HITS, Inc., is pleased to announce the dates for the 2010 HITS Desert Circuit, held at the HITS Desert Horse Park in Thermal, CA. The horse show circuit will run for six weeks and will also include an off week. There will be four World Cup qualifiers during the circuit, and it will feature special classes for riders of all levels in equitation, hunters, and jumpers. An added bonus for exhibitors this year is special circuit pricing packages, which will help exhibitors make their showing plans.

For the upcoming 2010 season, HITS decided to return to a six-week schedule, similar to the schedule that was very popular when the circuit was in Indio. The decision was made by management due to feedback from the exhibitors.

HITS West Coast Management Team member Dale Harvey stated, "Under the circumstances with the economy, I think the schedule change will be very well received. The decision to do that was in response to feedback we received from our West Coast riders and trainers."

As part of the HITS High Performance Committee, top show jumper Rich Fellers is part of a group that has regular dialogue with HITS management. Fellers was very pleased with the decision to return to a six-week circuit.

"I'm a little opinionated on long circuits, and I don't love them, period," he smiled. "For me, the shorter the better. It's difficult to be on the road for months at a time. I'm really happy that it's back to six weeks."

Fellers will be a part of the grand prix contingent that will compete in the World Cup qualifiers and grand prix competitions held at the HITS Desert Circuit. The World Cup qualifiers will be held in the very popular indoor arena as special nighttime events, and other major grand prix competitions will be held in the picturesque outdoor grand prix ring.

"I think it's a great idea to have the (qualifiers) indoors," Fellers said. "They do a fabulous job of putting them on as special events. They get good crowds and the atmosphere is super."

Harvey noted, "We're using the indoor again, which was very popular last year. The riders group and our High-Performance Committee really lobbied to do that again. Those classes were a big success, and people enjoyed coming in the evening to watch them."

In addition to exciting events, exhibitors can look forward to special circuit pricing packages.

"The six-week circuit was quite popular back in the Indio days, and I'm sure many exhibitors will be glad to return to that format," said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. "With the return to a more traditional circuit structure—three weeks on, one week off and three weeks on—it enables us to offer our customers some significant savings for circuit packages. We are working on the details now, but exhibitors can expect options for circuit stalls (both permanent and tent), RV spaces, paddocks, and VIP packages."

"We had some great success in Saugerties this summer with package pricing for the circuits, and I'm sure that our West Coast customers will be excited to take advantage of the savings," added Struzzieri.

HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri at the HITS Desert Horse Park

The prize list for the HITS Thermal Desert Circuit is in development, and HITS plans to mail the book early in the fall so that exhibitors can begin making their plans early.

"We want folks to be able to make their schedule and travel plans in advance," said Struzzieri. "Especially travel plans, which will help to ensure they get the best rates on transportation and lodging. We have already reached out to our lodging partners to start working on our deals for 2010 and hope to have that finalized early on as well."

A complete list of the HITS Thermal Official Lodging and Rental Car Partners will be available online and exhibitors are encouraged, whenever possible, to take advantage of the savings offered especially