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HITS Ramps up for an Exciting Season in California for the 20th Anniversary of the Desert Circuit
Source: HITS News Release
THERMAL, CA (October 20, 2010)--HITS, Inc. is proud to announce plans for the 20th Anniversary of its Desert Circuit, taking place January 25 – March 13 at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. In honor of this important milestone, HITS is pulling out all the stops for a memorable show season complete with exciting new class offerings, the return of old favorites, great discounted stabling packages and continued facility enhancements.
Started in 1991, many credit the HITS Desert Circuit with changing the dynamic of the hunter/jumper sport on the West Coast, providing opportunities that didn’t exist in the region prior to the early 1990s and creating an atmosphere for businesses in the sport to thrive. Today, West Coast exhibitors are a strong and talented force.
"As we set out to celebrate our 20th season, HITS Thermal would like to recognize our loyal customers who have always supported and helped us to grow, to ensure that the West Coast has a high-caliber circuit that rivals any other show in the world,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “This is the longest-running circuit west of the Mississippi, and I’m proud that today the HITS Desert Circuit is the winter home of choice for many of North America’s top riders and trainers. As we look to the future, we remain committed to ensuring that the product we offer in Thermal surpasses the expectations of our customers, and continues to be one of the most desirable destinations for winter showing in the sport.”
The 2011 HITS Desert Circuit will get underway on Tuesday, January 25 and will run for three consecutive weeks until Sunday, February 13. After a short break, February 14 – 20, show jumping returns on Tuesday, February 22 and will continue until Sunday, March 13 when HITS will close out the season with its super-finale weekend, which will feature the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach.
As always, HITS has packed the Desert Circuit schedule with plenty of terrific class offerings for hunter, jumper and equitation riders of all levels – from lead-line and short stirrup, all the way up through High-Performance hunters and jumpers.
After an exciting, history-making season for jumpers in 2010, HITS recently announced the return of the $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 11, 2011 in Saugerties, New York. Once again, Thermal will be an important qualifying circuit for this unprecedented class. In fact, after the end of the 2010 HITS Desert Circuit 20 riders emerged eligible for the Pfizer Million, including third-place finisher John Pearce and the top placing female rider, Canadian Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood.
The HITS Desert Circuit will feature 16 qualifying classes for the Million, including four $50,000 FEI World Cup Qualifiers held in Thermal’s popular indoor arena, and for the season’s grand finale, the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert on Sunday, March 13.
Other exciting jumper news for the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit includes a newly revamped Jumper 1 which will feature an assortment of dynamic and colorful new jumps to help better prepare horses for their move to the Grand Prix ring, as well as beautiful new grass berms to view from. In addition, HITS has added a Modified Children’s/Adult Jumper with fences set at 2’11”, as well as the new $1,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic Low with fences set at 3’. The $5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic will be featured each week, with a $15,000 purse offered for the class on Week VI. Also on the schedule for Week VI are the $25,000 California Horsetrader Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High and the $3,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner class. Both classes will serve as selection trials for the Zone 10 North American Young Rider Championships.
In the rated hunter section, HITS Thermal has added three new divisions with the High Performance Working Hunter 4’-4’6”, the Performance Working Hunter 3’6”-3’9” and the Performance Working Hunter 3’3”, while the Adults Hunters will have an additional age group with the 56 and over division. In the non-rated hunter section, Short Stirrup Hunter Horse and Pony will be offered separately with fences at 18”. Two new 2’3” divisions have been added with the Thermal Children’s Hunter and Thermal Adult Hunter. The Modified Junior Hunter with fences at 3’3” is another new addition to this year’s schedule, as well as the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic.
Without a doubt the biggest news for hunters in Thermal is that the weekly 3’3” Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be one of the featured events of the circuit and will serve as qualifying events for the all-new $500,000 HITS 3’3” Hunter Prix Final, which will take place in Saugerties, New York on the weekend of September 10 as part of the Million weekend. Prize money for the Devoucoux Hunter Prix classes will range from $5,000 to $10,000 during Weeks I through V, while Week VI will feature a $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix as part of the Desert Circuit’s 20 th Anniversary Season Finale.
As always, Equitation riders will have a full schedule of classes and Medals to look forward to, including the all-new Beginner Equitation open to junior riders under 12 years of age who are not showing in the rated section, and the return of the Ronnie R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic with new qualifying specs during Week VI.F
Following the circuit last year, HITS conducted nearly 100 customer interviews to discuss ideas and garner feedback on how best to improve upon the success and momentum from the 2010 season. “The one-to-one discussions we had with our customers provided valuable insights as to what aspects currently work well, and which areas need help to improve the quality and overall enjoyment of their time spent with us,” said Struzzieri. “We received very detailed feedback, and while we won’t be able to address every request for every person, we have identified a quality list of priorities for this season, some of which we had already planned, and others that are new ideas to provide a greater experience for all. I was really pleased to see that all of the efforts we’ve made in the recent past have been well-received by our customers, and that satisfaction with the circuit is, without a doubt, at an all-time high.”
