HISTORY
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. In January 2006 HITS entered into a private equity arrangement with Leonard Green & Partners, LP in Los Angeles. As a result, HITS, Inc. will be able to develop and execute exciting operational and strategic initiatives that both solidify its well-established position as the leader in horse show management and allow for new growth opportunities.
STRATEGY
The key to HITS' success is its strategy of producing a series of horse shows over contiguous weeks, in desirable destinations, with first class competition facilities and professional operations. Additionally, the company offers competitive opportunities for riders in a broad range of ages and skill levels.
LEAGUES
Since 1991, the Marshall & Sterling League has served to encourage and enhance the competition level of Children's and Adult Amateur Hunter and Jumper riders by providing the opportunity to qualify for a prestigious National Finals Competition. The League has grown from 10 member shows and approximately 100 riders in 1991, to over 700 horse shows and more than 2,500 riders in 2005. With the continued importance of the National Finals, the League is projected to grow to 1,000 member events and 7,500 members in 2006. With the acquisition in 1998 of Commonwealth Park in Culpeper, Virginia, HITS brought back the very successful United States Grand Prix League (USGPL). The USGPL is comprised of approximately forty-two member shows located nationwide that collectively offer over $2 million in prize money. The finals are held in the last week of the HITS series of shows at Commonwealth Park.
MANAGEMENT
Thomas G. Struzzieri has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of HITS since its inception more than twenty years ago. Mr. Struzzieri is a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Equestrian Federation as well as a member of its Competition Management Committee. He also serves as chairman of Zone 2 of the USEF and the chairman of the United States Hunter-Jumper Association (USHJA) Show Management Committee. HITS has a professional, full-time staff of 35 employees, including a complete administrative staff located at the company's headquarters. Their level of experience and dedication guarantees superior execution of the details of all HITS horse shows and sponsorship by our corporate partners.
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