The anticipation builds in the equestrian community as Horse Shows In The Sun (HITS) prepares to host the HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring and Summer Circuits for the second year at its world-class show grounds in Saugerties, NY. The seven-week hunter/jumper circuit returns from May 25 to September 4, with many exciting new additions to the equestrian facility and the show jumping competition taking place there. Six of the seven HITS-on-the-Hudson shows are sanctioned by the FEI and will have a CSI*** designation. Each week will feature approximately 250 classes, including grand prixs on Thursdays and Sundays. More than $1,000,000 in prize money will be awarded over the seven weeks of competition.
The $150,000 Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship, June 8-12, will be the highlight of the HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring Circuit. The top riders in the country will compete over three days for the coveted title of Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Champion. The first two legs of the championship will take place on Wednesday, June 8, and Friday, June 10. A combined total of $50,000 in prize money will be spread between these two classes. Two-thirds of the top placed riders will advance to the final phase of competition on Sunday, June 12, when a purse of $100,000 will be offered. The top-placed rider over all three days of competition will be crowned the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Champion.
In preparation for this premiere competition, HITS has constructed a new compound for high-performance horses at its HITS-on-the-Hudson facility. A permanent barn housing 90 stalls, each 12' x 12', sits separate and secure from the rest of the show grounds, and forms the core of the facility. Adjacent to the barn is a 140' x 240' schooling ring that is surrounded by a natural stone wall. All-weather footing is featured in the schooling area, as well as in the 60' x 120' longing area. The area is partially bounded by four-board fencing, with a natural stream that curves around the perimeter completing the enclosure. A gated entrance for the monitoring of credentials provides absolute security, and access to the grand prix arena via a special aperture means that high-performance horses never have to leave the compound.
To meet exhibitor demand, HITS has added seven new permanent barns to the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds. This adds over 500 stalls for a grand total of 1,100 permanent stalls. Additional tent stabling is also available. The HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds can comfortably accommodate more than 2,500 horses and 7,500 horsemen each week. Horsemen from Europe, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America and all regions of the U.S. will travel to Saugerties, NY, for the 2005 HITS-on-the-Hudson Spring and Summer Circuits.
The 200-acre HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds features competition in 10 all-weather rings Wednesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. Spectators are admitted free Wednesday through Friday. Tickets are $5 for adults on Saturday and Sunday with the proceeds benefiting the local not-for-profit organization, Family of Woodstock. Children 12 and under are always admitted without charge, and parking is always free.
2005 HITS-on-the-Hudson Show Dates
HITS-on-the-Hudson I: May 25-29; CSI***
HITS-on-the-Hudson II: June 1-5; CSI***
HITS-on-the-Hudson III - June 8 - 12 - CSI***
Rolex/USEF $150,000 National Show Jumping Championship
HITS-on-the-Hudson IV: July 20-24; CSI***
HITS-on-the-Hudson V: July 27-31; CSI***
Junior Hunter National Championship: August 1-2
NY Horse & Pony Show: August 3-7; CSI***
HITS-on-the-Hudson VI: August 31-September 4
Marshall & Sterling League National Finals: September 16-18
Featured Events
$25,000 Open Jumper Challenge every Thursday
$75,000 EMO Grand Prix: May