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HITS Submits One-of-a-Kind Bid to Bring the Pony Finals to Saugerties, New York,

Offering all Qualified Riders Free Entry Fees for Life of Bid

June 25, 2008

Saugerties, NY --- HITS is pleased to announce that it has thrown its HITS-on-the-Hudson facility in Saugerties, New York into the "ring" for the National Pony Finals. The bid was submitted to the USEF and USHJA Pony Task Force last week and includes some remarkable intentions for the Finals if awarded to the HITS facility in Saugerties. Topping the list, HITS declared its commitment to secure a major sponsor to underwrite the entry fees for all qualified hunter, jumper and equitation classes at the event for each and every qualified rider for the life of the five-year bid.

"In keeping with our support and commitment to the grass roots segment of the sport, as shown by the success of the Marshall & Sterling League, we feel that this specific aspect of our bid creates huge opportunities for even more riders to compete at the Pony Finals," said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President and CEO. "This sponsor commitment will help to enable the Federation to welcome the greatest number of young riders to participate in the Pony Finals."

The Federation has specified very exacting criteria that must be met by any facility and its management group aspiring to host the National Pony Finals. "We believe that our facility in Saugerties is among a handful in the country that can meet and exceed this standard," continued Struzzieri.

In addition to the amenities already in place, HITS plans to provide a covered arena, similar to the one used in Thermal, California, and to add outdoor lighting in the Main Hunter Stadium and adjacent schooling areas if the Pony Finals land in Saugerties.

The HITS-on-the-Hudson equestrian complex in Saugerties, New York is a privately owned facility designed and built with private funds by horsemen focused on hunter/jumper competition. Now in its fifth season, the HITS-on-the-Hudson facility has a history of hosting national championship events for the Federation, including the USEF Rolex Show Jumping Championship and the upcoming USEF Junior Hunter National East Coast Championship, which marks the fourth year that HITS has hosted this prestigious event.

"We are very excited to be in the mix for this very important and much sought-after Finals event," said Tony Hitchcock, Sr. Vice President of HITS, Inc. "We have some great plans for exhibitor parties and entertainment to make this a fun-filled and memorable event for each and every rider and their families."

HITS has received some heavy-weight support for their bid, ranging from the Mayor of Saugerties to Congressman Maurice Hinchey to New York Governor David Patterson and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer.

In his letter to the Federation, Governor Patterson enthusiastically supported HITS' bid and went on to assure additional promotion on the I LOVE NEW YORK website and other promotional venues if the Finals were to be held in Saugerties.

Schumer wrote a letter and followed up with a personal phone call to David O'Connor, President of USEF, to show his support for the event, noting that the 2009 Finals would coincide with State-planned celebrations to honor the Quadricentennial, which would attract tourists from around the nation and the world to the region, creating even more excitement and attention for the Pony Finals and New York State.

New York State Assemblyman Peter D. Lopez noted in his letter to USEF that HITS-on-the-Hudson is an easy commute north from the New York City metropolitan area. He also stated that serving as the host state to such an important event as the National Pony Finals would be warmly received by many at both the state and local levels of government, and would reinforce the efforts of New York to showcase its enthusiastic support for the horse industry.

"The support we've received from our public officials has been tremendous," said Hitchcock. "We even received a personal commitment from Senator John Bonacic to work with HITS and leaders in Ulster County to make the most of this opportunity. This kind of visibility is just what we hope to bring to the Finals to help raise awareness for equestrian sports, as well as the riders, the sponsors and the Federation."

The bids for the Pony Finals closed on June 20. The USEF and USHJA Pony Task Force will review the bids over the next several weeks. A decision is expected later this summer.

"It's been our goal all along to demonstrate our commitment to the Federation, and to the population of pony riders throughout the country, by providing them with an outstanding and unmatched experience for the National Finals," said Struzzieri. "We are proud to offer our facility and resources for this prestigious event."

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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