30. This class will be held in the Grand Prix Ring and is a great dress rehearsal for the USEF Pony Finals the following week. The Pony Commotion Hunter Classic was such a success at last year’s show that not only is it returning to HITS Saugerties, but it is being held at HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala this year as well.

The $10,000 ASG Software Solutions/USHJA International Hunter Derby, presented by Dietrich Insurance and featuring Walsh Harness and Saddlery, will return this year to Saugerties as well. The popular class, termed the “grand prix for show hunters,” features two rounds of competition over natural obstacles. The class will be held this year on Thursday, July 30, and will again be held in the Grand Prix Ring.

Cynthia Williams, whose New England Farm is nearby in Bedford Hills, NY, will “definitely attend” this year’s series. “The Junior Hunter Championships are a big thing for us,” she said. “Any time that the hunter riders can get an opportunity to ride in the Grand Prix Ring is special. These big events like the Championships, the Pony Commotion, and the Hunter Derby bring punch back to the hunters, give riders something to aspire to, and make it fun.”

Williams also appreciates the showing experience with HITS. “They have an ability to bring all levels together, and they cater to everybody. They have a convenient, well-thought-out schedule. It’s a great place to show,” she added.

HITS, Inc. is also exploring the opportunity of adding a covered ring at the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility and hosting special night classes during the HITS Saugerties show series. More information on this exciting development will follow.

To get the latest information on the HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series, please visit www.HitsShows.com.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Waxman and Red Panda were presented the 2008 East Coast USEF National Junior Hunter Grand Champion award. Waxman was joined in the
winner’s circle by Christina Schlusemeyer, USEF's Lauren Fahey and her trainer Emily Smith. Photo © 2008 Lili Weik. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series and the 19th Annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals Fast Facts

EVENT:
HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series presented by HITS, Inc.

WHAT:
A seven-week hunter/jumper horse show series produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from May through September annually. The HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series offer two Grand Prix events each week. Every Grand Prix offered at HITS Saugerties is a qualifying event for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix, which is held each year during the USGPL Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

The 19th Annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals is the Grand Finale of the season and highlights the League's most accomplished riders in 12 different divisions. The Marshall & Sterling Finals marks the final week of the HITS Saugerties season each year and, in addition to the four-day competition, features the Annual Top Ten Awards Dinner, which honors the leading riders in each division based on their performance throughout the season. The League awards more than $30,000 in prize money during the National Finals.

WHERE:
HITS-on-the-Hudson
454 Washington Avenue Extension
Saugerties, NY 12477
Phone: 845.246.5515 (during horse shows)

WHEN:
Daily, Wednesday–Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during show weeks
HITS-on-the-Hudson I: May 20-24
HITS-on-the-Hudson II: May 27-31
HITS-on-the-Hudson III: June 3-7
HITS-on-the-Hudson IV: July 15-19
HITS-on-the-Hudson V: July 22-26
USEF Junior Hunter East Coast Finals: July 27-29
NY Horse & Pony Show (VI): July 29 - August 2
HITS-on-the-Hudson VII: August 26-30
Marshall & Sterling League National Finals: September 10-13

ADMISSION:
Wednesday – Friday: Free
Saturday & Sunday: Adults $5, children under the age of 12 get free admission. All proceeds from the gate go directly to Family of Woodstock, Inc., a non-for-profit organization serving Ulster County.

DIRECTIONS:
The HITS Saugerties Show Series are held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, located just two miles from Exit 20 on the NYS Thruway.

Trucks From The North: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.5 miles Bear slight right at Y, and go 0.1 miles to 4-way stop Turn right at 4-way stop onto Malden Tpke. (County Rt 34) and go 1.6 miles Turn right onto Route 9W South and go 0.4 miles Turn right onto Krout Road Show grounds will be on left

Trucks From The South: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn left onto Ulster Avenue and go 0.2 miles Turn right and follow State Route 32 North for 1.6 miles Bear slight right at Y and come to 4-way stop. - 0.1 miles Turn right at 4-way stop and go 1.6 miles Turn right onto Route 9W South and go 0.4 miles Turn right onto Krout Road. Show grounds will be on left

Cars From The North: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.0 miles Turn right onto Peoples Road and go 0.9 miles Turn left after train tracks onto Canoe Hill Road and go 0.5 miles Canoe Hill Road becomes Krout Road - 0.8 miles Show grounds will be 1.8 miles on right

Cars From The South: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn left onto Ulster Avenue 0.2 miles Turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.0 miles Turn right onto Peoples Road and go 0.9 miles Turn left after train tracks onto Canoe Hill Road and go 0.5 miles Canoe Hill Road becomes Krout Road - 0.8 miles Show grounds will be 1.8 miles on right

SPECTATOR PARKING& ENTRANCE: Gates D or E only. Parking is free.

EXHIBITOR ENTRANCES:
Gate A – Permanent Stabling, Gold Stalls
Gates B & C – Permanent Stabling, Silver Stalls
Gates D & E – Tent Stabling & Ship-In
Gate F – Trailer and RV Parking

THE FACILITY:
HITS-on-the-Hudson, Saugerties, New York The HITS equestrian facility is nestled at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just one mile outside the village of Saugerties. The show grounds feature 10 different competition rings, including a Grand Prix ring, a Main Hunter ring, two jumper rings, four hunter rings, an equitation ring and six separate schooling areas. Spectator seating is available at every ring and in the VIP Pavilion, which overlooks the Grand Prix ring. Spectator parking is located off the Washington Avenue entrances at Gates D or E. For a map of the property, please click here.

REFRESHMENTS:
HITS-on-the-Hudson offers an on-site Food Service Pavilion and Ice Cream Parlor featuring an assortment of frozen delights and Starbucks coffee. The HITS Bar and Grill serves up 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 right here in the Hudson Valley.

SHOPPING:
The HITS Saugerties Mall features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art and photography, and custom HITS souvenirs.

LODGING:
(in Saugerties & Kingston, more listed online and in the prize list)
Hampton Inn | 845.382.2600
Holiday Inn | 845.338.0400
Comfort Inn | 845.246.1565
Marriott Courtyard | 845.382.2300
Quality Inn & Suites | 845.339.3900
Sky Top Motel | 845.331.2900
Super 8 Motel | 845.338.3078
SuperLodge | 845.338.4200

HITS-TORY:
The HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility was inaugurated in the spring of 2004. In just four years, the HITS Saugerties horse show circuit has become a mecca for East Coast horsemen hosting the largest hunter/jumper horse shows offered during the spring and summer in the United States.

During the course of the seven-week circuit, the HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility offers stabling for over 2,000 horses, more than 250 different classes each week, and over $1 million in prize money, more than any other circuit during the spring and summer. Riders of all levels, including current and former Olympians – as well as some of the most popular up-and-coming riders – compete at HITS Saugerties. Each year, on average more than 3,000 horses, 4,500 horseman and 2,500 spectators attend HITS Saugerties and more than $1 million in prize money is awarded throughout the seven-week season.

The economic impact of the HITS Saugerties Show Series on the surrounding community is estimated at $50 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the seven weeks of shows.