Tag Archives: HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

Aaron Vale Secures Second Grand Prix Win of HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in $200k Grand Prix

It was a beautiful day for the final Grand Prix of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit. A field of 58 riders were ready to take on the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, over a course designed by Oscar Soberon of Dallas, Texas. The triple combination at fence 12 proved to be a challenge for many riders in the first round, with 31 having faults at one or more of elements. A tight time allowed added to the pressure, just to be in the top 12 with a four fault score riders had to have a time of 78.885 or quicker.

Rowan Willis set the pace with the first clear ride in the jump-off in a time of 40.784 aboard BLUE MOVIE to take home third place. A few trips later, Willis returned to the ring and topped his first ride with DIABLO VII in 40.608 for the red ribbon. But it was Aaron Vale and ELUSIVE who took home top honors in $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix when they came in and broke the 40-second mark, clearing the jump-off course in 39.158. Vale saved time by choosing a direct route from fence five to six in eight strides where most did nine to claim their second victory of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

That’s a wrap! While the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit ended a week earlier than expected, the health and safety of our exhibitors and their horses, our spectators, and staff come first. President and CEO of HITS, Tom Struzzieri, made the decision early Friday morning that the 39th edition of the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit would end following the close of competition. The grounds were closed to spectators, but riders were all in high spirits on Sunday as the season closed out with the $200,000 CaptiveOne Grand Prix, the Tack Shack of Ocala Second-Half Circuit Awards, and the HITS Ocala Grand Circuit Champions.

Even though this year’s circuit is complete, we are looking forward to 2021 and celebrating our 40th Anniversary in central Florida. The circuit will start December 9 and will again offer 12 weeks of USEF-Rated shows featuring over 400 classes in more than 100 divisions each week, along with special classes and great prize money throughout. Plus, we are excited to announce that the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix will return to close out the circuit March 2021. Look for more information in the coming months and the official prize list to be released in October.

Click here for the full listing of results from the HITS Ocala Winter Celebration.

For more info, please contact the staff at HITS Post Time Farm, 352-620-2275 or info@hitsshows.com.

Cheers to 39 Years at HITS Ocala

The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit is HITS’ longest-running horse show series, having started in Gainesville in 1982.  Now celebrating its 39th year, the annual USEF-Rated show jumping circuit returns to HITS Post Time Farm for what may prove to be its biggest season yet in terms of horses, participants, prize money, and economic impact on the surrounding community.

“In this first week we have already seen an increase of 500 stalls for a total of 2,200 stalls rented on-property,” said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO, HITS, Inc. “We expect that trend to continue the rest of the circuit, putting us on pace to grow by 30% this year, surpassing our previous entry records.”

A Staple Winter Circuit Returns

Having grown from a five-week circuit at its inception to the current 12-week schedule that runs from December through March each year, the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit offers USEF National- and Premier-Rated Hunter competition, and 4*, 5*, and 6* Jumper competition.  Eight of the shows boast the highest Hunter Rating of Premier, and increased Grand Prix prize money has raised the number of shows with a 6* Jumper rating to seven.

These highly-rated USEF shows offer exhibitors at HITS Ocala valuable qualifying points for the prestigious “Indoor” horse shows, a number of National Medal and Horsemanship finals, and several USHJA programs.  In addition, points earned and money won throughout the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit count toward USEF Horse of the Year National and Zone Awards.

HITS continues to stay at the forefront of equestrian sport by offering a range of classes for every level of horse and rider, from Leadline to Grand Prix.  With over 450 classes offered each week, HITS promotes one of the most marvelous aspects of show jumping – where a child at his or her very first show may be seen at the competition ring standing next to an Olympic athlete.

This may be never truer than what this year’s circuit will see, where myriad upgrades and unique offerings at HITS Post Time Farm have attracted top riders from around the world.  These riders include half a dozen Olympic athletes and represent at least a dozen countries.  The richest purse in show jumping, the seventh annual Great American $1 Million Grand Prix, will be the ultimate showcase for these riders to cap off the circuit on March 22.

HITS Post Time Farm is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday, 8 am to 4 pm, from January 15 to March 22. Admission is free every day except Sunday, which is $10 per adult admission ticket for the Grand Prix. HITS Season Passes are also available for $20 and grant access to all ten Sunday Grand Prix. Children 12 and under are free and parking is free. Snack Bar and grandstand seating available. For more information, tickets, and Day VIP opportunities for the Great American Million, please contact the show office at 352.620.2275 or visit HITSShows.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

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

Endorsed by Champions, Embraced by Horsemen – The Sanctuary Is the Official Equine Sports Therapy Center for the 2011 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit

© HITS Staff. The Cold Saltwater Hydrotherapy is one of the many machines used to rehab and condition horses.

OCALA, FL (December 13, 2010) — HITS, Inc. is proud to announce that The Sanctuary Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, one of the premier equine rehabilitation centers in the nation, will sponsor the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit for the third consecutive year.

The Sanctuary is an outstanding facility known for its world-class rehabilitation and conditioning services, and is conveniently located just minutes down the road from HITS Post Time Farm. In addition to being HITS Ocala’s Official Equine Sports Therapy Center, The Sanctuary will also sponsor a new weekly award, The Sanctuary Reserve, and will be the Official Host of the For the Love of Your Horse Event this upcoming show season!

The HITS Ocala Winter Circuit will begin Wednesday, January 19, for two consecutive weeks of unrated competition. The AA-rated, six-week circuit begins Tuesday, February 8, and will culminate on Sunday, March 20, highlighted by the $100,000 DeLuca Toyota Tundra Grand Prix, presented by Great American Insurance Group. High-Performance on the road to the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix will have 14 qualifiers to get on-board the Eligible Rider Rankings and five Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the inaugural $500,000 HITS 3’3” Hunter Prix Final, which will take place the same weekend as the Pfizer Million at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York, September 10-11.

Continue reading Endorsed by Champions, Embraced by Horsemen – The Sanctuary Is the Official Equine Sports Therapy Center for the 2011 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit