HITS Tahoe 2002 Horse Show Circuit Dates Announced

SAUGERTIES, NY (April 4, 2001)For the third consecutive year, Horse Shows In The Sun will present the HITS Tahoe Circuit in Minden, Nevada from June 26 through July 21, 2002. This hunter/jumper horse show circuit features nearly 300 classes each week for four weeks including a $10,000 Open Jumper Prix every Friday, and a $25,000 Grand Prix on each Sunday. Horse Shows In The Sun management is anticipating that HITS Tahoe will again have an international roster of exhibitors including entries from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

The HITS Tahoe show grounds is located on 100 acres of property owned by local industrialist Don Bently, on Highway 395, two miles north of Minden and about 20 minutes from Lake Tahoe. Competition is featured in six all-weather rings Wednesday through Sunday from 8am until approximately 4pm. Spectators are admitted free Wednesday through Saturday. Tickets are $5 on Sunday with the proceeds benefiting local charities. Children under 12 are always admitted at no charge and parking is always free. Vendor Row on Main Street of the show grounds is lined with more than a dozen shops offering equine-themed merchandise from tack to 14K gold jewelry. A variety of delicious lunch and snack items are available on Main Street as well. Bleacher seating is available at all of the rings. More than 10,000 spectators are expected to visit HITS Tahoe during the four-week circuit.

More than 50 staff and crewmembers will also be returning to the show grounds to install the structures necessary for the competition and to run the horse shows. HITS built the show grounds two years ago on this former alfalfa field and brought it to life as a temporary small village. The huge blue-and-white tents that serve as portable barns, the white ring fencing, the jumps, the Great American Insurance Company Time To Beat clock in the Grand Prix ring, the mobile offices and restaurant all return to Minden again this year. The infrastructure of water and electricity lines that were installed will be brought back into use for the show as well as the other amenities--15 pipe corral paddocks, pads for 50 RVs, plus the roads that provide access to the rings, parking, and stabling areas.

The most important element of the show grounds is the competition rings. At HITS Tahoe the all-weather rings that were constructed in late 1999 and early 2000 at a cost of more than $500,000 are ready for action. To create these permanent rings, more than 30,000 tons of stone dust were hauled in for the base and 60,000 pounds of ground rubber were used as a top layer. This award-winning footing is used at all six HITS horse show grounds nationwide.

Spectators are also an important part of the horse shows and HITS Tahoe will again produce special events for the fans including the annual Kids Day and Seniors Day. Kids Day will be held on, Sunday, July 7, from 11am to 2pm and is officially titled "Kids Day presented by Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department and Douglas County Library." The event will again feature fun and festivities for kids and their parents including a hayride, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, games, and exhibits. On Sunday, July 14, starting at noon, Seniors Day presented by Douglas County Senior Services will feature a variety of exhibits, activities, and entertainment geared toward the health and well being of seniors, plus other fun things for the whole family.

Charities and charity events are also an integral part of HITS Tahoe. Local charities pre-sell tickets to the Grand Prix events and are the ticket-takers on Sundays. Charities keep 100% of the proceeds from pre-sold tickets and receive a percentage of the gate. HITS Tahoe has partnered with the same five charities since the inception of the HITS Tahoe Circuit -- Carson Valley Sertoma; U.S. Pony Club, Sierra Pacific Region; Soroptimist International of Carson Valley; Kiwanis Club of Gardnerville-Carson Valley; and Minden Rotary. HITS Tahoe not only benefits local charities, but also provides a large economic impact on the entire Carson Valley. It is estimated that the area receives over $7.5 million through spending by exhibitors on food, lodging, and consumer goods.

DIRECTIONS: From the Reno/Tahoe airport (about 40 miles), travel south on Highway 395 to Minden; at Stockyard Road, turn left; show grounds entrance is on the left. From Lake Tahoe (about 12 miles), take Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade), cross Foothill Road to Mottsville, proceed 3 miles; turn left onto State Highway 395 North; turn right at Stockyard Road; show grounds entrance is on the left. From Minden (about 2 miles), follow 395 North; turn right at Stockyard Road; show grounds entrance is on the left. HITS TAHOE: 1901 N. Hwy. 395, Minden, Nevada, 89423. Phone during show dates: 775-783-8907.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HITS TAHOE 2002 SHOW DATES:
Week I - June 26-30
Week II - July 3-7
Week III - July 10-14
Week IV - July 17-21

FEATURED EVENTS:
$25,000 Carson Valley Inn Grand Prix Sunday, June 30, 2 pm
$25,000 EMO Grand Prix Sunday, July 7, 2 pm
$25,000 Coldwell Banker ITILDO Grand Prix Sunday, July 14, 2 pm
$25,000 King Shavings Grand Prix Sunday, July 21, 2 pm

SPECIAL EVENTS:
Kids Day - Sunday, July 7, 11am-2pm
Presented by Douglas County Parks and Recreation Department and Douglas County Library

Seniors Day - Sunday, July 14, noon-3pm
Presented by Douglas County Senior Services

www.HitsShows.com

.