Horse Shows In The Sun to Premiere World-Class Equestrian Facility in May

SAUGERTIES, NY – March 30, 2004 – From dawn to dusk, crews are hard at work in Saugerties, New York, making the final preparations for the grand opening of HITS-on-the-Hudson. The state-of-the-art horse show facility will premiere in May, marking the accomplishment of a long-held ambition for Tom Struzzieri, owner and President of Horse Shows In The Sun.

“A large concentration of our exhibitors operate out of the Northeast, and up until now the region has lacked a horse show facility designed from the ground up with amenities customized to their needs,” said Struzzieri. The HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds promises to fill that gap. Situated on the site of a former 200-acre golf course, the horse show facility took two years to complete. Struzzieri oversaw the project from the turning of the first sod, and every aspect of the facility was designed to his exact specifications.

The majestic Catskill Mountains form the backdrop to HITS-on-the-Hudson. The surrounding Hudson Valley boasts an eclectic mix of casual and fine dining options, unique craft stores, and celebrated antique stores. Exhibitors will receive a friendly welcome when they take the time to explore the quaint village of Saugerties, which is less than a mile from the show grounds. A short ten-minute drive away is the famous town of Woodstock, which also deserves a visit.

The HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds is a world-class facility designed to meet the highest standards of equestrian competition, while also offering many unique features. Most noteworthy are the Hunter and Jumper arenas, both surrounded by a native stone wall inside a grass berm with twin bridges arching over the entrances. While the Grand Prix arena is always the focal point at other horse shows, HITS-on-the-Hudson gives the Hunter division equal exposure. In addition to the arenas, there are eight all-weather performance rings and four practice rings. A natural three-board fence will encircle the show grounds, finishing at the grand entrance. Some of the country’s finest horses will occupy the 504 stalls available in six permanent barns. Plans are already in place to add another 500 stalls in phase two of the building. A VIP pavilion overlooks both the Hunter and Jumper feature rings, and a restaurant and dining courtyard offers patio seating as well as an enclosed dining area. Shopping will be available in two buildings sectioned off into 10 vendor boutiques offering equine-themed merchandise from tack to 14K gold jewelry. A Mercedes Benz showroom completes the shopping spree. To get away from it all, riders can take their horses on a 2.5-mile trail ride around the perimeter of the property.

The HITS-on-the-Hudson Grand Opening celebration is scheduled for Sunday, May 30th. The festivities will pay tribute to Equestrian Olympians, past, present and future. There will be demonstrations of the international sports of Dressage and Driving. Guests at the celebration will sample the local produce of New York’s bountiful Hudson River Valley, specially prepared by several of the area’s finest gourmet restaurants. The Bard College chamber music group will entertain as guests take their seats ringside to enjoy the highlight of the day – the $75,000 HITS-on-the-Hudson show jumping Grand Prix.

A number of other special events are planned for the seven weeks of the horse show – Antique Show, June 5th & 6th, Equine Art Exhibit, June 12th & 13th, Taste of the Hudson Valley, July 24th, Chili Cookoff, July 31st, Kids Day, August 7th, and Seniors Day, September 4th. Exhibitors and spectators alike will find plenty to entertain them during the horse show.

Charities and charity events are also an integral part of every HITS horse show. HITS is leasing a portion of the HITS-on-the-Hudson site from Family of Woodstock, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that provides crisis intervention services throughout Ulster County. Family of Woodstock will pre-sell tickets to the Grand Prix events and are the ticket-takers on weekends – the charity will keep 100% of the proceeds from all tickets sold.

Spectators will be admitted free to HITS-on-the-Hudson, Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are $5 on Saturday and Sunday with the proceeds benefiting Family of Woodstock. Children under 12 will be admitted without charge, and parking is free.

HITS produced its first series of horse shows – a three-week circuit in Gainesville, Florida – in 1982. Today HITS produces five horse show circuits – the Ocala Winter Circuit in Florida; Indio Desert Circuit in California; Arizona Winter Circuit in Tucson; HITS Culpeper in Virginia; and the newest addition, HITS-on-the Hudson in New York. Individually, each is a first rate horse show series; collectively, they represent the largest group of equestrian events under a single management group in the United States.

HITS-ON-THE-HUDSON GENERAL INFORMATION

WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, 2004 SHOW DATES

Show jumping takes place daily, starting at 8:00 AM

HITS-on-the-Hudson I – May 26-30
HITS-on-the-Hudson II – June 2-6

HITS-on-the-Hudson III – June 9-13
HITS-on-the-Hudson IV – July 21-25
HITS-on-the-Hudson V – July 28-August 1
New York Horse & Pony Show VI – August 4-8
HITS-on-the-Hudson VII – September 1-5

FEATURED EVENTS:
$25,000 Grand Prix Every Thursday

$75,000 Grand Prix Every Sunday

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Week I, Grand Opening - Sunday, May 30th

Week II, Antique Show – Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th

Week III, Equine Art Exhibit – Saturday, June 12th and Sunday, June 13th

Week IV, Taste of the Hudson Valley – Saturday, July 24th

Week V, Chili Cookoff – Saturday, July 31st

Week VI, Kids Day – Saturday, August 7th

Week VII, Seniors Day – Saturday, September 4th

www.HitsShows.com