Daily Freeman (Kingston, NY)

HITS SAUGERTIES SET FOR OPENER

2017 season opens Wednesday, culminatin­g with the $1 Million Grand Prix on Sept. 10

- Freeman staff

The top national and internatio­nal equestrian stars are headed back to Saugerties this week and throughout the summer as the HITS-on-the-Hudson horse show series begins its 2017 season.

It commences Wednesday with the first of eight weeks of competitio­n that all culminates Sept. 10 with the Saugerties $1 Million Grand Prix.

The action this week is highlighte­d by the $50 Equo Grand Prix on Sunday.

There are sessions again from May 31-June 4 and June 7-11, capped by the $50,000 Horseware Ireland Grand Prix on June 4 and the $50,000 Purina Animal Nutrition Grand Prix on June 11.

After a month off, the riders and horses return for sessions on July 19-23 (includes the Adequan/FEI North America Junior & Young Rider Championsh­ip), July 26-30 (including an extra day of competitio­n on Tuesday, July 25, and the New York Horse and Pony Show Aug. 2-6.

There will be $50,000 USHJA Internatio­nal Hunter Derbies on July 29 and Aug. 5 and the USEF Junior Hunter National Championsh­ip July 31 and Aug. 1.

The show series hits the home stretch with a session Aug. 30Sept. 3 and the Sept. 6-10 meet-

ing that concludes the $1 Million Grand Prix.

Competitio­n runs from 8 a.m. to approximat­ely 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for most of the sessions.

Admission is free except on the Sundays when general admission is $5 and children 12 and under are free.

General admission in advance or at the gate for the Sept. 10 Grand Prix is $10 (children 12 and under still free). For advance tickets, call HITS at (845) 246-8833.

All proceeds from the general admission Sunday tickets are donated to Family of Woodstock, the official charity of HITSon-the-Hudson.

 ?? FILE PHOTO ?? Jessica Springstee­n, daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bruce Springstee­n, was the winner of last year’s $1 Million Grand Prix.
FILE PHOTO Jessica Springstee­n, daughter of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bruce Springstee­n, was the winner of last year’s $1 Million Grand Prix.
 ?? TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN FILE ?? Heather Caristo-Wiliams of Saugerties rides Evening Star in the 2015 $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS in Saugerties.
TANIA BARRICKLO — DAILY FREEMAN FILE Heather Caristo-Wiliams of Saugerties rides Evening Star in the 2015 $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS in Saugerties.

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