I read that 2 Hits venues have sold & more money will be put into upgrading the Ocala series. Does anyone know what upgrades are planned?
Probably things they should have been providing all along, but weren’t because they were the only game in town. Now that they have competition, it might be up to scratch.
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I’m not holding my breath for any meaningful updates. the last million he supposedly put in did not upgrade the showing experience at all. And after listening to him on the Plaidcast say that the changes will be subtle but meaningful, I’m discouraged. However, a big name trainer down there had posted on her FB page that she was encouraged by a trainer meeting that she attended while in Saugerties. So, time will tell.
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No one seems confident there will be any real changes but, :
“Struzzieri said participants can expect a prize money upgrade and improvements to the grounds.
‘The major change will be staffing, you know bringing in my best people from the west coast and bringing them all to Florida and you know creature comforts to make the clients happier, food service, the layout, things of that nature,’ Struzzieri added.”
I heard the ship in area is going to be moved & that current ship in area is going to become the new warm up for the Grand Prix ring. Not sure where the new ship in area will be. Maybe he’s not allowing ship ins anymore?
I still think it’s a fool’s errand. Why on earth would anyone go to HITS Ocala once Golden Ocala ( or whatever it’s called) is open?
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Because they will have different dates. It’s called the mileage rule. HITS Ocala will remain alive and well.
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I’m interested to see how that goes. People have been crying about the mileage rule for years and Roberts wouldn’t have built the facility without an ace up his sleeve. Methinks this rule will be on the way out or modified by 2021.
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I personally think most people will avoid Hits at all costs & flock to WEC. Most of the rated classes are not people chasing points. Maybe in the big eq classes. But not many horses that are showing at Hits ocala do I see qualified & attending indoor shows. Most are at hits to enjoy a winter circuit, sell horses or enjoy a showcacation. If The few that are chasing points go to Hits, chances are the classes might not fill. Just my opinion.
I think WEC will offer compatible prize money… that’s what 90% of the people want. Only 10% are wanting points.
just my opinion.
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I saw an ad that WEC Ohio is offering Jrs & Amateurs a chance to win a car. Not sure the specifics, but, I think his prizes will entice people away from Hits ocala once WEC ocala opens.
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the problem with HITS and prize money is that is always goes to the big jumpers. SO for those of us amateurs slogging away in Hunter 3 (zzzzzzzz) who are supporting the sport, we don’t see these returns.
the derby finals that he puts on have gone down in prize money this year.
One year there was a big announcement about the new hunter stadium. They took the only big paddock on the premises and held some classes on it. Now they do that each year. I wouldn’t show on that uneven, fire ant infested field if you paid me. What a joke.
So, given the track record, one could see why there is very little optimism that things will improve.
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We have a winner with this comment right here. I’ve been going to Ocala HITS for 5 years because I just don’t have Wellington money for the whole season. Roberts did not build that facility for it to just operate during the summer and do minimal in the winter. We might not see it in USEF yet, but Roberts has a lot of weight to throw around. There’s always a story or few that circulates around Ocala on how when that team wants to get something accomplished, they get it done. Post Time may be big, but how much bigger is Golden Ocala, WEC, and they just put out a presser that they acquired another 1000 acres, I believe?
Add me to the list of people showing at Ocala who grumble year after year, have shown at WEC Ohio, and want this to happen. I don’t think the BNTs who HITS are apparently/allegedly courting behind the scenes can save it. It’s too little too late. Methinks HITS Ocala is a sinking ship and just because it’s been a mainstay in our industry for 20+years does not guarantee its survival.
Edit: typo
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I wouldn’t be surprised if this happened. It was a rumor last year. And I am sure if it happens, the new day ship in will be in the most inconvenient place and the ship in charge will be at least $100 a week. Just a guess, after years of suffering Tom’s greediness and seeming distain for his customers.
I cannot wait for WEC. Tom can not compete with Roberts’ money and customer service. Dates, or no dates, Roberts will prevail. But in the mean time, it will be fun to watch what happens. IMO the owners, riders, trainers and horses will be the ones to benefit. It may take a few or five years. But I am putting my money on Roberts. 100%
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FWIW, I heard the grass area across the street from the stadium will be the new ship in area? Like, when you make the right onto 137th by the stadium, there on the left. If this rumor is true, interesting to see what this redesign of the GP schooling and design of how that ring will operate will take priority over that would actually benefit the whole show community.
I’m enjoying this, yet gritting my teeth out of frustration because I wish the time line was faster. I’m angrily shoving popcorn into my mouth. :lol::lol:
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If you have ever been to WEC Ohio, you know it is a first class act; footing, jumps, courses, rings, facility maintenance, prize money, coolers, championships and even the ribbons are works.of.art. It is a finely run machine that makes showing fun! Who else has Halloween contests (the place was decorated to the 9’s)? Golf cart races? Food and hospitality while the Grand Prix is going on? Not HITS.
Tom’s best people from CA better start working on footing, customer service, ring size, jumps, and running those shows like their livihood depend on it. I am sick of the ring being held for 45 minutes for one lousy trainer and his 1.0m horse. Meanwhile, my class gets pushed back to start at 5:00 again (when the online schedule says it will start at 2:30). Same rings, no score boards/jumbotrons, same schedule week after week, same ribbons, same courses. Even his ‘elite’ Hunter Prixs have been moved into ring 3. Ugh.
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How far away is HITS from the new WEC? I would not be surprised if he is going to make Tom an offer he can’t refuse for the property and/or dates.
I think WEC from Hits is about 5-7 miles? Would Roberts even need to try to buy out the dates if in the future Hits can’t fill the rated classes & the show goes under? If Hits starts losing money because everyone is at WEC enjoying themselves, seems like Roberts wouldn’t have to pay to much for the dates . I don’t think anyone else would want the dates.
WEC Ohio isn’t perfect either. Waited plenty long for somebody to show up and WEC does not allow ship ins. Prize list is very clear there are no provisions for showing out of a trailer. Mind you, WEC Ohio is light years better then what preceded it. He has a healthy, non rated local show schedule, which pulls in plenty of money, not everybody wants or can afford all the extras being rated adds. He may not want, or need, all the TS dates.
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Robert tried to buy HITS dates for big money, but Tom turned it down. He is a fool. I’m pretty sure that Robert will just offer crazy prize money and dirt cheap showing fees to entice people to come.
He has the several millions he offered to HITS for the dates sitting in the bank, waiting to be used for prize money.
Like somebody else said, very few people are actually chasing the points. I think if there is a state of the art facility, with top food, top footing, and amazing prize money and prizes, there will be a migration from HITS to Golden Ocala. It will become a prime show facility like Tryon.
I will not miss HITS. The show is a joke and the disdain they have for clients is unbelievable. I have never seen such poor customer service ever (in any kind of business).
And yes the rumor has it that the ship in area will be in the boonies, they want to make sure it’s the worst experience ever to discourage people from doing it. But honestly I would rather walk a few miles than having to keep my horses in those nasty tents. Shame on you HITS.
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I was on the HITS Ocala showgrounds last week and saw nothing happening, so those upgrades are really, really subtle. Count me as one of those who will happily go to an unrated show at WEC since I’m not chasing points at all. I would also happily throw a log on the fire of the HITS franchise going up in flames. Tom treats his people like crap, which means they treat the competitors like crap, which means I hate showing there and wouldn’t if it wasn’t a really convenient option for me. It’s so bad, I’ve gone from showing all the weeks but one to showing one, maybe two weeks.
OH and ship in fee last year was already $100/week, but it’s ok because I could get a circuit stall for $100/week (please read with significant amounts of sarcasm)
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