This year, the first six weeks of the HITS Saugerties show circuit will offer an unprecedented opportunity for high-performance riders on the East Coast. Nearly $1 million in prize money will be offered in the open jumper division alone during the Spring and Summer show series.
The open jumper division will consist of four open jumper classes each week, including a $10,000 Open Welcome, $5,000 Open Speed, and two grand prixs, held each Friday and Sunday. The Friday class will offer $25,000 each week, while the Sunday class will offer increasing prize money of $50,000, $75,000 and $125,000 during each three-week series.
The entire open jumper division will fall under the single Jumper Nomination Fee, which has been lowered to $100 this year. This is a bonus for riders who compete in more than one class per week, as there will not be a separate nominating fee for either grand prix.
Secure stabling and supervised schooling will be in effect for all open jumper classes. Horses will move into secure stabling prior to the first open jumper class they show in and will remain in secure stabling until they have finished showing in the open jumper division. Horses will be allowed to show in jumper classes outside the open division from the secure stabling barn.
Secure stabling will be located in Barn 14 at the HITS-on-the-Hudson property. This barn has 90 permanent stalls, each measuring 12x12 feet. The barn was built for the specific purpose of secure stabling and has its own large, permanent schooling area with direct access to the grand prix ring via its own in-gate. The footing in the secure schooling area has been redone for the 2009 season. A schooling supervisor will be appointed to observe all scheduled schooling times, and the secure schooling area will be restricted to only those horses in secure stabling.
To keep riders, owners, and grooms prepared for the events, there will be posted Orders-of-Go for every class in the grand prix ring, as well as published start times for each class. Orders and times will be posted online the night before as well as posted at the show office and grand prix ring in-gate.
HITS Saugerties will offer a total of eight AA-rated shows this year. The Spring Circuit, Weeks I-III, runs May 20-June 7; the Summer Circuit, Weeks IV-VI, runs July 15-August 2, and includes the USEF Junior Hunter National Championships. The Late Summer Circuit runs August 26-September 13, and includes the Marshall & Sterling League National Finals.
HITS Saugerties has plenty to offer, with excellent footing, permanent stabling, and great prize money. A range of classes will be offered every week, from short stirrup to grand prix, and plans are in the works to offer several special hunter and jumper classics each week. Stay tuned for more news, and watch for your prize list in the mail at the end of March. To learn more, please visit www.HitsShows.com.