Back by popular demand, HITS will continue to offer discounted circuit pricing for stalls, RV spaces, paddocks and VIP tables for its six-week circuit. An aggressive vendor discount plan is in the works to help entice and attract a diverse group of merchants that will contribute to the atmosphere, and add to the enjoyment of on-site shopping had by customers. Major landscaping projects include a dramatic amount of new plants and trees to help fill in some of the far areas of the property, while they create beautiful backdrops and horizon lines to the property. HITS is also investing in a major paving project that will create new road surfaces in front of all barns and hunter rings.
Trainer, High-Performance rider, and member of the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit Trainer Committee, Joie Gatlin has been an active and continuous voice, and has contributed many ideas implemented by HITS Management for the Desert Circuit.
“I think it’s great that Tom [Struzzieri] has this committee of top riders and trainers,” said Gatlin. “Anytime Show Management can listen to the clients and focus on the things that they want, the clients should feel good. I was extremely happy and pleasantly surprised to hear of all the great things to happen for this year’s Desert Circuit, including the return of the Indoor tent for the World Cup Qualifiers. I think having that ring has directly affected our West Coast riders in their performance at the World Cup Finals.”
Gatlin went on to praise the investment HITS is making with respect to landscaping and property updates. “Hearing that 1,000 new plants have been added to the property was impressive. I think it’s terrific that Tom continues to reinvest in the show and the property. It’s an expensive undertaking and it just shows his commitment to put that kind of energy back in the show.”
Gatlin added that the addition of the new age group added for the Adult Amateur Hunter division is creating some excitement for her customers, who are already looking forward to another great year at the HITS Desert Circuit.
HITS has more exciting news and updates on the HITS Desert Circuit is on the horizon, including details about VIP enhancements, new sponsorships, and special events.
The 2011 HITS Desert Circuit prize list is in production and is expected to mail in the next few weeks. For more information or to request a prize list, please visit HitsShows.com or call 845.246.8833.
THERMAL, CA (October 20, 2010)--HITS, Inc. is proud to announce plans for the 20th Anniversary of its Desert Circuit, taking place January 25 – March 13 at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California. In honor of this important milestone, HITS is pulling out all the stops for a memorable show season complete with exciting new class offerings, the return of old favorites, great discounted stabling packages and continued facility enhancements.
Started in 1991, many credit the HITS Desert Circuit with changing the dynamic of the hunter/jumper sport on the West Coast, providing opportunities that didn’t exist in the region prior to the early 1990s and creating an atmosphere for businesses in the sport to thrive. Today, West Coast exhibitors are a strong and talented force.
"As we set out to celebrate our 20th season, HITS Thermal would like to recognize our loyal customers who have always supported and helped us to grow, to ensure that the West Coast has a high-caliber circuit that rivals any other show in the world,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “This is the longest-running circuit west of the Mississippi, and I’m proud that today the HITS Desert Circuit is the winter home of choice for many of North America’s top riders and trainers. As we look to the future, we remain committed to ensuring that the product we offer in Thermal surpasses the expectations of our customers, and continues to be one of the most desirable destinations for winter showing in the sport.”
The 2011 HITS Desert Circuit will get underway on Tuesday, January 25 and will run for three consecutive weeks until Sunday, February 13. After a short break, February 14 – 20, show jumping returns on Tuesday, February 22 and will continue until Sunday, March 13 when HITS will close out the season with its super-finale weekend, which will feature the $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix and the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach.
As always, HITS has packed the Desert Circuit schedule with plenty of terrific class offerings for hunter, jumper and equitation riders of all levels – from lead-line and short stirrup, all the way up through High-Performance hunters and jumpers.
After an exciting, history-making season for jumpers in 2010, HITS recently announced the return of the $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, September 11, 2011 in Saugerties, New York. Once again, Thermal will be an important qualifying circuit for this unprecedented class. In fact, after the end of the 2010 HITS Desert Circuit 20 riders emerged eligible for the Pfizer Million, including third-place finisher John Pearce and the top placing female rider, Canadian Silver Medalist Jill Henselwood.
The HITS Desert Circuit will feature 16 qualifying classes for the Million, including four $50,000 FEI World Cup Qualifiers held in Thermal’s popular indoor arena, and for the season’s grand finale, the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix of the Desert on Sunday, March 13.
