Category Archives: HITS

Horseshows In The Sun

Hunters Converge at HITS Post Time Farm to Contend for the Money and an Elite Victory

(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Aaron Vale and Dress Balou.

Ocala, FL (February 15, 2016): The weekend started off right for hunter exhibitors in Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit with Saturday’s Devoucoux Hunter Prix, with a bigger prize purse of $10,000, and the $1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix.

$10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix

Aaron Vale has been on fire in the Ocala Horse Properties Grand Prix Stadium, and on Saturday, he returned to claim the throne in the $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix, a qualifying opportunity for the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix at the HITS Championship in September 2016. The Texas native, aboard Dress Balou, owned by Donald Stewart, rocked the class with a first-round score of 88 and a second-round score of 93 to take home the title with a total of 181, proving they are ready defend their crown as two-time champions in the $500,000 Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.

Behind Vale was Week III’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix winner Daniel Geitner of Aiken, South Carolina riding Sky Pilot, owned by Allison Mills. They turned out the highest score in the first round with a 91, combined with an 84 in the second, totaling 175 for second place.

Third went to Bedminster, New Jersey equestrian Amanda Steege aboard Calvary, owned by Jessica Tindley. They earned scores of 81 and 88, respectively, for a total of 169. The effort marked Steege’s second time placing in the top three after garnering second place in Ocala Week III’s $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix.

Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina and Caramo, owned by Caroline Russel Howe, came in fourth place. Rounding out the top five was Cassandra Kahle and Redfield Farm’s Chicago.

$1,500 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix

Ocala’s fourth qualifying opportunity for the $250,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix Final at the HITS Championship in September 2016, got underway on Saturday.

The team to beat was Acido 7 and rider and owner Elizabeth Bailey, of Roanoke, Virginia, as they garnered the highest scoring trip of both rounds. They earned a first-round score of 85, improving to a second-round score of 87 for a total of 172 for the coveted, blue ribbon.

Boston equestrian Corinne Milbury and Parker, owned by Saddle Ridge LLC, came in behind Bailey with a first-round score of 78.5, making a comeback with a second-round score of 82, earning second place with a total of 162.5.

Third place was awarded to Reveille Z, owned and ridden by Sydney DeGrazia from Rochester, New York. A score of 79 in the first round combined with an 80 in the second gave them a total of 159.

Fourth place went to St. Petersburg, Florida equestrian Emma Witham and Zenith UHS, owned by 2VR Showjumpers. Elizabeth Traband of Round Hill, Virginia and her mount, Huh, claimed fifth.

Hunter exhibitors have plenty of excitement ahead in the coming weeks of the Ocala Winter Circuit. The biggest hunter week of the winter, Week VI, will feature a plethora of exclusive events: the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, the World Championship Hunter Rider Week and the debut of the United States Hunter Jumper Association (USHJA) Zone 4 Handy Hunter Classic to the Ocala Masters (Week VI).

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit Kicks Off with Big Competition

Andrew Kocher and Ciana.

Ocala, FL (February 13, 2016): Elite show jumping competition commenced in Week IV of the Ocala Winter Circuit with the $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome Stake and the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

$2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome Stake
Andrew Kocher from Lake St. Louis, Missouri and Ciana, owned by Eagle Valley Partners LLC, slipped past Aaron Vale riding from Williston, Florida and Carlo, owned by Amatoville Enterprises, and Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois on Barbara Disko’s Sovereign to win the $2,500 Brook Ledge Welcome on Wednesday at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. In what is turning out to be a battle of the speedsters, these three riders have been duking it out for the top spot in the Open Jumper classes each week of the Ocala Winter Circuit – Kocher, Vale and Goldman were all in the top three last week’s $50,000 HITS Grand Prix.

