Saugerties, New York (April 25, 2025) - The horse shows that bring $50 million to the surrounding area’s economy are coming back to town! Beginning on Wednesday, May 30 the HITS facility will open its gates for three consecutive weeks of Olympic-level equestrian competition. HITS will feature two Grand Prix classes each week: on Thursdays it’s a $25,000 purse sponsored by Ariat and on Sunday afternoons the stakes are higher as riders and horses vie for up to $75,000 in prize money.
“It’s been a long winter and we are looking forward to the spring and summer shows returning to our home town,” said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS and resident of Saugerties. “This is our fourth season in Saugerties and we have some great things planned not only for our exhibitors but also for spectators.”
In fact, HITS is putting together an eclectic calendar of special events to entice visitors to check out the shows. According to Struzzieri, the exhibitors (riders, trainers and owners) love nothing more than to compete in front of vibrant and energetic audiences.
HITS Saugerties Spring Special Events: May 30 - June 17
Spectators will be treated to a very special event during the opening weekend of HITS. The Morrisville State College Six-in-Hand Belgian Draft Horse Hitch is scheduled to perform Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the horse show. Check the HITS Website www.HitsShows.com later in May for exact performance times.The Morrisville Belgian Hitch is an impressive exhibit that consists of six draft horses from four to nine years of age, ranging from 17.2 to 18.3 hands and weighing anywhere from 1,900 to 2,300 pounds each.
Always a perennial crowd favorite is Taste of HITS-on-the-Hudson. The food tasting event returns on Saturday, June 9 from noon to 2 pm. A dozen of the area’s finest restaurants have already committed to participate this year. Miss Lucy’s, Emerson Place, Hickory BBQ & Smokehouse, Edible Creations and Keegan Ales will all be on-site offering samples from their popular and varied menus, many of which feature locally grown produce and other local products. There’s no better way to discover the fabulous dining opportunities in the area than to sample from each of them. Space is still available and restaurants who wish to participate should call HITS’ Director of Special Events, Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833.
On Friday, June 15 the HITS Saugerties Fashion Show presented by DIG, a popular boutique located in the Village of Saugerties, takes center stage at 6 pm. This inaugural fashion show will feature fine equestrian apparel from the vendors at HITS Saugerties as well as some high-end clothes featured at DIG. Food for the fashion show is being provided by Mirabella’s and the Saugerties Key Club is rounding up models.
“Both Daisy and I are excited to be a part of the horse show this year,” said Van Bolle, who owns DIG with his wife, Daisy. “Our store is filled when the horse show is in town and we see the horse show customers throughout the year in our store. It does wonders for our town.”
A complete list of special events for the summer will be available at www.HitsShows.com when the schedule is finalized. Admission is just $5 for adults on weekends, and kids are always free. All of the proceeds from the gate go directly to Family of Woodstock, Inc. so visitors can feel good that their participation in the horse show is helping a great organization that serves the surrounding community. Spectators are admitted free Wednesday through Friday and parking is always free.
HITS Saugerties then takes a short hiatus before returning on July 25 for three more weeks of world-class show jumping. The series concludes with one final week of show jumping beginning on September 5, followed by the Marshall & Sterling League Finals, September 13-16. Special events for the second series of shows are still being planned; some highlights include the ever popular Kids Day, an art show featuring local and national artists, the Parade of Breeds and a Seniors Day.
The HITS equestrian facility is nestled at the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, just one mile outside the village of Saugerties. The facility offers an on-site food service pavilion, an ice cream parlor featuring an assortment of frozen delights and Starbucks® coffee. The HITS Bar and Grill serves up pizza and cold beer in a spacious air-conditioned lounge. Spectators can grab some lunch and find a grassy spot on the berms while watching some of the world’s best show jumping with the entire family right here in the Hudson Valley.
Those interested in the behind the scenes of show jumping can watch the horse show farrier put new shoes on a horse and even tour the stables to see some of the horses and riders up close. And for those who love to shop, HITS does not disappoint. The HITS Saugerties Mall features clothing, tack, fine jewelry, custom footwear, art and photography, and custom HITS souvenirs. For more information on any of the HITS Horse Shows or special events, please call 845.246.8833 or visit www.HitsShows.com.
In January 2006, HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. is able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidifies its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allows for new growth opportunities including the construction of its five venues in California, Arizona, Florida, Virginia and New York.
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