Source:  News Release

 

 

HITS management meets with West Coast Trainer Committee to discuss priorities and ideas for 2012 Desert Circuit

THERMAL, CALIFORNIA — In preparation for the upcoming 2012 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California, HITS President & CEO Tom Struzzieri and HITS Technical Director Brian Morris met with members of the Desert Circuit Trainer Committee via conference call to discuss plans and solicit feedback and ideas on priorities for the circuit. Participating in the call from the Committee were Guillermo Obligado, Joie Gatlin, Karen Healey, Shelley Campf, Rich Fellers and Rudy Leone.

Topics discussed included property updates, schedule changes and an open discussion where the members of the committee brought fourth new ideas and suggestions for the circuit.

Property Enhancements Continue in Thermal
HITS shared an update on the property enhancements currently underway at the Desert Horse Park. Highlights include some major renovations that came directly from the suggestions of top riders and trainers who have been loyal to the circuit for years. Thousands of new trees and desert-friendly shrubs are taking root all across the show grounds and new berms are being added that will create enhanced sightlines and atmosphere. In addition, new rows of maturing palm trees are being planted along the berm facing the airport on the east end of the show grounds to improve the horizon lines in those rings. In addition, the group also spoke at length about combining two of the lower-level hunter rings in order to dress up that section of the property and create a more unique show ring that could be used for special classes.

“There was a lot of vigorous debate about the options we have for combining two of the hunter rings, and while we haven’t exactly landed on what the plan is, I’m confident that we have the support of the Committee and that this will be a welcomed update for exhibitors, ” said Struzzieri.

HITS also shared that foundation work has begun for three new rows of permanent barns that will be added to the property behind the vet building which will provide additional inventory for exhibitors interested in permanent barn accommodations.

Other highlights include footing updates to jumper schooling areas, new roadways to help define roads between the barns and the rings, and a large order of new jump equipment from Olaf Petersen, Sr.

Schedule Highlights and 2012 Prize List
Struzzieri informed the Committee that the season finale will again be a $200,000 Grand Prix during DC VI and that the circuit will host four World Cup qualifiers in the indoor arena. Once again, all Grand Prix and Devoucoux Hunter Prix held at the Desert Circuit will qualify riders for the Million Grand Prix and Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final in September of 2012.

Schedule discussions touched on jumpers, hunters and equitation with input from the committee making its way to the final class schedule for the prize list, which is slated to mail in early October. Specific to the Ronnie Mutch Equitation Classic, Committee members and Struzzieri discussed at length the idea to revitalize that class to raise its importance and participation levels for the 2012 season.

Trainer Karen Healey of Hidden Valley, California was encouraged about the ideas for the R.W. Mutch Classic. “That is exciting news. That class needs to be more important. The concept is so good, and the fact that the kids have to do it themselves is great. I really want there to be a chance for more riders to participate and some of the things we discussed should really make a big difference in the class.”

Healey also shared her enthusiasm for the new ring layout for the hunters. “I’m anxious to see what they do with the rings. I think it would great to make a totally different kind of ring with some special classes in there. From a trainer’s perspective Thermal is a very easy place to work, but one criticism is that some of the layout is a bit ‘cookie-cutter’. A new look for that area would really help to dress it up and take away the stigma of rings six and seven. The improvements that were made last year looked really great. Having the berm around Jumper 1, plus all those little things, like plantings and benches, really provided a great ambiance. And what we talked about doing for the hunters will be another welcomed update.”

Another item of business discussed was the proposed seven week circuit, which would have added an additional week to the schedule and would have included a selection of classes aimed at jumpers with the $200,000 Grand Prix of the Desert slated for that final week. In a collaborative discussion, the group weighed the pros and cons of extending the circuit and the final decision was to keep the traditional six-week circuit.

After the call, Struzzieri reflected on the contributions of the Committee and how their influence helps to shape the circuit each year. “This call was a perfect example of the importance of the Committee. We covered a lot of territory with the members sharing their honest feedback on all points, which represents the interests of their customers. In the end, I believe we reached some great decisions on things that are going to help make the circuit better. They know better than we what is going to work for their customers, which is why their participation and contributions are so important.”

Shelley Campf of Oz, Incorporated out of Canby, Oregon has been a member of the Trainer Committee since 2009 and was one of the first members to share her thoughts on extending the circuit. “I really enjoy being a part of this committee. On our call last week, Tom [Struzzieri] proved that he really listens to and welcomes our feedback. When he asked us for our opinions about changing the circuit to a seven week format, I immediately shared that the six-week format is, by far, the most popular with our clients and several others on the call concurred and elaborated with their own specific examples. In a few short minutes of listening to the feedback he said, ‘if that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do’.”

The 2012 HITS Desert Circuit will begin on Tuesday, January 24 and run for six consecutive weeks until Sunday, March 11 with an off-week scheduled for February 13-19.

For more information, or to request a copy of the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit Prize List, please visit HitsShows.com.

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. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter