Category Archives: HITS

Derek Petersen and Via Dolorosa Capture the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

© ESI Photography. Derek Petersen in the irons of his own Via Dolorosa during the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

OCALA, FL (January 23, 2012) – The weather was beautiful in Ocala, Florida on Sunday as 26 competitors embarked on the first $25,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, of the winter season. It also served as the first qualifying class for the 2012 installment of the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. Derek Petersen of Archer, Florida and his own Via Dolorosa captured the blue ribbon to highlight the end of the first unrated week of competition at HITS Post Time Farm.

“It was a great win,” said Petersen. “Today’s terrific score was a result of a very nice and friendly Grand Prix course, which was just perfect for warming up the season.”

Course designer Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida designed a course which saw seven clear efforts in the first round. Sharn Wordley of Ocala, Florida was third to go aboard Filip Amram’s Cedrick and conquered the course fault free. At the end of the first round, five pairsjoined Wordley and Petersen in the jump-off.

Continue reading Derek Petersen and Via Dolorosa Capture the $25,000 HITS Grand Prix at HITS Ocala

HITS Kicks Off 2012 Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL with Nine Weeks of Unmatched Competition

Photo by HITS Staff. Riders and sponsors alike mingle at the start of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit at HITS Post Time Farm. From left to right: Christine Vanneck, Katie Kurtz of CWD, Dylan Thomas of Judy's Tack Shop and Shawn Mac.

Ocala, FL – January 19, 2012 – HITS Ocala competitors beat the winter blues and settled in at Post Time Farm yesterday for two pre-weeks of showing, followed by seven weeks of rated competition. Coupled with special events and awards, as well as serious prize money, HITS Ocala competitors are in the right place to get a lead on qualifying for the historic offerings at HITS’ 2012 Championship Weekend, scheduled for September 7-9 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

New for 2012
HITS Ocala is operating at full steam ahead in 2012 with an all-new week of A-rated competition, bringing the circuit to nine weeks of non-stop hunter/jumper action. The added week fills what used to be the off-week between the pre-circuit shows and the rated circuit. The pre-circuit, unrated weeks run through January 29 and the rated circuit runs February 1 – March 18, with the first week being A-rated, and Weeks II-VII AA-rated.

“I’m super excited to see new and familiar faces, watch great show jumping and show off my newly expanded store at HITS [Ocala],” said Ardie Hastey of Blueberry Hill out of Montreal, Canada. “I opened up my business last year at HITS Ocala, so it’s great to be back and to have an expanded presence.”

Continue reading HITS Kicks Off 2012 Winter Circuits in Ocala, FL with Nine Weeks of Unmatched Competition

Gearing Up for Ocala: Prize Lists Now Available for 2012 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

SAUGERTIES, NY – November 1, 2011 — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce that the complete prize list for the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit has been mailed and is now available on-line at HitsShows.com, featuring class listings, schedules, and entry blanks.

Kicking off HITS’ winter competition on the East Coast, show jumping action at all levels will get underway at Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida on January 18. New this year to HITS Ocala is an added week of A-rated competition, bringing the circuit to nine weeks of non-stop hunter/jumper action.  The added week fills what used to be the off-week between the pre-circuit shows and the rated circuit. The pre-circuit, unrated weeks run January 18-29, and the rated circuit runs February 1 – March 18, with the first week being A-rated, and Weeks II-VII AA-rated.

The 2012 HITS Ocala winter show season will be the first stop on the road to the world’s richest weekend in show jumping, scheduled for September 8-9, 2012 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

Continue reading Gearing Up for Ocala: Prize Lists Now Available for 2012 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

Junior and Amateur Riders Win Big Money, SmartPak Grand Circuit Champions Are Crowned, and the Road to America’s Richest Classes Begins Again at Culpeper Finals

© ESI Photography. Laura Linback and Casino on course in the $25,000 Junior/ Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic.

CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 7, 2011) — Six weeks of show jumping, which started in April at HITS Commonwealth Park, concluded this past Sunday with big prize money, record-breaking entries and tons of exciting year-end show jumping at the Culpeper Finals. The final show week of the year for the HITS calendar delivered and set a promising precedent for next year’s show jumping opportunities.

After the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix drew crowds to HITS-on-the-Hudson as the top Grand Prix and Hunter riders from around the world rode for serious prize money, momentum was building for the Culpeper Finals. Riders caught Pfizer Million fever and transitioned from HITS-on-the-Hudson to Culpeper with ease to get a jumpstart on qualifying for the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix. Commonwealth Park attracted impressive numbers for last week’s special year-end classes, serving as a strong finish to the HITS’ show jumping circuits.

