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HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Shows Offer VIP Experience Both On and Off the Show Grounds

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: HITS-on-the-Hudson and Culpepper
Release Date: 2009-04-15

Saugerties, NY - April 14, 2009 - The HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series, held in the scenic town of Saugerties, NY, is pleased to offer an upgraded VIP experience at this year’s events. The horse shows run from May 20-June 7, July 15-August 2, and August 26-September 13. This year, the VIP tent on the show grounds will offer more for exhibitors, and HITS, Inc. wants to make sure that all exhibitors get the best for their money in the area outside of the horse show.

The VIP tent will be located this year on the berm next to the Grand Prix Ring in-gate overlooking the Grand Prix Ring and the grand prix schooling area. Exhibitors and spectators will be closer to the action in the ring and it will be easily accessible from the grand prix in-gate.

The former VIP pavilion will remain in its present location overlooking both the Grand Prix and Main Hunter rings. It will provide a great place to sit and watch either ring and will also still be used for special events during the circuit.

Brunch will be served every day in the VIP tent from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and refreshments will be available all day. Tables of eight seats are available for $500 per week, which provides access for eight patrons all week. VIP tables can be ordered on show entry forms or purchased in the show office on the horse show grounds.

“We are really pleased to be able to offer this upgraded experience in the VIP tent,” said HITS President Tom Struzzieri. “The VIP service will be vastly improved over what we had before. It is all part of our attention to detail and that we want to offer the best for our customers.”

Going along with that concept, HITS wants to make decision-making and planning for exhibitors easier. To start, HITS will be pro-active in helping people with their lodging arrangements. All host hotels are advertised in the prize list, but there are many more lodging choices, including area B&Bs, listed on the HITS website. In addition, HITS has an official realtor who can help find house rentals. For assistance, please visit the Lodging page or contact Missy Nevil in the HITS office at 845.246.8833 or missy@hitsshows.com.

In addition to a great range of lodging choices, HITS would like everyone to know about the highlights of the Saugerties area. There is a wide range of activities and attractions in the Saugerties and the surrounding areas, including spas, golf, hiking, kayaking, fishing, shopping, and fine dining. A list of Fun Things to Do can be found on the HITS website.

A special attraction this year in Saugerties is the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored “Hors’n Around Saugerties” event, which features 46 fiberglass carousel horses in a community wide public art event. Each horse is decorated by an artist in themes reflecting the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial, and they are on display around the town from May through September.

On September 12, HITS will host the Merry-Go-Round Gala and Auction at HITS-on-the-Hudson. The carousel horses will be auctioned off, and proceeds will benefit the artists that decorated the horses, the Saugerties Area Chamber of Commerce, and area food banks. For more information on “Hors’n Around Saugerties,” please visit www.welcometosaugerties.com.

Other useful links for Saugerties area information are The Community Guide and Explore NY 400.

The HITS Spring and Summer Show Series prize list has been mailed and is available online. Entries for the first week of competition are due on April 22, 2009. Please visit www.HitsShows.com for more information and to reserve your spot today.

PRIZE LIST INFORMATION
Prize List | Schedule
Online Feed & Bedding Order

Photo Credit: The Half Moon carousel horse, designed by Melanie Avallone, is part of the “Hors’n Around Saugerties” community art event in Saugerties, NY. It will be on display in the town’s historic district through September. The "Half Moon Horse" commemorates Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River 400 years ago. Photo courtesy of Concept Images. This photo may be used free of charge 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:
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.