SAUGERTIES, NY (October 29, 2012) – Thomas Struzzieri of Saugerties, New York was recently named the 2012 recipient of the John W. Galbreath Award for Outstanding Entrepreneurship in the Equine Industry. Each year, this prestigious award is presented by the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program to recognize an outstanding member of the equine community for exceptional achievements in business. Struzzieri is the first in the hunter/jumper discipline to receive the Galbreath Award since its inception 23 years ago.
The Galbreath Award is named in honor of the late John W. Galbreath, who is remembered for his involvement with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Darby Dan Thoroughbred Farm and, most notably, as a longtime chairman of the legendary Churchill Downs.
According to University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program Director, Tim Capps, all aspects of the equine world are considered for the award, all sharing a general theme.
“From all the people we could have considered, we looked at Tom as the most successful in entrepreneurship, at being an innovator and a tireless worker,” said Capps. “He had a couple of ideas that he wanted to peruse and did so relentlessly. At the same time, he changed the world of showing.”
In 1987, Struzzieri hosted his first horse show in Gainesville, Florida, which has since grown into HITS Inc., the largest show jumping production company in the world. Known for its innovative leadership, HITS organizes, staffs and manages 37 weeks of horse shows with more than 50 grand prix events per year coast to coast throughout the United States. With Struzzieri at the helm, HITS has introduced three of the most important advances in the sport of show jumping, including the Marshall & Sterling League, the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the AIG Thermal Million Grand Prix League; all of which are part of a larger vision to grow the sport of show jumping in the United States.
From the introduction of the Children’s Hunter Pony Finals at HITS-on-the-Hudson to HITS Championship Weekend, where over $1.75 million dollars is awarded over two days, Struzzieri is offering prestigious finals-like atmospheres jumper, hunter and equitation riders of all levels.
“[Tom] is a perfect example of innovation and hard work, which is what entrepreneurship is all about,” added Capps.
With his daughter Samantha by his side, Struzzieri graciously accepted a custom bronze sculpture to represent the celebrated Galbreath Award in Louisville, Kentucky on October 25.
“Everything we do at HITS is aimed at promoting the sport of show jumping to equestrians of all levels,” said Struzzieri. “I am honored by the award and nothing makes me happier that to see an organization like the University of Louisville’s Equine Industry Program motivating equine professionals to advance the sport and the business.”
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