Other exciting jumper news for the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit includes a newly revamped Jumper 1 which will feature an assortment of dynamic and colorful new jumps to help better prepare horses for their move to the Grand Prix ring, as well as beautiful new grass berms to view from. In addition, HITS has added a Modified Children’s/Adult Jumper with fences set at 2’11”, as well as the new $1,000 Children’s/Adult Jumper Classic Low with fences set at 3’. The $5,000 PCHA Jimmy Williams Classic will be featured each week, with a $15,000 purse offered for the class on Week VI. Also on the schedule for Week VI are the $25,000 California Horsetrader Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic High and the $3,500 Junior/Amateur-Owner class. Both classes will serve as selection trials for the Zone 10 North American Young Rider Championships.
In the rated hunter section, HITS Thermal has added three new divisions with the High Performance Working Hunter 4’-4’6”, the Performance Working Hunter 3’6”-3’9” and the Performance Working Hunter 3’3”, while the Adults Hunters will have an additional age group with the 56 and over division. In the non-rated hunter section, Short Stirrup Hunter Horse and Pony will be offered separately with fences at 18”. Two new 2’3” divisions have been added with the Thermal Children’s Hunter and Thermal Adult Hunter. The Modified Junior Hunter with fences at 3’3” is another new addition to this year’s schedule, as well as the $1,000 Amateur-Owner Hunter 3’3” Classic.
Without a doubt the biggest news for hunters in Thermal is that the weekly 3’3” Devoucoux Hunter Prix will be one of the featured events of the circuit and will serve as qualifying events for the all-new $500,000 HITS 3’3” Hunter Prix Final, which will take place in Saugerties, New York on the weekend of September 10 as part of the Million weekend. Prize money for the Devoucoux Hunter Prix classes will range from $5,000 to $10,000 during Weeks I through V, while Week VI will feature a $25,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix as part of the Desert Circuit’s 20 th Anniversary Season Finale.
As always, Equitation riders will have a full schedule of classes and Medals to look forward to, including the all-new Beginner Equitation open to junior riders under 12 years of age who are not showing in the rated section, and the return of the Ronnie R.W. Mutch Equitation Classic with new qualifying specs during Week VI.F
Following the circuit last year, HITS conducted nearly 100 customer interviews to discuss ideas and garner feedback on how best to improve upon the success and momentum from the 2010 season. “The one-to-one discussions we had with our customers provided valuable insights as to what aspects currently work well, and which areas need help to improve the quality and overall enjoyment of their time spent with us,” said Struzzieri. “We received very detailed feedback, and while we won’t be able to address every request for every person, we have identified a quality list of priorities for this season, some of which we had already planned, and others that are new ideas to provide a greater experience for all. I was really pleased to see that all of the efforts we’ve made in the recent past have been well-received by our customers, and that satisfaction with the circuit is, without a doubt, at an all-time high.”
Back by popular demand, HITS will continue to offer discounted circuit pricing for stalls, RV spaces, paddocks and VIP tables for its six-week circuit. An aggressive vendor discount plan is in the works to help entice and attract a diverse group of merchants that will contribute to the atmosphere, and add to the enjoyment of on-site shopping had by customers. Major landscaping projects include a dramatic amount of new plants and trees to help fill in some of the far areas of the property, while they create beautiful backdrops and horizon lines to the property. HITS is also investing in a major paving project that will create new road surfaces in front of all barns and hunter rings.
Trainer, High-Performance rider, and member of the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit Trainer Committee, Joie Gatlin has been an active and continuous voice, and has contributed many ideas implemented by HITS Management for the Desert Circuit.
“I think it’s great that Tom [Struzzieri] has this committee of top riders and trainers,” said Gatlin. “Anytime Show Management can listen to the clients and focus on the things that they want, the clients should feel good. I was extremely happy and pleasantly surprised to hear of all the great things to happen for this year’s Desert Circuit, including the return of the Indoor tent for the World Cup Qualifiers. I think having that ring has directly affected our West Coast riders in their performance at the World Cup Finals.”
Gatlin went on to praise the investment HITS is making with respect to landscaping and property updates. “Hearing that 1,000 new plants have been added to the property was impressive. I think it’s terrific that Tom continues to reinvest in the show and the property. It’s an expensive undertaking and it just shows his commitment to put that kind of energy back in the show.”
Gatlin added that the addition of the new age group added for the Adult Amateur Hunter division is creating some excitement for her customers, who are already looking forward to another great year at the HITS Desert Circuit.
HITS has more exciting news and updates on the HITS Desert Circuit is on the horizon, including details about VIP enhancements, new sponsorships, and special events.
The 2011 HITS Desert Circuit prize list is in production and is expected to mail in the next few weeks. For more information or to request a prize list, please visit HitsShows.com or call 845.246.8833.
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