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HITS
Hosts Fiesta Day Fun At 2004 Indio Desert Circuit |
INDIO, CA (February 6, 2004)—Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) is
pleased to announce that the fourth annual Fiesta Day, presented by
Nextel and Avis Rent A Car, will take place on March 14th from noon
to 2pm at the HITS Indio Desert Horse Park. Fiesta Day celebrates
the Hispanic heritage of the Coachella Valley, while also recognizing
the tremendous contribution made by the Hispanic men and women who
work in the horse industry.
Fiesta
Day will offer a host of fun activities for parents and their children
including, strolling mariachis, a Charro exhibition by a skilled
Mexican horseman, free pony rides, face painting, a bouncy house,
plus educational activities and career information. In addition,
a mouthwatering array of traditional food will be offered by local
restaurants throughout the day on the showgrounds. Admission is
$5 for adults; children 12 and under are free.
Growing
numbers of Hispanic workers, many with horse experience in their
native countries, are taking advantage of the numerous opportunities
available in the horse industry. With the reputation of being particularly
good horsemen, it is not surprising that the U.S. equine industry
has embraced the Hispanic worker. For many, especially those who
rise to become farriers, trainers, and professional riders, the
skills they learn set them apart from their peers who pursue employment
in less specialized industries. The experience and skills acquired
can mean the difference between a job with an hourly wage, or a
rewarding career that lasts a lifetime.
To
complement the educational and career information aspects of Fiesta
Day, a bilingual children's coloring book "El Mondo del Caballo/The
World of the Horse" will be given free to all children attending
the event. Young people attending will also receive a full-color
pamphlet, Careers in the Horse Industry/Carerras en la Industria
Equina. The pamphlet is bilingual Spanish and English, and provides
information on the wide range of career opportunities available
in the horse industry.
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Coachella
Valley Escaramuzas show off their colorful costumes on Fiesta
Day. |
Following the Fiesta Day activities, the grand finale of show jumping
competition at the Indio Desert Circuit will take place in the Grand
Prix fieldthe $150,000 Ford Grand Prix of the Desert. Top Grand
Prix riders from the U.S. and abroad will compete for the largest
single purse awarded over the six weeks of competition at the Indio
Desert Circuit. Gerardo Tazzer, one of Mexico's most accomplished
show jumping riders, will be there to delight the Hispanic spectators.
Tazzer has competed in three Olympic Games and was the individual
silver medalist at the 1979 Pan Am Games.
HITS
Desert Horse Park features competition Wednesday through Sunday
from 8am until approximately 4pm. Charities and charity events are
always an integral part of the Indio Desert Circuit. This year at
Indio, HITS is working with Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley,
Boy Scouts of America, Indio Chamber of Commerce, Indio Sunrise
Rotary, LaQuinta Rotary, Indio Senior Center, and Indio Police Cadets.
These charities pre-sell tickets to the Grand Prix events and are
the ticket-takers on Sundaysthey keep 100% of the proceeds from
pre-sold tickets and receive a percentage of the gate.
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Local
school children enjoy a day at the Indio Desert Circuit. |
Directions to HITS Desert Horse Park: Take I-10 to the Monroe Street
exit in Indio. Go south approximately five miles to Avenue 52, and
then turn right onto Avenue 52. Horse Show entrance is ½
mile on right. Tel: 760-775-7731; Fax: 760-775-7752.
For
more information on HITS Indio Desert Circuit, including complete
competition results, please visit www.hitsshows.com .
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