SAUGERTIES, NY (July 12, 2025)-HITS Saugerties is the place to be this summer as some of the world’s best show jumping returns to HITS’ state-of-the-art equestrian facility for three consecutive weeks of action beginning Wednesday, July 25.
“We are expecting a great crowd for the summer shows,” said HITS President and CEO Tom Struzzieri. “Entries are still coming in and already we have two Olympians and some of the most talented up-and-coming riders in the sport heading to Saugerties.”
Aside from offering 250 classes each week, countless ribbons and awards and nearly half a million dollars in prize money, HITS is also offering exhibitors a chance to let loose and have some fun during their stay in the Hudson Valley.
The special events calendar goes into full swing when the Equine Art Gala and exhibitor mixer starts things off on Thursday, July 26 at New World Home Cooking Co. The invitation-only event will feature fine art from local and national Equine Artists.
On Saturday, July 28, exhibitors are invited to the HITS Bar & Grill to strut their stuff during the Tavern on the Green Talent Show. The event will take place from 6 pm to 8 pm as a celebration of the $75,000 Tavern on the Green Catering Grand Prix, on Sunday, July 29. Exhibitors will be treated to free food in the spacious air-conditioned lounge while they enjoy some music from local DJ, Exit 20. The show is open to exhibitors of all ages.
Don’t miss your tee time when the exhibitor golf tournament comes to Rip Van Winkle Country Club, in Palenville, New York, just minutes from the show grounds. The best-ball tournament features 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, food and drinks at the turn and an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the tournament. The event is open to all HITS exhibitors and takes place on Monday, July 30 and costs $40 per person or $160 per foursome. A shotgun start is scheduled for 8 am. To register, call Chris Mayone at 845.246.8833 or e-mail [email protected].
The ever-popular Kids Day returns on Saturday, August 4 from 10 am until 2 pm. Children are encouraged to watch the show jumping classes, which start at 8 am and go to approximately 5 pm. With ten rings to visit, there is lots to see and do for the entire day. Highlighting the event are free pony rides provided by Green Heron Farm, in Saugerties, New York. Other activities include a bounce house, a gigantic slide, face painting, arts and crafts activities as well as a visit from Whoopsy Daisy the clown.
Also on Kids Day, Tavern on the Green , one of the most famous restaurants in New York City, will cater a buffet lunch from 11:30 am to 3 pm in the shaded pavilion overlooking the Grand Prix and Main Hunter rings. Open both to horsemen and the general public, this special lunch will be available for $20 per person; a cash bar also will be available. The pavilion is now open to the public so plenty of shaded seating is available everyday.
Then, HITS Saugerties’ state-of-the-art equestrian facility goes to the dogs. Literally!
On Friday, August 10, HITS Saugerties will hold its first ever dog costume party and exhibitor mixer from 6 pm to 8 pm. The party will include free food, a cash bar and prizes for the best costumes. All breeds, ages and sizes are welcome.
“I can’t wait to dress Minnie up for the costume party,” said Holly Caristo, who owns Glen View Stables with her husband Ralph. “HITS is really putting on some fun events this year for the exhibitors. “We had the taste of HITS and the fashion show during the spring horse shows. Both events were really fun. This summer we have the golf tournament and the dog costume party to look forward to. All of this compliments a great horse show at a world-class facility.”
Finally, World of the Horse wraps up three consecutive weeks of show jumping at HITS Saugerties on August 12. World of the Horse is a cavalcade of horses representing many different breeds and disciplines. The World of the Horse exhibit will start immediately before the $75,000 In The Woods Grand Prix in the Grand Prix amphitheater.
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.
HITS, Inc. is a special events management company primarily focused on producing hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS produced its first horse show circuit in Gainesville, Florida in 1982. Since that time, HITS has grown into a nationwide company with world-class hunter/jumper circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia.
For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events,visit www.HitsShows.com
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