Wednesday’s class featured a 1.40 meter course designed by Olaf Petersen Jr. of Muenster, Germany. Thirty-eight riders tackled the 13-effort course with 22 jumping clean to advance to the jump-off. Marilyn Little of Frederick, Maryland riding Venus, owned by Raylyn Farms, held the early lead with a clear jump-off round in 47.019.

When Vale stepped in to the ring on Carlo, you could tell he had a plan to take the lead. “These German course designers, both Petersen this week and [Martin] Otto last week, are really making galloping tracks and I saw that it would take someone to put the gas pedal down to win. I caught a really good turn back to the in and out and caught the last fence on an open stride.” Vale stopped the clock at 44.351 to take over the lead.

Next up was Goldman on the 9-year-old Sovereign. She picked up a gallop and sliced the turns, but added a stride in the last line to finish in 45.243, just behind Vale. Goldman was very pleased with her young horse: “He was fabulous! We are really starting to understand each other.”

No one underestimated the fact that Kocher was still to go on. With nothing to lose, he and the 9-year-old Dutch Warmblood Ciana laid it all on the line and despite a bit of a buck when landing off one fence, their time was a commanding 43.495, almost a full second faster than Vale.

“She’s just a very good game horse and I liked the course,” Kocher said. “I look forward to jumping her in the Grand Prix this weekend.”

$25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix
Lisa Goldman, of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and her veteran partner, Morocco, swept the competition in Thursday’s $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix at HITS Ocala for the second week in a row. Devin Ryan, of Long Valley, New Jersey, riding his own Liratus, was second and Mathew Williams, of Wellington, Florida, riding Valinski S, owned by Michael Dorman and Wyndmont, Inc., was third. Andrew Kocher, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, on Uppie De Lis, owned by BTS Entertainment and Sales, was the fastest with four faults for fourth and the top five rounded out with Hunter Holloway, of Topeka, Kansas, riding VDL Bravo S, owned by Hays Investment Corp.

Lisa Goldman and Morocco
Lisa Goldman and Morocco

Spectators are flocking to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium during the Grand Prix days to watch the excitement unfold as all the top riders jump for the glory. One horse and rider have consistently thrilled the crowd as they speed around the course – Lisa Goldman and Morocco. They topped the class of 38 competitors with a double clear trip in 42.717 seconds. Olaf Petersen Jr., of Germany, designed the 1.50-meter course of 14 obstacles on a 530 meter track. Seven of 38 jumped first round clears, but only three jumped double clear.

First to contest the jump-off was Kocher on Uppie de Lys. The opening fence was a triple bar, followed by eight tight strides to a vertical at 9B, which toppled for four faults. Kocher kept up the pace with a really tight turn on the rollback to the second to the last, and a gallop home to the Platinum Performance oxer to stop the clock at 42.190, ultimately earning him fourth-place.

Next up was Williams and Valinski S, who opted for a careful clean in 47.146 to take over the lead. Ryan was up next on the big bay Liratus. The 11-year-old Danish Warmblood jumped in classic form, clocking in at 45.261 when Ryan sliced the second to the last, riding a really direct line to the final oxer to set a new Great American Time to Beat.

Taizo Sugitana and Chin Quidam VDL, owned by Hyperion Stud, LLC, were eliminated at 7A of the combination to take seventh place. David Beisel riding the big grey Call Me Hannes, owned by Harlow Investment Enterprises, LLC, had four faults at 7A to finish sixth in 45.846.

Next to go was Goldman and Morocco, and they did not disappoint as they galloped the course. They added a stride up in the opening line to accommodate Morocco’s stride which caused a few gasps as he swerved in front of the last jump, but still managed to jump clear in a time of 42.717 to take over the lead.

The final contestant was Holloway and VDL Bravo S, who also fell victim to 7A for four faults in 45.417 to finish fourth.

“This week’s course was smaller than last week’s, but much more technical; it suited my short-strided horse,” said Goldman. “The triple bar to the steady six to the vertical to vertical combination was really hard for the big horses but I barely had to pull on the reins. In the jump off Morocco tried to leave out a stride to the last jump and when I said you’re not leaving it out he thought we were going around it – I don’t know how he cleared that.”

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Show Jumping’s Top Athletes to Converge at HITS Ocala for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY.

Ocala, Florida (February 13, 2016): HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce the participating athlete list for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ CSIO4*, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, Friday, February 19 at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala, Florida. For the second consecutive year, the HITS Ocala event is the only official United States qualifier for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final held in Barcelona, Spain on September 22-25.

The HITS Organizing Committee, in conjunction with the USEF, invited select nations to participate in the international show jumping event. Each country is permitted to bring a team of four riders plus one alternate and a Chef d’Équipe or Team Coach.

“The world’s leading high-performance riders, including Olympic Gold Medalists, World Cup champions and FEI Nations Cup victors, will congregate at HITS Ocala next week for the only official stateside Nations Cup and judging by the entries, a spectacular performance is in store,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “It is an honor to host this event for the second year and we are confident that Marion County will continue to live up to its reputation as the Horse Capitol of the World.”

Australia | Chef d’Équipe Stevie Macken
Thaisa Erwin
Tom McDermott
Scott Keach
Harley Brown
Matt Williams

Canada | Chef d’Équipe Mark Laskin
Ian Millar
Jonathon Millar
Amy Millar
Chris Sorensen
Mac Cone

Colombia | Chef d’Équipe Marcel Delestre
Roberto Teran
Daniel Bluman
Mark Bluman
Fernando Cardenas
Mauricio Guevara

El Salvador | Chef d’Équipe Cate Boon
Diego Muyshondt
Juan Manuel Bolanos
Paulo Santana

Ireland | Chef d’Équipe Robert Splaine
Kevin Babington
Cian O’Connor
Shane Sweetnam
Richie Moloney
David Blake

Mexico | Chef d’Équipe Norman Dello Joio
Alberto Michan
Eugenio Garza
Federico Fernandez
Jose Antonio Chedraui
Santiago Lambre

New Zealand | Chef d’Équipe Craig Martin
Luke Dee
Claudia Hay
Sharn Wordley
Kirk Webby

United States of America | Chef d’Équipe Robert Ridland
McLain Ward
Elizabeth Madden
Lauren Hough
Laura Kraut
Todd Minikus

The starting order for the eight nations is determined by a draw to take place Wednesday, February 17, following the FEI Jog. On February 18, immediately following the $34,600 FEI Thursday Prix, each Chef d’Équipe will declare the order in which he wants his team members to compete.

In each round of the two round competition, the highest score per team will be dropped, and only three scores will count per round for each team. The country finishing with the lowest cumulative two-round score will be declared the winner. In the event of a tie, a jump-off against the clock will be held to determine the winner.

Spanning four days of competition, Nations Cup Week at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala will host several notable classes in the FEI Jumper Division. Highlights include the $5,000 Welcome Stake and the $34,600 Thursday Prix on Thursday, February 18; the $112,900 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, on Friday, February 19; the $34,600 HITS Jumper Classic on Saturday, February 20; and the $100,000 City of Ocala Grand Prix on Sunday, February 21. A complete schedule is available at HitsShows.com.

General admission tickets for the FEI Nations Cup™ are $10 and available in advance through OcalaTix.com ($2 processing fee applies). Tickets will also available at the gate the day of the event.

Day VIP passes available by pre-order for $100 per person. Includes ringside seating with a deluxe buffet and complimentary beer and wine. For Day VIP, call 352.368.1903. Day VIP tickets must be purchased in advance and are expected to sell out prior to February 19.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Jumpers Go Head-to-Head in $50k Equioxx Grand Prix and $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic

(C) ESI Photography. Brian Moggre and MTM Flutterby on their way to a $7,500 U-Dump Jr/A-O Jumper Classic win.

Ocala, FL (February 3, 2016): The weekend brought exciting competition to HITS Post Time Farm in Week II of the Ocala Winter Circuit with the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix and the $7,500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic.

