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HITS Culpeper Returns This Week with a Full Slate of Classes at Commonwealth Park

by HITS Media | Jul 5, 2011, 12:35 PM

Culpeper, VA – Show jumping action is set to resume this week in the heart of Virginia’s horse country at HITS Culpeper. The Showday National (July 6-10) will kick off the series, followed by the Cavalier Classic (July 13-17) at HITS Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, VA.

Each week will feature a full schedule of competition from beginner level to high-performance classes. Entries are strong for both shows and HITS is expecting some fierce competition as both hunter and jumper riders vie for a spot in the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, both scheduled for September 10-11 at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

“I can’t remember the last time we missed a show at HITS Culpeper,” said trainer Peter Foley, who consistently has roughly a dozen horses showing at HITS Culpeper. “My clients love it because there is truly a division for everyone.”

Pam Baker, a longtime HITS Culpeper veteran, has also made the Culpeper circuit a permanent part of her show schedule.

“We are in for a great couple of weeks here,” said Baker. “The July shows are really great for us because all of the kids are out of school and can really concentrate on showing. We wouldn’t miss this for the world.”

In anticipation of the summer shows, the Grand Prix ring at Commonwealth Park was resurfaced this spring and will be ready for its debut this week.

“We’re excited about this enhancement to the Grand Prix footing,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President & CEO. “This is a great update to the property and one of several new projects we have our eye on for Commonwealth Park.”

The July shows at HITS Culpeper will present several new opportunities for exhibitors to qualify for the Pfizer Million and the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final.

Each week, hunter riders will compete for valuable points in $5,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix classes as they set their sights on September’s $500,000 purse. Currently, Ellen Toon and her own Invincible top the rider rankings with 334 points, while Mary Lisa Leffler and Zivago sit second with 314 points. Both riders still need to pick up one more Devoucoux class apiece to confirm their eligibility for the Diamond Mills Hunter Prix. Leffler plans to show in the class both weeks at Culpeper and could take over first place.

Grand Prix riders will also be using HITS Culpeper as a chance to chase top qualifying spots for the Pfizer Million. The summer series features two critical classes, including the $40,000 Strongid C 2X and Purina Mills Grand Prix, both presented by Pfizer Animal Health.

Currently leading the Pfizer Million rider rankings is Wilsonville, Oregon native Rich Fellers aboard Harry and Molly Chapman’s Flexible. Lucy Davis follows in second in the irons of Old Oak Farm’s Nemo 119, followed by Tracy Magness and Mr. and Mrs. John Bartko’s Tarco Van Ter Moude in third. Magness is a fixture at HITS Culpeper and plans to show the next two weeks at Commonwealth Park as she looks to inch closer to the top.

Showing continues at Culpeper in August, where two more weeks of competition await. The August shows also feature another wave of Diamond Mills Hunter Prix and Pfizer Million qualifiers with the Winston National (August 17–21) and the Constitution Classic(August 24–28).

HITS Culpeper is also proud to again host the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Saturday, August 20. For more information on the USHJA Tad Coffin Zone III Junior Equitation Finals, please contact Pam Freeley at 540-272-4144.

Entries for the August Series must be postmarked by Wednesday, July 27. The 2011 HITS Culpeper Prize List is available on the Culpeper page of the HITS Website. To request a prize list, please visit www.HitsShows.com.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit www.HitsShows.com. Stay connected with HITS, join us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter!