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Local
Charities Benefit From HITS Ocala Winter Circuit |
OCALA, FL (February 12, 2004)—For the twenty-third consecutive
year in Florida, Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) will produce its world-class
hunter/jumper horse shows, the Ocala Winter Circuit, in Marion County.
In an effort to give back to the community that has embraced it, HITS
partners each year with several deserving charities from Marion County.
HITS is pleased to announce that the following charities will benefit
from ticket sales at the 2004 Ocala Winter Circuit: Arnette House,
Interfaith Emergency Services, Marion Therapeutic Riding Association,
Take Stock in Children, and Silver River Marine Institute.
Charities
will be given the opportunity to pre-sell tickets and they will
each take a turn as ticket-takers at the gate on weekends. The charities
will keep 100% of the proceeds from all general admission tickets
sold. By reaching out to their regular supporters as well as to
the large equestrian community in Marion County, each charity has
an opportunity to garner significant financial support for the good
works they do.
“The
Public Education Foundation of Marion County is honored once again
to have our program “Take Stock in Children” be a Charity
Partner with HITS,” said Beth McCall, Executive Director of
the Foundation. “We are able to raise funds and talk to people
about mentoring in a beautiful setting that exemplifies Marion County
and our equine industry. We appreciate this fabulous opportunity
that HITS has given us,” she added.
“We
are delighted to serve such a variety of worthy causes,” said
Tony Hitchcock, Senior Vice President, HITS Horse Shows. “The
charities we have chosen definitely bring a lot of energy to the
table, and I am sure that they will reap the benefits of this opportunity
to partner with the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. These charities represent
a bridge from our equestrian operation to year-around residents
in the local community,” he added. More than 1500 horses compete
each week of the Ocala Winter Circuit with owners and riders representing
more than thirty states and three Canadian provinces.
The
specific causes that each charity represents are outlined below:
Arnett
House strives to improve the state of Marion County children through
a safe place residential shelter, family counseling and community
outreach programs. Contact Kevin Priest, 352-622-4432.
Interfaith
Emergency Services provides emergency food, shelter, clothing, and
medicine to needy citizens of Marion County. Contact Gary Linn,
352-629-8868.
Marion
Therapeutic Riding Association provides the miraculous benefits
of recreational therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving
for persons challenged by physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
Contact Lori Blanchard, 352-622-7969.
Take
Stock in Children implements a College scholarship program for at
risk students that are matched with a mentor through high school.
Contact Beth McCall, 352-620-7651; mccall_e@popmail.firn.edu
Silver
River Marine Institute provides an alternative education and rehabilitation
program for delinquent and dependent youth providing education,
training, discipline, and productive work. Contact Mike Nebesnyk,
352-694-0191.
HITS
is the largest producer of hunter/jumper horse shows in the U.S.,
operating five show grounds nationwidethe 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,
which will premiere in May of this year. In the fall, HITS will
present the second annual Marshall & Sterling League National
Indoor Finals to be held at Worcester's Centrum Centre, Worcester,
Massachusetts. For further information, please visit www.HitsShows.com
For
more information on HITS Ocala Winter Circuit, please visit www.hitsshows.com
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