$50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix

Dorothy Douglas of Flower Mound, Texas, riding S&L Elite, owned by MTM Farms, galloped to the win in the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix on Sunday in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium. Harold Chopping of Southern Pines, North Carolina, riding Kendra Bullington’s Basje, was second place, and third Zent to last week’s $50,000 Tuffrider/Equine Couture Grand Prix winner Lisa Goldman of Hawthorn Woods, Illinois, and Morocco.

Thirty-four horses and riders took on the challenging 1.50-meter course set by course designer Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas. A tight time allowed of 85 seconds in the first round kept the riders on a fast track if they wanted to go clean.

First to go clean and meet the time-allowed challenge successfully was Goldman on her first ride, Morocco.

Andrew Welles of Port St. Lucie, FL, riding Shining De Reve, owned by AEM Enterprises, LLC, was the next to jump clear in the first round, just within the time allowed. Goldman returned with her second mount, Rocs to Riches to produce a third to advance to the jump-off.

Four more joined the group to contest the shortened course: Brandie Holloway of Topeka, Kansas, riding Lucky Strike, owned by Hays Investment Corporation; class winner Douglas and S&L Elite; Chopping on Basje; and Christoph Schroeder of Andersonville, Tennessee, riding Catungee, the winner of the Ocala I $25000 SmartPak Grand Prix.

The first element of the triple was removed and the course was set for the jump-off with Goldman and Morocco returning first. They started at a breakneck pace, steadying only in one spot after the combination, stopping 36.801 seconds.

Next up was Welles and Shining Du Reve who had two rails for eight faults in a time of 45.154. Holloway and Lucky Strike moved up in the order, in their attempt to catch Goldman, they left out a stride to the skinny vertical at the last fence. While the gamble meant they had the time, in 36.402, they also had the rail, finishing with the fastest four-fault trip to be fourth.

The big chestnut S&L Elite and Douglas took on the course with a plan to leave out strides wherever possible. Indeed, their plan worked, as they took over the lead in 36.194 seconds. Goldman returned with Rocs to Riches but had a rail at the combination, finishing in 37.523 to finish fifth.

Two remained in the jump-off. Chopping and Basje left out a stride in two places to finish in 36.320 seconds, just two-tenths of a second behind Douglas for the win. Schroeder had 4 faults at the combination and a time of 38.080 for sixth place.

“I can’t thank Mike McCormick and Tracy Fenney enough for all of their support. I’ve been working with S&L Elite for three seasons – he’s the first horse I’ve ever had at this level,” said Douglas. “Mike kept telling me, ‘take the step out everywhere; if the jump comes down then it comes down but try to win,’ I think he jumped even better in the jump-off than in the first round.”

Forty riders who have competed in at least three Sunday Grand Prix will qualify based on money won for the Great American Million to be held in Ocala in March, 2016.

$7500 U-Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic

Another exciting class kept spectators on the edge of their seats as juniors and amateurs jumped for the top prize in the $7500 U Dump Junior/Amateur-Owner Jumper Classic in the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium at HITS, Ocala. Brian Moggre of Flower Mound, Texas, riding MTM Flutterby, owned by Major Wager LLC, won by a whisker.

The fourteen-year-old equestrian clocked in with a time of 37.561 seconds over Haley Gassel’s time of 37.940 seconds in a head-to-head jump-off for the win. Melissa Ruderhausen of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, and Charmeur Ask, was the fastest with four faults in a time of 74.526 for third place.

Juniors and Amateurs tried their best to defeat Dallas, Texas course designer, Oscar Soberon’s 1.45-meter course. It proved to be a difficult task as rider after rider collected four faults, many of which were at the oxer-vertical combination at 9A and 9B.

