Upcoming HITS Buzz

Strong winter season paves the way for a sizzling HITS summer!
  Seems the momentum from the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit, which had the largest number of entries since 2007 and a sold-out DC V, helped to propel the spring and summer show series in Saugerties, New York and Culpeper, Virginia to equally healthy seasons. Attendance and entries at both Culpeper and Saugerties are fueled by the interest and excitement from two upcoming mega classes – the second-annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the first ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix – which will make for the richest day in show jumping history on Sunday, September 11, 2011 at HITS-on-the-Hudson.

  In fact, qualifiers for these two signature show jumping events are breaking records from Thermal to Ocala and continuing east to Saugerties, with scores of exhibitors entering for their chance to compete for show jumping glory. The Devoucoux Hunter Prix continues to draw juniors, amateurs and professional hunter riders, in huge numbers, which is making for some really exciting updates to the Diamond Mills Rider Rankings as we begin to near the end of the qualifying season on Saturday, September 3, 2011...
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What's New for Next Year

Updates continue at the HITS Desert Horse Park for 2012 Desert Circuit
  By all accounts, the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit was the single best season of show jumping since 2007 when the new show grounds in Thermal debuted. Circuit discounts for permanent and tent stabling, coupled with the appeal of four World Cup qualifiers, 16 qualifiers for the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix, and five Devoucoux Hunter Prix qualifiers for the first-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, helped to attract large groups of returning customers, as well as scores of new comers. The maturation of the show grounds brings the property to life, with customers seeing first-hand the vision and promise that the HITS Desert Horse Park holds for becoming the top winter show destination in the country. Property updates that added atmosphere and color to the show grounds had an immediate and positive impact on trainers, exhibitors, owners and spectators, alike.

  For 2012, HITS management plans to once again expand upon property enhancements with some major renovations that came right from the suggestions of top riders and trainers who have been loyal to the circuit for years...
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Pfizer Million Preview

West coast riders come east for Pfizer Million Weekend; HITS bids to bring Olympic Trials to HITS Desert Horse Park
  As the summer show season nears its end, the excitement and anticipation for this year's Pfizer Million Weekend is gaining momentum. Exhibitors are clamoring to get their qualifying classes in and add to their winnings to ensure their place in the Rider Rankings for both the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final. After the Desert Circuit it was clear that riders from the west coast were serious about ensuring they'd make the cut for these two monumental events. And with the grand finale weekend just about a month away, west coast riders are making their plans to come east for their chance at show jumping history – the opportunity to compete for $1.5 million in prize money!

  The group of High-Performance riders coming east includes a mix of both returning and first time qualifiers with John Pearce, Helen McNaught, Duncan McFarlane, and Saer Coulter, while young phenom Lucy Davis, who took the Desert Circuit by storm when she won the last four Grand Prix at the Thermal including the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix, presented by Lamborghini of Newport Beach, is making her first trip to Saugerties...
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Speaking with a Legend

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum on Motherhood and Medals
  Life as an international professional rider and trainer is physically and mentally demanding. Once you've been #1 in the world, the pressure to keep your name at the top of that list is always at the forefront, meaning you need to stay focused, fresh and keep a solid string of talented horses. So what does this intensely competitive, first-ever #1 ranked female rider in the world, three-time World Cup FEI World Cup Champion think about adding motherhood to the mix?

  "I LOVE being a mom!" exclaimed Meredith without hesitation. When out of the saddle Meredith is often seen with almost 18-month-old Brianne in her arms. Uncharacteristic of a world champion? Apparently not so for this uniquely talented, focused and determined mother...
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Conversations with Equestrians

Hope and Hunters Head East
  We had a chance to speak with professional Hope Glynn, who owns Sonoma Valley Stables (SVS) with her husband Ned in northern California. Once they realized there was an opportunity to compete for a large purse on hunters, the hunter clan at SVS made it a goal to participate.

  They've qualified three riders for the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and plan to head east for a series of shows, including the Hampton Classic and Saugerties for HITS on the Hudson with the much anticipated finals on the weekend. The parents are thrilled, not only with the prize money offered, but with all the pomp and circumstance of the entire event. The collective group feels that even if you don't make the Top 20, you can still have a great experience both on and off the horse – awesome prize money, a new venue, great competition, the east coast, an adventure to the Big Apple, the Pfizer Million – that and more await the northern California competitors and their families...
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Sponsor Stories

Ponies, private jets, Lamborghinis & little girls (Oh, my!)
  When the dust settles in this little desert town, are you in Emerald City? Why yes, Dorothy. Surrounded by glittering ponies, grand prix mounts, both of which change colors and collect colorful ribbons, fancy planes and automobiles and all sorts of horse crazy munchkins (large and small), you certainly aren't in Kansas.

  During Week VI of the 2011 HITS Desert Circuit, HITS partnered with its sponsors to raise the bar, enhance the current winter circuit competitor's experience, and continue to entice participants to follow the yellow brick road to this small, sunny, albeit salty town of Thermal...
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Was HITS a Hit?

Stories from Horse Shows in the Sun
  Through my work with EquestriSol I had the privilege of interviewing a number of riders, sponsors and vendors during the 2011 HITS Desert Winter Circuit. Most would agree that with all the improvements, the world-class competition, the hunter prix classes and the World Cup qualifiers, the 20th anniversary year in the desert was definitely one for the books.

  Horse show grounds and facilities can be vastly different; however, ask any rider/trainer and they'll tell you that there are a few key elements that truly make a good horse show.

KNOW HOW
  For riders like Hap Hansen who has competed at HITS Horse Shows since the circuit's inception, the shows close proximity to his southern California home is one but not the only aspect that draws him and his clients out to the desert. A man of few words, when he spoke, I listened. 'Why Thermal?' was one of my questions.

  "There's lots of room and great footing. I've noticed improvements but there is also a more international feel this year. It's fun to have Meredith here."
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