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Exhibitors Looking Forward to HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Circuit Awards

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: HITS-on-the-Hudson and Culpepper
Release Date: 2009-05-28

Saugerties, NY - May 28, 2009 - The HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series offers eight weeks of fantastic competition, and six of those weeks will count towards this year’s Spring Circuit Champion (May 20-June 7) and Summer Circuit Champion (July 15-August 2) Awards. In addition to weekly championships, the best overall horses and riders of the two circuits will be honored.

At the conclusion of Weeks I-III for the Spring Circuit and of Weeks IV-VI for the Summer Circuit, champions will be recognized. The Parade of Champions awards presentation will take place in the Grand Prix Ring on Sunday of Week III (June 7) and VI (August 2), prior to the start of the $125,000 Grand Prix. Spring Circuit Award Winners will receive a bridle bag courtesy of SmartPak and a special championship ribbon.

HITS will award circuit championships in both series to a variety of different divisions. They will present awards to 36 hunter divisions, 18 jumper divisions, and 14 equitation divisions.

A winner in the hunter divisions last year was professional rider Amanda Steege of Oldwick, NJ. Steege runs her Ashmeadow Farm and often brings horses to HITS Saugerties. She rode Merlin for owner Cynthia Kellogg and trainer Sandy Lobel to the Spring circuit championship in the Baby Green Hunter division. She also picked up a circuit reserve championship in the Adequan Hunter division on Aberdini, owned by Dianne Fotiades.

While Steege says that the circuit championships are not something that she is aiming horses towards during the year at Saugerties, they are a great bonus for her horses’ owners. She pointed out, “I think that those awards are really nice for the owners. It’s nice that the horse show chips in something extra to recognize the horses.”

Steege also mentioned another big draw for the professional hunters. “I showed a First Year horse here this week, and he was champion. I don’t know if everybody realizes that they increased the prize money here for the First Year division. Every class is a $1,000 class. My horse won more than a thousand dollars here this week. To be able to tell your owners that their First Year horse won that much money is unbelievable,” she said.

Steege loves the town of Saugerties, including its great restaurants and hotels, as well as the beautiful scenery. In her first week back this year, Steege was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the footing in the hunter rings. “They have made a huge improvement here this year in the footing,” she remarked. “The footing in the main hunter ring is fantastic. All of the other rings felt really good as well. I haven’t ridden in one place here that didn’t feel good. That’s amazing to me.”

She added, “We had Saugerties as a maybe to come back in the summer, but after being here this week, I’d say that we’d definitely come back for at least one week in the summer.”

Jumper divisions are honored with circuit awards in classes ranging from Level 1 to the High Junior and High Amateur Jumpers. Cindy McGrath, an amateur rider out of Hummelstown, PA, trains with her husband, Richard McGrath, at the Central Pennsylvania Equestrian Center. Last year, McGrath won the Low Amateur-Owner Jumper Spring Circuit Championship on Largo and the High Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Spring Circuit Championship with Concerto. Concerto took home the Summer Reserve Circuit Championship as well in the High division.

The McGraths have shown at HITS Saugerties in the spring and summer circuits often. “We really enjoy it here. The stabling is fabulous, and the grand prix ring is beautiful. There is plenty of room to ride, and the food is great,” McGrath laughed.

McGrath noted that the management at HITS Saugerties helps make their show experience special every week. “The management is unbelievable. They are often standing by the in-gate to make sure things are running smoothly. You feel like you’re wanted. I like everything about it here,” she said.

What also makes McGrath’s time in Saugerties worthwhile is having the goal of winning a circuit championship. “Being able to win a circuit championship just gives you recognition for your accomplishments,” she explained. “Everybody works hard every week. If you do well overall, then being the circuit champion makes you feel good. They make a big deal out of it. You parade in the main ring, get ribbons and nice prizes, and have your photo taken. It’s a nice extra thing that they don’t have to do. Again it’s just another example of the management going above and beyond.”