Third in the order was Gassel, of Lenoir City, Tennessee on Quite Dark 2, owned by Westwind Equine Training Center. Their clear round looked like it might be the only one, until the last rider of the first-round, Moggre, came in on the diminutive MTM Flutterby. The striking chestnut with the flaxen mane never touched a rail, insuring a two horse jump-off.

Gassel returned for the jump-off and pulled out all the stops with a tight roll-back to Fence 8, where Quite Dark 2 made an extra effort to be clear before galloping home in the Great American Time to Beat of 37.940 seconds.

Only one rider stood between Gassel and the win. Moggre and MTM Flutterby kicked out in exuberance between the first two fences in the jump-off, losing some time to the clock, but after the combination, they kicked into turbo drive to stop the clock just a fraction faster for the win.

“He who touches the reins the least wins! My horse is the bomb,” said Moggre. “I’ve been riding her for almost a year. She was a sale horse and super green and young but when she started to do so well I took her over and we decided to keep her.”

It was certainly a good day for riders of MTM Farms and trainer Mike McCormick of Flower Mound, Texas. Both Moggre and Dorothy Douglas, winner of the $50,000 Equioxx Grand Prix, ride and train with McCormick.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Sunday Jumpers Competed for Big Opportunities at the Close of Week II of the Ocala Winter Circuit

(C) ESI Photography. Robin Swinderman and Cliff II.

Ocala, FL (February 2, 2016): Sunday jumpers of all ages and levels competed in the Grand Prix Ring to contend for the blue on courses set by Oscar Soberon, of Dallas, Texas, during Week II of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. The classes were run under Table II.2.b with an immediate jump-off over some jumps not used in the first round, and some to be jumped in the opposite direction. Riders tried different techniques to achieve the fastest time, including leaving out strides in different lines, choosing to go inside a fence for a shorter turn or turning outside to keep up the gallop.

$2,500 M&S/NAL Adult Jumper Classic – High

The $2500 M&S/NAL Adult Jumper Classic ran in the Grand Prix Ring at HITS, Ocala on Sunday, and course designer Oscar Soberon made use of the entire ring, setting a course of 15 jumping efforts at 1.10 meters.

Thirty-three took the course with a time allowed of 92 seconds, and sixteen went clean to move on to the jump-off Robin Swinderman of Morriston, Florida, and Cliff 2, owned by Meadowwood Farm LLC, have been consistent winners this circuit. They went early in the order setting a blistering pace that could not be beat. Their time of 32.686 seconds held the lead in the class all the way to the end.

Maisie McSwain of Gainesville, Georgia, riding Horseflight.com’s Remiville, came in just a tenth of a second behind Swinderman, in a time of 32.772 for second place. Debi Batz of Lewisburg, Tennessee and Abalia crossed the timers in 32.867 seconds for third place.

“He is an amazing horse! He does all the winning,” said Swinderman. “The plan is to keep the streak alive with the $7500 Classic next week and the $25,000 Classic Week X.”

$2,500 M&S/NAL Child Jumper Classic – High

Young riders tested the 1.10 meter course but it was Sydni Moss of Flower Mound, Texas, riding Erin Hisey’s HSS Lasiano, who topped the leader board. They clocked in with a speedy, clear jump-off round of 32.031 to seal the victory.

Hannah Loeffelbein of Olathe, Kansas, riding FVF Brulee for John and Stephanie Ingram LLC, was second. They passed the timers just behind Moss in a fault-free 33.899 seconds.

Helen Kirbo of Tallahassee, Florida and Cita Z, owned by Raylyn Farms, LLC, also went clear but crossed the timers in 34.573 for third place.

$1,000 S.A. Comunale Adult Jumper Classic – Low

The Low Children’s/Adult Classic was won by Laurie Russell of Ocala, Florida, riding GLS Volos, owned by Kelsey Barfield. Russell and GLS Volos captured the win with a fault-free 34.401-second round.

Second place went to Chino, with Kate Philips of Montpelier, Virginia in the irons. They sped through the timers in 35.639 as the last clear round of the jump-off.