$25,000 Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper High Classic
Junior and Amateur-Owner Jumper riders were rewarded with a $25,000 purse in the High Classic on Sunday as a field of 18 competed over a course designed by Olaf Petersen Sr. of Paehl, Germany. Amateur rider and seasoned Grand Prix veteran Laura Linback of Mundelin, Illinois took home the blue ribbon after posting the fastest double-clear effort aboard Woodrun’s Casino.

Continue reading Junior and Amateur Riders Win Big Money, SmartPak Grand Circuit Champions Are Crowned, and the Road to America’s Richest Classes Begins Again at Culpeper Finals

Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

©ESI Photography. Tracy Fenney on course in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix

CULPEPER, VIRGNIA (October 3, 2011) – After posting a top-twenty finish in the 2011 Pfizer Million, Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound, Texas wasted no time in preparing for next year’s $1 Million Grand Prix. On Sunday, she and MTM Farm’s MTM Centano rode to victory in the $40,000 HITS Grand Prix, presented by Pfizer Animal Health, at HITS Culpeper to clinch the first qualifying opportunity for 2012’s richest day in show jumping.

HITS wrapped up a successful 2011 circuit at the Culpeper Finals last week as Olaf Petersen of Paehl, Germany set the course for the final Grand Prix of the year. Thirty-one pairs took to his first round, which offered 13 jumping efforts, including a triple combination at fence five and double combination at fence eight. The time allowed of 78 seconds proved to be trouble for several riders as ten picked up time faults, keeping two clear rounds from advancing to the jump-off.

“I knew this was going to be one of the more competitive Grand Prix I have jumped all year since Olaf was the designer – he always makes it a challenging course and it was,” said Fenney. “He left little room for error and I thought he made it smart.”

Twelve advanced to the jump-off, which saw three go double clear. It was Fenney, however, who posted a time of 40.081 seconds – well within the 48 seconds time allowed – to capture the win.

Continue reading Tracy Fenney Gets a Jump-Start on the 2012 $1 Million Grand Prix

HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

Indoor tent from Thermal will travel east to Saugerties for both prestigious Medal Finals

© Flying Horse Photography. The indoor arena at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is home to four FEI World Cup Qualifiers and a number other special classes during World Cup weeks.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (October 4, 2011) — Looking to take next year’s season finale in Saugerties, New York to the next level, HITS, Inc. announced today that two major equitation finals will be incorporated into the competition schedule for the eighth and final week of the 2012 HITS Saugerties Show Series.

In addition to the $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, the last week of HITS Saugerties will conclude with a three-day weekend extravaganza that will now include the National Professional Horsemen’s Association’s (PHA) Medal Final on Friday night and the ever-popular Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final on Saturday night. By moving the PHA Medal and the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal up a week from the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, the finale of the HITS Saugerties season will now feature a major final for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders.

In keeping with the great tradition of indoor medal finals, HITS will bring the tent used for FEI World Cup Qualifiers from Thermal, California back east to Saugerties for these two Finals.

“The final ingredient to make our season finale in Saugerties complete has just been added,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal has been a cornerstone of the League for many years and I believe this move will help to draw even more 3’6” equitation riders to the classes during the year and to the Final. The indoor tent will create an electric competition atmosphere, largely elevating the importance and experience of qualifying for and showing in this Final.”

Continue reading HITS Moves Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final and National PHA Medal Final to HITS-on-the-Hudson VIII, Creating a Super Finale in Saugerties, New York for the 2012 Show Season

Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper

©ESI Photography. Jeff Gogul and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way on their way to victory in the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic

CULPEPER, VIRGINIA (October 3, 2011) — Jeff Gogul of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and Ruth Kanner’s By the Way finished on top in Saturday’s $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic during the Culpeper Finals at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia.

“I am really pleased with [By the Way’s] performance and it was a great way to end our year,” said Gogul. “I think he is quite a special horse and I will probably show him in the Pre-Green Division again next year since we don’t want to hurry him along.”

After Gogul’s win, he is excited to look ahead to an appearance in next year’s second-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final with By the Way at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

“I think it will be a lot of fun to do the $500,000 class with him next year in Saugerties, so I might look to get qualified for that. It would be a great way to finish 2012,” he added.

Kate Conover rode Redfield Farm’s Peron to a second-place finish in the feature event for hunter riders during the Culpeper Finals.

“[Peron] is a special horse,” said Conover. “Emil Spadone imported him a few years ago and he is so much fun to ride.”

Conover was Grand Circuit Champion in the Baby Green division with Peron last year at HITS Saugerties and picked up Reserve Circuit Champion honors in the Pre-Green division this year.

