Source:  News Release

 

 

HITS remembers the life and legacy of Donna K. Vale: 1946 - 2011

SAUGERTIES, NY – November 7, 2011 — HITS President & CEO Tom Struzzieri announced today the passing of long-time friend and employee Donna K. Vale, who died peacefully, surrounded by family and friends earlier today.

“Donna Vale was the most valuable employee in the history of the company,” said Struzzieri. “Her dedication and work ethic will not be replaced. For over 27 years she gave tirelessly for anything and everything related to HITS. Her passing is a great loss and she will be dearly missed.”

Vale, a native of Dallas, Texas, was one of the first employees Struzzieri hired and is credited, among many things, with helping HITS to become the industry leader in horse show management. She had a long and thriving career that included many personal riding and training achievements. In addition, Vale had the great fortune to share her love of equestrian sports with her two children – Aaron and Kristen – who have found their own successes, both in and out of the ring.

 

Donna with her son Aaron and his wife Mallory, and her daughter Kristen and her husband Bob at Christmas 2009. Photo provided.

Services are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday of this week in Saugerties, New York. Arrangements will be announced by Seamon-Wilsey Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donna's name may be made to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center at the address below:

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
PO Box 599
New York, NY  10021-0036

About HITS, Inc.
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 once again offered the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosted the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, this fall 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!