Third went to Grant Anderson of New Canaan, Connecticut, riding Silvermine Farm’s Skelton W. They finished the shortened course in a fault-free 37.946 seconds.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

HITS Ocala On-Time Entries Are Due Jan. 6

Drains are added to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium to enhance the riding experience for exhibitors.

The 2016 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit begins in two weeks!

On-time entries must be postmarked by today, January 6, and received at the HITS Corporate Office within seven days.

The countdown to winter show jumping in the Sunshine State is on! Two weeks from today competition returns to HITS Post Time Farm for the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit January 19 through March 27, 2016. Don’t miss ten weeks of hunter/jumper shows and over $3 Million in prize money.

What’s New & Exciting:

  • Multiple drains added to the Ocala Horse Properties Stadium and Schooling Areas to enhance the already existing footing.
  • Upgraded fiber added to the footing in Jumper 1 to provide both cushion and shock absorption across an even, consistent surface.
  • Spectator tickets for the FEI Nations Cup, on Friday, February 19, are now available for purchase online. General Admission is $10 per person; children 12 and under are free. Click here to buy!
  • Ocala Week X, March 22-27, is now Premier-rated Hunters.

Season Highlights:

  • Return of the FEI Nations Cup CSIO-4*, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona during the Ocala Winter Festival (Week V), February 16-21
  • Debut of the HITS Hunter Jubilee during the Ocala Masters (Week VI), February 23-28, featuring the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix, and the World Championship Hunter Rider Week
  • The third-annual Great American $1 Million Grand Prix on Sunday, March 27
  • Countless qualifying opportunities for the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York

View the complete schedule here.

Additional information, including Lodging and Travel Partners, is available online at HitsShows.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup CSIO-4* Returns to HITS Ocala Winter Circuit February 16-21, 2016

(C) ESI PHOTOGRAPHY. Team Ireland’s Kevin Babington and Shorapur at the 2015 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at HITS Ocala CSIO4*.

Inclusive Show Schedule to Give Additional Opportunities to National and International Competitors

SAUGERTIES, NY (December 7, 2015): HITS, Inc., home of the Triple Crown of Show Jumping, is pleased to announce the return of the Federation Équestre Internationale (FEI) Furusiyya Nations Cup™ CSIO-4* to the Ocala Winter Festival, February 16-21, 2016, the fifth week of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. Boasting a $100,000 prize purse, the namesake Nations Cup, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, will offer the only stateside chance to qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Finals in Barcelona, Spain, later that year.

“Hosting the country’s only official FEI Nations Cup™ is an honor we do not take lightly. Last year, HITS Ocala far exceeded all expectations and with months of preparation already underway, we plan to do the same in 2016,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “With loyal support from Marion County and the City of Ocala, HITS will welcome show jumping’s biggest players to the Horse Capital of the World to exemplify our continued commitment to growing the sport for exhibitors and spectators alike.”

The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ will take place Friday, February 19 at 1pm EST. The HITS Organizing Committee and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will invite thirteen nations to participate in Nations Cup competition. The riders representing the United States will be chosen according to the approved Selection Procedures using the Rolex/USEF Rider Ranking List and by U.S. Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland.

Acclaimed course designer Alan Wade, of Tipperary, Ireland, has been selected by HITS to develop and design the field-of-play that will be used on February 19.

“The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ competition is the cornerstone of the sport of show jumping and it is an honor to design the course at HITS Ocala,” said Wade. “For an athlete, it is a great privilege to be chosen to represent your country in any sport, but in show jumping, representing your country adds to the pressure and excitement of competing in this class. Unlike all other show jumping competitions, where athletes are competing for themselves, in the Nations Cup, they are representing themselves, their team and their country.”

Throughout the HITS Ocala Nations Cup Week, over $270,000 in prize money will be given away in the FEI Jumper division, in addition to over $90,000 total prize money in nationally ranked classes.

