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McLain Ward Springs to Saugerties for Pre-Season Footing Test
Written by: Jennifer Wood Client:HITS-on-the-Hudson and Culpepper Release Date:2009-04-29
Saugerties, NY - April 29, 2009 - Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Chair of HITS’ newly formed High Performance Committee, McLain Ward journeyed to the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, New York this past weekend for a pre-season footing test with HITS President and CEO, Tom Struzzieri. This facility will host the HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series on May 20-June 7, July 15-August 2, and August 26-September 13.
“I was very impressed with the new ground. I took a few turns, and it felt very good,” Ward said. “I was glad to be here today to get a first look at the new footing and contribute my feedback and knowledge. I appreciate the huge effort and attention to detail that Tom and HITS is making to ensure that the footing here is a good product. From what I saw today, I would say it’s a great improvement.”
In collaboration with Ward, Struzzieri made the decision to redo the footing in the grand prix ring, all of the jumper rings and schooling areas, as well as many of the hunter rings.
The new footing is a mixture of sand and textiles (a fiber/felt mix) that HITS is the sole provider for, and it is the same footing used to rave reviews at the HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, CA. The material is so well-praised and popular that the same additives also were used in the footing at the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas.
Allen Rheinheimer, Assistant Production Manager at the World Cup Finals this year, said that the materials supplied by HITS for the footing there “worked out fantastic.” He added, “Everyone thought the footing was great. The company was top-notch to deal with, and everything was facilitated very well.”
The company that installed the footing in Las Vegas has also purchased material from HITS to repair show rings at Old Salem Farm. Rheinheimer is the horse show manager, and he explained, “We’re using that same material and adding it to the footing at Old Salem. The product is outstanding.”
“I was quite honored to get the call to assist with the footing for the World Cup Finals,” said Struzzieri. “We really got it right in California this past year, so to have Allen reach out to us was a true testament to the product. I’m excited to be able to bring the same product to Saugerties for our exhibitors in the North East.”
“Having McLain here today to test the product in the early stages was a great help,” added Struzzieri. “He’s brought a lot to the table, and it’s been great working together.”
HITS continually works with exhibitors and uses their input to make improvements to their facilities. This year, they started a High Performance Committee, which is chaired by Ward. Ward is only one of many riders, trainers, and owners that HITS consults with, and the relationship has been mutually beneficial. “Tom and I started working together late last summer,” Ward explained. “I was excited to team up and provide my consultation to help benefit the show, the riders, and HITS. It’s been a very positive experience, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work together.”
Ward continued, “The High Performance Committee has been very positive. There seems to be a lot of momentum from both the Committee members and from Tom and HITS. Saugerties is an important venue in our corner of the country, and everyone is committed to making it a top-notch experience. The team has been enthusiastic about all the improvements and new ideas. I think everyone is looking forward to a successful season in Saugerties. It’s a place we all want to be.”
In addition to new footing, HITS has invested more in prize money for hunter and jumper classics, has the popular new wood and metal stalls, and an upgraded VIP area. HITS also plans to use the old footing from the rings to improve the walkways around the competition areas.
Ward concluded, “Saugerties is a fantastic venue with first class infrastructure – first class stabling, Grand Prix ring… all the rings really! You can bring your entire stable here to compete, and you can’t beat the prize money. It’s a great place for us to compete in the North East.”
The HITS Spring and Summer Show Series prize list has been mailed and is available online. Entries for the competition are due soon, so please visit www.HitsShows.com for more information and to reserve your spot today.
PRIZE LIST INFORMATION
Prize List | Schedule
Online Feed & Bedding Order
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.
