Source:  News Release

AIG to Join HITS Horse Shows as Sponsor of All-New Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix

SAUGERTIES, NY -– After three years of success with the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, HITS, Inc. recently went bi-coastal with big prize money and is proud to announce American International Group, Inc. (AIG) as the sponsor of the all-new AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix.

Serving as the season finale to the 2013 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California, the event is the culmination of a cooperative effort between HITS and several West Coast competitions comprising the AIG Thermal Million Grand Prix League. The $1 million event will take place at HITS Desert Horse Park Sunday, March 17, 2013. It will attract international show jumping talent in the form of qualified riders from the U.S., Mexico, Canada and beyond. 

Most notably known for spearheading some of the most innovative advances in the sport of show jumping, HITS has now involved two of the world’s most successful Fortune 500 companies.

“Between our continuing relationship with Pfizer Animal Health and this new relationship with AIG, two of the largest corporations in the world are now involved in horse sports,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “It speaks volumes about the recent growth of our sport and makes an encouraging nod to the future of American show jumping.”

“We are honored to take part in the AIG Thermal Million and to lend our support to the upcoming participants and horse owners,” said Gina Teresi, Vice President – Marketing for the Private Client Group at AIG. “HITS provides an amazing venue and showcase for driven competitors and owners who enjoy success in and out of the show ring. This sponsorship allows us to celebrate that lifestyle while also raising awareness of the ways in which we can protect it.”

The winter show season at HITS Thermal kicks off January 22nd and runs through March 17th, with seven weeks of hunter, jumper and equitation offerings spanning all levels of competitors.  The circuit will include 17 grand prix, including three FEI World Cup Qualifying classes during Weeks II, III and IV.

Riders will qualify for the AIG Thermal Million based on prize money won in grand prix at participating shows. They must compete in at least one grand prix at four different HITS Desert Circuit show weeks prior to DC VII. Money won will be calculated by rider/horse combination with the rider’s top money winning horse determining the rider’s final ranking. The top 40 riders in the AIG Thermal Million Grand Prix Rider Rankings will qualify. Prize money and ribbons will be awarded to the top 20 finishers, with the first place winner receiving a check for $350,000.

Aside from the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, HITS Desert Horse Park will be host to grand prix qualifiers for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix, as qualifiers for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.  In addition, it will host qualifiers for the return of the HITS $250,000 Hunter Prix Final, which will all join forces to make up the 2013 HITS Championship Weekend, September 6-8, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

With two $1 million grand prix in its repertoire, HITS is leading the way to attract Olympic caliber riders and horses from all over the world to ride on American soil. 

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Struzzieri said, alluding to his company’s overarching goal of promoting the strength and vitality of the sport of show jumping in the United States and beyond.

HITS Staff
A view of the grand prix ring at HITS Thermal, which will host the 2012 AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, as well as the World Cup Qualifiers taking place during the HITS Desert Circuit.

About American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading international insurance organization serving customers in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions. AIG companies serve commercial, institutional, and individual customers through one of the most extensive worldwide property-casualty networks of any insurer. In addition, AIG companies are leading providers of life insurance and retirement services in the United States. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. Products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). Not all products and services are available in every jurisdiction, and insurance coverage is governed by actual policy language. Certain products and services may be provided by independent third parties under contract with AIG or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Insurance products may be distributed through affiliated or unaffiliated entities. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.

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 took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. In 2011, HITS hosted the richest weekend in show jumping with the return of the Pfizer Million and the introduction of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. In 2012, the historic weekend will get even sweeter with the addition of the HITS $250,000 HITS Hunter Prix Final September 8-9.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com.

Omega Alpha has you covered for all your equine natural supplements -
plus human and pet needs too!