“Now, with a year of experience, we can make Nations Cup Week a week that is more inclusive to both national and international riders,” continued Struzzieri. “The Ocala Winter Festival show schedule with expanded class offerings, including a $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix on Thursday, will reflect that inclusiveness.”

Spanning four days of competition, Nations Cup Week at HITS Post Time Farm in Ocala will host several notable classes in the FEI Jumper Division. Highlights include the $5,000 Welcome Stake and the $34,000 Thursday Prix on Thursday, February 18; the $100,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ on Friday, February 19; the $34,000 HITS Jumper Classic on Saturday, February 20; and the $100,000 Ocala Grand Prix on Sunday, February 21. A complete schedule is available at HitsShows.com.

Throughout the FEI Nations Cup™ Week at HITS Post Time Farm, HITS will offer an upgraded hospitality experience in the Overlook VIP Club featuring ringside seating and complimentary beer and wine, as well as the culinary art of Executive Chef Giuseppe Napoli of The Tavern at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, New York. VIP tables are expected to sell out and reservations are encouraged. For Overlook VIP Club information and bookings, contact Chris Mayone at Chris@HitsShows.com.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

It’s Time to Start Planning for the 2015/2016 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit!

Don’t be late: on-time Holiday Series entries are due Wednesday, November 18; on-time Ocala Winter Circuit entries are due Wednesday, January 6.

66 Days until the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

Winter show jumping returns to HITS Post Time Farm January 19, 2016. Offering ten weeks of hunter/jumper competition with over $3 Million in prize money, HITS Ocala is back and bigger than ever! Season highlights include:

  • Two additional weeks of competition with the Ocala Holiday Series, December 9-13 and December 16-20, 2015
  • Two Grand Prix each week
  • Return of the FEI Nations Cup CSIO-4*, presented by Edge Brewing Barcelona, during the Ocala Winter Festival (Week V), February 16-21
  • Debut of the HITS Hunter Jubilee during the Ocala Masters (Week VI), February 23-28, featuring the $100,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, a $5,000 Platinum Performance Hunter Prix, and the World Championship Hunter Rider Week
  • Third annual Great American $1 Million Grand Prix
  • Countless qualifying opportunities for the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York

View the complete schedule here.

Come early – show at the HITS Ocala Holiday Series December 9-20, 2015! Start your show season with two additional weeks of competition at HITS Post Time Farm.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS: join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Flip to Ride TV and Watch Beezie Win the CP Million

Just when you thought Fridays couldn’t get any better – they do! This Friday, October 30, at 9 pm EST, tune in to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) to relive the highest-ranked class in U.S. show jumping this year, the Canadian Pacific $1 Million Grand Prix FEI CSI-5*, presented by Wells Fargo.

Flip to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and reminisce that historic Sunday in September when Beezie Madden was dubbed the First Lady of the HITS Championship, winning the CP Million with her trusty mount Simon.

Cozy up and tune in to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and enjoy an exciting evening of show jumping competition – right from your own couch! Don’t have Dish? Call 800-303-7400 to learn more about how you can sign up and watch your favorite HITS Shows on Dish.

For more information, please visit RideTv.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com

Relive the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Finals This Friday on Ride TV

This Friday, October 16, at 9pm EST, tune in to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and relive the magic of the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final during the HITS Championship in Saugerties, New York this past September!

Watch Aaron Vale and Dress Balou repeat history and win their second consecutive Hunter Prix Finals as commentators Mike Moran and hunter superstar Hope Glynn provide detail competition insight throughout the class.

Grab the popcorn, flip to Ride TV (Dish Channel 248) and enjoy an exciting evening of show jumping competition – right from your own couch! Don’t have Dish? Call 800-303-7400 to learn more about how you can sign up and watch your favorite HITS Shows on Dish.

For more information, please visit RideTv.com.

HITS, Inc. • 319 Main Street • Saugerties, NY 12477-1330
845.246.8833 Tel • Media_Info@HitsShows.comHitsShows.com