HITS sells California and Arizona Shows

[AZ_TD]

@Due's Mom

HITS AZ has been a joke for awhile now. He just kept it going to keep anyone else competing against Thermal. It would be great if someone would come in and make the AZ shows competitive again

I can remember when the AZ shows were huge! It would be nice to see that again.

[oreo_mom]

I think it really depends on one thing in Ocala. Do you want fresh air for your horses or not?
i also think Venice is a separate group of people and much more of a family destination!

[Mardi]

@poltroon

Having more different people involved in running these big shows is probably good in the long term, rather than it being concentrated in one person’s vision.

It definitely benefits the consumer to have more product choices.

[Mardi]

It’s always puzzled me how HITS markets their shows with headlines of a big prize money grand prix. That’s nice, but the majority of their customers (exhibitors/owners) don’t compete in that class.

[Elouise]

@Mardi

It’s always puzzled me how HITS markets their shows with headlines of a big prize money grand prix. That’s nice, but the majority of their customers (exhibitors/owners) don’t compete in that class.

Or how he sets up those big money ($500K and the $100K (used to be $250K)) end of the year Hunter Prixs where the rider is supposed to qualify by competing in at least 5 regular season hunter Prixs at HITS shows. And then he lets a few ‘ringers’ compete at the Final big money Hunter Prix without ever setting foot at a single HITS show all year. And then they go on and win all the money. I stopped even competeing in those Hunter Prixs when I saw who was showing up at the finals. Why bother.

It is kind of the same with the Million.

[FreshAir]

I am looking forward to the big investment in Ocala. May the ladies room have two working lights and the screen on the door to food place be fixed.

[ladyj79]

@FreshAir

I am looking forward to the big investment in Ocala. May the ladies room have two working lights and the screen on the door to food place be fixed.

:lol::lol::lol::encouragement::encouragement::encouragement:

they need to take a trip over to asten, to peelbergen, sentower, etc and just start copying. People like a nice bar and bathroom facilities. Come on.

[Mardi]

@Elouise

Or how he sets up those big money ($500K and the $100K (used to be $250K)) end of the year Hunter Prixs where the rider is supposed to qualify by competing in at least 5 regular season hunter Prixs at HITS shows. And then he lets a few ‘ringers’ compete at the Final big money Hunter Prix without ever setting foot at a single HITS show all year. And then they go on and win all the money. I stopped even competing in those Hunter Prixs when I saw who was showing up at the finals. Why bother.

It is kind of the same with the Million.

So…he allowed his own class rules to be ignored. NICE !

[DMK]

@pds

He has a lot of catching up to do. WEC is going to be amazing.

No kidding. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he doubled down on NY and CA… but Ocala?

[greysfordays]

I’m really excited about this development. Steve is continuing to pursue the bid for the LAEC, I’ve seen plans for the redevelopment and it would be amazing for Los Angeles and anyone who chooses to stay there as well. I’m hoping they win the bid for the lease.

For Thermal, the owners group plans to reinvest any and all proceeds back into the facility for the first 5 years… they’re not taking a dime. Their first show will be Sunshine this November and he expects to be able to make some small improvements by then. I really hope they get some early wins on the board and build momentum.

At a minimum, the footing will be hugely improved and I bet they’ll even water the warmups now (thanks for skipping that Tom, really!).

[Blinky]

WEC opening dates keep getting pushed. The best bet would be to get HITS Ocala prime again before WEC opens up.

[licketysplit]

@FreshAir

I am looking forward to the big investment in Ocala. May the ladies room have two working lights and the screen on the door to food place be fixed.

Ha!!! Maybe we will get toilet paper so I don’t have to bring my own! I wonder if he will build more permanent barns that will sit empty? No more pot holes? Maybe water in the ship in area???

[EyesUp]

What do you think he will do with the Balmoral facility in Illinois?

[pds]

@Blinky

WEC opening dates keep getting pushed. The best bet would be to get HITS Ocala prime again before WEC opens up.

Hits Ocala needs so, so much work. Kinda locked into the layout which isn’t very good. The tents suck and becomes really nasty as show goes on. Would have to build many new permanant barns. Bathroom facilities suck, food options suck, parking sucks, etc.
It will be a major accomplishment if it can be improved to the level of WEC before it is fully operational. I just dont see it happening.

[Peggy]

@greysfordays

I’m really excited about this development. Steve is continuing to pursue the bid for the LAEC, I’ve seen plans for the redevelopment and it would be amazing for Los Angeles and anyone who chooses to stay there as well. I’m hoping they win the bid for the lease.

For Thermal, the owners group plans to reinvest any and all proceeds back into the facility for the first 5 years… they’re not taking a dime. Their first show will be Sunshine this November and he expects to be able to make some small improvements by then. I really hope they get some early wins on the board and build momentum.

At a minimum, the footing will be hugely improved and I bet they’ll even water the warmups now (thanks for skipping that Tom, really!).

You mean that I might actually want to show at Thermal now? Also excited about possible improvements at LAEC.

[greysfordays]

@Peggy

You mean that I might actually want to show at Thermal now? Also excited about possible improvements at LAEC.

I’m really hopeful. I know it won’t immediately be perfect, but I think the investments in footing will help, not having stalls with tent poles right in the middle of them, reconsidering all the asphalt. The owners are all exhibitors themselves. They’ve experienced post-Thermal vet bills and such. I think the tone will be different overall.

https://deserthorsepark.com/california-equestrian-group-acquires-hits-west-coast-circuits/?fbclid=IwAR0t_Xvfs7lgD7XZor2kdpfPn_NjezTnyzEtq4ltzoW0GoJVpAm_8rpDSIw

[Peggy]

@greysfordays

I’m really hopeful. I know it won’t immediately be perfect, but I think the investments in footing will help, not having stalls with tent poles right in the middle of them, reconsidering all the asphalt. The owners are all exhibitors themselves. They’ve experienced post-Thermal vet bills and such. I think the tone will be different overall.

https://deserthorsepark.com/california-equestrian-group-acquires-hits-west-coast-circuits/?fbclid=IwAR0t_Xvfs7lgD7XZor2kdpfPn_NjezTnyzEtq4ltzoW0GoJVpAm_8rpDSIw

My horse is done for the season thanks to the rocks at Galway in May so no November shows for us, but I’m somewhat hopeful for next year.

[Blinky]

@pds

Hits Ocala needs so, so much work. Kinda locked into the layout which isn’t very good. The tents suck and becomes really nasty as show goes on. Would have to build many new permanant barns. Bathroom facilities suck, food options suck, parking sucks, etc.
It will be a major accomplishment if it can be improved to the level of WEC before it is fully operational. I just dont see it happening.

Valid.
I’m not a HITS fan to begin with…at any of their locations.

[mvp]

@EyesUp

What do you think he will do with the Balmoral facility in Illinois?

Don’t know. But if you guys want to know how shows go at that place now, the Arabian Sporthorse Nationals crowd will be able to tell you in September. Their “advanced party” (show organizers) and also some random, local people have been to the show grounds already to check out the layout and amenities. They’ll have details and opinions galore for everyone after their show this fall.

[Horsehusband]

The Balmoral Facility is great but the number of entries(Hunter classes rarely fill) is horrible. No vendors bother going anymore.

They need to do something to create incentives for rider, but have failed to do so. They charge top dollar and fail to give a top dollar experience. Locals more or less stick to Lamplight or Ledges or chose to Travel to GLEF, Kentucky, or Ohio - Same price and by far better experience.