Saugerties, NY — Looking to take next year’s season finale in Saugerties, New York to the next level, HITS, Inc. announced today that two major equitation finals will be incorporated into the competition schedule for the eighth and final week of the 2012 HITS Saugerties Show Series.

In addition to the $1 Million Grand Prix, Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and the all-new $250,000 HITS 3’ Hunter Prix Final, the last week of HITS Saugerties will conclude with a three-day weekend extravaganza that will now include the National Professional Horsemen’s Association’s (PHA) Medal Final on Friday night and the ever-popular Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final on Saturday night. By moving the PHA Medal and the Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal up a week from the annual Marshall & Sterling League National Finals, the finale of the HITS Saugerties season will now feature a major final for hunters, jumpers and equitation riders.

In keeping with the great tradition of indoor medal finals, HITS will bring the tent used for FEI World Cup Qualifiers from Thermal, California back east to Saugerties for these two Finals.

“The final ingredient to make our season finale in Saugerties complete has just been added,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. “The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal has been a cornerstone of the League for many years and I believe this move will help to draw even more 3’6” equitation riders to the classes during the year and to the Final. The indoor tent will create an electric competition atmosphere, largely elevating the importance and experience of qualifying for and showing in this Final.”

PHA Junior Medal classes are offered at approximately 300 horse shows across the country throughout the year and will be offered at HITS Saugerties and HITS Ocala. The annual qualifying period for the National PHA Medal runs from August 16, 2011 through August 15, 2012.

“The Professional Horsemen's Association is proud to be back at HITS Saugerties next year for our National Junior Medal Finals,” said Mary Jane Mitchell, President of the PHA. “The HITS Staff were wonderful hosts for our event this year and we are looking forward to the Finals growing and our relationship continuing at this wonderful venue.”

The Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal is offered at more than 800 member shows nationwide, including all five HITS circuits. The qualifying period for the 2012 Marshall & Sterling Junior Medal Final is August 29, 2011 through August 26, 2012. Approximately 75 riders will be accepted for the Final.

About the Marshall & Sterling League
The Marshall & Sterling League was designed to enhance the level of competition for children and adult riders, with an opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals competition. Now celebrating their 21st year, the Marshall & Sterling League features 14 divisions of competition. Riders who are members of the League have the opportunity to earn points throughout the year by competing in Marshall & Sterling classes in order to qualify for the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, which are held at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

About the Professional Horsemen’s Association
The Professional Horsemen's Association of America, Inc., otherwise known as the PHA, is a self-contained benevolent organization and consists of 16 Chapters throughout the United States with over 900 Professional members. The PHA gives aid and sustenance to needy horsemen, and has a scholarship fund which provides financial assistance to further educate the children of professional members. The PHA also continues to promote and foster the care and protection of horses through education at the local, state and federal levels. For additional information on the PHA, including the complete qualifying specifications for this year’s National PHA Medal Finals, a list of Chapters, or to become a member, please visit NationalPHA.com.