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| (Saugerties, NY, USA) - HITS has announced the 2006 Indio Desert Circuit in Indio, California. Now in its fifteenth consecutive year, the Indio Desert Circuit will once again offer an exciting six weeks of hunter/jumper competitions. In addition to the excellence in show management that equestrians have come to expect from HITS, 2006 brings some changes sure to please competitors. Most importantly, in 2006 HITS is switching over to EuroFelt footing in all the rings in Indio, and making some positive changes to the layout of the site. With exciting competitions to watch, beautiful show grounds to enjoy, and fun-filled special events to attend, spectators are also sure to enjoy all that this year's circuit has to offer. The circuit runs from January 24 through March 12, and each week will feature approximately 250 classes including a Grand Prix every Friday and Sunday, four of which are qualifiers for the 2006 World Cup Finals. More than $1,000,000 in prize money will be awarded over the course of the circuit. With 3,200 stalls available, the 80-acre HITS Desert Horse Park can comfortably accommodate the more than 3,500 horses and 10,000 horsemen from Canada, Mexico, Europe and all regions of the U.S. that travel to Indio to compete each week. Competitions take place from 8 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m. each Tuesday through Sunday during the circuit. With numerous classes competing in ten all-weather rings simultaneously, spectators always have several exciting events to choose from. In one day, and at one facility, visitors can watch competitors of all ages and skill levels compete for ribbons and cash prizes. Spectators are admitted free Tuesday through Friday, and the proceeds from the $5 adult admission fee on Saturdays and Sundays benefit local charities. Children under 12 are always admitted without charge, and parking is always free. Bleacher seating is available at all of the rings and there are numerous park benches and special tents on the grounds that overlook the competition action. More than 25,000 spectators are expected to visit HITS Desert Horse Park during the circuit. Spectators and horsemen alike will enjoy the three food service facilities on the show grounds, all of which offer an international menu of meals, snacks, and beverages. Shoppers will find more than just tack and riding apparel at The Desert Marketplace. Merchants at a diverse array of more than a dozen shops and booths offer unique jewelry, gifts, clothing, accessories, and souvenirs that will appeal to both equestrians and non-equestrians. The Indio Desert Circuit offers many attractions and amenities for the horsemen that can't be found at most shows. Last year, HITS added the Education Station, an on-site school, so that students at all levels-from elementary school to college-can keep up with their studies without missing out on the competitions. Located in a beautiful glass-fronted pavilion overlooking the Grand Prix Ring, the Education Station has a student/teacher ratio of 4:1. Marshall & Sterling League classes will be offered for Children's Hunters, Children's Jumpers, Adult Hunters, and Adult Jumpers Divisions. In addition to these four core divisions, the League will continue to showcase the very successful Charles Owen Children's Medal, Charles Owen Adult Medal, and the HBO Junior Medal. Rounding out the group will be the Adequan Open Hunter Division and the Farnam Adult Hunters Division. The Grand Finale of the circuit, and one of the richest show jumping events in the country, is the $150,000 Grand Prix of the Desert. Not only is this Grand Prix the largest purse awarded at the Indio Desert Circuit, but it is also the last World Cup qualifying event for the West Coast. The competition will decide which three riders from the West Coast League will compete in the 2006 World Cup Finals in Kuala Lumpur, in April. With so much at stake, the crowds in the bleachers are guaranteed an exciting competition. Indio's annual special events invite spectators to the horse show for fun and festivities-Kids Day and World of the Horse. Sunday, February 12 will offer Kids Day presented by KDFX-Fox TV. The event features entertainment for children and their parents including pony rides, face painting, a petting zoo, games, prizes, and crafts. World of the Horse on Sunday, March 12, will offer demonstrations of various disciplines and riding styles, including Charro and Escaramuza (Mexican Rodeo), reining, and barrel racing, as well as introductions to several different breeds of horses including, Clydesdale, Gypsy Cob, Miniature Horse, American Paint, Saddlebred, Freisan, Appaloosa and much more! Charities and charity events are an integral part of the Indio Desert Circuit. The 2006 charity partners at Indio will include Boys & Girls Club of the Coachella Valley, Boy Scouts of America, Indio Chamber of Commerce, American Cancer Society-East Valley Relay for Life, Indio Senior Center, and Indio Police Cadets. These local charities pre-sell tickets to the events and are the ticket-takers on Saturdays and Sundays-100% of the proceeds from pre-sold tickets benefit that charity, and the group also receives 50% of the gate fees. Special fund-raising events will be held on the show grounds for The College of the Desert Foundation and The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Guests of each Foundation will enjoy a luncheon while watching world-class show jumping in the Grand Prix ring from the Oasis Club VIP Tent. The Indio Desert Circuit not only benefits local charities, but also has a positive economic impact on the entire Coachella Valley. Based on an independent study commissioned by HITS from Sport Management Research Institute of Weston, Florida, the Indio Desert Circuit has an economic impact of more than $121,000,000 per year on the surrounding community. With all HITS has to offer to exhibitors and spectators, the fifteenth year for the Indio Desert Circuit should prove to be the most successful yet. We hope to see you there! INDIO DESERT CIRCUIT 2006 TUESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY 2005 SHOW DATES ARE: Desert Circuit I - January 24-January 29 Desert Circuit II - January 31-February 5 Desert Circuit III - February 7-12 Desert Circuit IV - February 21-26 Desert Circuit V - February 28-March 5 Desert Circuit VI - March 7-12 Directions to HITS Desert Horse Park: Take I-10 to the Monroe Street exit in Indio. Go south approximately five miles to Avenue 52, and then turn right onto Avenue 52. Horse Show entrance is 0.3 miles on right. |