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HITS, Inc. Announces Unprecedented Bid to Host USEF Show Jumping Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
Written by: Jennifer Wood Client:HITS Desert Circuit and HITS Ocala Winter Circuit Release Date:2009-07-31
Saugerties, NY - July 31, 2009 - HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that they have entered a formal bid with the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to host the USEF Show Jumping Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG).
The proposal submitted today to the USEF focuses mainly on the HITS Post Time Farm property in Ocala, Florida, but also includes the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California, for consideration and features some unique and remarkable details. HITS has committed to offering $775,000 in prize money for the Selection Trials and has agreed to waive the entry fees for all Selection Trials classes for horses competing in every leg of the Trials.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to put forth our bid to host such an important event as this, which is why we’ve offered unprecedented prize money without entry fees,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “Our vision is to provide an opportunity to all riders who feel they could compete to represent our country in a year when the Trials are being held in the United States a chance to do so, without having to worry about the costs to enter these classes.”
In HITS’ proposal, the Selection Trials would take place during the 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit or the HITS Desert Circuit, both of which are USEF licensed competitions. In Ocala, HITS proposes hosting the five Grand Prix classes over the course of a two-week period in early- to mid-March, while in Thermal the Selection Trials could be held anytime during the four weeks of March. Exact dates will be determined by the mutual agreement of the USEF and FEI, and each of the classes will be an officially sanctioned USEF event.
The $775,000 in prize money that HITS has offered will increase by doubling the prior class’ prize money as outlined below:
$25,000 - Trial #1
$50,000 - Trial #2
$100,000 - Trial #3
$200,000 - Trial #4
$400,000 - Trial #5
The Bid states that the entry fee(s) will be waived for all Selection Trial classes for horses competing in every leg of the Trials. Riders who have missed one or more of the Trial classes are thus not eligible for selection and may still wish to compete in some of the later classes. These riders will be permitted to enter the classes and will be charged a standard entry fee.
“We have the unique pleasure of being able to propose two distinct, world-class facilities for consideration, our properties in Ocala and Thermal,” added Struzzieri. “Both are special in their own way and offer something unique for the Trials. We focused much of the detail in the bid on the Ocala property since the review committee is probably less familiar with that facility, but everything we offered up for Ocala we are prepared to do in Thermal.”
HITS has agreed to all of the terms outlined by the USEF in the Bid and has described in detail plans to install arena lighting in and around the Grand Prix and schooling rings in Ocala and build a new VIP Pavilion where parties and fundraisers will be held if they are awarded the Trials.
HITS, Inc. is eager to host the USEF Show Jumping Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, and is ready and willing to put in the time, effort, and funds to make the Trials successful in order to field the best United States Show Jumping team. To view a copy of the HITS bid for the USEF Show Jumping Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, please click here.
The 2010 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit dates are:
Ocala January Classic
January 19-24
Ocala January Festival
January 26-31
Off-Week, February 2-7
Ocala Winter Classic
February 9-14
Ocala Winter Festival
February 16-21
Ocala Masters
February 23-28
Ocala Tournament
March 2-7
Ocala Winter Finals
March 9-14
Ocala Winter Celebration
March 16-21
The 2010 HITS Desert Circuit schedule is as follows:
DC I
January 26-31
DC II
February 2-7
DC III
February 9-14
OFF-WEEK
February 16-21
DC IV
February 23-28
DC V
March 2-7
DC VI
March 9-14
To keep on track with the updates on these two winter show circuits and HITS’ bid for the Selection Trials or to request a copy of the prize lists, please visit www.HitsShows.com.