Continue reading Jeff Gogul and By the Way Win the $10,000 Pre-Green Hunter Classic at HITS Culpeper

Lindsay Lynch Captures the Adult Working Hunter Championship at the Marshall & Sterling League National Final

©ESI Photography. Lindsay Lynch and Bethany Greskovich’s Brother Bear captured the blue ribbon in Thursday's $1,250 Adult Working Hunter at the 2011 Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.

SAUGERTIES, NY (September 17, 2011) – On a beautiful and sunny Friday morning, 30 qualified riders took to the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, NY to compete for the Marshall & Sterling Adult Working Hunter Championship. In the end, Lindsay Lynch and Bethany Greskovich’s Brother Bear stood in the winner’s circle to accept the honors.

Lynch, of Medford, New Jersey, was one of 30 competitors who competed in the Adult Hunter Division over courses designed by Jerry Dougherty of Bokeelia, Florida. She earned the Championship prize after capturing the first-place victory in Thursday’s $1,250 Adult Working Hunter and finishing fourth in the Adult Working Hunter Under Saddle.

“Bear is a great horse,” said Lynch. “He really put it all out there this week and jumped his little heart out. Despite being a little fresh this week, he knows how to put on a cute little face for the judge when he walks in the ring.”

Lynch has been a Marshall & Sterling competitor for several years. “I’ve been showing in the League for a few years now and I always enjoy coming to the National Finals. It’s nice to have the spotlight in the Grand Prix Ring and winning the Championship was a very good way to finish up before we head to the Zone II Finals.”

Reserve Champion honors went to Kelly Champion of Washington, New Jersey who finished second in both the Under Saddle and Friday’s Hunter Stake aboard her own All In.

Continue reading Lindsay Lynch Captures the Adult Working Hunter Championship at the Marshall & Sterling League National Final

Samantha Schaefer and Lyn Pedersen’s Mahalo Win the Inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final

© ESI Photography. Samantha Schaefer and Lyn Pedersen's Mahalo on course during the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (September 13, 2011) – All bets were off Sunday morning as judges’ cards were wiped clean from Saturday’s first two rounds of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the top 25 riders advanced to the final two rounds in the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium at HITS-on-the-Hudson. With an impressive fourth-round score of 92.33 and a total score of 178.08, junior Samantha Schaefer of Westminster, Maryland piloted Lyn Pedersen’s Mahalo to victory.

Schaefer finished Saturday’s rounds in the top four and was looking forward to “having some fun” on Sunday. Despite the rain that fell throughout most of the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final, Schaefer was all smiles when she received her first-place ribbon and $150,000 check.

“I didn’t ride any differently than I usually do, I just did my best,” said Schaefer. “After it was over I saw the check and thought, wow, that’s a lot of money!”

The Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final was developed by HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. The class welcomed professionals, amateurs and juniors to participate on a range of horses from pre-green to seasoned hunters. It has, in turn, revolutionized the Hunter discipline and welcomed all levels of horses and riders from all over the country to compete for serious prize money.

Of the 63 who competed in the class, 25 were chosen to compete in the third round on Sunday, and the top four moved on to the fourth and final round.

Continue reading Samantha Schaefer and Lyn Pedersen’s Mahalo Win the Inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final

Pfizer Million Weekend Prepares to Make History as Well as Honor It

©ESI Photography. West Point Cadets present the American Flag in the background of the awards for the first ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS-on-the-Hudson last year.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 30, 2011) — The purpose of Pfizer Million Weekend will be two-fold this year as the world’s richest day in show jumping also falls on the ten-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. While handing out the biggest purses that the sport of show jumping has ever seen, HITS will also take time to remember the heroes of September 11, 2001.

Following the pinning of the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final Champion, HITS will welcome the cadets of the West Point Military Academy Color Guard and Equestrian Team to escort the American Flag into the Strongid C 2X Grand Prix Stadium. A group of five West Point cadets will set the mood to the tune of the National Anthem as riders, spectators, and HITS staff alike take a moment to remember the events of the 2001 attacks.

“Many of the cadets who now attend West Point are doing it because of what happened that day,” said Sherry Cashman, coach of the West Point Equestrian Team. “It is a meaningful way for them to be honored for that as well as have the chance to participate in an event of this caliber.”

The West Point cadets will be joined, this year, by local servicemen and women, visiting the HITS-on-the-Hudson show grounds as honored guests. Uniformed fire, police and ambulance personnel from Saugerties and the surrounding region will be thanked and celebrated as they march alongside the West Point Cadets into the Grand Prix stadium.

Just a car-ride away from lower Manhattan, emergency service organizations in the Hudson Valley region heard the call for help on September 11, 2001. Many local groups donated time, manpower, supplies and equipment to the rescue and rebuilding efforts.

Continue reading Pfizer Million Weekend Prepares to Make History as Well as Honor It