HITS Thermal Welcomes All Riders to 2009 Winter Circuit

Written by: Jennifer Wood
Client: HITS Desert Circuit
Release Date: 2008-06-16

HITS Thermal Welcomes All Riders to 2009 Winter Circuit

Thermal, CA - June 16, 2008 - The HITS Desert Circuit will return to the newly updated facility in Thermal, CA, starting in January of 2009 for eight weeks of incredible hunter and jumper competition. Since the close of shows last March, the management at HITS has been working on improving the facility with suggestions from riders and trainers, such as updating the landscaping and installing new portable stalls.

The management at HITS is pleased to welcome riders of all levels to their shows this year. The schedule for the 2009 Desert Circuit is:
DC I, January 20-25
DC II, January 27 - February 1
DC III, February 3-8
OFF-WEEK, February 9-15
DC IV, February 17-22
DC V, February 24 - March 1
DC VI, March 3-8
DC VII, March 10-15
DC CHAMPIONSHIPS, March 17-22

The HITS Desert Circuit of horse shows will feature a full schedule of classes for riders from the beginner level to High Performance classes, including four World Cup Qualifiers. There will be five jumper rings and seven hunter rings of action next year, plus an indoor ring that will have an expanded show schedule.

New staff members, Dale Harvey and Fred Bauer of the HITS West Coast Management Team, have helped make the transition at the new facility smoother and have continued to work with local equestrian groups. With the help of an advisory committee, HITS Thermal will have some of the best hunter judges in the country, and course designers from around the world will be challenging riders at HITS Thermal for the eight week circuit.

New improvements and announcements will be made regularly leading up to the start of the 2009 HITS Desert Circuit. The HITS Desert Horse Park is on track to become one of the preeminent facilities in the world. To keep on track with the updates, please visit www.hitsshows.com.

Photo Credit: Macella O’Neill and mount glide with grace over the Purina Mills jump at HITS Thermal in 2008. Photo © 2008 Flying Horse Photography. This photo may be used free of charge only in relation to this press release.

HITS DESERT CIRCUIT FAST FACTS

EVENT: HITS Desert Circuit

WHEN: Tuesday through Sunday, January 20-March 22, 2009

WHAT: Eight-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit produced by HITS, Inc.

WHERE: HITS Desert Horse Park, 85-555 Airport Blvd., Thermal, CA 92274. The HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, California is located just southeast of Palm Springs and is close to many of the area’s finest restaurants, spas, hotels and world-class golf courses.

HOURS: 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

DIRECTIONS:
From points West: From I-10 E. Keep RIGHT to take CA-86 Spur S toward Brawley / El Centro. 6.5 miles. Turn RIGHT onto Airport Blvd. 2.2 miles. End at 85-555 Airport Blvd.

From points East: From I-10 W. Take the Dillon Rd exit toward CA-86S Expressway / Coachella. 0.2 miles. Turn LEFT onto Dillon Rd. 0.7 miles. Turn LEFT to take the CA-86S-Expressway S ramp. 0.2 miles, Merge onto CA-86 Spur S. 5.2 miles Turn RIGHT onto Airport Blvd. 2.2 miles. End at
85-555 Airport Blvd.

PARKING: Parking is free.

ADMISSION: No admission charge Tuesday through Saturday. Sunday admission is $5 per person, children under 12 are free.

SHOW GROUNDS: 13 all-weather hunter, jumper and equitation rings located on 239 acres.

CLASSES: Approximately 250 classes take place each week including multiple Grand Prix classes throughout the week.

ATTENDANCE: Approximately 3,500 horses and 10,500 horsemen are on the grounds, and more than 25,000 spectators attend during the eight-week event.

PRIZE MONEY: More than $2 million

VIP SEATING: The Oasis Club Pavilion is at the Grand Prix ring for VIP seating, and a new VIP area will be added to the berm between the Main Hunter ring and Hunter 1. VIP parking is also available.

FOOD: Prepared and served by HITS food service personnel, a complete and diverse menu of food and beverages is available at three locations on the show grounds every show day.

SHOPPING: The Desert Marketplace located near the Grand Prix arena features dozens of shops offering quality equestrian gear, apparel, jewelry, videos and more.

ECONOMIC IMPACT: Based on an independent study commissioned by HITS from Sport Management Research Institute of Weston, Florida, the total economic impact produced by the Thermal Desert Circuit equates to $121,734,061 per year.

IN BRIEF: HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter-jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York, and Virginia.

ON-SITE SCHOOL: For information on HITS' School Station please contact Mary Cunning 802.372.8990 or 505.235.6793 or mycunning@msn.com or schoolstation@msn.com

HITS DESERT HORSE PARK:
Important - use this contact information only during the horse show.
HITS Desert Horse Park
85-555 Airport Blvd.
Thermal, CA 92274
Phone: 760.399.9200

HITS, INC.
319 Main St.
Saugerties, NY 12477
Phone: 845.246.8833
Fax: 845.246.6371
E-mail: info@HitsShows.com
Web site: www.HitsShows.com