Future of HITS Balmoral?

[oldernewbie]

@MHM

So was Hits actually involved in running the Arab show at Balmoral? Or did the Arab group just rent the facility and run the show themselves?

The Arabian Horse Association runs the show. As far as I could tell, HITS’ involvement was to do all the facility work.

I loved all the old racing stuff around the main ring - really lent a neat atmosphere. However, it made for a lot of distractions around and in the ring. My horse is a sweetheart, so none of it bothered him. Some horses, however, weren’t so thrilled with the retro stuff. And there were some issues with the sound system and the added lights that caused some tricky moments in some classes.

[oldernewbie]

Reported several places on FB this morning that AHA has signed a contract for Balmoral in 2021.

[enjoytheride]

Yes, they had already signed a 2 year contract before this show took place.

It’s amazing that someone who wasn’t even at the show made such a huge spectacle of themselves. Was this the person demanding the burner phones?

I think the commission has been very open about What they need in a facility, why they do the rotation, etc. It must be frustrating to answer the repetitive demands.

I do remember a poster making a spectacle and lots of outrageous statements about facility choices. Mostly she wanted it in her state. A friend of mine looked up her show record and she hadn’t had a qualified horse for the previous 10 years!

[Texarkana]

@oldernewbie

Reported several places on FB this morning that AHA has signed a contract for Balmoral in 2021.

I’ve been lurking on this thread, as I was quite familiar with Balmoral Park but had no idea HITS took it over when the track closed.

As a racing person who also owns a half arab, aiming for 2021 just might have to be a goal! Our dressage is finally non-embarrassing enough that I don’t think it is out of the realm of possibility if all the stars align. :yes: So thanks for sharing!

[Squirt]

I was there all week in the h/j ring and in barn 1. I loved it as a venue, would definitely consider go if there for a HITS show. It was a little over a 2 hour drive, so that was great. I’m cheap and a bit of a procrastinator so my hotel sucked monkey balls, I’m sure there were better ones. The footing held up phenomenally after that crazy storm on Tuesday that actually drove us to share the horse’s stall, which was big enough to have 3 humans with chairs and a 16HH wb cross in comfortably, along with them fully being matted, I loved it there. As fr as food we packed our own so no comments there.

[Squirt]

Also, haven’t been to TC in years, since they moved it but would SO prefer this to TC again.

[MyssMyst]

@enjoytheride

Yes, they had already signed a 2 year contract before this show took place.

It’s amazing that someone who wasn’t even at the show made such a huge spectacle of themselves. Was this the person demanding the burner phones?

I think the commission has been very open about What they need in a facility, why they do the rotation, etc. It must be frustrating to answer the repetitive demands.

I do remember a poster making a spectacle and lots of outrageous statements about facility choices. Mostly she wanted it in her state. A friend of mine looked up her show record and she hadn’t had a qualified horse for the previous 10 years!

I remember her. She was nuts. And she owns an equestrian business, too.

As the week went on? I really liked this facility and will go again in 21. HITS needed to be more prepared when we arrived, but they did rectify the issues. Half Mile was great during the storm!

[MyssMyst]

Well so much for that: https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-gambling-expansion-balmoral-park-20191121-i3iyhllzwbezdks6rj4b3sepcy-story.html

[MHM]

@MyssMyst

Well so much for that: https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-gambling-expansion-balmoral-park-20191121-i3iyhllzwbezdks6rj4b3sepcy-story.html

Huh. It all sounds pretty convoluted.

I wonder if it would go back to harness racing? Or to thoroughbreds?

[snaffle635]

Aww, shoot. It was so close to being a really nice facility.

[PonyApocalypse19]

I heard it’s being bought by a guy who does Standardbred racing. So harness racing is what I guess. All that work to put in arenas and footing -down the drain.

[roseymare]

hey at least it is not going to be a Walmart!

[endlessclimb]

Just heard this on the radio. I’ll have to stop into the local feed store to get the real scoop.

[slp]

That certainly explains why/how the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival acquired the June dates to expand their show.

[endlessclimb]

Any local barns in need of footing, it may be worth contacting the new owner after the dust settles. I wonder if he would let it go for cheap.

[enjoytheride]

@MyssMyst

Well so much for that: https://www.chicagotribune.com/politics/ct-illinois-gambling-expansion-balmoral-park-20191121-i3iyhllzwbezdks6rj4b3sepcy-story.html

I know 2 organizers who have paid contracts for future dates, one with several shows in 2020 and one with a show in 2021. They found out via the internet, and are trying to find out about their future there. Both organizers were very happy with the facility.

[MHM]

@enjoytheride

I know 2 organizers who have paid contracts for future dates, one with several shows in 2020 and one with a show in 2021. They found out via the internet, and are trying to find out about their future there.

Oof.

[endlessclimb]

The deed on the sale to HITS states no gambling or racing until 2026. Maybe the new owner will continue status quo while working on how to get around that?

[mvp]

@enjoytheride

I know 2 organizers who have paid contracts for future dates, one with several shows in 2020 and one with a show in 2021. They found out via the internet, and are trying to find out about their future there. Both organizers were very happy with the facility.

How come those contractual obligations don’t come up somewhere in the purchase transaction-- if not disclosed by the seller, then found in a title search by the non-interested title company?

Or do you point these out but don’t know if those contracts planned to be canceled? Maybe those shows will take place.

[enjoytheride]

@mvp

How come those contractual obligations don’t come up somewhere in the purchase transaction-- if not disclosed by the seller, then found in a title search by the non-interested title company?

Or do you point these out but don’t know if those contracts planned to be canceled? Maybe those shows will take place.

You’d have to ask the seller?

As of right now those with show contracts have no idea what will happen to their contracts (honored? Refunded?) although they did know (after the contracts were finalized) that the facility had been listed for sale. They found out about the sale on social media.

At least one of those shows has 500 plus horses so that’s a lot of scrambling around to find a suitable facility that has the right open dates.

The current sale is pending the outcome of the appeals to the state regarding allowances for casino and racing.