Kelsey Hart of East Greenbush, NY, rode two horses in the Equitation 15-17 division during last year’s shows and brought home the circuit championship in the spring and summer. Hart trains with Stepping Stone Farm and lives just 45 minutes away from Saugerties.

“I’ve shown at Saugerties every year,” Hart mentioned. “We’ve been going since before they built the permanent barns. It’s like a hometown show for us. Our farm brings every client, from amateurs just starting out to our grand prix horses.”

In addition to competing in the equitation classes this year, Hart is also competing with her new stallion in the Low Junior Jumpers and the Modified Junior/Amateur Jumpers.

Winning the circuit championship in the equitation, Hart said, shows consistency. “It’s not just a fluke one week. (There are) different judges and the competition varies each week. You can prove yourself with different courses, and it shows that you are a person that everyone should watch out for,” she added.

Hart enjoys the Parade of Champions and said, “It’s really cool. Everyone from our barn comes and watches. Plus, I have family that is nearby so they come out to the show as well.”

This year, Hart emphasized the new changes at Saugerties. “I love the new VIP tent,” she smiled. “The maintenance of the rings and footing is amazing. There is always great competition. I like watching the big grand prix riders like McLain Ward and Chris Kappler, and in the equitation, the best of the best always come.”

In addition to the multitude of circuit championship awards, a special award will be given during Week VI. The winner of the Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider Award will win a beautiful Catena watch.

The time honored standards of Swiss-watch making excellence have been synonymous with Catena since 1950. Catena continues that tradition by combining Swiss craftsmanship and artistry with the latest technology to design a collection of truly unique equestrian timepieces. Today, Catena benefits from the experience and knowhow of the third and fourth generations of a Swiss family of watchmakers. For more information on Catena, please visit www.catenausa.com.

The HITS Spring and Summer Show Series prize list is available online. Entries for the summer competition (starting with Week IV) are due on June 17, so please visit www.HitsShows.com for more information and to reserve your spot today.

PRIZE LIST INFORMATION
Prize List | Schedule
Online Feed & Bedding Order

Photo Credit: A stunning Catena watch will be awarded to the Catena Leading Grand Prix Rider at the HITS Spring and Summer Circuit. Photo courtesy of HITS, Inc. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series and the 19th Annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals Fast Facts

EVENT:
HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series presented by HITS, Inc.

WHAT:
An eight-week hunter/jumper horse show series produced by HITS, Inc. that runs from May through September annually. The HITS Saugerties Spring and Summer Show Series offer two Grand Prix events each week. Every Grand Prix offered at HITS Saugerties is a qualifying event for the $100,000 USGPL Invitational Grand Prix, which is held each year during the USGPL Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

The 19th Annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals is the Grand Finale of the season and highlights the League's most accomplished riders in 12 different divisions. The Marshall & Sterling Finals marks the final week of the HITS Saugerties season each year and, in addition to the four-day competition, features the Annual Top Ten Awards Dinner, which honors the leading riders in each division based on their performance throughout the season. The League awards more than $30,000 in prize money during the National Finals.

WHERE:
HITS-on-the-Hudson
454 Washington Avenue Extension
Saugerties, NY 12477
Phone: 845.246.5515 (during horse shows)

WHEN:
Daily, Wednesday–Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during show weeks
HITS-on-the-Hudson I: May 20-24
HITS-on-the-Hudson II: May 27-31
HITS-on-the-Hudson III: June 3-7
HITS-on-the-Hudson IV: July 15-19
HITS-on-the-Hudson V: July 22-26
USEF Junior Hunter East Coast Championships: July 27-29
NY Horse & Pony Show (VI): July 29 - August 2
HITS-on-the-Hudson VII: August 26-30
New in 2009! HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII: September 2-6
Marshall & Sterling League National Finals: September 10-13

ADMISSION:
Wednesday – Friday: Free
Saturday & Sunday: Adults $5, children under the age of 12 get free admission. All proceeds from the gate go directly to Family of Woodstock, Inc., a non-for-profit organization serving Ulster County.

