HITS-on-the-Hudson is the place to be this summer, so be sure to add it to your calendar as you make your 2021 plans! Throughout the eight weeks of FEI and USEF-Rated competition, numerous Championships, and some of the biggest classes and largest Grand Prix prize purses in America will be featured in the Upstate, New York Village of Saugerties. The three-week Summer Series, July 21 – August 8, 2021, has just been upgraded to FEI CSI4* competition.*
Spring Series (I, II, III), May 26 – June 13 | FEI CSI2*
Summer Series (IV, V, VI), July 21 – August 8 | FEI CSI4*†
Fall Series (VII), September 1-5 | FEI CSI2*
Fall Series (VIII), September 8-12 | FEI CSI5*
(featuring the HITS Championship)
The eight weeks of FEI competition at HITS Saugerties will offer $2 million in prize money. “With the cancellation of the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, our upgrading to CSI4* will fill the void for Grand Prix riders in the US and Canada who depend on the upper-level FEI events in the summer for FEI ranking points and top prize money both,” said Tom Struzzieri, President and CEO of HITS. “I’ve had the opportunity to talk to lots of Grand Prix riders showing with us in Ocala, and some in Wellington, and the response to the upgrade has been super. We look forward to a great season of competition.”
The FEI schedule each week, other than the HITS Championship CSI5*, will run Thursday through Saturday, allowing the FEI horses to compete in National classes Wednesday and Sunday if they choose. “It’s perhaps a little different schedule than the riders are used to seeing at FEI events, but to me, the shortened time span allows the horse show and the riders to focus their resources on those 3 days and give it their all,” said Struzzieri. “Plus, the flexibility to show those horses nationally on the day before and after gives riders an option to choose the right schedule for their horses.”
The National Open Jumper division, will offer $50,000 in total prize money each week, with classes on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. “We are glad to keep a strong National Jumper Division too, for horses that aren’t quite ready for FEI CSI4* level, or for horses that need an option or a week to prepare,” Struzzieri continued. “We know riders want to bring their whole string of horses and their clients to the show and get solid experience for them. That’s why we are keeping a full schedule of National Open Jumper classes as well as the 1.20m, 1.30m, Junior/Amateur and Young Jumper classes.”
† FEI upgrade pending final approval
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