HITS Desert Circuit: $1 Million and Change

The new Outside Course in Hunter Rings 3 and 4 was one of the first place riders headed. (Photo by Paula Parisi)

Sure, they’re whipping out the big bucks for the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix on March 17, but HITS is not skimping on the change. Exhibitors at the 2013 Desert Circuit will be greeted by facility upgrades and show improvements designed to enhance their experience at the Desert Horse Park.
Changes range from luxurious (a revamped Oasis Club, pictured above right) to practical (a pony prix) to flat out fun (an elevated outside course connecting Hunter Rings 3 and 4). Of course the big news is the addition of a seven-figure stake. “I’m really excited about the AIG $1 Million this year! It puts the Thermal circuit on the map as far as prize money is concerned. It would be a nice check to take home,” said world champion show jumper Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who traveled from Germany with husband and training partner Markus Beerbaum to compete in Thermal with students Lucy Davis and Saer Coulter.

There are 15 grand prix on the Desert Circuit that offer opportunities to qualify (for specific qualification rules, see page 18).
The list of special touches accenting this year’s Desert Circuit is lengthy and impressive: the hunters will square off against their East Coast counterparts in the $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge; there are two new Marshall & Sterling Medal classes (a 2’6” for children and one for adults); jumper 1 has been expanded and a new water feature added.

As exhibitors and their staff checked in, the showgrounds were abuzz with talk of the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix. The special event will feature a course designed by Olympic Gold Medal-winner Conrad Homfeld, with a special new set of jumps by Olaf Petersen that will be brought out for this one event.

“We want this class to be special for exhibitors and spectators,” HITS president and CEO Tom Struzzieri said. The $1 million in prize money is making it unforgettable for competitors even before the event takes place!

Many of the jumps will be similar to those that dazzled the crowd at the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties Sept. 9, 2012. “That entire set of Petersen jumps was sold that very day,” Struzzieri said. “This set will also be for sale, and it wouldn’t surprise me if all the jumps were sold before the class ends.”

Desert Circuit riders will have 15 opportunities to qualify for the AIG Thermal $1 Million, starting Friday with the $25,000 SmartPak Grand Prix.
While Rusty Stewart and Bristol lead the rankings heading into the winter season here, the requirement of four grand prix of $25,000 or more over four separate show weeks during DC I-VI still must be met to secure a coveted entry ticket for the big event.

Arrivals at the Desert Horse Park were eager to stretch their legs and enjoy the sun (Photo by Paula Parisi)

In addition to high-stakes classes, including three $54,5000 World Cup Qualifiers there is, during DC VII, a $50,000 East Meets West Hunter Challenge. That special class, which will allow riders on the HITS Ocala circuit to test their skills against the hunters here, is a qualifier for the year-end $500,000 Diamond Mills hunter prix final taking place during Championship Weekend in Saugerties in September.

Another change is that the big hunter classes are now taking place on Sunday. There is a $10,000 Devoucoux Hunter Prix taking place DC III and a $5,000 Hunter Prix for 3’ riders scheduled that same weekend. Two $5,000 Hunter Prix round out the offerings on Sundays I and V.

Over the weekend, as the horses settled in, there was a steady stream of traffic to Hunters 3 and 4 as hunters (and jumper riders too!) were eager to try the natural obstacles of the Outside Course, which is designed to take hunters back to their roots, by simulating conditions “in the field.”
Everything from pony classes to hunter prix will be held here, allowing a broad swathe of riders to experience the terrain.