DIRECTIONS:
The HITS Saugerties Show Series are held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, located just two miles from Exit 20 on the NYS Thruway.

Trucks From The North: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.5 miles Bear slight right at Y, and go 0.1 miles to 4-way stop Turn right at 4-way stop onto Malden Tpke. (County Rt 34) and go 1.6 miles Turn right onto Route 9W South and go 0.4 miles Turn right onto Krout Road Show grounds will be on left

Trucks From The South: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn left onto Ulster Avenue and go 0.2 miles Turn right and follow State Route 32 North for 1.6 miles Bear slight right at Y and come to 4-way stop. - 0.1 miles Turn right at 4-way stop and go 1.6 miles Turn right onto Route 9W South and go 0.4 miles Turn right onto Krout Road. Show grounds will be on left

Cars From The North: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.0 miles Turn right onto Peoples Road and go 0.9 miles Turn left after train tracks onto Canoe Hill Road and go 0.5 miles Canoe Hill Road becomes Krout Road - 0.8 miles Show grounds will be 1.8 miles on right

Cars From The South: Exit 20 off of Interstate 87 (New York State Thruway) After tollbooth, turn left onto Ulster Avenue 0.2 miles Turn right onto State Route 32 North and go 1.0 miles Turn right onto Peoples Road and go 0.9 miles Turn left after train tracks onto Canoe Hill Road and go 0.5 miles Canoe Hill Road becomes Krout Road - 0.8 miles Show grounds will be 1.8 miles on right

SPECTATOR PARKING& ENTRANCE: Gates D or E only. Parking is free.

EXHIBITOR ENTRANCES:
Gate A – Permanent Stabling, Gold Stalls
Gates B & C – Permanent Stabling, Silver Stalls
Gates D & E – Tent Stabling & Ship-In
Gate F – Trailer and RV Parking

THE FACILITY:
HITS-on-the-Hudson, Saugerties, New York The HITS equestrian facility is nestled at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just one mile outside the village of Saugerties. The show grounds feature 10 different competition rings, including a Grand Prix ring, a Main Hunter ring, two jumper rings, four hunter rings, an equitation ring and six separate schooling areas. Spectator seating is available at every ring and in the VIP Pavilion, which overlooks the Grand Prix ring. Spectator parking is located off the Washington Avenue entrances at Gates D or E. For a map of the property, please click here.

REFRESHMENTS:
HITS-on-the-Hudson offers an on-site Food Service Pavilion and Ice Cream Parlor featuring an assortment of frozen delights and Starbucks coffee. The HITS Bar and Grill serves up pizza and cold beer in a spacious air-conditioned lounge. Spectators can grab some lunch and find a grassy spot on the berm while watching some of the world's best show jumping with the entire family right here in the Hudson Valley.

SHOPPING:
The HITS Saugerties Mall features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art and photography, and custom HITS souvenirs.

LODGING:
(in Saugerties & Kingston, more listed online and in the prize list)
Holiday Inn | 845.338.0400
Comfort Inn | 845.246.1565
Marriott Courtyard | 845.382.2300
Howard Johnson Inn 845.246.9511
Quality Inn & Suites | 845.339.3900
Rodeway Inn 845.331.2900

HITS-TORY:
The HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility was inaugurated in the spring of 2004. In just five years, the HITS Saugerties horse show circuit has become a mecca for East Coast horsemen hosting the largest hunter/jumper horse shows offered during the spring and summer in the United States.

During the course of the circuit, the HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian facility offers stabling for over 2,000 horses, more than 250 different classes each week, and over $1 million in prize money, more than any other circuit during the spring and summer. Riders of all levels, including current and former Olympians – as well as some of the most popular up-and-coming riders – compete at HITS Saugerties. Each year, on average more than 3,000 horses, 4,500 horseman and 2,500 spectators attend HITS Saugerties and more than $1 million in prize money is awarded throughout the seven-week season.

The economic impact of the HITS Saugerties Show Series on the surrounding community is estimated at $50 million, which reflects spending on food, lodging, living expenses and entertainment in the area during the series of shows.