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HITS Saugerties Revisits the Past with Lowered Prices

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: HITS-on-the-Hudson and Culpepper
Release Date: 2009-03-12

Saugerties, NY - March 12, 2009 - The HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Horse Show series are going back to the past for ideas on how to save exhibitors money. The eight weeks of shows at the beautiful HITS-on-the-Hudson facility offers a full schedule for hunter, jumper, and equitation divisions, and HITS wants to be able to offer a competitive experience at the best price available. The HITS shows in Saugerties run from May 20-June 7, July 15-August 2, and August 26-September 13.

What every exhibitor knows is that even when small changes are made, lots of them can add up to big savings.

HITS, Inc. President Tom Struzzieri stated, “We’re trying to react to what exhibitors have been most concerned about. HITS is making a concerted effort to listen to our customers and to make changes that will be the most beneficial for them.”

The weekly rates for Tent and Silver Permanent stalls were not raised this year, and the Gold Permanent weekly stall has been discounted to $300 per week. Additionally, discounts are being offered for those who stay at multiple weeks of shows.

A Semi-Circuit stall, which is for those who stay for two weeks at either the Spring or Summer series, will save 20% or more off of last year’s weekly prices: a Semi-Circuit stall in the Tent will cost $270 for the two weeks, a Silver Permanent stall will cost $400, and a Gold Permanent stall will cost $500. If exhibitors stay for all three weeks of either series, they could save up to 50% off last year’s weekly prices: three-week circuit stalls will cost $270 in the Tent, $500 in Silver Permanent, and $600 in Gold Permanent.

HITS, Inc. is also extending a very special offer to competitors at the USEF Junior Hunter Championships on July 27-29. 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.

The HITS-on-the-Hudson facility features 1,100 permanent stalls for exhibitors. Tent stalls are also available and will feature the much-praised wooden panel stalls that were introduced in Saugerties last year.

Some class fees will be lowered for 2009, and the jumper nominating fee, which only applies to the Level 5 Jumpers or higher, has been lowered to $100. There will be no separate nominating fee for the grand prix classes.

Giving trainers and riders some flexibility in choice, a horse showing in otherwise non-nominated classes may move up to show in one (1) Level 5 Jumper Class without having to pay the nominating fee.

Also new this year is the elimination of the ship-in and grounds fees. This started at the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit and will apply at all HITS shows for the remainder of the year.

HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show series is ready to provide the best horse show experience for your money, and HITS realizes that you need to stretch your dollar further. More improvements to the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility will be announced soon. Please visit www.HitsShows.com for more information.

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:
An eight-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 Championships: July 27-29
NY Horse & Pony Show (VI): July 29 - August 2
HITS-on-the-Hudson VII: August 26-30
New in 2009! HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII: September 2-6
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 berm 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)
Holiday Inn | 845.338.0400
Comfort Inn | 845.246.1565
Marriott Courtyard | 845.382.2300
Howard Johnson Inn 845.246.9511
Quality Inn & Suites | 845.339.3900
Rodeway Inn 845.331.2900

HITS-TORY:
The HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility was inaugurated in the spring of 2004. In just five 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 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 series of shows.