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2010 HITS Culpeper Prize Lists Now Available
Written by: Jessica Nemzoff Client:HITS Desert Circuit and HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Release Date:2010-02-18
Culpeper, VA – February 18, 2010 – HITS Shows, Inc. is pleased to announce that the 2010 HITS Culpeper prize lists are now available for the upcoming HITS Spring & Summer Show Series April 21 – October 3, 2010 in Culpeper, VA. The six-week hunter/jumper show series will feature five Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix Qualifiers offering $40,000 in prize money each. Beginning in April, riders will have the chance to enjoy competing in beautiful Virginia horse country, and take advantage of the many new and exciting classes being offered this year.
While jumper riders look forward to the Pfizer Million Qualifiers, hunters can look forward to a $5,000 3’3” Devoucoux Hunter Derby each week. This new Marshall & Sterling League Division has been one of the most popular schedule additions this winter at HITS Thermal and HITS Ocala with trainers and riders raving about its unique format and incredible weekly prize money for hunters. During the Culpeper Finals Week VI, September 29-October 3, the schedule will feature the 12th Annual $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic.
New additions to the prize list that are set to occur during Weeks I – V, include a $5,000 Junior Jumper Low Classic, $5,000 Amateur-Owner Low Classic, and a $10,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic. Moreover, those competing in the Junior/Amateur - Owner jumper divisions can also look forward to their respective high paying classics Week VI, whether it be the $15,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Low Classic or the $25,000 High Junior/Amateur-Owner Classic, riders will have some serious money to contend for September 29-October 3 in Culpeper.
HITS is planning some property updates to the Commonwealth Park show grounds, including the construction of a brand new pavilion between the Grand Prix and the Main Hunter rings.
Another season highlight for Culpeper, HITS is proud to once again host the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals on Saturday, August 21, during the Winston National Horse Show (Week V).
In addition to the complete list of classes, entry blanks, schedules and other general horse show information, the 2010 HITS Culpeper prize list features a special offer from SmartPak for free shipping on any order for HITS Culpeper exhibitors. HITS Culpeper Official Lodging Partners are also featured in the prize list. Exhibitors are encouraged to make their lodging arrangements early and take advantage of the great savings and discounts offered by HITS Lodging Partners.
Prize lists for the 2010 HITS Culpeper Show Series were mailed on Tuesday, February 16. Entry blanks, schedules and the complete prize list are available at HitsShows.com. To request a copy of the Culpeper prize lists, please visit Hitsshows.com or call 845.246.8833.
Entries for the Commonwealth Classic (April 21-25) close on Wednesday, March 24.
In order to qualify for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, a rider must compete in eight or more HITS Grand Prix classes. The top 40 riders, based on money won by horse/rider combination, will be eligible to ride for the Pfizer Million. For more detailed information on the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, please visit our website at HitsShows.com.
HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS will take the industry to new heights when it hosts the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties on September 12.
HITS CULPEPER SPRING & SUMMER SHOW SERIES FAST FACTS
EVENT:
HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series presented by HITS, Inc.
WHAT:
Six-week hunter/jumper horse show series produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from April through September each year. The HITS Culpeper Spring & Summer Show Series offers a Grand Prix event each week. Every Grand Prix at HITS Culpeper from May through August will be a qualifying event for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, which will be held on Sunday, September 12 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.
WHERE:
HITS Commonwealth Park
13256 Commonwealth Parkway
Culpeper, VA 22701
Phone: 540.825.7469 (during horse shows)
WHEN:
Daily, Wednesday - Sunday 8 am to 4 pm during show weeks.
Commonwealth National: April 21-25
Showday National: July 7-11
Cavalier Classic: July 14-18
Winston National: August 18-22
Constitution Classic: August 25-29
Culpeper Finals: September 29 – October 3
WEEKLY GRAND PRIX HIGHLIGHTS, PRESENTED BY PFIZER ANIMAL HEALTH:
Sundays: $40,000 Grand Prix
Sponsored by EMO, Sunday, April 25
ADMISSION:
Free
DIRECTIONS:
The HITS Culpeper Show Series is held at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia located just off of Route 522.
From the North (Warrenton): Take US 15/29 south to the Culpeper area. Take the US 522/VA Route 3 Exit west, towards Fredericksburg. Turn Left off the ramp and then turn right onto 522 South. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
From the South (Charlottesville): Take US 29 north to the Culpeper area. Take the US 522/VA Route 3 Exit west, towards Fredericksburg. Turn right off the ramp and then turn right onto 522 South. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
From the East (Fredericksburg): Take VA 3 west towards Culpeper. Turn left (south) on US 522. Commonwealth Park will be on the left, about 4 miles south of route 522/3.
THE FACILITY:
HITS Commonwealth Park, Culpeper, Virginia
The show grounds feature seven different competition rings, including a Grand Prix ring, a Jumper ring, five Hunter rings and three separate schooling areas. Spectator seating is available at every ring and in the Pavilion, which is located between the Grand Prix ring and the Main Hunter ring. Spectator parking is located just off the main entrance to the right.
REFRESHMENTS:
HITS Culpeper features a full-service food concession, the Showday Café. The Café offers a complete and diverse menu of food and beverages. Hours: 6 am – 4 pm Wednesday – Sunday.
SHOPPING:
HITS Culpeper features numerous shops offering horse-themed gifts, clothes, art, antiques and jewelry.
LODGING: For a complete list of available lodging in and around Culpeper, please check our Lodging Partner Page.
Premium Hotel Partners:
Comfort Inn | 540.825.4900
Microtel Inn & Suites | 540.829.0330
Holiday Inn Express & Suites | 540.825.7444
Moderate:
Best Western Culpeper Inn | 540.825.1253
RVs:
Freedom RVs | 804.798.3379
HITS-TORY:
The first Culpeper Horse and Colt Show was held at Monte Vista Park in 1897 and it continued for the next 54 years. In the 1980s, show jumping returned to Culpeper in a grand fashion with the opening of the Commonwealth Park, one of the finest horse sport facilities in the country. Some of the richest show jumping events in America have been held at Commonwealth Park, including the $200,000 United States Cup, the Grand Finale for the United States Grand Prix League in 1986. HITS purchased Commonwealth Park in 1997 and began restoring the grounds to its former glory. In 1998, HITS reintroduced the United States Grand Prix League, and has presented the USGPL Finals at Commonwealth Park since 1998. Each year, on average more than 3,000 horses, 4,500 horseman and 2,500 spectators attend HITS Culpeper and nearly $1 million in prize money is awarded throughout the six-week season.
The economic impact of the HITS Culpeper Show Series on the surrounding community is estimated at $20 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the six weeks of shows.
