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Home of the Hunters! HITS Saugerties Highlights the Hunters this Summer

July 3, 2008

Saugerties, NY --- The hunt will be on at HITS Saugerties when show jumping returns to HITS Saugerties on Wednesday, July 23 for three consecutive weeks of equestrian competition.

For the fourth consecutive year, HITS Saugerties will be the home of the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships for the East Coast on August 5 and 6. The annual competition is designed to encourage and promote the basic training and development of Junior Hunters. Divided into four sections, the Finals feature competition for Small Juniors 15 and Under, Large Juniors 15 and Under, Small Juniors 16-17 and Large Juniors 16-17.

Addison Phillips, of New York, New York rode Mirasol to the Grand Championship during last year's USEF Junior Hunter National Championships for the East Coast. Riders to watch in 2008 include Taylor Ann Adams and Laura King-Kaplan. Both riders were victorious in their respective sections last year and will be back with their eyes focused on the Grand Championship.

"We are proud to once again host the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships," said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS, Inc. "One of the reasons we felt so strongly about putting forth our bid for the Pony Finals was, in large part, due to the success that we've had hosting this important event. It's one we look forward to every summer."

Then on Thursday, August 7 HITS will host two new events, the $5,000 Pony Commotion Hunter Classic and the $10,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby.

When the USHJA International Hunter Derby takes the stage, odds-on favorite to take the crown will be Jen Alfano, who had three horses in the money during the Hunter Derby this winter at HITS Ocala. Alfano has the class circled on her calendar, as she looks to take the title this summer at HITS Saugerties.

"Its nice to have the focus on the hunters," said Alfano, who won the class in Ocala aboard her mount Rock Star. "If the class in Ocala is any indication of how it will go in Saugerties, I am sure it will be a huge success."

Jenny Fischer, of Montgomery, New York is also expected to compete in the USHJA International Hunter Derby. Fischer is no stranger to the Hunter rings at HITS Saugerties. At the 2006 Marshall & Sterling League Finals, she was the Grand Hunter Champion and at the 2007 Finals, Fischer was the Grand Hunter Reserve Champion, making her a prime candidate to steal the show at this year's Hunter Derby.

According to Bibby Farmer-Hill, from Don Stewart Show Stables, one rider to focus on during the Pony Commotion will be 12-year-old Porter Allen. "She is one of our strongest pony riders," said Farmer-Hill. "We also have Taylor Ann Adams coming to Saugerties, who rides a lot of ponies and horses, too. She is another one of our riders to watch."

"We are all looking forward to coming up to New York for the summer shows," said Don Stewart, of Ocala, Florida. "The Pony Commotion is one thing we have set our eyes on. We want to take all the prize money back to Florida."

The weekly schedule for HITS-on-the-Hudson will also boast many popular classes including the popular Adequan Hunter, Bit O' Straw Classic, M&S Children's Hunter Classic and M&S Adult Hunter Classic.

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.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com

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